The Lake Champlain Basin Program seeks proposals for projects that improve water quality and ecosystems in the Lake Champlain watershed. The Program anticipates awarding more than 25 grants totaling more than $500,000 to local organizations, municipalities, and educational institutions.
Current grants will be awarded in two categories:
Local organizations play a critical role in implementing projects on the ground to achieve water quality and habitat protection goals. Since 1992, LCBP has awarded more than $10 million to more than 1,300 projects in New York and Vermont. Recent projects supported by the local grant program include:
Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who, as Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was instrumental in securing funding for the grants, said, “Much of the best work being done to protect, and restore, the health of Lake Champlain is accomplished by local communities and conservation organizations. I’m pleased to be able to make this an ongoing priority as we write annual appropriations bills and to secure the federal support that helps make this work possible all across the Basin.”
Representatives Elise Stefanik (New York) and Peter Welch (Vermont) worked together to ensure funding in the House appropriations process for Lake Champlain.
Congresswoman Stefanik said, “I am proud to be a strong advocate in Congress for the Lake Champlain watershed in the House appropriations process. These Lake Champlain Basin Program grants will be instrumental in North Country communities by addressing our water quality challenges and environmental priorities. I’m grateful to the Lake Champlain Basin Program for their work in our environmentally diverse and vibrant region.”
Congressman Welch said “Lake Champlain is the environmental crown jewel of Vermont. These federal grants will fund local projects to help keep the lake clean and healthy, and preserve Lake Champlain’s role as an invaluable recreational and economic resource. Thank you to the Lake Champlain Basin Program for their important work protecting the water quality and marine life of this great lake.”
Eric Howe, LCBP Director, said, “These grants allow local partners who are most familiar with conditions on the ground and the needs of the community to implement projects that will protect clean water, healthy ecosystems, and quality of life in the watershed.”
Projects located in the New York, Quebec, and Vermont portions of the Lake Champlain basin will be eligible for consideration in this grant opportunity. Grant guidelines and applications for each category can be found on the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s website at lcbp.org/grants. Volunteer peer reviewers will evaluate the proposals and develop the funding recommendations for the Lake Champlain Steering Committee to consider. Electronic versions of proposals must be received by grants@lcbp.org no later than 4:30 pm on October 31, 2019.
The grants will support projects that advance the goals of the long-term Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action (plan.lcbp.org). They are supported by funds awarded to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission on behalf of the Lake Champlain Basin Program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
The Lake Champlain Basin Program coordinates and funds efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources. The program works in partnership with federal agencies, state and provincial agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, local communities, businesses, and citizen groups. These partners have led a collaborative, non-partisan effort to address water quality and environmental challenges that cross political boundaries. For further information about the program, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at (802) 372-3213 / (800) 468-5227.