Category Archives: News

News and events around the Lake Champlain Valley of northern New York and Vermont and southern Quebec

Ticonderoga Gas Pipeline Dead

Ticonderoga Gas Pipeline Dead

A number of news organizations are reporting that the planned extension of a natural gas pipeline to the International Paper mill in Ticonderoga has been scrapped.

Ticonderoga Gas Pipeline Dead

The Vermont Gas Systems pipeline had been proposed to run from Cornwall, VT to Ticonderoga, NY.
Map: Addison County Regional Planning Commission

The project was to carry natural gas through a pipeline under Lake Champlain from Vermont to the New York shore, providing a lower-cost, lower carbon emission form of energy to the Ticonderoga, New York plant, one of the biggest employers in the Adirondack Park.

According to a statement published by the Burlington Free Press, Vermont Gas officials suggested that rising costs had derailed the project.  “Our updated estimate for Phase 2 is now $105 million, compared to $74.4 million as presented to the Public Service Board last August,” said Jim Sinclair,  Vice-President for system expansion at Vermont Gas.

The project faced stiff opposition from some Vermont residents who felt that the pipeline violated their property rights and posed safety concerns, without little financial benefit to their communities.

In 2003, IP spokeswoman Donna Wadsworth described the pipeline as a significant boost for the mill. “We look at natural gas as being a cleaner energy, an opportunity to reduce our greenhouse gases.  So for us it’s a game-changing project,” she said.

“We haven’t seen the details behind the cost escalation. We do know from VT Gas that construction costs have gone up. Legal costs have gone up. Right-of-way costs have gone up. Overhead costs have gone up. So just across the board I think they saw an escalation of costs for the project.” ~ Donna Wadsworth, IP spokeswoman 

Wadsworth called the rising price tag a “setback,” but she said the company still plans on bringing natural gas into the mill. It’s just going to come from somewhere else. She said IP plans to truck in compressed natural gas from nearby energy companies.

This represents the latest unsuccessful effort by International Paper to lower energy costs at the mill.  IP had also proposed burning waste tires in Ticonderoga to generate energy, a proposal that also faced significant opposition among Vermonters.

Rising costs have also raised questions about which sections of the pipeline are to be built on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain.

More Lake Champlain News:

 

VT Fish & Wildlife To Hold Hearings Lake Champlain Sauger Fishing Regulation Change

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will conduct two public hearings later this month on proposed changes to fishing regulations.

Lake Champlain Sauger Fishing Regulation

Lake Champlain Sauger Fishing Regulation Change

Sauger are a species in decline in Lake Champlain, and would be protected with a requirement that any sauger caught must be immediately released. The sauger is a member of the true perch family, Percidae, and closely resembles the walleye in appearance.

Last month, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) proposed a draft conservation management plan aimed at reestablishing the sauger in New York’s waterways. The last documented sauger captured in New York was in 2010, when a sampling of walleye in Lake Champlain accidentally netted a seven year old female sauger. Before that there was no documented evidence of a sauger caught or seen in 13 years.

Sauger were relatively common in Lake Champlain up to the mid-1980’s and the lake is seen by New York conservation officials as the best hope among waterways.

Challenges for the Sauger restricted access to their spawning destinations and the introduction of zebra mussels. Zebra mussels, an invasive species, clarify the water, and sauger thrive in muddier waters.

Lake Champlain Sauger Fishing Regulation Change

A second proposed change would make permanent the former temporary “Test Water Designation” with restrictions on the Batten Kill and some of its tributaries.

The proposed rule covering both subjects is available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) under “Law Enforcement” and “Rules and Proposed Rules.”

The hearings are scheduled as follows:

  • February 24 — Burr & Burton Academy, 57 Seminary Avenue, Manchester at 7:00 p.m.
  • February 25 — Fish & Wildlife Board meeting, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier at 6:30 p.m.

Other Lake Champlain Fishing Articles:

Lake Champlain Waterfowl Hunting Blinds Must Be Removed

Waterfowl Blinds Must Be Removed

Lake Champlain Waterfowl Hunting Blinds Must Be Removed

VT State Game Warden Dustin Snyder inspects a Lake Champlain waterfowl hunting blind prior to the February 15 deadline for its removal.
(VT F&W photo by Carl Wedin)

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds waterfowl hunters who have not already removed their hunting blinds from the state’s waters that they must do so before February 15 on Lake Champlain, or May 15 on inland waters.

Vermont law requires removal of the blinds before these deadlines in order to protect natural areas and to prevent boating accidents after the ice melts.

“Removal of the blinds and any posts that may be below the surface of the ice is important because of the danger they present when boaters are on the water in the spring,” ~  Vermont  State Game Warden Colonel Jason Batchelder

 

Here is a copy of the Vermont regulation regarding Lake Champlain waterfowl hunting blinds:

BLINDS: A person shall not place a waterfowl blind or cause the same to be placed on or in the waters of the state earlier than the first Saturday of September of any year, and then only if the person’s name and address are permanently and legibly affixed thereto, by waterproof paint or rustproof tag. Placement of signs for purposes of claiming duck blind locations has no basis in law and is unenforceable. A person shall remove his or her waterfowl blind, together with its contents and any surrounding debris, located on or in any waters of the state except Lake Champlain on or before May 15 of the following year. A waterfowl blind located on or in Lake Champlain shall be removed on or before February 15 of the following year.

 

Batchelder says wardens have recorded names and addresses of blind owners and will follow up with inspections.

More Lake Champlain News:

Great Ice ! 2015

GREAT ICE 2015   North Hero, Vermont   February 6th

GREAT ICE 2015 North Hero, Vermont February 6th

Great Ice 2015 on the Largest Skating Oval on Lake Champlain. City Bay, North Hero, Vermont

Free Public Skating, Bonfire, Sled Dog Rides, Kids Ice Fishing Derby, Over ‘n Back Trek to Knight Island, Ice Bike Racing, Pickup Hockey, Extreme Frisbee, Flapjack Breakfast, Drag Racing, Great Ice! Winter Dance,  and more…

 

Great Ice! 2015 Event Schedule

Great Ice ! 2015Friday, February 6th

Christmas Tree Bonfire!         5:30p on City Bay in North Hero

Family-Style Italian Dinner     6:30p at the nearby North Hero House Inn. 802 372 4732

 

 

Saturday, February 7th

Great Ice ! 2015Free Public Skating                   All weekend on 1-k Oval, Hockey Rink or Speed Skate Drag Strip

Nordic Skating       on the 1-kilometer Oval. With free lessons from 8-10a

Champlain Islands Fishing Derby      Saturday & Sunday Tickets: 802 372-5600

Kids Ice Fishing Derby        10a-1p on City Bay. Prizes, instruction and free lunch

Dog Sled Rides                    1pm to 3pm. At Shore Acres Inn & Restaurant. Ingrid Bower returns with her Siberian Huskies. Rides for Kids ($6.) and Adults ($10.)

Frozen Chosen Regatta       2p-3p Race funky human-powered vehicles

Extreme Frisbee        3-4p on City Bay. Fun, informal game of Frozen Frisbee Football.

Sunday, February 8th

Flapjack Breakfast   7:30-9a. A Hearty Vermont Hot Breakfast served by volunteers

Nordic Skating   9-10:30a. More free instruction available and informal races

Great Ice ! 2015Over ‘n Back Trek to Knight Island  to Knight Island from City Bay. 9a-12p Walk, skate or ski!

Drag Racing!           10a -11a. Straightaway speed racing on skates for fun and prizes

Chili-Cookoff           12:30p-1:30p. Enter your family heirloom Chili recipe for fun and prizes

Ice Bike Racing on City Bay       On City Bay. 2-3p. Race for fun and prizes on the 1-K Oval

Pickup Hockey on City Bay            2p-4p. Informal teams. All ages. Prizes and fun.

Friday, February 13th

Great Ice! 2015 Winter Dance     730p.Community Hall. Family Fun, Dancing,Food and Drinks. Great Music by Larry Brett’s Jukebox   Advance Tickets $10, $12.00 at the Door 17 and under free. Ticket Available at most local stores. Help us fill the Community Hall!

Saturday, February 14th

Valentine’s Dinner at The North Hero House  Reservations 802 372-4732

All scheduled events are weather dependent.

 

For updated Information, including daily conditions during the festival,
visit the Updates page, or call Hero’s Welcome General Store at (802) 372-4161.

Vermont Aquatic Nuisance Species Grants

Vermont Aquatic Nuisance Species Grant-in-Aid Grants

Invasive aquatic species are not only a nuisance to swimmers, boaters and anglers, but they also pose a threat to the survival of native plant and animal species that have long flourished in local waters.

Municipalities have the opportunity to apply for grants to control and prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.The Grant-in-Aid Program, through the State of Vermont, offers financial assistance to municipalities and agencies for aquatic nuisance species management programs.

Local interest groups, such as lake associations, must apply through the municipality in which the waterbody is located. If the waterbody is located in more than one municipality, the municipalities may apply jointly.

 

Types of Eligible Projects for Vermont Aquatic Nuisance Species Grants

All types of aquatic nuisance control projects, for management of both native and non-native species, are eligible for funds under this grant program.

Vermont Aquatic Nuisance Species Grant-in-Aid Grants

Boat Inspection Station

  • Previously supported projects have included: control programs for Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife, curly leaf pondweed, and nuisance native aquatic plants, and aquatic nuisance species spread prevention programs.
  • Supported management methods have included: mechanical controls, benthic barriers,  herbicides, and harvesting – even physical removal by hand.
  • Spread prevention programs have included: public access area “greeter” programs, boat wash stations, searches for invasive species, and education/outreach initiatives.

 

Grant-in-Aid Project Selection

Grant awards are prioritized based upon the extent funds are available.  First priority is to projects designed to manage new infestations of aquatic nuisances.  Second priority is to projects designed to prevent or control the further spread of aquatic nuisance species.  Third priority is to recurring maintenance projects.

The prioritizing for individual projects considers: public accessibility and recreational uses; the importance to commercial, agricultural or other interests, the degree of local interest, and local efforts to control aquatic nuisances. Other considerations include: probability of achieving long-term control, the necessity or advantage of the proposed work, and the extent to which the control project is a developmental rather than a maintenance program.

 

Vermont Aquatic Nuisance Species Grant-in-Aid Grants

Lake Seymour Greeter Staff
(Photo credit, J. Selby)

Funding Information

Municipalities may be awarded a grant for up to 75% of the total estimated project cost. Grant recipients must contribute at least 25% of the final eligible project cost. That contribution may be in-kind labor or services and/or actual cash expenditures.

Online applications must be completed by Feb. 11 for funds, training and technical assistance.

Vermont Aquatic Nuisance Species Grant-in-Aid Grants Application Information

For more information, visit the DEC water quality grant page at http://bit.ly/VtWaterQualityGrants , or contact Ann Bove at ann.bove@state.vt.us or (802) 490-6120.

 

Other Lake Champlain Invasive Species Articles: