DEC awarded Ecosystem Restoration Program grant funds in 2014 to UVM Extension System to focus on working with owners of agricultural land within the Jewett Brook and Lower Stevens Brook subwatersheds of the larger St. Albans Bay watershed. These are two of the highest phosphorus loading waterways into Lake Champlain. These subwatersheds contain approximately 4,340 … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: August 2015
Green Infrastructure Collaborative by DEC and UVM
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Program (LCSG) of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont have announced the formation and delivery of a new Green Infrastructure Collaborative (GIC). The Collaborative will promote Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) … Continue reading
Play it safe when cyanobacteria are present
Recently, I was a guest on VPR’s Vermont Edition, taking part in a discussion on the ecology and science of cyanobacteria (aka blue-green algae). As always, there is never enough time to delve into the questions as deeply as I’d like to do. So, today, I am going to dig a little deeper into a … Continue reading
EPA and State Announce Public Meetings on the Plan to Restore Lake Champlain
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Vermont are holding a series of public meetings to discuss new pollution reduction targets – often referred to as a TMDL – to prevent pollution from flowing into Lake Champlain and its tributaries. The meetings will be moderated by the Lake Champlain Basin Program. See … Continue reading
New Vermont Clean Water Fund Board Convenes in Septembers and Wants to Hear from You
The Clean Water Fund Board was created by Act 64, also known as the Vermont Clean Water Act, which was signed into law this past June. As stipulated in the new law, the Clean Water Fund Board will annually develop a proposal for investing revenues from the Clean Water Fund in programs that will make … Continue reading
Munson Flats farm to be restored and preserved as wetland
A large former hayfield between Route 7 in Colchester and the I-89 Interstate will be restored and preserved as a natural wetland. This 110-acre parcel is within an area known as “Munson Flats”, a wetland complex rich in fish, wildlife, and natural communities. It comprises the meandering Allen Brook and Lake Champlain-influenced wetlands, including seasonally … Continue reading
Dry Hydrants in Rivers and Lakes
Historically, our rivers and lakes have been used for fishing, water power for mills making lumber and woolens, and moving commercial goods, etc. Today, our rivers and lakes are used and valued for aquatic ecosystems, swimming, fishing, boating, water supplies, hydropower, and fire protection by means of dry hydrants installed for town fire departments. The … Continue reading
