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CASIN’ THE BASIN VOLUME X SPRING/SUMMER 2003 NUMBER 1 US EPA and Governors Sign Updated Opportunities for Action Lake Champlain Erik Beck Basin Program CONTENTS: Governors Sign Opportunities for Action 1,15 Basin Waves 2 Your Lawn Your Lake Brochure 3 Reciprocal Fish License 3 Nuisance Species and the Champlain Canal 4 VT-Quebec Phosphorus Agreement 5 Sea Grant News 5 Outreach Activities 6-7 ECHO at the Leahy Center 7 LakeNet Hosts Workshop 8-9 Rotary Clubs Initiate Lake Action 10 LCBP Grants and Budget 11 Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and New York Governor George Pataki sign Lake Champlain documents on Earth Day, 2003. Blue-Green Algae 12 Clean Marine Engines 13 Wayside Exhibits 13 verlooking Lake Champlain from historic Staff Upates 14 Resources 16 Fort Crown Point, New York Governor George Pataki and Vermont Governor Check out the LCBP O Jim Douglas renewed their states’ com- On-line! www.lcbp.org mitment to Lake Champlain by signing the up- dated version of Opportunities for Action on Earth Day, April 22nd. The revised long-term plan for the PAID Lake and its Basin elevates protecting public PRSRTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT NO. 179 BURLINGTON, VT health as one of the four highest priorities. The other highest priorities include reducing phos- phorus concentrations, reducing contamination from toxic pollutants, and managing non-native aquatic nuisance species. Continued on page 15 Basin Program P.O. Box 204 54 West Shore Road Grand Isle Vermont 05458 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Lake Champlain Can the invasions be halted? - page 4 Grand Opening of ECHO - page 7 LakeNet Workshops - page 8 2 CASIN’ THE BASIN BASIN WAVES... Good news from around the Lake Champlain Basin! Lake Champlain Receives LCBP Lake Champlain Maritime Nearly $7 million in 2003 Museum Opens Educa- n March, Senator Patrick Leahy announced tion Center LCMM that he and the Congressional delegation I from Vermont and New York have secured a total of $6.885 million more in federal funds to benefit Lake Champlain. “The hard work done by the stewards of Lake Champlain has once again paid off,” Leahy said. The federal funds coming to Lake Champlain will help us make important strides to improve our Lake’s water quality.” The following earmarks for Lake Champlain were included in the 2003 Omnibus Appropria- tions Act: Hoehl Education Center at LCMM. • $1.65 million for the Lake Champlain Sail Ferry Launched new experience awaits visitors to the Basin Program LCMM’s Basin Harbor campus! On • $1.75 million for stormwater pollu- n exciting new replica of an old vessel A June 1st, 2003, the LCMM opened its tion controls in Chittenden County will set sail on Lake Champlain this new Hoehl Education and Visitor Center. With summer. The Weatherwax is a replica of a generous gift from Bob and Cynthia Hoehl • $800,000 for Burlington breakwater A a sail ferry that operated between Chimney and a 2002 capital appropriation from the repairs Point, Vermont and Crown Point, New York State of Vermont, the new building will house • $750,000 for ECHO at the Leahy before the bridge was constructed. A dedica- visitor information exhibits, the gift shop, and Center for Lake Champlain tion ceremony was held last August at the Port a 100 seat lecture hall with a full range of Henry Iron Center and Railroad Mining and audiovisual equipment. The center will be • $500,000 for the Army Corps Lake Heritage Park. home to new family programming on Sunday Champlain Watershed Initiative afternoons, Thursday evening “Behind the • $485,000 for U.S. Geological Survey In May 1998, through a Lake Champlain Basin Scenes” presentations and programs for water monitoring Program grant, a feasibility study was com- visiting students and campers. The facility will also be available for use by community groups • $400,000 to fight invasive species pleted for the construction and operation of a replica wooden sailing ferry between Crown for meetings and conferences. For more • $300,000 for alternative manure Point State Historic Site in New York and information about the Center or summer control technology Chimney Point State Historic Site in Vermont. programs, visit www.lcmm.org. • $250,000 for water and air pollution The study, titled Sailing Ferry Feasibility Study, research activities described the historic background of a sailing ferry, and the feasibility of constructing and operating a vessel that would have the “look” LCBP of the historic ferry, and meet all regulations Lake Champlain Basin for a passenger vessel in its size class. Program Act of 2002 In September 1998, New York Governor Pataki enator Jim Jeffords, along with Senator announced the award of a Lake Champlain/ Leahy and New York Senators Hillary Lake George Waterfront Revitalization Initiative S Clinton and Charles Schumer intro- grant to construct the ferry. The grant pro- duced the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lake vided for the replica vessel to be built so the Champlain Basin Program Act of 2002. This public can view and participate in all aspects new legislation builds on ten years of solid of this historic vessel’s reconstruction. The progress in cooperative efforts to improve the funding for this project is administered by health of Lake Champlain. The law authorizes Empire State Development Corporation $55 million over the next five years to support (ESDC) and the Lake Placid/Essex County the Environmental Protection Agency and Visitor’s Bureau (LP/ECVB). The vessel is cur- other partners of the Lake Champlain Basin rently owned by the LP/ECVB. An LCBP Educa- Program in protecting the environment and tion and Outreach grant has also been cultural resources of the Champlain Valley. The awarded to assist with the development of Bill builds upon the Lake Champlain Special curriculum materials for the Weatherwax. Designation Act of 1990 which laid the groundwork for establishing LCBP and a The replica vessel, now named the cooperative long term planning process for Weatherwax, accommodates up to 49 passen- Lake Champlain. The original legislation gers, and provides facilities for bicycles. The helped bring together governments and Enjoy Lake Champlain this summer. design is based upon original photos, archival Go sailing on a windy day! citizens groups in New York, Vermont, Quebec materials and archaeological research. The to plan for the Lake’s future. LCBP’s local vessel is not an exact replica as it has been grants programs are also administered designed and constructed to meet United through the funds derived from this legisla- States Coast Guard regulations for vessels tion. under 100 gross tons designed to carry pas- sengers. 3 CASIN’ THE BASIN Your Lawn Your Lake… Reciprocal Fish License An Exciting Six Agreement Signed! BIC, The Lake Champlain Regional Months... Chamber of Commerce and the LCBP LCBP G collaborated on the development of a e’ve had an exciting six months at brochure this spring, aimed at improving the the LCBP with the completion of health of Lake Champlain by reducing phospho- a revised Opportunities for Action, rus runoff from homes and businesses. Governor W the passage of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Jim Douglas joined the partners for a press Lake Champlain Basin Program Act of 2002, conference which was held on the Burlington the opening of ECHO on the Burlington waterfront in May to release the brochure. waterfront and a new project with GBIC and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Phosphorus is a nutrient essential for humans, Commerce. These events, combined with plant, and animal growth. However, when the Congressional delegation’s delivery of humans introduce too much phosphorus into more than $7 million dollars for Lake Lake Champlain’s ecosystem, the nutrient Champlain projects in 2003, have demon- provides a key food source for algae. Algal strated that the commitment to the Lake blooms can discourage recreational use of the Champlain Basin is strong at every level and Lake for swimmers and boaters. in every part of our society. The Chamber and GBIC worked directly with After receiving input through a series of about 20 member businesses to seek advice about stakeholder meetings, the Citizens Advisory the text and design of the brochure which was Committees public meetings and input from drafted by LCBP staff. Many businesses within our other committees, the Steering Commit- Chittenden County are now distributing 18,000 tee approved the revised plan in 2002. In copies of the brochure within their stores includ- addition to other changes, protecting public The Lake Champlain reciprocal fish ing Gardener’s Supply, Home Depot and many health was elevated to one of the four others. license will permit individuals to fish throughout the Main Lake. Highest Priorities. The Steering Committee felt that the increases in blue-green algae The brochure highlights ten simple steps that blooms and beach closings related to bacte- homeowners and businesses can take to reduce rial contamination during the past two years he Vermont Legislature passed legislation phosphorus. The number one recommendation called for increased action to protect public this spring to set in place a reciprocal is to conduct soil tests before applying any health. fertilizer to lawns or gardens. Other steps include T fish license between New York and Vermont for most of Lake Champlain. The bill leaving grass clippings in place as mulch, Through the efforts of our Congressional was signed by Governor Douglas in May. This composting, avoiding non-native invasive delegation, the Moynihan Bill authorized up milestone was reached after more than a decade species, and leaving vegetation in place, espe- to $55 million dollars over the next five of discussions. This bill will allow New York cially in areas close to rivers, streams and small years to help implement Opportunites for fishing license holders and Vermont fishing trickling brooks.