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Dear Friend of Lake Champlain,
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What a summer!
Despite all the rain and now the heat, crowds have
been turning out for Quadricentennial events at towns around Lake
Champlain to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain's
voyage to the region. Here at the LCBP, work continues with the
International Joint Commission Missisquoi Bay Project, the Champlain
Valley National Heritage draft plan, and a forthcoming revision to
the management plan, Opportunities
for Action.
As the summer celebration continues, take a minute to appreciate the
Lake and all that it provides for us. And remember that we need to keep
the Lake clean.
Sincerely,
Bill Howland, LCBP Program Manager
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IJC MISSISQUOI BAY BASIN
PROJECT UPDATE
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 In August 2008, the International Joint Commission (IJC)
was tasked by the U.S. and Canadian federal governments with coordinating
a research program to identify sources of phosphorus inputs to the
Missisquoi Bay. To help target limited resources to reduce
phosphorus pollution, the IJC partnered with the LCBP to:
- Identify
areas of the Missisquoi Basin that contribute disproportionately
large amounts of nutrient pollution to the Bay (critical source
areas);
- acquire
and compile necessary data and imagery to support the critical
source area (CSA) analysis; and
- monitor
water quality and meteorology in the Basin over a two-year period.
In early 2009, the LCBP conducted a series of public
workshops to help guide the project. Topics of the workshops included: possible
monitoring types and locations, potential models for CSA identification,
and available, relevant data for the region. This fall, the LCBP will
release a request for proposals (RFP) for a geo-spatial modeling effort
that will identify sources of nutrient pollution within the Basin. For
more information, please visit http://www.lcbp.org/ijc.htm or
contact Nicole Grohoski at ngrohoski@lcbp.org.
IMAGE: Missisquoi
River delta wetlands.
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LCBP
FUNDS BLUE-GREEN ALGAE MONITORING
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Scientists from
the UVM Rubenstein Lab are being funded by the LCBP to sample
water for the presence of blue-green algae
(cyanobacteria) toxins throughout the Lake, including
Missisquoi Bay, St. Albans Bay, and Burlington Bay. The Rubenstein
Lab will also work with the Vermont and New York DECs to
monitor 15 stations lakewide. This grant also supports the Lake
Champlain Committee's efforts to sample 18 sites along the shoreline with
the help of volunteers. Technical reports for each monitoring season are
published by the LCBP. Look for these reports as well as weekly
updates on blue green algae at http://www.lcbp.org/bgalgae.htm.
IMAGE: A Blue-green
algal bloom in Missisquoi Bay causeway in 2008.
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EDUCATORS
DIVE INTO LAKE CHAMPLAIN PLACE-BASED EDUCATION
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 Ten New York, Vermont and Quebec educators recently
finished an 11 day "Watershed for Every Classroom" teacher
training program hosted by the Champlain Basin Education Initiative
(CBEI). CBEI is a consortium of environmental institutions that have
collectively taught about the Lake Champlain Watershed since 1992. Base
funding for the program is provided by the LCBP with EPA support.
Since 1992, nearly 650 educators have participated in CBEI workshops and
forums. In the past two years alone, participating educators have
helped students design and implement the following types of
projects:
- Introduce
no idling policies for school busses to improve air quality;
- observe
and report new amphibian sightings which are now included in the
Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas;
- develop
and plant rain gardens to filter stormwater runoff; and
- develop a
wetlands interpretation trail on public land.
The
curriculum units completed by 27 recent CBEI participants are available
for review at the LCBP Resource Room (top floor of ECHO at Leahy Center
for Lake Champlain). CBEI expects to host a one-day workshop in October
2009, featuring 10-12 workshop selections. If interested, please contact
Colleen Hickey at 802-372-3213 ext. 11. To learn more about the CBEI
Educator Program visit http://www.lcbp.org/cbei.htm
or email chickey@lcbp.org.
IMAGE: A local teacher uses a
Secchi disc as a part of a CBEI alumni event.
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IN
THE NEWS: SPINY WATER FLEA
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The Spiny water
flea has become a household topic as media coverage on the invasive
species' potential threat to Lake Champlain grows. Spiny water fleas are
not fleas at all, but small crustaceans that grow to be about 3/8 of an
inch in size. These troublesome zooplankton invaded the Great Lakes
in the 1980s and recently were discovered in Great Sacandaga Lake in New
York. Senator Leahy secured $100,000 to conduct a feasibility study
to determine if the species can be prevented from passing from Great
Sacandaga Lake through the Glens Falls Feeder Canal which empties into
the Champlain Canal in the Lake Champlain Basin (click here to see press release).
Spiny water flea spread easily from bait buckets, bilge water,
fishing line, and fishing gear.
The LCBP Long Term
Biological Monitoring Program has expanded its monitoring this summer and
has sampled for them in the Glens Falls Feeder Canal and the Champlain
Canal four times--none has found in any of the samples. Spiny water fleas
have not yet been found in Lake Champlain. Help prevent the spread of
spiny water fleas and other aquatic invasive species by checking,
cleaning, and drying all equipment when you move from one body of water
to another. For more information about the spiny water flea see http://www.lcbp.org/ansthreats.htm#fleas, visit the
LCBP Resource Room (top floor of ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake
Champlain), or talk with one of our friendly Lake Stewards at a fishing
access near you. For more information on aquatic invasive species and
threats contact Meg Modley at mmodley@lcbp.org.
IMAGE: Spiny waterflea on fishing
gear PHOTO
CREDIT: Jeff Gunderson, Minnesota Sea Grant
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MITIGATING
STORMWATER RUNOFF INTO LAKE GEORGE
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 The Warren County Soil and Water
Conservation District (WCSWCD) has installed a stormwater mitigation
project along Flat Rock Road in Lake George, with funding through the
LCBP. During rainstorms, runoff from a steep section of the road rushes
into English Brook, which drains to Lake George. This forms a
large sediment delta and lowers water quality in the Lake. Working with
the Lake George Association and the Town of Lake George Highway Department,
the WCSWCD installed five strategically located dry wells that collect
stormwater from the sub-watersheds along the road. The dry wells are a
cost effective method to reduce the total water load into the tributary
along with the pollutants the water carries. To learn more about the
Flat Rock Road Project contact Eric Howe at 802-372-3213 ext. 18. For more
information on the effects of stormwater on waterbodies and what can be
done, visit http://www.lcbp.org/storm.htm.
IMAGE: Stormwater mitigation
porject PHOTO
CREDIT: Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District
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RAIN
BARRELS WITH PIZZAZZ!
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 Twelve local artists and two
youth groups donated their time and creative energy to turn rain barrels
into works of art! The LCBP helped fund the collaborative "Artistic
Rain Barrel Project" spearheaded by the Winooski Natural Resource
Conservation District (WNRCD), Extension Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and
the Vermont DEC. Inspired by the Lake, the Land, and the People of the
Champlain Valley, the rain barrels were on display at the
Quadricentennial Waterfront Art Festival in July. The event and proceeds
from sales of the rain barrels help to further the public's understanding
of stormwater, water quality, and what actions can be taken. Head to the
Resource Room at ECHO to see one of the painted rain barrels or visit http://vacd.org/winooski/winooski_rainbarrels.shtml to
learn more about rain barrels and the Artistic Rain Barrel Project.
IMAGE: Painted rain
barrel. PHOTO
CREDIT: Winooski NRCD.
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ABOVE
THE BORDER: QUEBEC UDATES
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In efforts to control blue-green algae blooms in
Missisquoi Bay and other Quebec lakes, the Quebec Ministère du Développement
Durable de l'Environnement et des Parcs/Ministry of
Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP) has
recently awarded one million dollars (CAD) to two environmental
agencies to implement actions described in the Provincial Blue-Green Algae
Plan 2007-2017. In May, the Missisquoi Bay Watershed Organization (OBVBM)
distributed 8,000 trees to Quebec citizens around the Bay. The OBVBM also
produced a guide for stakeholders to protect shorelines and lakes. The
Prime-Vert Program of The Ministère de l'Agriculture des Pêcheries et de
l'Alimentation du Québec/The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries,
and Food (MAPAQ) continues to assist farmers in obtaining
environmental compliance. The Program has a new section to control
nonpoint source pollution that goes above and beyond the MDDEP's
regulations. The Program has also identified critical source areas around
the Missisquoi to support implementation of best management practices. To
learn more about Quebec's programs and efforts contact Martin Mimeault at
martin.mimeault@mddep.gouv.qc.ca.
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LOOK FOR
THESE LCBP FUNDED PROGRAMS!
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 Bike to the Islands!
The Causeway Bike Ferry service connecting Colchester and South Hero
along the Island Line Trail is up and running! Local Motion
will continue to run the bike ferry on all weekends in
August and Labor Day Weekend. Check out http://www.localmotionvt.org/
for schedules and updates!
Waterway to War:
Historic Sites Near Ticonderoga
The Fort
Ticonderoga Association has created a website linking people with
historic battle sites in Vermont and New York and the waterways that have
played a pivotal role in the history and current affairs of the United
States. The website highlights the proximity and value of these historic,
cultural, and educational sites along Lake Champlain and the Hudson
River. Funded by the LCBP, the Fort Ticonderoga Association is also
creating a brochure and poster to promote the project. To learn more
check out
Don't
Miss the Canal Schooner Lois McClure
IMAGE: Local
Motion's Causeway Bike Ferry Photo
Credit: Local Motion
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ECHO's
VOICES FOR THE LAKE- VISITING A LIBRARY NEAR YOU!
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 Bridget Butler of ECHO Lake Aquarium
& Science Center is touring Vermont libraries as they host Voices for
the Lake video capture sessions. Check the schedule and head to a
participating library to share your stories and concerns about Lake
Champlain and to hear others! Visit http://www.echovermont.org/media/voicesontheroad.html
IMAGE: Bridget
Butler calls out for your Lake stories!
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FAREWELL
AND WELCOMES!
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Kris Joppe-Mercure, our Technical Coordinator
for the past year, recently left the LCBP to pursue a new career path.
Kris is enrolled in the Physical Therapist training program at the
University of Vermont. We wish her the best with her studies!
The LCBP welcomes Eric
Howe as the new Technical Coordinator. Eric holds a Ph.D.
in Natural Resources and an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from
the Univerity of Vermont. His work in water quality and aquatic plants
will serve Eric and the LCBP well as he coordinates the LCBP Technical
Advisory Committee and manages Basin-oriented research grants at the
federal, state, and local level.
Bob Paquin
recently left his longtime position at Senator Leahy's office when he was
appointed the State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency for
Vermont. We'll greatly miss Bob's insight and help with the LCBP, but we
look forward to working with him on agricultural issues affecting Lake
Champlain in his new post.
We were delighted to hear that Tom
Berry will fill Bob's position at Senator Leahy's office.
Tom is very familiar with Lake and LCBP programs as he was most recently
Lake Champlain Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy and was previously
the LCBP liaison at Senator Jeffords' office.
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UPCOMING
MEETINGS & EVENTS
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 Festival of Nations -
September 18-20th
Celebrate the
cultural heritage of the Nations as Crown Point, NY and Chimney Point, VT
State Historic Sites team up for this Signature Quadricentennial
Event. Festival of Nations will run from September 18-20 with music,
crafts, performances, food and more! A rededication ceremony of the Crown
Point Lighthouse will occur at 4:30 on September 19th, followed by The US
Merchant Marine Corps Band and fireworks over the Lake. For more
information visit http://www.lakechamplainregion.com/quad09.cfm.
Save
the Date: Missisquoi Bay Corporation 10th Anniversary!
An event will be held on Saturday, October 3rd in Quebec to celebrate the
accomplishments of the Missisquoi Bay Corporation over the past 10 years.
For more information, contact Chantal D'Auteuil at cdauteuil@videotron.ca.
IMAGE: Kayaking
during Friend's of the Winooski River Winooksi Sojourn: Look for it next
year!
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CONTACT US!
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 Main
Office in Grand Isle:
(802) 372-3213 or
(800) 468-5227 (toll-free in NY & VT)
LCBP
Resource Room: The Resource Room at The Leahy
Center for Lake Champlain (top floor of ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science
Center) is open to the public seven days/week. Call (802)
864-1848 ext. 109 for more information.
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