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Lake Ohrid March 26, 2001 WPTZ NEWS CHANNEL 5
Lakes Ohrid and Champlain became Sister Lakes in 1996 with the signing of the Sister Lake Declaration of Intent among Macedonia, Albania, Vermont, New York, and Quebec. Since then, there have been five exchanges among scientific researchers, heritage protection experts, and watershed protection specialists. Both lakes have much to learn from each other. Each have international, multi-jurisdictional watershed boundaries and significant natural and cultural resources. In April 2000, LCBP Vermont Coordinator, Michaela Stickney, traveled to Lake Ohrid in Macedonia and Albania to work with local organizations involved in protecting Lake Ohrid and its basin. Michaela worked primarily with the 20 member Lake Ohrid Watershed Committee, which is similar to the LCBP's former Management Conference, to develop a framework for a watershed approach for Lake Ohrid. The World Bank-funded Lake Ohrid Conservation Project (LCOP) is using a committee and communication structure modeled after the LCBP. This concensus-based decision making process is a new and exciting arena for countries who have recently changed to a decentralized government. In June 2000, representatives from Lake Ohrid and several other international lakes toured Lake Champlain as part of the Lake Net Conference on a partnership approach to watershed management. About Lake Ohrid Age: 4-10 million years old, making it one of the world's oldest! Depth: 289 m (947 ft) at deepest point, making it one of the world's deepest! Size: 358.2 sq. km (139.3 sq. miles) Altitude: 695 m (2279 ft) above sea level Water Clarity: 15 m (49.2 ft) average -- up to 21 m (68.9 ft) in the summer! For more facts visit the Lake Ohrid Site. Lake Toba Lake Toba is another sister to Lake Champlain that is using the LCBP as a model. It is located in Indonesia, in Southeast Asia. Visit the Lake Toba Exchange website for more information. Links Lake Ohrid - Map and Tourist Info Lake Ohrid -- Institute for Sustainable Communities Lake Net - World Lake Organization International Lakes Environment Committee Lake Toba Exchange Kid's Place | Lake Champlain Basin Atlas | Local Partners & Grants Opportunities for Action | Water Quality | Living Natural Resources Recreation & Culture | Publications & Reports | Links Lake Champlain Basin Program PO Box 204 54 West Shore Road Grand Isle, Vermont 05458 To Contact LCBP: lcbp@lcbp.org Telephone: (802) 372-3213 or 1-800-468-LCBP http://www.lcbp.org Send questions or comments on this web site to Nicole L. Ballinger at the LCBP. Last Updated: March 26, 2001 Web site design by Nicole L. Ballinger (LCBP). |
