The State of Vermont has been dealing with invasive water chestnut for a long time. Currently found in southern Lake Champlain and its tributaries, Lake Bomoseen, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, and several other lakes and ponds in the basin, water chestnut is a nuisance. Both mechanical and hand harvesting methods are used to significantly reduce … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: June 2016
Felt-soled Wading Boots Allowed in Vermont after Five-year Ban
In the mid-2000s, a brown, slimy organism began showing up in some of Vermont’s high-quality trout streams. First in the Batten Kill River in 2006, and later in the White River and Mad River, among others. It appeared that Didymosphenia geminata (Didymo, or “rock snot”) had gained a foothold in the state, and was slowly … Continue reading
Aquatic Invasive Species-Interested Volunteers Consider Early Detection Commitment
Volunteers from Echo Lake, Lake Memphremagog, Lake Carmi, Waterbury Reservoir, Lake Champlain, Lake Willoughby and Seymour Lake gathered last Friday afternoon to learn about aquatic invasive species at a Volunteer Invasive Patroller, or VIP, workshop offered by the Watershed Management Division’s Lakes and Ponds Management and Protection Program. VIP workshops provide an opportunity to learn … Continue reading
Public Input Sought for Lake Memphremagog Tactical Basin Plan and Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load
Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District and the ANR Watershed Management Division is kicking off the tactical basin planning process for the Lake Memphremagog Tomifobia and Coaticook Basin. The community is invited to assist with the identification of specific water quality issues and to comment on a preliminary phosphorus cleanup plan or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) … Continue reading
New Webpage Supports Clean Water Fund Process
Are you looking for the latest information on the Clean Water Fund? Do you want to find out how to participate in the budgeting process? The new Clean Water Fund webpage outlines public participation opportunities, links to the Department of Environmental Conservation Calendar where upcoming Clean Water Fund Board meetings are posted, and highlights past … Continue reading
Using Green Stormwater Infrastructure for Flood Resilience
Vermont has seen its share of floods. Vermont is a state of mountains and valleys with most of our village centers, downtowns and roads built in valleys near rivers. 5 years ago this August, Tropical Storm Irene rolled through the green mountain state, dumping 5 to 10 inches of rain over the course of a … Continue reading
Friends of the Mad River Examines 25 years of Water Quality Data
Since 1985, the Friends of the Mad River (FMR) has, through the collection and analysis of water samples, monitored water quality conditions throughout the Mad River watershed to identify, assess and take action to correct water quality problems. The water quality data gathered from monitoring are perhaps unparalleled in Vermont, especially in terms of the … Continue reading
Public Access Greeter Program Fighting Invasive Species One Boat at a Time
With the unofficial start of summer last weekend, people are getting outside to enjoy the sunshine and warmth that Vermont has to offer. When it’s hot like it was for Memorial Day, what better way to cool off than jumping into the lake or meandering in a kayak down the river. If you do use … Continue reading
Learn to Identify Aquatic Invasive Species
Join us at a workshop offered on June 24, 2016 through the Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP). VIP workshops cover such fundamentals as the difference between native, exotic, nuisance and invasive species; how invasive species are introduced and established; how to differentiate native aquatic plants and animals from their invasive lookalikes (plants will be emphasized); and … Continue reading