Fact Sheet/Spring 2005
A watershed is the land that
water flows across or under
on its way to a stream,
river or lake and is nature's
way of dividing up the
landscape. New England
includes many eco-systems
that, by virtue of their ecologi-
cal value, recreational value,
or proximity to large popula-
tions, hold a special signifi-
cance to us. EPA New England
is focusing particular attention
and resources on these
special places. Working
closely with our federal, state
and local partners, these
community based initiatives
aredelivering tangible envi-
ronmental improvements to
these watershed areas.
> EPA Contact
Erik Beck
(617)918-1606
beck.erik@epa.gov
United States
Environmental Protection
^Agency New England
Customer Call Center
888-372-7341
www.epa.gov/regionl
Lake Champlain Basin
What Makes Lake Champlain Basin Special?
Hake Champlain is a rich biological resource' with
the unparalleled beauty of rural farm and small
town landscapes nestled among mountains.
Mt is the largest lake in New England and has been
designated as part of a 1 'nited Nations
Biosphere Reserve. Through the Mo\nilian Act of
2002, Congress has again recognized the lake as a
place worthy of protection.
*The lake has a rich concentration of underwater
historical artifacts, and is considered by some to be
the most historic body of water in North America.
*• Economic impact of tourism along the lake is over
$154 million annually.
What are the Environmental Issues?
Hligh levels of phosphorus encourage algae blooms
and excessive plant growth in parts of the lake.
*• Persistent toxic contaminants are found in the
lake's sediments and fish,
* Invasive, non-native aquatic plants and animals-
such as zebra mussels, water chestnuts, alewives.
and milfoil-displace native species and reduce
recreational values.
What are the Long Term Goals?
* Continue to reduce phosphorus loads to the
lake to improve water quality.
Mmprove riparian cover along rivers and
streams in the basin.
* Prevent the spread of alewives to new basin lo-
cations.
^Reduce frequency and extent of blue-green al-
gae blooms.
Progress/Goals for the Future
What Progress has Been Made?
Hn 2004, EPA funded the Lake Champlain Basin Pro-
gram (LCBP) with about $ 1.6 million to assist their
efforts.
*EPA has funded geomorphic assessment protocols
and funded studies for many streams restorations in
the basin.
^University of Vermont, with funding from EPA
through LCBP, has been researching the
emergency and toxicity patterns of blue-green
algae blooms.
Hhe extent of water chestnut infestation has been re-
duced by 40 miles.
Hhe Lake Champlain Management Plan has been
revised and published in English and French.
^A stream stability assessment and demonstration
project has been completed on the Trout River.
*NY DEC removed 20,000 pounds of PCBs from Lake
Champlain's Cumberland Bay by dredging 140,000
tons of material from a 50 acre site at an approxi-
mate cost of $35 million. EPA funded the study that
found the contamination.
What Major Actions are Planned for 2005?
> Research the possible connection between
herbicide residues and increase blue-green algae
growth.
^Investigate non
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Lake Champlain Basin
Legend
•1 Surface Water
Rivera
— Watershed Boundary
Stale Boundary
Data Sourcm Political boundaries from NYGIS and VCGI at 1 24.000
Watersheds from USGS at 1 250 000
Surface water from USGS al 1 2.000.000
January 17. 2002
*
A
About the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP):
The federal Lake Champlain Special Designation Act of 2002 created the LCBP to develop a com-
prehensive pollution prevention, restoration and control plan for the lake. Plan implementation
by the LCBP is guided by the Lake Champlain Steering Committee, which represents diverse lake
and basin interests. The program is administered by the US EPA and the states of New York and
Vermont, and gets input from Vermont, New York and Quebec Citizen Advisory Committees, a
Technical Advisory Committee, and an Education and Outreach Committee. Funding for the LCBP
is provided primarily by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with additional funding
by the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Watersheds
Who are the Partners?
EPA New England • EPA Region 2 • US Agency of
Commerce and Community Development • VT
Agency of Natural Resources • VT Dept. of Agricul-
ture, Food and Markets • NY Dept. of Environmental
Conservation • NY Dept. of Agriculture and Markets
• Many Province of Quebec Agencies • New En-
gland Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
• USACE • USFWS «USDA • USGS • NFS • NOAA
• Sea Grant • Environmental Organizations •
Watershed Associations • Lake Champlain Research
Consortium • VT/NY/QUE Citizen Advisory
Committees • Lake Champlain Chambers of
Commerce • Center for Lake Champlain • Lake
Champlain Maritime Museum • Champlain Basin
Educational Initiative • 232 towns • Universities in
NY/VT • WPTZ • Empire State Development • VT
Agency of Transportation • NY State Dept of Parks,
Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Hake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP)
(802)372-3213
(800) 468-5227 (in NY and VT only)
54 West Shore Road
Grand Isle, VT 05458
wvw.lcbp.org
lcbp@lcbp.org
4>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
Customer Call Center 888-372-7341 • www.epa.gov/region1
Note: EPA New England offers businesses and municipalities information and assistance to improve compliance with environmental laws and be bettor stewards of their
local environment. Please call to learn how EPA can help.
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