Grand Isle, VT – The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is hiring up to 10 seasonal Lake Champlain boat launch stewards to work at New York and Vermont public boat launch access areas this summer. This will be the 9th season of boat launch stewards on Lake Champlain.
In 2014, the LCBP boat launch stewards surveyed 14,175 boats at Lake Champlain access sites. “The stewards discussed aquatic invasive species spread prevention with 31,159 visitors between Memorial and Labor Day weekends removing aquatic organisms and invasive species from boats, trailers and other equipment,” said Meg Modley, LCBP’s Aquatic Invasive Species Management Coordinator. Of the total boats surveyed, 7.5% had confirmed aquatic invasive species present.
Boat launch stewards helped Lake Champlain visitors better understand the importance of the message to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY all boats, trailers and equipment. Eighty-three percent of visitors to Lake Champlain reported that they are taking measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The boat launch steward program is designed to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species by identifying the high risk boats and trailers for curtesy inspection and providing information about invasive species spread prevention.
From more information on the boat launch steward program contact the Lake Champlain Basin program www.lcbp.org. Applications are due March 31st, 2015.
For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program at the LCBP at (802) 372-3213.