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Casin’ the Basin E-Newsletter
January 2019 Issue No. 36 Spacer Dark Blue
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U.S. Government Partial Shutdown Affects New LCBP Grant Awards

Federal Partners Document Cover

The LCBP publication Partners in Action highlights the work of U.S. federal agencies in the Lake Champlain Basin.

Many of our federal partners have been affected by the ongoing shutdown of portions of the U.S. government, including our funding partners at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service, and the International Joint Commission. The LCBP Executive Committee was scheduled to make several grant award decisions this week for projects to be initiated this summer that would continue our efforts to reduce pollution entering Lake Champlain. Assuming the shutdown continues, these award decisions will be postponed until our federal partners are back at the table to participate in these important grant decisions. The LCBP is fortunate in that we have enough funding secured from previous federal budgets to keep our doors open through the end of calendar year 2019. We look forward to the resolution of the budget disputes in Washington, D.C. so our many partners and other federal employees can return to work!

 

Learn about the work done by the LCBP's federal agency partners



Ellen Kujawa appointed to NALMS Board

Ellen Kujawa photo

LCBP Technical Associate Ellen Kujawa.

LCBP Technical Associate Ellen Kujawa has been appointed as the Region 1 Director for the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS). Ellen will serve as one of twelve directors. In this role, Ellen will represent New England in NALMS decisions on budgeting, strategic planning, scholarly journals, and annual conferences. We are confident that NALMS will benefit as much as the LCBP from Ellen’s expertise, diligence, organizational skills, and cheerful demeanor. Congratulations!

 

Learn more about NALMS



Boat Launch Stewards and AIS Invasions

In 2018, the LCBP Boat Launch Steward Program intercepted aquatic invasive species (AIS) on 609 boats launching into or retrieving from Lake Champlain, helping to prevent harm to habitat, the economy, and human health in the region.

 

Thirteen lake stewards greeted, interviewed, and shared AIS information with boaters at eleven launch sites in New York, Vermont, and Québec on Lake Champlain. They also staffed decontamination stations at Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Access areas in Shelburne, Colchester Point, and the J.C. Guilmette access site in South Hero.

 

Stewards inspected watercraft from 37 states, as far away as Louisiana, Wyoming, and Arizona. Boats came from 132 different waterbodies in the two weeks prior to their launch in Lake Champlain, and would move on to visit one of 187 other waterbodies—an indication of the potential ease and speed of spread of invasive species on some high-risk trailered boats.

 

Scientists found fishhook waterflea (Cercopagis pengoi) near Valcour Island in September, making it the 51st non-native species introduced into the waters of Lake Champlain. The fishhook waterflea is a small crustacean that is an aggressive predator of native zooplankton and is known to foul fishing lines.

 

Every spread prevention measure taken reduces the risk of AIS spread. Boaters are reminded to Clean, Drain, Dry after using their boats.

 

Learn more about AIS Spread Prevention



LCBP Hosts CVNHP Annual International Summit

Tisha Dolton photo

Participants at the CVNHP International Summit joined Trisha Dolton in singing songs from the women’s suffrage movement. Photo: LCBP

The LCBP hosted the 8th Annual CVNHP International Summit on November 5. The 80 attendees to the meeting were greeted by Eric Howe, Director of the LCBP and representatives from the Vermont and New York congressional delegation: Haley Pero, Office of Senator Bernie Sanders; Joel Wood, Office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik; and Tom Berry, Office of Senator Patrick Leahy. Keynote speakers included Andrew Milliken from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who spoke on the 2019 International Year of the Salmon, and singer/historian Tisha Dolton, who gave a presentation on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The summit also included very well received “Knowledge Cafés” where participants discussed partnership opportunities for 2019 and 2020. Next year’s summit will be held on October 7, 2019 in Québec.

 

Hear summit participants sing with Trisha Dolton



International Year of the Salmon

Photo: Concordia University


The LCBP is working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and other partners to organize events to celebrate the International Year of the Salmon in 2019.

 

The International Year of the Salmon is an initiative to stimulate outreach and research that aspires to establish the conditions necessary to ensure the resilience of salmon and people throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The initiative is spearheaded by the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization.

 

The LCBP and USFWS have developed a series of seven travelling exhibits that explain the life cycle, threats, and history of landlocked Atlantic salmon in the Lake Champlain Basin. These exhibits will be available to interested organizations and venues for display on a rotating basis in Spring 2019.

 

A set of these exhibits will travel with the replica canal schooner Lois McClure on its 2019 tour on the Richelieu River, which will focus on the historic role of Atlantic salmon. The tour will include ports of call on Lake Champlain and along the length of the Richelieu River to Sorel at the confluence with the St. Lawrence River.

 

Learn more about International Year of the Salmon



Education and Outreach Highlights

WEC Teachers at MNWR

WEC partner Amy Demarest leads an exercise in observation skills at Missisquoi National Wildlife Reserve. Photo: LCBP

Watershed for Every Classroom
The Watershed for Every Classroom program continued to provide teachers with inspiration, knowledge, and skills with two days in the field in October. The course, offered by the Champlain Basin Education Initiative (CBEI), helps educators frame engaging lessons around water quality and place-based learning.

 

On a beautiful fall morning, educators practiced their observation skills at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge in Swanton, VT. Tours of the Choiniere Family Farm in Highgate and Green Mountain Dairy in Sheldon introduced educators to water quality best management practices for agriculture, the critical role of healthy soils in organic milk production, and the process of using cow power to produce renewable energy.

 

On the second day, Chip Sawyer, the St. Albans Director of Planning and Development, joined the group for a breakfast meeting to discuss the birds-eye view for how a city on a hill tries to slow stormwater and sewage flow to minimize the impact on the Lake. Amanda Holland from the Northwest Regional Planning Commission and CBEI partner Ashely Eaton from Lake Champlain Sea Grant-UVM Extension led teachers on a walking tour to visit several rain gardens and stormwater holding areas across the cityscape. St. Albans City teacher Jeff Rouleau joined the group to discuss how he incorporates field exploration and service-learning into his curriculum.

 

On January 11, teachers met to share student and curriculum work and to explore primary sources located within UVM Special Collections. Jane Dorney, historical geographer, provided an overview of the resources which might be very useful in the classroom.

 

The current WEC Program will conclude in May. The next WEC course will begin in summer 2020.

 

Learn more about Watershed for Every Classroom

 

 

Resource Room
The LCBP Resource Room on the top floor of ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT welcomed 27,764 visitors during the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018. Guests included tour groups, youth and professional programs, individuals, families, and students of all ages, including outgoing EPA Region 1 Administrator Alexandra Dunne.

 

This past holiday season was particularly busy. Staff greeted more than 500 visitors in two days over the weekend leading up to New Year’s. ECHO broke an all-time daily attendance record with 2,200 people coming for their Reindeer Live day, and the Resource Room welcomed 299 of those guests. A visit to the waterfront by a snowy owl caused even more excitement and an exciting opportunity for LCBP staff to interpret the Basin’s natural history.

 

The Resource Room features exhibits, computer stations, and interactive hands-on activities. An extensive library of lake and basin information, educator resources, and technical documents is available to assist visitors with investigation, research, and curriculum planning.

In addition to welcoming visitors, answering questions, and curating the special exhibits and year-round resources, Resource Room staff hosted custom programs for eighteen student and youth groups and seven adult professional groups.
 

Learn more about the Resource Room



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Local Implementation Grant Results

Since 1992, the LCBP has awarded more than $8.9 million through 1,209 small grants to local organizations. These grants support a variety of pollution prevention, habitat restoration, and other projects that address the goals and priorities of the Lake Champlain Steering Committee as outlined in the LCBP's Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action. A sample of recently completed projects include:

 

Wetland Identification and Delineation Training
The Warren County Soil and Water Conservation district hired a certified wetlands biologist who provided class and field training to participants to assist with the ecological identification and field delineation of wetlands and their components for planning and project purposes. The goal of this project was to help participants make informed resource decisions to reduce impacts on wetland habitats and understand the importance of alternative project designs. Fourteen professionals from the Lake Champlain watershed were trained to identify hydric soils, hydric vegetation, and field indicators of hydrology.
Grant Category: Education and Outreach

 

Lake Champlain Region Border Map
The Conseil Économique et Tourisme Haut-Richelieu and CLD Brome-Missisquoi, the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation, and the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce have produced the 2018 Cross Border Map. This map helps visitors to southern Québec and northwestern Vermont navigate both sides of the border and highlights events, destinations, and cultural attractions. The map links natural resources, a common history, a cooperative future, and tourism. It serves as a vital resource for continuing a dialogue around cultural destinations and traditions, education, recreation and ultimately economic development.
Grant Category: CVNHP

 

South Champlain Historical Ecology Project Education and Outreach
In 2018 the South Champlain Historical Ecology Project (SCHEP) enhanced local awareness and knowledge of cultural heritage resources in south Lake Champlain through a variety of outreach programs. SCHEP gave presentations at local schools, helped students participate in archaeological excavations and meet with representatives of the Elnu Abenaki, and engaged new adult volunteers in education activities. Student assessments indicate a much more detailed knowledge of the work that archaeologists do, as well as a more specific knowledge of Vermont’s prehistoric and contemporary native communities. Surveys also showed that participants will be more likely to advocate for protecting cultural resources after working with SCHEP.
Grant Category: Education and Outreach

 

Clinton County Shared Vacuum Trailer
Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation District purchased a vacuum excavation trailer for use in removing sediment and debris from clogged catch basins, sediment basins, and culverts. Removal of such materials from infrastructure helps prevent overflow and possible failure, and reduces loading of phosphorus to Lake Champlain. The vacuum trailer will be shared by all municipalities in Clinton County, who might not otherwise afford equipment to maintain stormwater infrastructure. The Town of Plattsburgh Highway Department is storing and maintaining the equipment.
Grant Category: Pollution Prevention and Habitat Conservation

 

 

Clockwise from top left: wetland delineation participants examining a soil sample; the Cross Border map; students screening for artifacts; staff from the Town of Schuyler Falls cleaning storm drains. Images: Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, Conseil Économique et Tourisme Haut-Richelieu, SCHEP, Town of Schuyler Falls.

 

Search our grants database to learn about other projects supported by the LCBP



Research and Implementation Projects

Each year, the LCBP funds several research projects that help to improve the understanding and inform management of the watershed. These projects include scientific research, best management demonstration projects, education and outreach efforts, and other initiatives that are key to implementing Opportunities for Action and improving the Lake Champlain ecosystem.

 

Technical Assistance in Wastewater Treatment Facility Asset Management
M.J. Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. developed and implemented asset management plans for 13 small and medium-sized wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) in Vermont and New York. The plans included an inventory of each facility’s physical assets, a description of the treatment process, analysis of effluent levels, and financial analysis of future capital improvement costs. Each community received training on asset management software and follow-up support. The plans will help achieve the long-term viability of the facilities by improving operation and maintenance of the systems, and will help reduce the risk of pollution into Lake Champlain.

 

Development of an Approach and Tool to Optimize Farm-Scale Phosphorus Management and Achieve Watershed-Scale Loading Targets
Stone Environmental, Inc. developed the Farm-P Reduction Planner (Farm-PREP), a web-based tool that helps farmers identify changes to their field operations that will be most helpful in reducing the amount of phosphorus leaving the farm. A demonstration project using the tool was completed in the St. Albans Bay watershed in Vermont. Based on a water quality model developed by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the new tool adds a streamlined web-based interface and the ability to optimize field-specific management options. The tool will help meet the targets of the Lake Champlain phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load by achieving water quality improvements at the watershed scale. Feedback from this pilot project will guide enhancements to the tool for future use.

 

Learn more



LCBP Events & Activities

Upcoming Events

Vermont Farm Show
January 29-31, 2019, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction, VT
Come visit the LCBP table and win a piece of cow art by Woody Jackson.
Learn more

 

Love the Lake Winter Speaker Series
February 21 & 28, March 7 & 14, Gordon Center House, Grand Isle, VT
Join the LCBP for hot talks and tasty desserts on cold winter evenings. A full schedule of speakers will be available at the end of January.

 

World Water Day
March 21, 2019, Burlington, VT
In honor of World Water Day, schools can help the Champlain Basin Education Initiative celebrate the water around us by entering original photos, writing, art, or videography into our contest. The subject of your entry must be water issues related to Lake Champlain, other U.S. and world lakes, ponds, rivers, icicles, oceans or other inspirational water resources. Entries will be displayed during our celebration in Burlington. Entries must be received by February 21, 2019.
Learn more

 

Lake Champlain Steering Committee Meeting
April 9-10, 2019, West Brome, QC
The primary agenda item at this meeting will be the approval of the Fiscal Year 2019 LCBP budget.

 

North American Lake Management Society 39th International Symposium
November 11-15, 2019, Burlington, VT
Co-hosted by the LCBP and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Held each fall, the International Symposium is the premier lake management event where members and other professionals come together for a collection of oral and poster technical presentations, hands-on workshops, field trips and discussions on managing lakes and reservoirs. Look for early registration opportunities in spring 2019!
Learn more



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Blue Spacer About The ProgramThe Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) works in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont, and Quebec, private organizations, local communities, and individuals to coordinate and fund efforts which benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources. Learn more or view our Management Plan. Blue Spacer 2 Other SitesOpportunities for Action
State of the Lake
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