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Friends of Northern Lake Champlain Awarded CIG Grant

Friends of Northern Lake Champlain Wins $50,000 Grant

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC) a Conservation Innovations Grant (CIG) to develop and monitor a phosphorous removal system at the end of a subsurface drain on a Franklin, VT farm. The $50,000 grant will be used to design, monitor and evaluate two treatment systems using two different phosphorous filtering media for the next two years. Phosphorous loads will be calculated before and after treatment.

 

Friends of Northern Lake Champlain Wins $50,000 Grant

 

NRCS developed a new interim practice called Phosphorus Removal System for subsurface drainage to treat water coming out of tile drains. New research conducted in the Midwest shows that between 60-96% of the water that falls on a tile-drained field discharges from the tiles and at present there is no treatment for that water.

“Subsurface drains, otherwise known as tile drains, are nothing new. Farmers have been installing tiles for centuries. We used to support this practice because it was effective in reducing soil wetness and increasing crop production. Most of the tiles drain into ditches or streams off the farm fields without any treatment… Although the water looks clean from tile drains, we now know that dissolved phosphorous is coming out of the end. This project will allow us to monitor the water from 2 tile drains before and after treatment, providing us with more information about the water quality from tiles and how to best remove phosphorus from that water.” ~ Kip Potter, Water Quality Specialist for VT NRCS.

These will be the first of these systems in Vermont. Research in other parts of the country has focused on bioreactors for nitrogen removal on subsurface drainage, but no one has developed a system for phosphorous removal. According to Potter, “We have already started studying the effectiveness of different media at removing phosphorous with a group of students from UVM and some locally sourced materials are showing promising results. It is important that the material we used can be recycled into a crop management system, so there is incentive to install these systems. Flow data has already been collected and the project is underway”.

The systems will be installed in early spring of 2015.

 

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Conservation Law Foundation Takes Vermont To Court Over Best Management Practices Ruling

Vermont’s Environmental Court will decide whether farmers will be required to adopt best management practices for water quality controls in an effort to reduce manure runoff in the Missisquoi Bay watershed.

Conservation Law Foundation Takes Vermont To Court Over Best Management Practices Ruling

Runoff from farms using manure as fertilizer is one of the biggest causes of blue-green algae blooms in Lake Champlain. The Conservation Law Foundation takes Vermont to Court to establish BMP’s and reduce phosphorus runoff

Last week the Conservation Law Foundation appealed the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s November decision not to require farms to use best management practices to prevent manure from flowing into waterways. Earlier this year, the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) petitioned the state to enforce the new federal regulations.

Chris Kilian, vice president and Vermont director of the Conservation Law Foundation, speaking at a symposium at the ECHO Center in Burlington said farmers need to do their part to help clean up the lake.

“The time has come for mandatory best management practices on agricultural operations in Missisquoi watershed. The condition of the lake is horrific. This past summer was among the worst ever. The condition of Lake Carmi, also in that basin, is beyond description: it’s terrible. And that pollution is coming from farms.” ~ Chris Kilian, vice president and Vermont director of the Conservation Law Foundation

 

Vermont’s Plan for Lake Champlain Cleanup

Chuck Ross, the Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, rejected CLF’s petition because he said it conflicts with a process underway to work with the EPA to improve the lake’s water quality. Ross said the state is still committed to this plan, but added that the state does not have enough financial resources to help farmers implement the new best management practices.

The Environmental Protection Agency has required Vermont to develop a plan to restore Lake Champlain’s water quality. The state presented its plan in May, and a final ruling from the EPA is expected next spring. Part of the Vermont plan calls for new regulations on agricultural operations to reduce nutrient runoff.

Manure runoff from farms is the leading cause of phosphorus pollution in Lake Champlain. Missisquoi and St. Albans bays were among the sections of the lake hardest hit by last summer’s toxic algae blooms. Vermont is increasing enforcement in Franklin County. The state recently fined one farmer for washing equipment in a nearby brook.

Conservation Law Foundation Takes Vermont To Court Over Best Management Practices Ruling

Conservation Law Foundation Takes Vermont To Court In Attempt To Establish Farming Best Management Practices (BMP’s).
BMP’s Can Help Control Phosphorus Loading into Lake Champlain Due to Manure Runoff

“It is clear… that the state, CLF and many other stakeholders share the same goal for Lake Champlain and the waters of the state,” ~ Chuck Ross, the Vermont Secretary of Agriculture

Many farmers support improving water quality, but afraid that new regulations could be too costly without state financial assistance. Currently, all farmers are required to follow accepted agricultural practices, or AAP’s. Best Management Practices are required to address water quality problems on the farms. The state’s plan would require that small farms file a certificate of compliance with the AAPs; this is currently required for medium and large farms. The plan also increases the size of vegetative buffers and livestock exclusion, along with other water quality improvement efforts.

Kilian argues that farming is a private, for-profit industry that must do its part to help clean up the pollution caused by agricultural practices.

“The Clean Water Act is very clear: best management practices are required. And they are not required with a public bailout for farmers. There is no need for more resources. This isn’t about money.” ~ Chris Kilian, vice president and Vermont director of the Conservation Law Foundation

The CLF’s Position on Lake Cleanup

The CLF petition requires farmers to plant cover crops, prevent livestock from entering streams, plant grassed waterways and use other techniques to keep nutrients on farms and out of the waterways. The petition would require enforcement of best practices in places identified as “critical source areas,” in which phosphorus loading in streams is greatest.

Vermont Environmental Conservation Commissioner David Mears, said the state agrees with much of what CLF is requesting, but has a different procedure in mind. “It’s good news for the state of Vermont that most of us agree that these are problems that need to be addressed,” he said. “The questions start to arise when we dig deeper into what authorities and what timelines.”

The CLF has also petitioned the DEC to require commercial, industrial and institutional property owners to get permits that limit the amount of stormwater pollution flowing from their properties. Vermont has twice asked for an extension to respond to the petition.

 

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Lake Champlain Sunset from Grand Isle, Vermont

Lake Champlain Sunset from Grand Isle, Vermont

Lake Champlain Sunset from Grand Isle, Vermont
photo by Betsy Dall

 

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New Year-Round Open Water Fishing Opportunities for Vermont Anglers

Are you a die-hard angler? New regulations have opened up new year-round open water fishing opportunities in the state of Vermont. Beginning in 2014, revised Vermont regulations allow catch-and release trout fishing with artificial flies or lures outside of the normal trout season. The eleven sections of waterways covered provide over seventy additional miles of river to year-round trout fishing.

New Year-Round Open Water Fishing Opportunities for Vermont Anglers

Year-Round Open Water Fishing

“The regulations were intended to provide expanded fishing opportunities for trout while limiting the potential impact to populations. The changes will give interested anglers the opportunity to take advantage of any mild days in late fall and early spring.” ~ Rich Kirn, Vermont Fish & Wildlife fisheries biologist.

Additionally, the state’s bass catch-and-release open water angling opportunities (not ice fishing) – also with artificial flies and lures only – have been expanded to include all lakes, ponds and reservoirs not listed as ‘seasonally closed waters.’ A complete list of ‘seasonally closed waters’ is available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website, www.vtfishandwildlife.com. Under the “Fishing” tab, click on “Law Digest and Guide” for more information.

“From the feedback I’ve gotten, many local anglers – primarily the hardcore, avid type – are really excited about the increased options in terms of fishable waters. Additionally, we’ve seen a rise in the non-resident interest in these opportunities and that should certainly provide a boost in visits from those outside of Vermont.” ~ Bob Shannon, owner of The Fly Rod Shop and Fly Fish Vermont Guide Service in Stowe, Vermont

The following rules are are in effect on these new catch-and-release waters:

  • Only artificial flies or lures may be used, except during the open season for trout (2nd Sat. in April – Oct. 31).
  • Catch and release only (trout must be immediately released where caught), except during the open season for trout.
  • During open season for trout, follow normal size restrictions, daily limits and possession limits.

Year-Round Open Water Fishing Opportunities for Vermont Anglers

The following sections of streams listed below are classified as open to year-round trout fishing :
  • Black River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Howard Hill Road Bridge in Cavendish.
  • Deerfield River: From the Woods Road (Medburyville) bridge in Wilmington upstream approximately 2 miles to the VT Route 9W bridge in Searsburg.
  • East Creek (Rutland City): From the confluence with Otter Creek upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland City.
  • Hoosic River: From the Vermont/New York border upstream to the Vermont/ Massachusetts border.
  • Lamoille River: From the Lake Champlain boundary (top of Peterson Dam in Milton) upstream to the top of the Cady’s Falls Dam in Morristown.
  • Lewis Creek: From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the State Prison Hollow Road (TH#3) bridge in Starksboro.
  • Missisquoi River: From the top of the Swanton Dam in Swanton to the top of the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.
  • Moose River: From the confluence with Passumpsic River upstream to the downstream edge of the Concord Avenue bridge in St. Johnsbury.
  • Ompompanoosuc River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Union Village Dam in Thetford.
  • Otter Creek: From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest Road bridge (Forest Road #10) in Mt. Tabor..
  • Passumpsic River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of Arnolds Falls Dam in St. Johnsbury.
  • Waits River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of the Central Vermont Power Dam in Bradford.
  • Walloomsac River: From the Vermont/New York border in Bennington upstream to the top of the former Vermont Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of Murphy Road) in Bennington.
  • West River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Townshend Dam in Townshend.
  • White River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the bridge on Route 107 in Bethel.
  • Williams River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of the dam at Brockway Mills Falls in Rockingham.
  • Winooski River: From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the VT Route 2/100 in Duxbury and Waterbury.

Additionally a section of the Walloomsac River in Bennington was also designated as a trophy trout stream with the changes and is being stocked with two-year old brown and rainbow trout – both with a daily limit of two per day.

            

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LCMM Publishes Pictoral History of Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Publishes Pictoral History of Lake Champlain

Those who love Lake Champlain and history buffs will enjoy the new book from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM). ‘Lake Champlain‘ is a pictorial history including early photographs of Lake Champlain, and is part of the Arcadia Publishing ‘Images of America’ series.

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Publishes Pictoral History of Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain
by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

Stretching  over 120 miles from Whitehall, New York to the Richelieu River in Quebec at the U.S./Canadian border, and covering a surface area of about 435 sq miles, Lake Champlain’s tranquil beauty disquises its rich, bustling history.

Bordered by New York’s Adirondack Mountains and the Green Mountains of Vermont, Lake Champlain’s waterfront communities recall the era when the Champlain Valley’s natural resources: iron, lumber, granite, marble, and potash were shipped to distant ports by lake sloops and schooners.

By the early 1800’s, Lake Champlain was connected with New York City and Quebec by canals and rivers creating an economic boom that lasted for more than one hundred years. Canal boats and barges loaded with apples, hay, bricks, and finished goods carried goods to markets in .

The arrival of the steamboat brought travelers and tourists drawn to the fresh country air, and lakefront cottages and camps sprang up all along the shoreline. Soon automobiles traveled over Lake Champlain on ferries and bridges.

“With 188 historical images from the archives of Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and other regional collections, the book presents a self-portrait of this unique region as it was captured by area residents when photography was new.

Unlike the timeline expected in history books, the photographs themselves suggested chapters that reflect a more personal view of daily activities and special occasions in the waterfront communities of the Champlain Valley from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. And the museum has taken great delight in discovering that many images reflect the continuity of life on the lake across the generations.” ~ The Burlington Free Press

The 128-page softcover book features stunning historical images from the archives of Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and other regional collections, and includes chapters on Patriotic Sites and Celebrations; Commerce in the Canal Era; The Age of Steam; Crossing Lake Champlain; Recreational Boating; Summer and Summer Folk; Hunting and Fishing; and Winter. ‘Lake Champlain’ tells the story of this historic, busy commercial corridor and recreational destination.

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