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.
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.
Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross issued a decision last week that denied a petition from the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) to impose mandatory best management practices on farms in the Missisquoi Bay Basin. The decision did, however, direct the Agency’s Agricultural Water Quality Program to accelerate its agricultural water quality compliance and enforcement activities in the Missisquoi Bay Basin.
Last May a petition filed by the CLF sought to impose mandatory best management practices (BMPs) for water quality on farms in the Missisquoi Bay Basin that are “critical source areas” as modelled by a 2011 Lake Champlain Basin Program study. In July a public hearing on the petition was held in St. Albans, VT – that provided extensive testimony and comment. Secretary Ross considered the study a guidepost for on-going water quality work, but ruled that the data did not provide an adequate regulatory rationale to impose mandatory BMPs in Missisquoi Bay Basin.
Ross concluded that the actions sought by the CLF would not be consistent with the EPA’s continuing process for water quality improvement under the federal Clean Water Act. That process establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Lake Champlain. Additionally, his decision notes that there are insufficient resources available at this time, to help the basin’s farmers to achieve compliance with mandatory BMPs, as required by state law. The full text of the decision can be accessed at: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/clf_petition
“The written decision speaks for itself. CLF’s initiative and the hearing process, in which stakeholders on all sides engaged in thoughtful and civil discourse, demonstrate why Vermont is a special place where we work together to address mutual concerns. CLF has pledged, on the record, to assist stakeholders in seeking additional resources devoted to agricultural water quality improvement.” ~ Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Ross
Additional information, including the original hearing notice and audio files from the hearing, can be found at http://agriculture.vermont.gov/clf_petition
Vermont’s nesting loon population in 2014 was a record for success. There were 65 fledglings or chicks that survived to leave the nest on Vermont lakes and ponds.
In the 20th century, primarily because of shoreline development and human disturbance, nesting loon populations showed dramatic declines. However, in 2005 loons were removed from Vermont’s endangered species list after decades of recovery effort.
Peregrine falcons, which were also removed from the Vermont endangered list in 2005 also showed strong nesting success this year.
“Rare birds such as peregrine falcons and loons are very sensitive to human disturbance while nesting. They nest only in a few specific habitats, so they need to find these in undeveloped places that are away from people.” ~ John Buck, nongame bird project leader for Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
The lingering winter weather of 2014 did seem to impact Vermont’s nesting bald eagles. Only 17 fledglings were reported in 2014 – a dramatic decline from the 2013 record of 26 fledglings.
“A single down year for bald eagle nesting is not a major concern at this point, as nesting success will vary from year to year due to fluctuations in weather or food. We remain optimistic about the future of eagles in Vermont due to the widespread reports we have received of adult eagles throughout the state.” ~ John Buck, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Although bald eagles are no longer a federally endangered species, they are still listed as endangered species in Vermont because of their slow recovery in the state.
Other bird species showed mixed nesting success this year. Common terns produced only 16 fledglings out of 220 nests primarily due to gull and great-horned owl predation at their nests.
“The return of loons and peregrines to Vermont is one of the state’s great conservation success stories, but much remains to be done,” said Buck. “The continued support from our partners and from the citizens of Vermont is critical for the future success of these important species.”
For more information, and to help support researchers in their efforts to conserve nongame birds Vermonters can donate online to the nongame Wildlife Fund at www.vtfishandwildlife.com/
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is making improvements to the John Guilmette Fishing Access area on Lake Champlain in South Hero and will close the area for at least two months while the planned improvements are being made.
When the area reopens, it will feature an expanded two-lane concrete boat ramp and a 70-foot dock. A redesigned parking lot will better accommodate persons with disabilities. The closure will begin immediately and may last through the winter, depending on fall weather conditions.
“We purchased this land nearly two years ago from private landowners who were operating the site as a boat ramp. This is a great location for people to access the Inland Sea, and acquisition was a critical step in maintaining this access for boaters and anglers, but the site was in serious need of upgrades. We think anglers and boaters will be very happy to see these improvements made.” ~ Mike Wichrowski, lands and facilities coordinator, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
The construction project at John Guilmette Fishing Access area is being funded through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program. These funds are generated as part of an excise tax on fishing equipment, boats and motors, and marine fuel taxes.
To purchase a Vermont fishing license or to find out more about fishing opportunities in Vermont, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.