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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