The Lake Champlain Basin Program's Progress 2009 Annual Report (download PDF) summarizes accomplishments throughout the 2009 fiscal year in the Program’s technical, education and outreach, and cultural heritage and recreation initiatives. The support of Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) and our entire Congressional delegation for our funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service and International Joint Commission (IJC) makes these programs possible. Additional partnerships with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission support critical pollution remediation and aquatic nuisance species spread prevention efforts. Program highlights for 2009 include:

• Awarding $490,000 in grants to local nonprofits and communities for projects that implement the Lake Champlain management plan. Since 1992, the LCBP has awarded more than $3.60 million to 678 projects in New York and Vermont.
• Monitoring the water quality at fifteen Lake stations and eighteen major tributaries to inform both Lake science and public health advisories for blue-green algae.
• Approving a rapid response plan to contain and potentially eradicate new invasive plants and animals as they are detected in or near the Lake Champlain watershed.
• Informing nearly 7,000 boaters about preventing the spread of invasive species at popular launches through our “Lake Stewards” program.
• Implementing 30 nutrient management plans on Vermont farms in the most critically impaired region of the watershed.
• Preparing educators to teach lake science and stewardship to 800 students through the “Watershed for Every Classroom” workshops.
• Completing preliminary plans for the Champlain Valley Heritage Partnership, of which the LCBP has been named managing entity.
• Supporting the 2009 voyage of the Lois McClure, which brought cultural heritage appreciation and stewardship messages to more than 25,000 people and providing extensive support to the 2009 “Quadricentennial” events in New York and Vermont communities.

Download PDF file of full report.