Expand 2.1) Continue and expand monitoring of key baseline parameters in the Lake Champlain Basin to support the adaptive management process.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Continue the bistate Lake Champlain Long-Term Water Quality and Biological Monitoring Program and related monitoring in Québec. View Task Comments	2.1.1	LCBP, New York, Québec, Vermont	02-04-13
Continue annual recommendation to fund the stream gauging network. View Task Comments	2.1.2	LCBP	05-31-13
Expand monitoring in targeted watersheds to evaluate effectiveness of BMP implementation for control of nonpoint source pollution. View Task Comments	2.1.3	LCBP	07-31-12
Support and coordinate development of annual data reports, annual load estimates, and periodic trends analyses. View Task Comments	2.1.4	LCBP	08-31-12
Expand monitoring at tributary mouths to obtain data sufficient to calculate annual loadings and to measure success of phosphorus reduction goals more accurately. View Task Comments	2.1.5	LCBP, New York, Vermont	08-31-12
Improve understanding of Lake Champlain hydrodynamics and its effects on in-Lake phosphorus concentrations, toxic substances, and pollutant transport to drinking-water intakes. Potential monitoring parameters could include water level, temperature, and water current. Coordinate with local academic institutions to accomplish this task. View Task Comments	2.1.6	LCBP, LCSG, New York, Québec, USEPA, Vermont	09-05-12
Continue and expand ecosystem indicators project and periodically publish State of the Lake Reports. View Task Comments	2.1.7	LCBP	08-31-12

Expand 2.2) Create a unified data access system for coordination and data sharing among stakeholders in the Basin and produce timely and accessible summary reports for the general public.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Establish an online information center with searchable data sets and links to repositories. View Task Comments	2.2.1	LCBP
Identify and locate existing data sets, including historical data where appropriate. View Task Comments	2.2.2	LCBP
Update existing data repositories and establish new ones where important gaps in data exist. View Task Comments	2.2.3	LCBP
Identify protocols for data input, data summaries, and accessibility and ensure that new data collected follow these protocols. View Task Comments	2.2.4	LCBP

Expand 3.1) Enhance educator and student learning about watershed issues.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Coordinate watershed professional development opportunities with CBEI partners to offer annual training for 15 to 80 teachers from New York, Québec, and Vermont through alumni events and 1- to 11-day training programs, many of which include service learning. View Task Comments	3.1.1	LCBP	09-12-12
Obtain sufficient funding, ($20,000 to $40,000) annually to complete task 3.1.1. View Task Comments	3.1.2	LCBP	09-12-12
Meet with 3 to 5 New York institutions in 2011-2012 seeking opportunities to promote CBEI offerings, to better assess New York educator needs, and to identify a new New York partner(s) for CBEI. View Task Comments	3.1.3	LCBP	09-12-12
Facilitate a CBEI partner workshop in 2011 to develop a 3-year strategic plan for workshop development and participant recruitment and to identify which school systems receive programs from partners. View Task Comments	3.1.4	LCBP	09-12-12
Host a 1-day Lake Champlain Educator Summit in 2011 to showcase the program offerings of our natural resource and cultural heritage educational partners. View Task Comments	3.1.5	LCBP	09-12-12
Complete up to 40 student classroom or field day presentations annually using 3-D watershed models, nationally approved curriculum activities, and current Lake science knowledge. View Task Comments	3.1.6	LCBP	09-12-12
Produce updated Lake Champlain watershed maps, land-use maps, and other Basin resources and distribute them to educators and students free of charge and via the LCBP website. View Task Comments	3.1.7	LCBP
Partner with Shelburne Farms and other CBEI partners to formally evaluate the success and shortcomings of educator professional development at least once for every 3 courses offered through Watershed for Every Classroom and other CBEI initiatives. View Task Comments	3.1.8	LCBP	09-12-12
Enhance the collection of national and local curriculum resource materials made available through the LCBP Resource Room and post local Watershed for Every Classroom service learning examples to the LCBP website by 2011. View Task Comments	3.1.9	LCBP	09-12-12
Provide outreach programs on watershed issues through field day programs such as those hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension. View Task Comments	3.1.10	New York
Promote Adirondack habitat and watershed student learning through partnerships with the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. View Task Comments	3.1.11	New York
Plan a workshop at ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain for teachers from Québec by 2012. View Task Comments	3.1.12	Québec
Produce an education section to educators and students free of charge on the OBVBM website by 2012. View Task Comments	3.1.13	Québec	02-05-13
Evaluate the four-phase Clear Water Musketeer program from Missisquoi Bay and implement in 3 English- and 10 French-speaking schools in Québec by 2011. View Task Comments	3.1.14	Québec	02-05-13
Coordinate annually with EPSCoR Vermont Streams Project to involve students in assessing priority surface water in the Basin. View Task Comments	3.1.15	Vermont	10-12-12
Conduct Science on the Green, a conservation and natural science workshop for grades K-12 annually. View Task Comments	3.1.16	Vermont	10-12-12
Incorporate Project WET activities and outdoor water-quality monitoring training into the CBEI and school district professional development trainings for teachers. View Task Comments	3.1.17	Vermont	11-09-11
Provide watershed and water-quality education programs for K-12 youth, teachers, and adults by offering hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum, technical expertise, equipment, and human resources to at least 15 programs annually in the Basin. View Task Comments	3.1.18	LCSG	09-07-12

Expand 3.2) Build awareness and understanding among residents and visitors about Lake Champlain Basin resources and behaviors that contribute to pollution.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Conduct or facilitate 20 presentations or public forums on Lake issues annually to special interest groups, communities, businesses, and local government decision makers. View Task Comments	3.2.1	LCBP	09-17-12
Provide watershed and Lake Champlain educational materials and displays for at least 10 conferences, fairs, expos, and other venues that attract targeted public audiences annually. View Task Comments	3.2.2	LCBP	09-18-12
Develop new material for the LCBP website to ensure that it remains informative and accurate and reflects current online technology. View Task Comments	3.2.3	LCBP	09-12-12
Use social marketing techniques to address issues of key concern within specific audiences and in conjunction with outreach partners. Examples include recent efforts with Don’t P on Your Lawn with businesses, pesticide applicators, and landscape companies. View Task Comments	3.2.4	LCBP	09-18-12
Provide resources, exhibits, answers to information requests, and watershed research assistance to about 25,000 annual visitors to LCBP’s comprehensive Resource Room in ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. View Task Comments	3.2.5	LCBP	09-17-12
Develop a State of the Lake report every 3 years, including 2011 and 2014, in a format accessible to the general public, lake managers, and policymakers to share current science and research results, and make it available on the LCBP website. View Task Comments	3.2.6	LCBP	09-12-12
Seek 2 new venues for long-term interpretive outreach materials in New York municipalities by 2011. View Task Comments	3.2.7	LCBP	11-03-11
Foster partnerships with local media, including print, television, and radio, to cover Basin issues regularly through PSAs and other methods. View Task Comments	3.2.8	LCBP	09-18-12
Communicate progress on plan implementation to the public, special interest groups, communities, and government agencies via an updateable online plan, news releases, and e-newsletters distributed 6 times a year. View Task Comments	3.2.9	LCBP
DEC staff will set up watershed related exhibit materials at 5 or more community events each year. View Task Comments	3.2.10	New York
Promote awareness of issues facing the Lake Champlain Basin to the boater’s community at the Station Nautique Ile-aux-Noix (marina) by 2011. View Task Comments	3.2.11	Québec
Provide interpretive outreach materials, exhibits, and displays in partnership with the local watershed groups for at least 3 conferences, fairs, expos, and other venues that attract targeted public audiences annually. View Task Comments	3.2.12	Québec	02-04-13
Conduct education forums in target watersheds to educate stakeholders about priority surface water issues and engage partners in implementing high-priority water-quality strategies in conjunction with DEC’s Basin planning effort. View Task Comments	3.2.13	Vermont	10-12-12
Conduct at least 3 annual DEC education workshops concerning fluvial erosion using the demonstration flume in the Champlain Basin. View Task Comments	3.2.14	Vermont	11-07-11
Publish Out of the Blue, a statewide newsletter focusing on watershed activities 2 times a year through DEC. View Task Comments	3.2.15	Vermont	11-07-11
ANR staff, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Natural Resources Conservation District, and Regional Planning Commissions provide annual technical assistance and training for municipalities seeking to take greater steps to protect water quality. View Task Comments	3.2.16	Vermont	11-07-11
Provide opportunities to improve public understanding of climate change and the implications for Lake Champlain ecosystem management by 2013. View Task Comments	3.2.17	LCSG	02-08-13

Expand 3.3) Provide hands-on citizen action opportunities to improve the watershed and change behaviors that contribute to pollution.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Support partnership opportunities through local grants to increase public, youth, and local business involvement to clean up rivers and lakes, reduce toxic materials in homes and businesses, use Lake friendly gardening techniques, and participate in recycling programs, etc through community projects, student programs, and youth corps. View Task Comments	3.3.1	LCBP	09-18-12
Help watershed and other organizations publicize citizen action and outreach opportunities through the LCBP website, assistance with news releases, and other methods. View Task Comments	3.3.2	LCBP	11-15-11
Coordinate 3 workshops to encourage communities to participate in the Climate Smart Communities programs to reduce water and energy consumption and reduce waste generation by 2012. View Task Comments	3.3.3	LCBP
Help landowners along the Missisquoi Bay protect and restore their banks annually. View Task Comments	3.3.4	Québec	02-05-13
Assist landowners along the Pike River with characterization and protection of their banks annually. View Task Comments	3.3.5	Québec	02-05-13
Support citizen involvement through the Vermont Lay Monitoring Program for Lake Champlain. View Task Comments	3.3.6	Vermont	11-09-11
Support citizen involvement in surface water assessments by allocating laboratory analytical capacity grants under the LaRosa Partnership Program. Enroll at least 8 groups annually and seek to engage new monitoring groups. View Task Comments	3.3.7	Vermont	10-12-12
Continue to promote the EPA-offered Volunteer Monitoring Equipment Loan program to Vermont watershed monitoring groups. View Task Comments	3.3.8	Vermont	11-09-11
Provide rain garden demonstrations and implementation projects as noted in the Phosphorus Chapter: Action 2.5. View Task Comments	3.3.9	LCSG	09-06-12

Expand 3.4) Improve communication and cooperation among the diverse groups involved in Lake Champlain Basin education and outreach.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Host an annual meeting of local watershed groups to provide technical support on issues of mutual interest and to facilitate communication among organizations. View Task Comments	3.4.1	LCBP	09-18-12
Increase regular communication with Regional Planning Commissions, New York Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Vermont Natural Resource Conservation Districts to facilitate action on issues of mutual interest. View Task Comments	3.4.2	LCBP	09-18-12
Provide support to Soil and Water Conservation Districts that are assisting local communities with pollution prevention implementation. View Task Comments	3.4.3	New York
Host 4 meetings annually to make local governments aware of issues facing the Lake Champlain Basin and of the role of the OBVBM; provide technical support. View Task Comments	3.4.4	Québec	02-22-12
Coordinate with local groups, especially with the Missisquoi North and Sutton River watersheds, to facilitate communication among organizations annually. View Task Comments	3.4.5	Québec	02-05-13
Restructure the Basin Planning Program by developing a Statewide Surface Water Management Plan that identifies priority issues addressing Vermonts surface waters. The statewide plan will identify priorities and assist in the simultaneous implementation of the numerous planning and implementation initiatives in which ANR participates, including OFA and the Lake Champlain TMDL Implementation Plan. View Task Comments	3.4.6	Vermont	11-09-11
Identify and develop geographically targeted implementation steps that are ready for funding in conjunction with the development of the Statewide Surface Water Management Plan. View Task Comments	3.4.7	Vermont	11-09-11
Host trainings for stakeholders on invasive species spread prevention, fisheries management, and water quality improvement and protection. View Task Comments	3.4.8	LCSG	09-11-12

Expand 3.5) Provide local groups, schools, and municipalities financial and technical resources to implement Opportunities for Action in Basin communities and watersheds.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Implement annual local grants program that provides financial support for local organizations working to address tasks in OFA, especially for priority issues (e.g., phosphorus, toxins, and aquatic invasive species) and education and outreach. View Task Comments	3.5.1	LCBP	09-18-12
Provide annual organizational support and professional development mini-grants to strengthen administrative, technical, communication, and field skills for local watershed staff and board members. View Task Comments	3.5.2	LCBP
Keep the public informed about financial and educational support pertaining to water-quality issues available through the LCBP. View Task Comments	3.5.3	LCBP
Provide technical resources to local groups, schools, and municipalities that are implementing actions in Missisquoi Bay Watersheds annually. View Task Comments	3.5.4	Québec	02-22-12
Make annual funding available to local watershed groups through the license plate grant program, Vermont’s Clean and Clear funding, and Section 319. View Task Comments	3.5.5	Vermont	11-07-11
Provide technical assistance to nongovernment organizations and municipalities on low-impact development, stormwater best management practices, shoreline protection, and other topics. View Task Comments	3.5.6	LCSG	09-06-12

Expand 4.1) Reduce the phosphorus load that is being generated by agricultural land uses, including farmsteads, cropland, and pasture lands in the basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Support voluntary implementation of BMPs or NMPs through annual small grants programs. View Task Comments	4.1.1	LCBP	08-31-12
Make recommendations for improved consistency and new approaches in agricultural management practices based on annual assessments of the current management techniques. View Task Comments	4.1.2	LCBP
Research the contribution to phosphorus loading by agricultural tiling and ditching. View Task Comments	4.1.3	LCBP
Track the agricultural phosphorus reductions achieved across the jurisdictions in support of an overall mass balance for phosphorus within the basin by 2014. View Task Comments	4.1.4	LCBP	09-04-12
Support efforts to reduce phosphorus inputs to Lake Champlain on an ongoing basis by providing information on relevant phosphorus reductions efforts taking place elsewhere in the country; sharing fact sheets, results of pilot projects, and other national efforts to reduce phosphorus loads; and sharing various assessment, modeling, and management tools as they are developed (e.g., Chesapeake Bay Program and other aquatic systems). View Task Comments	4.1.5	USEPA	11-14-11
Work with Lake Champlain stakeholders to develop pilot projects for reducing phosphorus. Share the results of this work with other aquatic systems throughout the country. View Task Comments	4.1.6	USEPA
Ensure that New York and Vermont implement the CAFO program in accordance with the new regulations promulgated in November 2008. View Task Comments	4.1.7	USEPA	11-14-11
Farmsteads – Provide financial and technical assistance and regulatory oversight needed to support construction and maintenance of proper waste containment/treatment structures and exclusions from clean water.
Make the Lake Champlain watershed a priority watershed for enforcement activities, targeting 5 EPA inspections per year, and work with Vermont and New York to ensure that MFOs, LFOs, and/or CAFOs are routinely inspected. View Task Comments	4.1.8	USEPA	02-05-13
Ensure EQIP contract implementation by making shorter term contracts available by 2010 and continually improving the accuracy of practice cost estimates. View Task Comments	4.1.9	USDA-NRCS	01-27-12
Implement new USDA-NRCS standard on silage leachate as part of CNMP development and implementation by 2010. View Task Comments	4.1.10	USDA-NRCS	09-07-12
Expand the role of the O&M agreements for EQIP practices and work with partners to determine the feasibility of an O&M incentive payment for farms implementing structural practices by 2011 in order to raise awareness of the need to properly operate and maintain installed systems. View Task Comments	4.1.11	USDA-NRCS	01-27-12
Continue to provide technical and financial assistance to 50 livestock farms annually to address barnyard water management, manure management, milk house waste, and silage leachate issues to reduce phosphorus inputs from agricultural sources by 2015. View Task Comments	4.1.12	USDA-NRCS	09-17-12
Ensure that, through inspections, enforcement actions, and penalties, all (28) CAFOs have CNMPs prepared and updated, at least annually, by a certified planner (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.13	New York
Ensure that all (8) large CAFOs continue to properly operate and maintain the structural BMPs identified in their CNMPs (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). As part of this effort each large CAFO will be comprehensively inspected at least once per year by NYSDEC and evaluated with respect to implementation of its CNMP. [Note: as of 8/2009, all 8 large CAFOs have constructed their structural BMPs.] View Task Comments	4.1.14	New York
Ensure that all (20) medium CAFOs complete construction of the structural BMPs identified in their CNMPs by June 30, 2014 (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). As part of this effort each medium CAFO will be inspected at least once every 3 years by NYSDEC and evaluated with respect to implementation of its CNMP. Follow-up on all water-quality-related complaints involving small (non-CAFO) farms. View Task Comments	4.1.15	New York
Continue to encourage livestock and crop farms to develop and advance conservation plans developed through the AEM program. Partnerships between public and private agricultural service providers will advance 75 plans by 2012. View Task Comments	4.1.16	New York
The AEM partnership will evaluate 75 livestock and crop farms with implemented conservation plans to further advance operation, maintenance, and performance. View Task Comments	4.1.17	New York
Maintain the inspection program of all farms in the Basin (831 total farms visited since 2003) to ensure compliance with regulation. View Task Comments	4.1.18	Québec	02-05-13
Ensure compliance regarding proper manure storage for farms (mainly small farms under 50 cows) on solid manure annually. NOTE: All farms with more than 50 cows and on liquid manure must have proper waste structures required by regulation. View Task Comments	4.1.19	Québec	02-05-13
Ensure that all (118) MFO farms in the Basin have the necessary structures in the production area needed to prevent direct farmstead discharges by 2013 (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.20	Vermont	09-18-12
Annually ensure that all (11) LFO farms in the Basin continue to operate and maintain the existing structures that prevent farmstead discharges (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.21	Vermont	09-18-12
Complete Small Farm Production Area Assessment or Vermont AEM surveys for 108 farms in the Rock River, St Albans Bay, and Hungerford Brook watersheds by 2010, as well as at least 18 small farms in Rutland and Addison counties by 2010 (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.22	Vermont	10-25-12
Continue to manage an effective water-quality compliance and enforcement program. All complaints are investigated and the appropriate enforcement actions taken (640 SFO, 150 MFO, and 100 LFO visits since 2003) (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.23	Vermont	07-27-12
Assure that all new, modified, or expanded waste storage structures receiving technical or financial assistance from the VAAFM meet professional engineering standards. View Task Comments	4.1.24	Vermont	07-27-12
Vermont will prepare a draft CAFO permit for EPA review by December 31, 2010. View Task Comments	4.1.25	Vermont	07-27-12
Following EPA review of the draft CAFO permit, Vermont will finalize the permit and begin to implement CAFO requirements as appropriate and as expeditiously as feasible. View Task Comments	4.1.26	Vermont	09-17-12
Cropland - Support and promote implementation of erosion control practices on annual cropland, emphasizing nutrient management and riparian buffers.
Provide financial and technical support to meet Vermont’s 2012 CREP goal of 600 cropland acres by 2012 in partnership with the State of Vermont and USFWS. View Task Comments	4.1.27	USDA-NRCS
Provide additional outreach and financial incentives to implement alternative manure spreading methods on 1,250 acres in Vermont annually, for a total of 5,000 acres by 2014. View Task Comments	4.1.28	USDA-NRCS
Provide additional outreach and financial incentives for farmers to implement conservation tillage on 125 acres annually in Vermont, for a total of 500 acres by 2014. View Task Comments	4.1.29	USDA-NRCS
Use the EQIP program to implement 35 acres of buffers annually in the New York portion of the Basin for a total of 175 acres by 2015. View Task Comments	4.1.30	USDA-NRCS	09-17-12
Provide financial and technical support in partnership with New York, Vermont, and the USDA-NRCS to support the enrollment of 600 acres of riparian forested buffer through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program by 2012. View Task Comments	4.1.31	USFWS	12-14-11
Provide financial and technical support for the improvement of 5 farm road stream crossings that are incompatible with aquatic habitat connectivity by 2012. View Task Comments	4.1.32	USFWS	12-14-11
Work during FFY2010 to evaluate adherence to NMPs in the basin. Evaluation of 2 NMPs per year is planned. View Task Comments	4.1.33	USEPA	09-18-12
Maintain 30,000 acres in nutrient management plans. View Task Comments	4.1.34	New York
Ensure that all (28) CAFOs comply with erosion-control requirements specified in USDA-NRCS-NY Part 590 Conservation Practice Standard and ensure compliance with the individual field management practices identified in their CNMPs, including field-specific manure application rates, methods, and timing and implementation of riparian buffers in accordance with Land Grant University guidelines and all applicable USDA-NRCS conservation practice standards (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.35	New York
Provide manure applicator training on the appropriate rate, timing, amount, and method of manure application for all (8) large CAFOs by 2015 (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.36	New York
Increase by 50 percent the number of acres in the farmland protection program by 2015 (currently, about 6000 acres of farmland in the New York portion of the Basin are protected, either by conservation easement or through acquisition of development rights). View Task Comments	4.1.37	New York
Follow up on all water-quality-related complaints involving small (non-CAFO) farms. View Task Comments	4.1.38	New York
Work to increase conservation funding (EQIP, CREP, WRP, etc.) to the South Lake watershed by 25 percent over 5 years. View Task Comments	4.1.39	New York
Evaluate 20 farms for compliance with their NMPs annually. View Task Comments	4.1.40	Québec	02-05-13
Ensure compliance with manure-spreading dates, especially after October 1, as well as with distances according to regulation. View Task Comments	4.1.41	Québec	02-05-13
Ensure compliance with the progressive schedule for disposal of animal manure, which requires that farms have 100 percent of cropland needed for spreading, as defined by their NMP, by 2010. View Task Comments	4.1.42	Québec	02-05-13
Increase minimum tillage areas with more than 30 percent residue by 50 percent. View Task Comments	4.1.43	Québec	02-07-13
Increase no tillage and rotation with fall cereals by 25 percent. View Task Comments	4.1.44	Québec	02-22-12
Increase riparian buffers (minimum of 3m) in agriculture land in the target watershed by 50 percent. View Task Comments	4.1.45	Québec	02-07-13
Promote perennial crops in targeted Critical Source Areas within the Missisquoi Basin. View Task Comments	4.1.46	Québec	02-08-13
Increase cover-cropped acreage by 25 percent. View Task Comments	4.1.47	Québec	02-22-12
Support the implementation of hydro-agricultural outfitting at the field level to control erosion and sediment transport in ZIPP and targeted subbasins. View Task Comments	4.1.48	Québec	02-08-13
Monitor the flows, sediments, and nutrients following the Lisière Verte project by the Coopérative de solidarité du bassin versant de la baie Missisquoi. Monitor the water quality in the targeted subbasin (Ewing) following the implementation of 9 meters cultivable riparian buffers, the conversion of annual crops to perennial crops in flood-plains areas, and the installation of runoff control facilities (inlet drains by IRDA). View Task Comments	4.1.49	Québec	02-22-12
Continue annual inspections on all (11) LFO farms in the Basin to assure that nutrient management plans are being followed to protect water quality and are in compliance with the farm’s individual permit (based on the number of farms available as of 2009). View Task Comments	4.1.50	Vermont	07-27-12
Review the nutrient management plans for each MFO inspection to assure they are being followed and are in compliance with the general permit. View Task Comments	4.1.51	Vermont	09-14-12
Continue enforcement of the winter manure-spreading ban (December 15-April 1) to minimize the water-quality impacts associated with spreading manure on frozen or snow covered ground. View Task Comments	4.1.52	Vermont	07-27-12
Continue investigating all manure spreading or erosion-related complaints on farms and enforce as necessary. View Task Comments	4.1.53	Vermont	07-27-12
Continue enforcement of manure-spreading setbacks established in the AAPs, MFO, and LFO rules. View Task Comments	4.1.54	Vermont	07-27-12
Expand the number of cover-cropped acres enrolled in the state program from 5,000 in 2008 to 12,000 in 2012; the ultimate goal is to have cover crop on all annual cropland that can be planted by October 15. View Task Comments	4.1.55	Vermont	07-27-12
Enroll a total of 2,600 acres of crop, hay, and pasture land in CREP by 2012, including at least 600 acres of annual cropland in partnership with USDA-NRCS-VT and USFWS. View Task Comments	4.1.56	Vermont	10-23-12
Establish the use of alternative manure-spreading methods (e.g., manure injection), with a goal of treating 5,000 total acres by 2012. View Task Comments	4.1.57	Vermont	07-27-12
Use soil aeration techniques on 45,000 acres in the northern Lake Champlain Basin prior to manure applications by 2012. View Task Comments	4.1.58	Vermont	02-06-13
Continue to work with partners to identify flow accumulation or critical source areas in agricultural fields within the Missisquoi Basin and educate farmers on the potential impacts and conservation practices that can be employed. View Task Comments	4.1.59	Vermont	09-18-12
Pasture – Encourage and support grassland agriculture and proper pasture management.
Work with other federal partners to perform a riparian regulatory gap analysis in the Missisquoi Basin in FFY2012 and establish a timetable to analyze riparian regulatory gaps in other subbasins in subsequent years. View Task Comments	4.1.60	USEPA
Provide financial and technical support needed to meet Vermont’s goal of enrolling 200 acres of pasture annually into CREP. View Task Comments	4.1.61	USDA-NRCS
Implement 2,500 acres of prescribed grazing systems annually in Vermont in conjunction with partners for a total of 10,000 acres by 2014. View Task Comments	4.1.62	USDA-NRCS	01-27-12
Implement up to 150 acres of pasture management per year in New York by emphasizing the use of short-duration rotational grazing for priority conversions of continuously grazed pastures and cropland for a total of 750 acres by 2015. View Task Comments	4.1.63	USDA-NRCS	09-17-12
Redesign and implement 4 stream crossings per year in New York for grazers to minimize livestock access to streams for a total of 20 by 2015. View Task Comments	4.1.64	USDA-NRCS	09-17-12
Install 4 livestock-watering facilities each year in New York in an effort to prevent uncontrolled livestock access to streams for a total of 20 by 2015. View Task Comments	4.1.65	USDA-NRCS	09-17-12
Provide financial and technical support to enroll 20 miles of riparian forest buffer each year. View Task Comments	4.1.66	USFWS	12-14-11
Encourage limited or controlled livestock access to all tributaries in the Basin by promoting livestock exclusion practices, alternative water supplies, stabilized stream crossings, and conservation buffers through the AEM program. View Task Comments	4.1.67	New York
Maintain the partnership with USDA-NRCS and federal cost share assistance to achieve 35 acres of stream buffer practices annually. View Task Comments	4.1.68	New York
Convert 5 continuous grazing systems to prescribed, rotational grazing systems by 2015. View Task Comments	4.1.69	New York
Follow up on all water-quality-related complaints involving small (non-CAFO) farms. View Task Comments	4.1.70	New York
Continue to provide 90 percent cost share for use-exclusion fencing from rivers/streams in order to ensure compliance. View Task Comments	4.1.71	Québec	02-22-12
Support the implementation of specialized diagnostics, collective projects, and work in ZIPP that drain directly into Missisquoi Bay (especially Beaver Creek, East Swamp Ditch, MacFee, Black, Labonté, Tipping Desranleau). View Task Comments	4.1.72	Québec	02-22-12
Assess the effectiveness of livestock exclusion regulatory and voluntary programs with partners to identify the scope of the issue and solutions to improve water-quality impacts by 2011. View Task Comments	4.1.73	Vermont
Continue to investigate and enforce as necessary the livestock access to streams provision in the AAPs. View Task Comments	4.1.74	Vermont	02-06-13
Continue to ensure that livestock do not have access to surface waters in production areas on MFOs and LFOs. View Task Comments	4.1.75	Vermont	09-18-12
Continue to provide 80 percent cost share for use-exclusion fencing from rivers/streams where other voluntary incentive programs, such as CREP, are not feasible. View Task Comments	4.1.76	Vermont	10-25-12
Enroll at least 200 acres of pasture or hayland in CREP annually with a minimum of 50,000 linear feet of fence installed each year between now and 2012. View Task Comments	4.1.77	Vermont	09-18-12

Expand 4.2) Reduce the nonpoint source phosphorus load that is being generated by runoff from developed lands in the Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Create a Stormwater Subcommittee of the TAC to recommend improved management strategies for reducing phosphorus in developed watersheds by 2011. View Task Comments	4.2.1	LCBP	02-15-11
Assess potential effectiveness of models established in other watersheds for increased stormwater ordinances by 2014. View Task Comments	4.2.2	LCBP
Assess potential usefulness of local stormwater utilities for communities throughout the basin by 2014. View Task Comments	4.2.3	LCBP
Evaluate the relative importance of wash-off and altered hydrology in stormwater phosphorus loadings in support of a mass-balance study. View Task Comments	4.2.4	LCBP
Track the developed land phosphorus reductions achieved across the jurisdictions in support of an overall mass balance for phosphorus within the Basin by 2014. View Task Comments	4.2.5	LCBP
Work with Vermont and New York to ensure that P-loads associated with new development are minimized to the extent practicable by collaborating on new strategies, such as LID, retrofit strategies, and new stormwater manual elements that increase phosphorus reductions from stormwater controls. View Task Comments	4.2.6	USEPA
Share lessons learned on phosphorus reductions with all partners in other parts of the country on an ongoing basis. View Task Comments	4.2.7	USEPA	11-14-11
Provide technical assistance and regulatory oversight needed to manage stormwater discharges from construction sites and new development.
Inspect 20 percent of annual permitted construction activities in the Basin and take enforcement action as needed to achieve compliance. View Task Comments	4.2.8	New York
Report compliance rates based on results from inspections of annual permitted construction activities. View Task Comments	4.2.9	New York
Produce a guideline for controlling stormwater at new development sites by 2010. View Task Comments	4.2.10	Québec	02-23-12
Inspect 10 percent of all permitted construction and 5 percent of all operational stormwater sites annually in order to capture a representative sample of all permitted sites; document the number of sites inspected, percent of sites in substantial compliance when inspected, and the number of sites brought into compliance. View Task Comments	4.2.11	Vermont
Update Stormwater Management Manual by 2011 to further incorporate and encourage LID practices into the suite of technologies available to stormwater designers. View Task Comments	4.2.12	Vermont
Support maintenance and upgrade of existing stormwater infrastructure.
Inspect 20 percent of permitted stormwater operating structures in the Champlain portion of the MS4 communities annually and take enforcement action as necessary to achieve compliance. Seek stable funding source for maintenance of stormwater infrastructure, including structural replacements, upgrades, and retrofits by 2015. View Task Comments	4.2.13	New York
Evaluate the feasibility of installing stormwater infrastructure to control flow and sediment in targeted subbasins (Pike River, Rock River, and North Missisquoi River). View Task Comments	4.2.14	Québec
Evaluate the implementation of stormwater infrastructure to control flow and sediment on the new Highway 35 at the Section 3B. View Task Comments	4.2.15	Québec	02-23-12
Inspect the stormwater infrastructure on permitted transportation project construction sites. View Task Comments	4.2.16	Québec	02-23-12
Promote the maintenance of road ditch stabilization with the Centre de service de Foster du MTQ, MRC, and municipalities. View Task Comments	4.2.17	Québec	02-27-12
Complete at least 15 stormwater treatment retrofits in the North Lake watershed by 2013, with more than half concentrated in St. Albans City or Town. View Task Comments	4.2.18	Vermont
Complete and publish results of stormwater infrastructure survey in St. Albans City and Town, Swanton, Enosburg, Highgate, and Sheldon by the end of 2010 and complete similar surveys for at least 5 additional towns in the basin annually through 2012. View Task Comments	4.2.19	Vermont
Minimize phosphorus inputs through source control and education.
Promote bioengineering for erosion control and shoreline stabilization via workshops, demonstrations, and technical assistance to municipalities and Lake Champlain shoreline property owners. View Task Comments	4.2.20	LCSG	09-06-12
Provide technical assistance to applicants, permittees, and interest groups on best practices related to stormwater management, shoreline stabilization, riparian buffers, stream culvert installation, and similar activities in conjunction with local SWCDs. This effort will include preparation of informational/instructional materials as needed; co-sponsor annual stormwater trade shows with CWICNY. View Task Comments	4.2.21	New York
Collaborate with CWICNY, NYSDOT, USFWS, and municipal DPWs on culvert assessment and replacement and road ditch/critical source area stabilization. View Task Comments	4.2.22	New York	09-14-12
Continue oversight of the MS4 Stormwater Program and coordinate this effort with SWCDs. View Task Comments	4.2.23	New York
Promote nonpoint source pollution prevention in urban development projects. View Task Comments	4.2.24	Québec
Develop educational materials for towns to use when reviewing building permit applications by 2012 and assist towns in developing questions related to obtaining stormwater permits (construction and operational) on all building and zoning permit applications. View Task Comments	4.2.25	Vermont
Create technical training and materials related to erosion prevention, sediment control, and post-construction stormwater management practices for projects that do not trigger state jurisdiction by 2012 and provide the training to appropriate municipal officials in 20 towns each year thereafter. View Task Comments	4.2.26	Vermont
Continue to coordinate the RSEP through the MS4 permit to facilitate municipal stormwater training and outreach activities. View Task Comments	4.2.27	Vermont
Continue to provide technical and financial assistance to at least 75 municipalities to implement best management practices and construction techniques for upgrading and maintaining rural roads. View Task Comments	4.2.28	Vermont	12-22-11

Expand 4.3) Protect and restore forests, wetlands, floodplains, and stream corridors to maximize storage of phosphorus in the watershed.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Research potential phosphorus storage functions in wetlands in impaired drainage basins by 2015. View Task Comments	4.3.1	LCBP
Research current regulations for septic and stormwater management in all three jurisdictions to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing stormwater phosphorus load by 2015. View Task Comments	4.3.2	LCBP
Protect river corridors, wetlands, and undeveloped floodplains.
Continue to implement the WRDA Section 542 program in partnership with the LCBP and the approved General Management Plan. View Task Comments	4.3.3	USACE	09-06-12
Follow up on all wetland, stream, and water body disturbance complaints and take enforcement action as necessary. View Task Comments	4.3.4	New York
Work with partners to improve the delivery of WRP, CRP, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and other such programs. View Task Comments	4.3.5	New York
Work with local governments on NFIP regulation, compliance, and community assistance by visiting 15 communities and conducting 4 NFIP workshops for all New York local code enforcement officers by 2015. View Task Comments	4.3.6	New York
Conduct compliance inspections of 10 percent of the stream/wetland-related construction activities permitted in any given calendar year. View Task Comments	4.3.7	New York
Reduce construction-related impacts to wetlands, streams, and water bodies through careful administration of regulatory programs and by providing technical assistance to permit applicants. View Task Comments	4.3.8	New York
Work with private landowners to develop and implement forest stewardship plans with a goal of enlisting 3000 acres per year on average. View Task Comments	4.3.9	New York
Promote hydro-agricultural outfitting at the watershed level to control sediment transport. View Task Comments	4.3.10	Québec	03-18-13
Provide training and technical assistance to municipal inspectors in the contents of the Buffer, Shoreline and Floodplain Protection Policy. View Task Comments	4.3.11	Québec	03-18-13
Complete FEH mapping for 75 communities; ensure that 10 communities per year adopt municipal FEH ordinances by 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.12	Vermont
Provide technical oversight to the FEMA map modernization process to provide 10 enrolled communities per year with updated maps or model ordinances design to surpass floodplain protection beyond the NFIP minimum standards. View Task Comments	4.3.13	Vermont
Develop and purchase river corridor easements for 10 reaches of river identified as key sediment attenuation areas in completed geomorphic-based river corridor plans. View Task Comments	4.3.14	Vermont
Expand the Portable Skidder Bridge Initiative, fabricating and making 20 additional portable skidder bridges available to loggers for purchase, loan, or rental by 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.15	Vermont
Restore wetlands and natural floodplain connections within the watershed.
Restore 500 acres of wetland annually for a total of 2,000 acres by 2014 through the WRP in partnership with the State of Vermont and USFWS. View Task Comments	4.3.16	USDA-NRCS	11-27-12
Assess wetland restoration potential and provide technical and financial support for 500 acres of degraded wetlands each year between 2010 and 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.17	USFWS	12-09-11
Assess floodplain restoration potential on 50 acres and 2 miles of degraded floodplain each year between 2010 and 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.18	USFWS	02-02-12
Provide technical and financial support to restore floodplain connectivity of 20 acres and 1 mile of floodplain each year between now and 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.19	USFWS	03-26-12
Provide financial and technical support to establish 20,000 native trees and shrubs each year between 2010 and 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.20	USFWS	03-26-12
Use the Priority Waterbody List (a list of impaired waterways) to identify sediment-impacted streams resulting from stream/stream bank instability and set priorities for corrective action funding with a goal of completing 5 projects by 2015. View Task Comments	4.3.21	New York	09-14-12
Increase collaboration with New York partners (River Associations, TU, TNC, CWICNY, NY Rivers, etc.) with a goal of improving the effectiveness of stream projects authorized under New York’s Protection of Water Law (ECL 15-05). View Task Comments	4.3.22	New York
Work to enlist at least 2 landowners per year into USDA-NRCS's WRP. View Task Comments	4.3.23	New York
Provide financial and technical support to establish 10,000 native trees and shrubs each year along riparian buffers in the Basin. View Task Comments	4.3.24	Québec	03-18-13
Complete 4 floodplain restoration projects annually through 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.25	Vermont
Reestablish buffer vegetation for all completed river corridor easement projects (10 reaches per year) and complete buffer replanting projects on 5 additional reaches per year as prioritized in geomorphic-based river corridor plans, through 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.26	Vermont
Complete 4 encroachment removal/retrofit projects per year (including structures such as berms and stream crossings) through 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.27	Vermont
Provide outreach and education needed to sign up at least 60 landowners in the Basin for USDA-NRCS’s WRP by 2012. View Task Comments	4.3.28	Vermont

Expand 4.4) Address phosphorus loads associated with inadequately treated sewage.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Assemble and summarize spatial and temporal patterns of wastewater treatment plants to assist the adaptive management process by compiling end-of-pipe data and other pertinent data as provided by the jurisdictions annually, beginning in 2011. View Task Comments	4.4.1	LCBP	02-15-11
Ensure that WWTF permits are consistent with the requirements of the Clean Water Act and that necessary upgrades are completed expeditiously as part of ongoing review of Vermont and New York’s implementation of the Lake Champlain TMDL. View Task Comments	4.4.2	USEPA	11-14-11
Oversee upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in the Village of Ticonderoga, oversee construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in the hamlet of Essex, and oversee through consent decree major rehabilitation in the Village of Whitehall (completion date is 01/2014) and work to complete remaining point source upgrades in the TMDL (4) by 2012, including development of compliance schedules. View Task Comments	4.4.3	New York	11-15-11
Continue SSO elimination and abatement efforts with municipalities in the Basin under New York’s SPDES Permit Compliance Program and ensure consistency with EPA guidance for dealing with SSOs, with a goal of eliminating 100 percent of these SSOs by 2015. View Task Comments	4.4.4	New York
Continue with CSO reduction efforts with a goal of implementing all SPDES permit schedule requirements pertaining to Long-Term Control Plans by 2020 and eliminating 50 percent of the existing (as of 5/2009) CSOs by 2020. View Task Comments	4.4.5	New York
Work with partners, principally CWICNY, USDA-NRCS, and the SWCDs, to secure cost share funds for 1 septic tank pump-out program annually sponsored by Lake associations. View Task Comments	4.4.6	New York
Pursue the follow-up inspection program of the wastewater treatment systems for about 100 facilities located off networks in the Ewing and Morpions subbasins and the Sutton and North Missisquoi Rivers. Inspections are planned for 20 new facilities annually. View Task Comments	4.4.7	Québec	03-18-13
Ensure the compliance of authorized establishments. View Task Comments	4.4.8	Québec	03-18-13
Ensure compliance with regulations for municipal sewage disposal for individual septic systems (Q‑2, r 8). View Task Comments	4.4.9	Québec	02-23-12
Finalize wastewater treatment plants for Notre-Dame-de-Stanbridge, Pointe Jameson (Venise-en-Québec), Frelighsburg, and Stanbridge East. View Task Comments	4.4.10	Québec	03-18-13
Implement point-source upgrades at facilities that discharge directly into Missisquoi Bay and to tributaries upstream of the Bay to further reduce phosphorus loading by improving filtration systems and maintaining phosphorus discharge requirements. View Task Comments	4.4.11	Québec	03-19-13
Complete implementation of remaining point-source upgrades specified in the TMDL at Waterbury, Proctor, and Troy/Jay by 2012. View Task Comments	4.4.12	Vermont	11-14-11
Complete and publish results of illicit discharge detection efforts for urbanized villages in the North Lake, including Swanton, Enosburg Falls, Richford, Highgate Falls, Montgomery, and North Troy by 2010 and then assist the communities with follow-up plans, including necessary corrective measures. View Task Comments	4.4.13	Vermont
Ensure that each of the 60 facilities in the Basin has an approved sewage spill prevention plan for the treatment plant and collection system by 2012. View Task Comments	4.4.14	Vermont
Continue the CSO elimination and abatement program, which, to date, has resulted in eliminating 34 of the 55 outfalls in the Lake Champlain basin. View Task Comments	4.4.15	Vermont

Expand 4.5) Use education to empower the general public to reduce phosphorus contributions. (Additional actions that incorporate outreach for phosphorus reduction are listed in the Informing and Involving the Public Chapter.)

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Continue phosphorus-reduction outreach campaigns, such as “Don’t P on Your Lawn” and other stormwater reduction efforts, using social marketing techniques. View Task Comments	4.5.1	LCBP	02-18-11
Continue to implement the annual Lake Champlain Farm Awards in New York, Québec, and Vermont to recognize exemplary management practices. View Task Comments	4.5.2	LCBP	02-18-11
Provide watershed, lake, and water-quality education programs for K-12 youth, teachers, and adults by offering hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum, technical expertise, equipment, and human resources to at least 15 programs annually in the Basin. View Task Comments	4.5.4	LCSG	09-07-12
Support adoption of low-input, no-phosphorus lawn care practices by commercial, institutional, and business property managers in impaired watersheds. View Task Comments	4.5.5	LCSG	12-20-11
Provide education and technical support to municipalities and homeowners to increase use of rain gardens, rain barrels, and other stormwater reduction techniques. View Task Comments	4.5.6	LCSG	09-06-12
Increase awareness and adoption of LID by municipalities through workshops, publications, and demonstration projects. View Task Comments	4.5.7	LCSG	09-06-12
Support the “Don’t P on Your Lawn” campaign through education, outreach, demonstrations, and technical support for lawn-care providers, gardening-supply retailers, and municipalities. View Task Comments	4.5.8	LCBP, LCSG	02-08-13
Meet with partner organizations involved in water-quality monitoring/improvement (e.g., NY CAC, CWICNY, Water Quality Coordinating Committees, LCSG, TU, and river associations) at least 3 times per year to align priorities, support projects, and leverage resources. View Task Comments	4.5.9	New York	09-14-12
Continue to make up to $100,000 per year of EPF and other grant monies for phosphorus-reduction projects available to local municipalities. View Task Comments	4.5.10	New York
Expand information, education, and diffusion activities concerning the impacts of agricultural and urban nonpoint source pollution, the protection of water bodies, and sustainable urban development with the watershed group. View Task Comments	4.5.11	Québec	03-19-13
Continue to make up to $500,000 per year of Clean and Clear Ecosystem Restoration grants and other grant monies for phosphorus-reduction projects available to local municipalities and nonprofits. View Task Comments	4.5.12	Vermont
Install stream-crossing signs in at least one subwatershed within the Basin annually. View Task Comments	4.5.13	Vermont

Expand 4.6) Develop and implement a framework for Critical Source Area analysis that will serve as a basis for targeting management actions in order to achieve the greatest phosphorus reductions and address Lake segments furthest from their water-quality targets.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Continue the IJC project, Identification of Critical Source Areas of Phosphorus Pollution in the Missisquoi Bay Watershed, through December 2011. View Task Comments	4.6.1	LCBP	01-17-12
Develop a process for applying results of the IJC project to other priority watersheds in the Basin by 2013. View Task Comments	4.6.2	LCBP
Facilitate meetings among New York and Vermont partners to develop a phosphorus load reduction management strategy for the South Lake by 2011. View Task Comments	4.6.3	LCBP	11-15-11
Continue to research internal nutrient dynamics in Missisquoi Bay to inform and develop a eutrophication model for the Bay. View Task Comments	4.6.4	LCBP	08-31-12
Incorporate results from the IJC Critical Source Area project in setting priorities for federal financial and technical resources and assist in the extension of the analysis procedures to other watersheds. View Task Comments	4.6.5	USDA-NRCS	01-27-12
Update the Missisquoi Area-Wide Plan in Vermont by 2011 and continue to implement recommendations from the plan. View Task Comments	4.6.6	USDA-NRCS	01-27-12
Seek funding sources to support analysis of Critical Source Areas in the New York portion of the South Lake watershed, similar to the Missisquoi Bay initiative funded by the IJC. View Task Comments	4.6.7	New York
Work with the Warren, Washington, and Essex County SWCDs and County WQCCs to identify, prioritize, and remediate excess sources of phosphorus on private lands in the South Lake watershed at a rate of 1 per county annually in partnership with USDA-NRCS-NY. View Task Comments	4.6.8	New York
Ensure that local groups (SWCDs, WQCC’s, municipalities, and other NGOs) are aware of grant opportunities as they arise (state, federal, LCBP, etc). View Task Comments	4.6.9	New York	09-14-12
Identify excess sources of phosphorus on DEC-managed state lands in the South Lake watershed and develop a plan for their remediation (Forest Preserve lands, boat launch sites, state day use/campground facilities, etc.). View Task Comments	4.6.10	New York
Work with NYS DOT as well as county and local DPWs to identify phosphorus-source areas within highway ROWs and develop plans for their remediation with the goal of assessing 1 subwatershed and undertaking 3 corrective actions per year. View Task Comments	4.6.11	New York
Actively participate in the ongoing IJC project, Identification of Critical Source Areas of Phosphorus Pollution, in the Missisquoi Bay watershed. View Task Comments	4.6.12	Québec, Vermont	03-19-13
Advise and integrate management of soils and water (GRISE project) by IRDA and McGill University for agricultural consultants. Develop and validate a parcel map management tool based on the segmentation of digital ground models and digital imaging. View Task Comments	4.6.13	Québec	02-23-12
Incorporate results from the IJC project in setting priorities for state financial and technical resources and extend the analysis to include other watersheds. View Task Comments	4.6.14	Vermont	11-14-11
Work with USDA-NRCS-VT and EPSCoR to pilot development of an “enhanced” hydrography dataset for the Rock River by the end of 2010. View Task Comments	4.6.15	Vermont
Implement a procedure for estimating contributions of stream banks to the total sediment load being delivered by Vermont tributaries to Missisquoi Bay by 2011. Extend the results of this project to tributaries throughout the Basin by 2014 in partnership with New York, Québec, LCBP, and USDA-NRCS-VT. View Task Comments	4.6.16	Vermont	11-09-11

Expand 4.7) Develop a coordinated adaptive management decision plan for evaluating progress in reducing phosphorus inputs to Lake Champlain across the jurisdictions.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Develop an ecosystem indicators database to support the adaptive management process and the annual State of the Lake report using pressure-state-response modeling. View Task Comments	4.7.1	LCBP	03-02-11
Relate subwatershed management practices to phosphorus TMDL load allocations and reductions through quantitative analysis using an adaptive management process for Lake Champlain tributaries based on current monitoring data by 2015. View Task Comments	4.7.2	LCBP
Continue the Adaptive Management Workgroup and bring nationally recognized experts to the region to promote a broad professional exchange of adaptive management theory and applications through annual workshops. View Task Comments	4.7.3	LCBP	09-10-12
Develop an adaptive management framework that can be used to evaluate future implementation scenarios and the phosphorus reductions that may be achieved. View Task Comments	4.7.4	LCBP
Evaluate nonpoint source loading management tools that have been successfully applied in other water-quality programs and prepare a report by 2011. View Task Comments	4.7.5	LCBP	10-15-12
Facilitate the dynamic reporting of management actions by all jurisdictions on the LCBP website. View Task Comments	4.7.6	LCBP	10-12-12
Regions 1 and 2 will continue to encourage, cooperate with, and evaluate the Lake Champlain TMDL implementation by Vermont and New York on an ongoing basis. View Task Comments	4.7.7	USEPA	11-14-11
Work with Vermont, New York, and other partners to develop and implement an adaptive management framework to ensure that TMDL implementation steps are tracked, and that these steps are making progress toward meeting water-quality goals. Part of this initiative could be accomplished by targeting resources (e.g., enforcement, funding, other management actions) in certain areas of the Basin where loading targets are furthest from being met. View Task Comments	4.7.8	USEPA

Expand 4.8) Estimate how climate change is altering the delivery of phosphorus to Lake Champlain and how it necessitates changes in implementation strategies.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Create a Climate Change Subcommittee of the TAC to focus on climate change scenarios and investigate implementation strategies that can minimize the effect of changes on phosphorus loading by 2011. View Task Comments	4.8.1	LCBP	02-15-11
Support efforts by NWS and NOAA to update the rainfall atlas for the northeastern states. View Task Comments	4.8.2	LCBP	10-15-12
Synthesize the best available information on the likely impact of climate change on phosphorus loading by 2012. View Task Comments	4.8.3	LCBP
Recommend adjustments needed in management practices to effectively respond to climate change by 2012. View Task Comments	4.8.4	LCBP
Assess the effect of climate change on surface water hydrology and sediments and nutrients export at the level of the Pike River Basin. View Task Comments	4.8.5	Québec
Develop appropriate strategies for coping with projected changes in precipitation and runoff in collaboration with other partners within the Basin. (USGS, Cornell University, UVM, NOAA, USACE, and others). View Task Comments	4.8.6	New York, Québec, USDA-NRCS, USEPA, Vermont	09-07-12
Compare current 10-year, 25-year, and 100-year design storms to recent climate-change driven precipitation projections in order to better prepare for changing phosphorus loads to Lake Champlain due to rain events. View Task Comments	4.8.7	Vermont

Expand 4.9) Opportunities for Future Actions: Identify research and monitoring projects that can improve management programs and conduct when funding resources become available.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Research Programs
Investigate nutrient dynamics in Missisquoi Bay. View Task Comments	4.9.1
Explore management tools that can be used to identify critical source areas and effective interventions. View Task Comments	4.9.2
Develop and distribute a high-resolution electronic atlas pertinent to a dripping diagnostic, rural water development and soil and phosphorus losses (phosphorus export diagnostic tool, ODEP by IRDA in Québec). View Task Comments	4.9.3
Characterize phosphorus mobility in surface runoff and in the tile drainage system. View Task Comments	4.9.4
Evaluate the impact of internal phosphorus loading on water quality, as described in the TMDL. View Task Comments	4.9.5
Management and Monitoring Programs
Develop management programs targeting reduction of dissolved phosphorus near the Lake to limit algae blooms. View Task Comments	4.9.6
Update information on land use, agricultural practices, and extent of natural habitats in the Basin to assess their impact on nonpoint source loads. View Task Comments	4.9.7
Monitor the flows, sediments, and nutrients following the Lisière Verte project by the Coopérative de solidarité du bassin versant de la baie Missisquoi. View Task Comments	4.9.8
Monitor the water quality in the targeted subbasins in Québec (Castors, Granger, Pelletier, Petit Ruisseau, and Ewing) following the implementation of 9-meter cultivable riparian buffers, the conversion of annual crops to perennial crops in floodplains, and the installation of runoff control facilities (inlet drains by IRDA). View Task Comments	4.9.9

Expand 5.1) Publish and implement the Lake Champlain Toxic Management Strategy that emphasizes pollution prevention while continuing to mitigate pollution problems throughout the Lake by 2015.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Work with the LCBP Toxics Management Workgroup to publish the Lake Champlain Toxic Management Strategy report by 2011. View Task Comments	5.1.1	LCBP	10-12-11
Revise and update the list of Toxic Substances of Concern and related strategies identified in the Management Strategy for the Basin every 3 years after publication. View Task Comments	5.1.2	LCBP	10-12-11
Manage all reported chemical and petroleum spills in the New York portion of the Basin and remediate with NYS DEC oversight or, in the absence of a viable responsible party, by NYSDEC. View Task Comments	5.1.3	New York
Working from the List of Potentially Contaminated sites, New York will establish the actual status of all sites within the Lake Champlain Basin and develop Corrective Action Plans, as appropriate, by 2015. View Task Comments	5.1.4	New York
Finalize the designation of a vessel wastewater “No Discharge Zone” for the entire Champlain Canal by 2010 (complete in May 2010). View Task Comments	5.1.5	New York, USEPA	09-14-12
Revise the human-health-related water-quality standard for Arsenic by 2015 and establish an ambient water-quality value for PBDEs by 2011. View Task Comments	5.1.6	New York

Expand 5.2) Provide education and outreach to encourage homeowners, industries, health care facilities, businesses, governmental agencies, and public institutions to prevent pollution and recycle by 2015.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Provide technical notes from the scientific literature to watershed associations for interpretation to lay audiences annually. View Task Comments	5.2.1	LCBP
Support mercury instrument exchange programs when and where possible. View Task Comments	5.2.2	LCBP	10-12-11
Host a workshop for private, local, and state/provincial roadway deicing applicators to discuss methods to reduce road salt application by 2013. View Task Comments	5.2.3	LCBP	10-12-11
LCBP will work with partners to promote sustainable business practices and encourage implementation of BMPs to reduce toxin pollution. Québec will do this on an annual basis, through education and outreach. Vermont will continue to focus on toxics use and waste reduction and environmentally preferable purchasing through the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership offered through the VTDEC. View Task Comments	5.2.4	LCBP, Québec, Vermont
Promote and maintain the Environmental Stewardship search engine to explore a variety of pollution prevention and recycling opportunities. View Task Comments	5.2.5	USEPA
Promote and distribute “Planning for a Sustainable Future” to local governments, with emphasis on the sections “Solid Waste Generation and Recycling” and “Protecting Water Quality and Ensuring Future Supply.” View Task Comments	5.2.6	USEPA
Continue development of EPA Partnership Programs that address a wide variety of environmental issues, including toxics and pathogens, by working in collaboration with companies, organizations, communities, and individuals within the Lake Champlain Basin. View Task Comments	5.2.7	USEPA
New York’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Institute will identify and prioritize facilities within the Basin that could benefit from environmental assessments or process improvements by 2015. View Task Comments	5.2.8	New York
New York’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Institute will conduct at least 1 workshop that targets a priority topic within the Basin by 2012. View Task Comments	5.2.9	New York
New York will conduct a pharmaceutical outreach effort in support of DEC’s “Don’t Flush Your Drugs” campaign, will conduct a pilot drug collection event for residents of the Basin, and will assist communities with local drug collection events by 2011. View Task Comments	5.2.10	New York	09-14-12
NYSDEC will conduct a “Chemical Management” workshop for schools in the Basin by 2015. View Task Comments	5.2.11	New York
NYSDEC will develop and maintain a list of "green formulations" that can substitute for commonly used commercial and household chemical cleaners, fertilizers, and preservatives and promote the use of these green alternatives in the Lake Champlain watershed by 2015. View Task Comments	5.2.12	New York
NYSDEC will implement the “Be Green Organic Yards - NY Program” – a new initiative to foster organic landscaping practices. NYSDEC and LCBP will identify targets for media contact and web outreach by 2012. View Task Comments	5.2.13	LCBP, New York	09-14-12
Continue to annually promote best management practices related to toxin use reduction programs and energy conservation by implementing the QC MDDEP’s 2006-2012 Climate Change Action Plan at and the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec. View Task Comments	5.2.14	Québec	02-23-12
Encourage homeowners, industries, businesses, governmental agencies, and public institutions to prevent pollution and recycle through the VTDEC Small Business and Municipal Compliance Programs and pollution prevention programs. View Task Comments	5.2.15	Vermont
Implement mercury thermostat recycling programs at wholesaler and retailer locations to capture 65 percent or more of discarded thermostats (25-35 lbs of mercury per year) by 2013. View Task Comments	5.2.16	Vermont	12-22-11
Implement mercury lamp recycling programs for residential and small business sectors to promote high rates of recycling (5-10 lbs of mercury per year), by 2012. View Task Comments	5.2.17	Vermont	12-22-11
VAAFM will collect 285,000 pounds of pesticides through its waste pesticide collection program run in conjunction with Vermont Solid Waste District’s household hazardous waste collection events by 2010. This program began in 1991 and will continue to be active. View Task Comments	5.2.18	Vermont	12-22-11
VAAFM will remove more than 2 pounds of mercury from the Vermont Maple Sugar Producer’s Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program by 2010. Additional mercury thermometers will be exchanged for digital replacements pending future funding. Update: 80 mercury thermometers were exchanged for digital instruments. View Task Comments	5.2.19	Vermont	10-23-12

Expand 5.3) Investigate and address the distribution, fate, and effects of contaminants of concern and sites of concern.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Coordinate a workshop to develop a Basin-wide database to track retail sales of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, fertilizer substances, and other materials containing toxics as identified on the list of Toxic Substance of Concern by 2014. View Task Comments	5.3.1	LCBP
Provide a statistically sound dataset on toxic substances of concern in fish tissue for coordinated management use by both human health officials and fish and wildlife managers by 2014. View Task Comments	5.3.2	LCBP	09-04-12
NYSDAM will expand New York’s Pesticide Monitoring program of groundwater to include, by 2015, an upstate county located within the Basin. View Task Comments	5.3.3	New York
Continue the ambient monitoring program (Rotating Integrated Basin Studies) utilizing bioassays to assess and identify aquatic toxicity concerns. Evaluate this program’s effectiveness in assessing overall aquatic habitat quality by 2015. View Task Comments	5.3.4	New York
Continue the fish-tissue monitoring program in Cumberland Bay to assess the effectiveness of the PCB remediation project completed in 2000, by 2015. View Task Comments	5.3.5	New York	09-14-12
Inventory winter road salt use at state, county, and local levels. Identify areas that are particularly sensitive to road salt. View Task Comments	5.3.6	New York, Vermont
Continue groundwater monitoring for nutrients and pesticides associated with agricultural activities in order to evaluate whether these activities are contributing to contamination of the groundwater of Vermont. View Task Comments	5.3.7	Vermont	10-23-12
Continue to monitor pesticides in the surface waters of Vermont as funding is available in order to better understand and manage mechanisms of pesticide runoff. View Task Comments	5.3.8	Vermont	10-23-12
Continue to track commercial pesticide use in the Vermont sector of the Lake Champlain Basin and across Vermont to determine trends in pesticide use. View Task Comments	5.3.9	Vermont	10-23-12

Expand 5.4) Implement actions to monitor, investigate the causes of, and reduce the frequency of blue-green algae toxins in the Lake.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Coordinate monitoring of blue-green algae blooms through 2011 and work to move monitoring responsibility to jurisdictional partners by 2015. New York and Vermont will monitor blue-green algae Lake-wide through the Long-Term Water Quality and Biological Monitoring Program. View Task Comments	5.4.1	LCBP, New York, Vermont	09-04-12
Support and document research within the Lake Champlain Basin that will clarify the causes of localized blue-green algae blooms by 2015. View Task Comments	5.4.2	LCBP	03-04-11
Provide annual updates on work completed under 2 grant programs (P2 and SRA, see below) as relevant to the Lake Champlain Basin and advertise funding opportunities to partners within the Basin as they become available. EPA’s Pollution Prevention Program administers 2 grants (the P2 Grants Program and the Source Reduction Assistance [SRA Grants Program). P2 grant dollars provide 50 percent matching funds, for state and tribal programs only, to support pollution prevention activities across all environmental media and to develop state- or tribal-based programs. SRA grant dollars require only 5 percent matching funds and are targeted at nonprofit organizations and state, county, municipal, and tribal technical assistance programs to help businesses and industries identify better environmental strategies and solutions for reducing or eliminating waste at the source across all environmental media. View Task Comments	5.4.3	USEPA	11-14-11
The QCMDDEP will maintain its BGA monitoring program. Québec will coordinate research regarding cyanobacteria blooms, impacts and driving factors with Vermont based on the Blue-green Algae Action Plan 2007-2017. View Task Comments	5.4.4	Québec	03-19-13
Provide cyanobacterial toxin testing through the Department of Health (VTDOH) Laboratory for water suppliers and waterfront homeowners at no or limited cost. View Task Comments	5.4.5	Vermont
Continue to provide data on cyanobacteria to Basin drinking water suppliers. Work with suppliers through their association to develop and modify appropriate monitoring and response strategies to the occurrence of cyanobacteria in the vicinity of drinking water intakes. View Task Comments	5.4.6	Vermont

Expand 5.5) Identify public health risks associated with toxic substances (including blue-green algae toxins) and communicate risk to the public through advisories from the three jurisdictions.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Update the LCBP website annually with interpretive materials and links to appropriate jurisdictional authorities for information about water-related public health issues. View Task Comments	5.5.1	LCBP
Work with state and provincial departments of health to raise awareness and educate health care providers on symptoms of cyanobacteria toxicity by 2013. View Task Comments	5.5.2	LCBP, New York, Québec, Vermont
Coordinate with ongoing efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and potential Office of Research and Development studies regarding cyanobacteria blooms, impacts, and driving factors. Update the LCBP Steering Committee with progress by May 2011. View Task Comments	5.5.3	USEPA	11-14-11
Publish annual fish consumption advisories based on latest data available. View Task Comments	5.5.4	New York	09-14-12
Publish health advisories about blue-green algae toxins and share best management practices to reduce algal growth. View Task Comments	5.5.5	Québec	03-19-13
Continue to post information on current cyanobacteria advisories, bloom locations, and health-related information on the VTDOH webpage. Annually update and maintain interpretive and educational materials about cyanobacteria on VTDOH and VTDEC websites. Provide new health-related information as it becomes available. View Task Comments	5.5.6	Vermont
Continue to work with local recreational water managers, Vermont State Parks, local parks and recreation departments, town health officers, and other concerned parties on beach monitoring for both E. coli and cyanotoxins. View Task Comments	5.5.7	Vermont
Continue to work with towns in the Champlain Valley to educate their residents and lakeshore property owners about the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. Issue an annual reminder about the presence, identification, and avoidance of cyanobacteria before the summer recreational season. View Task Comments	5.5.8	Vermont

Expand 5.6) Determine sources of and reduce the threat of pathogens to public health in Lake Champlain Basin waters; communicate risk to the public through advisories from the three jurisdictions.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Provide a workshop to explore applications or operational use of a DNA/microbial source tracking library for E. coli by 2012. View Task Comments	5.6.1	LCBP
Encourage common pathogen monitoring protocols among jurisdictions within the Basin by 2015. View Task Comments	5.6.2	LCBP
Revise ambient water-quality criteria for pathogens pending the EPA’s national reassessment of pathogen criteria, expected in October 2012. View Task Comments	5.6.3	New York
Assess sewer pump-out capabilities at all Lake Champlain marinas and provide education and technical support on opportunities available to construct new or upgrade existing pump-out facilities through the Clean Vessel Assistance Program by 2012. View Task Comments	5.6.4	New York
Make WQIP grants available to municipalities to extend sewers into previously unsewered areas and to create new sewer districts to help reduce and eliminate on-site systems in marginal and poor soils by 2015. View Task Comments	5.6.5	New York
VTANR will pursue revisions to the E. coli water-quality standard with the Vermont Water Resources Panel by 2011. View Task Comments	5.6.6	Vermont
VAAFM will continue to support the CREP and the best management practices program to help minimize bacteria and pathogens in agricultural runoff. View Task Comments	5.6.7	Vermont	02-06-13
VAAFM will continue to enforce manure setback requirements under the AAPs, MFO, and LFO rules to minimize bacteria and pathogens in runoff. View Task Comments	5.6.8	Vermont	02-06-13
VAAFM will continue to enforce livestock exclusion from production areas on medium and large farms in Vermont to minimize the spread of pathogens. View Task Comments	5.6.9	Vermont

Expand 5.7) Opportunities for Future Actions: Identify research and monitoring projects that can improve management programs and conduct when funding resources become available.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Periodically measure toxic substances in Lake Champlain waters, including contaminants of concern and new-generation chemicals in the water column and lake bottom sediments. View Task Comments	5.7.1
EPA staff will review the Mercury Reduction Plans for New York and Vermont to assess TMDL implementation progress. View Task Comments	5.7.2

Expand 6.1) Develop a list of high-priority habitats in need of protection.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Hold a workshop or series of workshops by the end of 2010 to identify types and locations of high-priority habitats for conservation and to identify priority area criteria with the help of partners by 2010. Apply those criteria to existing knowledge of Basin resources to begin to identify those specific habitats and their locations in need of protection by the end of 2011. New York will contribute information on critical fish spawning and migration routes to help this effort View Task Comments	6.1.1	LCBP, New York	02-28-11
Identify high-priority habitats for migratory birds in the Bird Conservation Region 13 plan. View Task Comments	6.1.2	USFWS
Staff at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge will work with partners, the public, and landowners to develop a Preliminary Project Proposal (PPP), to identify high-priority habitats, especially those along the Missisquoi River corridor, the lakeshore of Lake Champlain, and other important habitats in the Missisquoi River watershed by 2010. View Task Comments	6.1.3	USFWS	09-10-12
Staff at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge will work with partners, the public, and landowners to develop a Land Protection Plan (LPP) by 2011. The LPP will identify in detail those lands that are seeking protection as part of the NWR system or through one of our land protection partners. View Task Comments	6.1.4	USFWS	09-10-12
Inventory the upper Richelieu River to identify high-priority habitats for conservation. This task will be accomplished by 2015 by staff of the QC MRNF. View Task Comments	6.1.5	Québec

Expand 6.2) Undertake long-term conservation decisions in coordination with existing “open space” and federal, state, and local habitat protection programs by 2015.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Coordinate a meeting with partners to address this priority by the end of 2011, undertaking long-term conservation decisions in coordination with existing “open space” and federal, state, and local habitat protection programs. View Task Comments	6.2.1	LCBP
Staff of the USFWS Migratory Bird Program will provide coordination with the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture and grant opportunities for habitat restoration and acquisition under NAWCA. View Task Comments	6.2.2	USFWS
Coordinate meetings with partners to address habitat restoration and acquisition (QC MDDEP, Ducks Unlimited, Nature Conservancy Canada, local partners like Organisme de Bassin Versant de la Baie Missisquoi) by the end of 2011. View Task Comments	6.2.3	Québec

Expand 6.3) Where appropriate, restore connections between aquatic habitats within the Lake Champlain Basin by managing or removing dams and other potential barriers (including in-lake barriers) to allow aquatic organism passage (AOP).

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Manage or remove dams and other potential barriers (including in-lake barriers) to allow AOP.
Support competitive local grants to improve habitat connectivity within the Basin through an RFP process by the end of 2010. View Task Comments	6.3.1	LCBP	10-12-11
Conduct feasibility study and an environmental impact study of removal of the Carry Bay causeway by 2013. View Task Comments	6.3.2	LCBP, USACE
Identify potential dam removal projects in the Lake Champlain Basin and work with local stakeholders to develop removal plans. View Task Comments	6.3.3	USFWS	03-08-12
Vermont will assess the feasibility of removing the Swanton Dam on the Missisquoi River. USFWS will assist Swanton with removal if it is found to be feasible. View Task Comments	6.3.4	USFWS, Vermont	08-31-12
Research aquatic organism passage at the Imperial Dam on the Saranac River in Plattsburgh and continue to operate the Willsboro Fishway on the Boquet River, providing salmon access to spawning habitat upstream of the Willsboro Dam. View Task Comments	6.3.5	New York
Restore at least 1 dike between marshes and lake in Missisquoi Bay by 2015. View Task Comments	6.3.6	Québec	06-17-13
Inventory and improve road-crossing structures that pose a barrier to AOP.
Develop a priority list of structures that need to be improved for AOP. This includes assisting with inventory of culverts in one subwatershed each year. Replace or retrofit 2 culverts each year. View Task Comments	6.3.7	USFWS	03-08-12
VTANR staff will review culvert replacements and proposed new culverts for VTrans needs. View Task Comments	6.3.8	Vermont
Vermont will continue to ensure that all new and retrofitted bridges and culverts on the state roadway system support AOP as required by federal regulation. View Task Comments	6.3.9	Vermont
NYSDEC staff will seek improvements in bridge and culvert design via Article 15 permit application reviews. View Task Comments	6.3.10	New York
NYSDEC staff will incorporate ASCN into at least 1 transportation planning project, using State Wildlife Grant funding. View Task Comments	6.3.11	New York
Review culvert replacements and proposed new culverts for AOP needs. Replace or retrofit at least 3 culverts by 2015. View Task Comments	6.3.12	Québec

Expand 6.4) Enhance and conserve riparian and wetland habitats.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Support the NAWCA process for acquisition of federal funds for riparian and wetland conservation. View Task Comments	6.4.1	LCBP
Provide financial and technical support for the enhancement of 20 miles and 2600 acres of riparian buffer annually in 2010, 2011, and 2012. View Task Comments	6.4.2	USDA-NRCS, USFWS, Vermont	03-08-12
Provide financial and technical support for the establishment of 20,000 native trees and shrubs in riparian and wetland habitat annually in 2010, 2011, and 2012. View Task Comments	6.4.3	USDA-NRCS, USFWS, Vermont	03-08-12
Assess wetland restoration potential on 500 acres of degraded wetlands annually in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Provide financial and technical support for the hydrologic restoration of 500 wetland acres annually in 2010, 2011, and 2012. View Task Comments	6.4.4	USDA-NRCS, USFWS, Vermont	03-09-12
NYSDEC staff will minimize construction-related impacts to streambeds and banks via review of Protection of Water permit applications. NYSDEC staff will reduce construction-related impacts to wetlands, streams, and water bodies through careful administration of regulatory programs and technical assistance to permit applicants. View Task Comments	6.4.5	New York
NYSDEC will work with other partners (WRP, CRP, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, etc.) to improve the delivery of programs that conserve, restore, or enhance riparian and wetland habitats. View Task Comments	6.4.6	New York
Coordinate meetings with partners to address wetland and riparian habitat restoration and acquisition by the end of 2015. This task will be accomplished by the QCMDDEP, Ducks Unlimited, Nature Conservancy Canada, and local partners such as Organisme de Bassin Versant de la Baie Missisquoi. View Task Comments	6.4.7	Québec

Expand 6.5) Conserve important wildlife corridors associated with riparian habitats.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Facilitate meetings and networking among partners who have the ability or resources to acquire land for conservation purposes. View Task Comments	6.5.1	LCBP
Assess floodplain restoration potential on 50 acres and 2 miles of degraded floodplain annually in 2010, 2011, and 2012. View Task Comments	6.5.2	USFWS	03-09-12
Provide technical and financial support to restore the floodplain connectivity of 20 acres and 1 mile of floodplain annually in 2010, 2011, and 2012. View Task Comments	6.5.3	USFWS	03-09-12
Work with partners in the State Wildlife Grant-funded “Staying Connected in the Northern Appalachians” to maintain, enhance, and restore habitat connectivity in the Adirondack/Green Mountain corridor for forest-dwelling species of concern. View Task Comments	6.5.4	New York, Vermont
The Nature Conservancy Canada will acquire wetlands and riparian areas to protect eastern spiny softshell turtle habitats in Missisquoi Bay. View Task Comments	6.5.5	Québec

Expand 6.6) Restore native fish species and enhance Lake Champlain Basin fisheries.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Promote tasks that reduce excessive sediment load in spawning habitat. View Task Comments	6.6.1	LCBP
Promote stream bank restoration projects on small tributaries that provide forest canopy cover for fish habitat improvement. View Task Comments	6.6.2	LCBP
Support at least 1 research project on the effects of climate change on the relative extent of cold- and warm-water fisheries in Lake Champlain (i.e., distribution and population viability of cold- and warm-water fisheries) by 2012. View Task Comments	6.6.3	LCBP
Support AIS management programs as a mechanism to protect Lake Champlain Basin fisheries programs and native fish communities. View Task Comments	6.6.4	LCBP
Stock Atlantic salmon and lake trout into Lake Champlain per LCFWMC Fish Technical Committee recommendations to enhance fisheries and restore self-sustaining populations. View Task Comments	6.6.5	LCFWMC	01-23-12
Vermont will raise walleye fry and fingerlings to stock into Lake Champlain per the walleye restoration plan. USFWS will monitor walleye age, growth, and abundance in the South Bay of Lake Champlain. Québec will Monitor Pike River walleye spawning population in 2012. View Task Comments	6.6.6	Québec, USFWS, Vermont	12-15-11
Restore American eel populations. USFWS will monitor eel abundance in US areas of Lake Champlain. Québec will monitor American eel population trends at fish ladders in the Chambly River and optimize American eel passage in the St-Ours River in cooperation Hydro-Québec. Québec will also continue an American eel stocking program in the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain until 2015. View Task Comments	6.6.7	Québec, USFWS	08-31-12

Expand 6.7) Develop a Lake-wide colonial water bird management plan. Undertake management activities consistent with goals set forth in the plan.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Facilitate and support meetings of the LCFWMC to develop a Lake-wide colonial water bird management plan by 2015. View Task Comments	6.7.1	LCBP
Provide a large-scale perspective and help to integrate management changes from the Lake Champlain lake-wide colonial water bird management plan into the Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes Colonial Waterbird Management Plan. View Task Comments	6.7.2	USFWS
Monitor populations and participate in management efforts recommended in Lake-wide colonial water bird management plan in each partner’s jurisdiction. View Task Comments	6.7.3	New York, Québec, USFWS	08-31-12

Expand 6.8) Restore communities of native plants and high-priority habitats to benefit riparian restoration in the Lake Champlain Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Work with local landowners to restore 50 acres of riparian or wetland community habitat each year. Maximize efforts toward using 100 percent native trees and shrubs, derived from local seed sources for all restoration projects. View Task Comments	6.8.1	USDA-NRCS, USFWS, Vermont	03-27-12
Support native nurseries in the Basin for restoration plantings. Support native plant restoration within competitive local grant processes. View Task Comments	6.8.2	LCBP	02-28-11
Support local and provincial initiatives for restoring native plants in the Lake Champlain Basin. View Task Comments	6.8.3	Québec

Expand 6.9) Develop and implement recovery plans for federal, state, and provincially listed threatened and endangered species in the Lake Champlain Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
LCBP will coordinate with jurisdictions to develop common strategies for species recovery programs. View Task Comments	6.9.1	LCBP, New York, Québec, Vermont
Support the protection and restoration of federally endangered Indiana bats in the Lake Champlain Basin. Identify and protect roosting, foraging, and maternity habitat. Coordinate response to WNS by assisting Vermont and New York in summer bat acoustic monitoring surveys and emergence counts and determining its effects on resident bat populations. View Task Comments	6.9.2	USFWS	10-15-12
Restore or improve 100 acres per year of Indiana bat and other bat species habitat in Vermont. View Task Comments	6.9.3	USDA-NRCS
USFWS will coordinate with Vermont and New York in proposed wind farm reviews to determine effects on Indiana bats and other bat species. View Task Comments	6.9.4	New York, USFWS, Vermont
Participate in or coordinate freshwater mussel surveys of a species of concern, A. varicosa (brook floater), as part of a range-wide population assessment (and other mussel species as needed). View Task Comments	6.9.5	USFWS
USFWS will coordinate with Vermont in identifying potential habitat for the federally threatened Isotria medioloides (small whorled pogonia) in Chittenden County. View Task Comments	6.9.6	USFWS, Vermont
Utilize State Wildlife Grant funding to develop recovery plans for select Threatened, Endangered, or Species of Special Concern. Most relevant to the Lake Champlain watershed will be recovery planning for sauger and timber rattlesnakes. View Task Comments	6.9.7	New York
Provide technical assistance to at least 1 municipality in the Basin to protect Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) through development of local land-use plans and ordinances. View Task Comments	6.9.8	New York
Monitor populations of select listed species and require NYSECL Article 11 “Taking Permits” for projects that will impact listed species or their habitats. View Task Comments	6.9.9	New York
Participate in or coordinate surveys of channel darter (Percina copelandi), eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), and copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi) in the Richelieu River and continue to implement the recovery plans for these species. View Task Comments	6.9.10	Québec
Develop a joint recovery plan for the eastern spiny softshell turtle in Québec and Vermont to protect more essential habitats for this species. View Task Comments	6.9.11	Québec, Vermont

Expand 6.10) Manage native fish, wildlife and plant species that become a nuisance.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Continue implementing long-term sea lamprey assessment and control activities on Lake Champlain to restore lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and Lake Sturgeon.
Participate in state-of-the-art sea lamprey control, including application of lampricides, construction of innovative barriers, trapping adults, and population assessments. More than 20 rivers, streams, and deltas will be assessed from 2010 to 2013, of which about 15 sites are anticipated for lampricide treatment. Six rivers and streams will be trapped annually. LCFWMC will also conduct annual surveys to assess sea lamprey wounding rates on lake trout and Atlantic salmon. LCBP will support policy favoring comprehensive management of sea lamprey within the Lake Champlain Basin, including alternative management techniques. View Task Comments	6.10.1	LCBP, LCFWMC, USACE	01-23-12
Continue implementing cormorant and ring billed gull assessment and control activities on Lake Champlain.
Continue active participation with the LCFWMC to implement cormorant and ring billed gull assessment and control activities on Lake Champlain. View Task Comments	6.10.2	LCBP, New York, USDA-NRCS, USFWS, Vermont	09-04-12
Review applications for permits to take gulls. Review annual proposals and reports filed under the Cormorant Public Resource Depredation Order by the USDA-NRCS-WS and the states. Missisquoi NWR will coordinate implementation of appropriate control actions on the refuge with partners, View Task Comments	6.10.3	USFWS

Expand 6.11) Use biological indicators to monitor change in the Lake Champlain Ecosystem. Continue assessment of species diversity and abundance.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Monitor and assess zoo- and phytoplankton species diversity and abundance throughout Lake Champlain as an indicator of food web health. View Task Comments	6.11.1	LCBP	09-04-12
Model and project the impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife communities in the Lake Champlain Basin that may result from climate change. View Task Comments	6.11.2	LCBP
Establish a common classification system for the assessment of littoral, benthic, and shoreline habitat quality for Lake Champlain. Hold a workshop(s) by the end of 2011 with regional and national experts to establish an appropriate classification system and, ultimately, identify priority areas for conservation. Vermont will apply littoral habitat assessment methodology to the Lake Champlain shoreline. View Task Comments	6.11.3	LCBP, New York, Vermont	02-28-11
Monitor fish communities. Vermont and USFWS will conduct annual forage fish abundance surveys, primarily through annual sampling of rainbow smelt and alewife by trawl and hydroacoustics, allowing managers to respond to fluctuations in the prey base by manipulating predator numbers through harvest control and stocking. Québec will conduct a fish survey of Missisquoi Bay by 2015. LCBP will communicate the results of this work to the public through regular web updates. View Task Comments	6.11.4	LCBP, Québec, USFWS, Vermont	12-15-11

Expand 6.12) Opportunities for Future Actions: Identify research and monitoring projects that can improve management programs and conduct these projects when funding resources become available.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Conduct expanded analysis of trends in the long-term data set of zoo- and phytoplankton species diversity and abundance to relate these data to fisheries. View Task Comments	6.12.1
Assess effects of eutrophication and siltation on spawning areas and aquatic organisms. View Task Comments	6.12.2
Identify amount of accessible Atlantic salmon spawning habitat in the Lake Champlain Basin and determine impediments to recruitment of naturally produced Atlantic salmon. View Task Comments	6.12.3
Inventory all priority habitats requiring protection in the New York portion of the Basin. View Task Comments	6.12.4
Assess effects of cormorant predation on fish populations Lake-wide. View Task Comments	6.12.5
Evaluate the status of largemouth and smallmouth bass populations in Lake Champlain to assess the long-term impact of fishing tournaments on these populations. View Task Comments	6.12.6
Determine the status of the sauger in Lake Champlain and, if appropriate, develop strategies to restore the species. View Task Comments	6.12.7

Expand 7.1) Prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species into the Lake Champlain Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive plants, animals, and pathogens via overland transport.
Support boat launch steward programs at high-use access sites on Lake Champlain and other inland lakes and rivers through funding and training. Expand boat launch steward programs by 50 percent by 2014 in the Lake Champlain Basin. View Task Comments	7.1.1	LCBP	09-17-12
Evaluate surveyed boat launch user AIS spread-prevention behaviors annually and compare surveyed behaviors to results of previous years' surveys. Report annually to the Steering Committee. View Task Comments	7.1.2	LCBP, LCSG	09-17-12
Provide a full-time wildlife inspector, on-call 24 hours, at the Champlain, New York, border crossing to interdict invasive and injurious species and conduct routine species identification training with Customs and Border Protection personnel. Provide annual reports. View Task Comments	7.1.3	USFWS
Support the Lake Champlain boat launch steward program and its expansion by assisting in the training of boat launch stewards. View Task Comments	7.1.4	LCSG, New York, Vermont	09-06-12
Maintain ANS signage at all state boat launches in the Basin. View Task Comments	7.1.5	New York	09-14-12
Provide technical assistance and annual training to help groups implement and sustain access-area greeter programs. Provide financial assistance for these programs through the ANC Grant-in-Aid program when possible. View Task Comments	7.1.6	Vermont	02-25-12
Annually identify high-priority and high-traffic access areas around the Basin as candidates to be staffed by boat launch stewards/greeters. View Task Comments	7.1.7	Vermont
Post signs at public access areas within the Basin warning users to stop the transport of AIS. Repost downed signs as needed. View Task Comments	7.1.8	Vermont	02-25-12
Prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive plants, animals, and pathogens via connected waterways.
Organize biannual meetings with the NYCC, hold public meetings, and engage appropriate partners to address AIS in the canals. Report number of stakeholders and partners in attendance. View Task Comments	7.1.9	LCBP, LCSG, New York	09-17-12
Develop a bilingual AIS pamphlet for distribution to Champlain and Chambly Canal visitors by 2012. View Task Comments	7.1.10	LCBP
Develop and distribute a coordinated bilingual PSA about AIS in canal ways by 2012. View Task Comments	7.1.11	LCBP	09-17-12
Develop an AIS spread-prevention sign for all canal locks in the Champlain and Chambly Canals by 2014. Each jurisdiction is responsible for posting their locks by 2014. View Task Comments	7.1.12	LCBP, New York, Québec
Provide staff support to the USACE and other partners to conduct a feasibility assessment of a barrier strategy for the Champlain Canal by 2015. View Task Comments	7.1.13	LCBP, New York	09-17-12
Support the development of AIS exclusion technologies via technology transfer of systems/methods found to be useful in the Great Lakes or elsewhere. View Task Comments	7.1.14	LCSG
Conduct a feasibility assessment of spiny water flea and other AIS barrier strategies for the Glens Falls Feeder Canal by 2012. View Task Comments	7.1.15	USFWS	03-01-11
Prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive plants, animals, and pathogens via the pet and aquarium trade, aquaculture, bait industry, and horticultural nurseries.
Inspect aquarium retailers and horticultural nurseries selling live aquatic plants for prohibited species. View Task Comments	7.1.16	Vermont	02-25-12
Survey aquarium retailers for sales of crayfish and prohibited species (e.g., fish, amphibians, reptiles) by 2015. View Task Comments	7.1.17	Vermont
Identify opportunities to promote voluntary spread prevention including “green” certification, clean stock initiatives, and best management practices through collaborations with New York agencies and stakeholders and implement 3 such opportunities by 2015. View Task Comments	7.1.18	New York

Expand 7.2) Reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species within the Lake Champlain Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Maintain water chestnut management and reduce the extent of dense water chestnut mats in Lake Champlain to a level manageable by surveillance and hand-pulling only by 2019. The 2009 cost estimate is $1.34 million per year through 2019.
Provide support for the mechanical and hand-harvesting efforts as funding is available and coordinate biannual water chestnut workgroup meetings with New York, Québec, and Vermont to discuss management and funding challenges. View Task Comments	7.2.1	LCBP	11-15-11
Annually survey, remove, and quantify water chestnut in the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. Provide financial support for control activities on 20 acres of wetland habitat in the Basin each year. View Task Comments	7.2.2	USFWS	12-15-11
Partner with TNC, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, LCBP, USFWS, USACE, and QCMDDEP to continue annual water chestnut eradication efforts in Lake Champlain. Monitor and manage for new water chestnut occurrences in the basin. View Task Comments	7.2.3	New York, Vermont	12-22-11
Continue and report annually on the water chestnut eradication and monitoring program in River du Sud and other water courses where it might be found in Québec. View Task Comments	7.2.4	Québec	03-19-13
Identify proper disposal options for alewife fish kills
Approve plan for handling large-scale alewife die-offs by 2011 View Task Comments	7.2.5	New York
Support technical control programs for other invasive plants, animals, and pathogens in the Lake Champlain Basin.
Report new management technologies annually to the LCBP Steering Committee. View Task Comments	7.2.6	LCBP	09-17-12
Annually provide technical assistance to water body residents, municipalities, and others to help them design and implement water body-specific, long-range AIS control projects. View Task Comments	7.2.7	New York
Control invasive plant species on Wildlife Management Areas and continue to partner with the APIPP to manage invasive plants on other public and private lands throughout the basin. View Task Comments	7.2.8	New York
QCMDDEP will prepare an action plan for AIS that will threaten the Québec sector of Lake Champlain and will include an approved early detection system, by 2015. View Task Comments	7.2.9	Québec
Collaborate with partners on the evaluation of possibilities and technologies available for the control of AIS on an as-needed basis. View Task Comments	7.2.10	LCBP, Québec	02-24-11
Develop a rapid response general permit for invasive species by 2012. View Task Comments	7.2.11	Vermont	02-25-12
Provide technical assistance to water body residents, municipalities, and others to help them design and implement water body-specific, long-range AIS control projects. Offer financial assistance (when available) through the ANC Grant-in-Aid program to support these projects. Report annually on implemented control projects. View Task Comments	7.2.12	Vermont	02-25-12

Expand 7.3) Promote the early detection of and rapid response to aquatic invasive species entering the Lake Champlain Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Promote the early detection of AIS.
Continue the Long-Term Biological Water Quality Monitoring Program on Lake Champlain and the sampling of targeted inland lakes in the Basin. LCBP will provide financial support and coordinate this program with other research efforts as part of an AIS early detection program. New York will monitor the Champlain Canal as part of the Long-Term Monitoring Program for early detection of invasive species. Report results annually. View Task Comments	7.3.1	LCBP, New York	09-14-12
Provide an AIS detection curriculum for agency field staff with the help of partners (NYSDEC, VTDEC, LCSG, Québec) by 2012. View Task Comments	7.3.2	LCBP
Work with partners to conduct yearly ecological surveys of the Champlain and Chambly Canals to facilitate early identification of new invaders. Report results to the Steering Committee and publish in the State of the Lake Report. View Task Comments	7.3.3	LCBP	09-17-12
Work with partners to identify AIS program and monitoring gaps in order to make recommendations to facilitate Basin-wide monitoring by 2014. View Task Comments	7.3.4	LCBP
Develop early detection networks for invasive aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial plants by 2015. View Task Comments	7.3.5	Québec
Examine samples collected in the annual fisheries surveys within the Lake Champlain Basin for AIS and report results annually. View Task Comments	7.3.6	Vermont
Survey infested water bodies to monitor expanding and declining populations of AIS and search other water bodies in an effort to detect invasions as early as possible. Submit annual reports on number of lakes surveyed and results. View Task Comments	7.3.7	Vermont	02-25-12
Maintain and continue to expand a VIPs Program, which trains volunteers in identification and search techniques for AIS. Number of volunteers trained each year will be available. View Task Comments	7.3.8	Vermont	02-25-12
Work with APIPP and other partners to establish and delineate ISPZs for the Basin by 2015. View Task Comments	7.3.9	New York
Identify new, expanding, and declining populations of AIS by continued, annual monitoring of New York waters and report annually on results. View Task Comments	7.3.10	New York	11-10-11
Continue to support and expand the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program in the Adirondacks. View Task Comments	7.3.11	New York
Promote rapid response to AIS.
Implement the Lake Champlain Basin AIS Rapid Response Action Plan beginning in 2010. The LCBP, USEPA, NYSDEC, APA, VTANR, MDDEP, QCMRNF, DFO Canada, USFWS, and USDA-NRCS will adopt internal procedures and designate personnel to help implement the plan. View Task Comments	7.3.12	LCBP	09-18-12
Establish a Lake Champlain Basin AIS Rapid Response Task Force by 2011. Jurisdictions will designate representative. The LCB Rapid Response Task Force will conduct at least 2 species risk assessments a year and report these findings to the LCBP Steering Committee. View Task Comments	7.3.13	LCBP, New York, Québec, Vermont	09-14-12
Report new and emerging AIS threats to the Basin annually to the LCBP Steering Committee. View Task Comments	7.3.14	LCBP	09-18-12

Expand 7.4) Support cooperation with the public and local, regional, and national organizations to reduce aquatic invasive species threats.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Coordinate regionally with the NEANS Panel and ANS Task Force by attending biannual meetings to prevent the introduction of AIS and conduct spread prevention. View Task Comments	7.4.1	LCBP	11-15-11
Coordinate boat launch steward programs with VTDEC, VTFWD, APIPP, NYSDEC, Paul Smiths College, Lake George Association, QCMDDEP, and other partners. View Task Comments	7.4.2	LCBP	09-18-12
Work with NEANS, NYSDEC, VTANR, Québec, LCSG, and NYSCC to develop similar stickers, pamphlets, and other educational materials in French and English with consistent AIS messaging by 2015. View Task Comments	7.4.3	LCBP, LCSG, New York, Québec, Vermont	02-25-12
Support the Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. LCBP will update the plan every 5 years and support implementation. USFWS will provide annual funding, dependent on congressional allocations, to support implementation. View Task Comments	7.4.4	LCBP, USFWS	09-18-12
Hold quarterly Aquatic Nuisance Species Subcommittee meetings and Spread Prevention Workgroup meetings, participate in the meetings of the New York State Invasive Species Council Advisory Committee and the Adirondack Invasive Species Program. Report annually to the Steering Committee. View Task Comments	7.4.5	LCBP	09-18-12
Serve as lead of the NYS Invasive Species Council’s Four-tier Team (through mid-2010), continue to chair the Spread Prevention Workgroup of the LCBP Aquatic Nuisance Species subcommittee, and participate in the meetings of the NEANS Panel and Adirondack Invasive Species Program. View Task Comments	7.4.6	LCSG	09-06-12
Annually facilitate the exchange of information through the Great Lakes Panel on ANS, the NEANS Panel, neighboring provinces, and local partners. Develop education and outreach material to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS. View Task Comments	7.4.7	Québec
Participate in the meetings of the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds, NEANS Panel, NEAPMS, NECNALMS, NEAEB, and the Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee. View Task Comments	7.4.8	Vermont	02-25-12
Participate in meetings and the work of regional and national coordinating bodies, including the National Invasive Species Advisory Committee, the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel, and the Great lakes Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel, among others. View Task Comments	7.4.9	New York
Ensure that effective coordination occurs among DEC divisions and other state agencies on all invasive species issues. View Task Comments	7.4.10	New York	09-14-12

Expand 7.5) Support education and outreach efforts related to aquatic invasive species.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
LCBP and partners (LCSG, New York, Québec, Vermont) will initiate social marketing campaign(s) (bilingual where appropriate) for stakeholders such as anglers, fishing tournament participants, recreational boaters, marina owners, aquarium owners, and scuba divers to encourage the practice of AIS spread-prevention measures (proper procurement and disposal of bait fish, boat washing, live well drainage, self-inspections, etc.) by 2013. Two marketing campaigns for specific stakeholders will be developed annually. View Task Comments	7.5.1	LCBP
Work with LCSG and other partners to provide training programs in AIS spread-prevention to groups such as marina operators, aquarium owners, state park operators, fishing tournament operators, law enforcement officers, departments of transportation, and dive shop operators. View Task Comments	7.5.2	LCBP, LCSG, Vermont	09-06-12
New York will add an AIS spread-prevention component to Boater Safety Course. LCBP will encourage and facilitate similar AIS spread-prevention training as part of boater safety courses in Vermont by 2015. Vermont will review and update existing AIS spread-prevention component of boater safety state course. View Task Comments	7.5.3	LCBP, New York, Vermont
Provide ANS education/outreach for all tournaments run from state boat launches as part of the TRP permit process. Support education and outreach efforts at privately owned launches. View Task Comments	7.5.4	New York
Develop and conduct education and general outreach activities with watershed organizations. View Task Comments	7.5.5	Québec	02-23-12
Run large AIS spread-prevention ads in the Guide to the Marinas of Lake Champlain & the Champlain Canal map publication. View Task Comments	7.5.6	Vermont	02-25-12
Provide information about VHS and basic spread prevention as part of fishing tournament permitting. View Task Comments	7.5.7	Vermont
Develop and disseminate appropriate education and outreach materials to aquarium retailers and hobbyists. Educate internet retailers selling live aquatic plants about Quarantine Rule #3. View Task Comments	7.5.8	Vermont	02-25-12
Update Baitfish of Vermont booklet to reflect new regulations regarding movement and use of baitfish and disseminate to retailers, fishing guides, and anglers. View Task Comments	7.5.9	Vermont

Expand 7.6) Support comprehensive policy development, implementation, and enforcement in New York, Québec, and Vermont to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the Lake Champlain Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Draft model regulatory language on importation, transport, sale, possession, and use of established or potential AIS, including baitfish. Share with jurisdictional partners, who will propose, implement, and enforce such regulations as feasible. Jurisdictions will report annually on the enforcement of AIS laws. View Task Comments	7.6.1	LCBP, New York, Vermont	09-14-12
Work with partners to develop necessary informational materials to support AIS transport laws in the basin and to inform the public through programs like the boat launch steward program, LCBP publications, and web resources. View Task Comments	7.6.2	LCBP	09-18-12
Provide AIS identification training workshops for law enforcement officials every other year or as requested by New York, Québec, and Vermont or other partners. Vermont will train state police troopers and VTFWD wardens. View Task Comments	7.6.3	LCBP, LCSG, New York, Vermont
Support proposed state legislation that will regulate AIS transport by recreational boats and trailers with a goal of having a law in place by 2015. View Task Comments	7.6.4	New York
Prevent the introduction/spread of AIS by enforcing existing regulations on fish transport, stocking, use, and possession. View Task Comments	7.6.5	New York
Complete the 4-tier report (a regulatory system for preventing the importation and/or release of non-native species) by 2010. LCSG will lead the Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates Assessment component of this effort. View Task Comments	7.6.6	LCBP, LCSG, New York	09-07-12
Conduct species assessments to develop, by 2012, initial lists of prohibited, regulated, and unregulated species to apply to the 4-tier report. View Task Comments	7.6.7	New York
Develop priority species lists through the Interdepartmental Committee on Exotic Invasive Species by 2012. View Task Comments	7.6.8	Québec
Develop and circulate best management practices for spread prevention targeted at field work and recreational activities by 2014, using Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans where appropriate. View Task Comments	7.6.9	New York, Québec, Vermont	02-25-12

Expand 7.7) Conduct targeted research related to aquatic invasive species within and adjacent to the Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Research the economic and ecological impacts of existing and potential AIS within the Basin.
Support research projects to assess the economic impacts of current and future AIS threats to the basin. View Task Comments	7.7.1	LCBP, New York
Support research projects to assess the effects of AIS on native species and the ecosystem. View Task Comments	7.7.2	LCBP, New York
Assist the SUNY Plattsburgh Lake Champlain Research Institute’s investigation of AIS impacts to aquatic invertebrate communities in Lake Champlain. View Task Comments	7.7.3	LCSG	09-06-12
Inventory and document known populations of AIS within and adjacent to the Basin.
Work with partners to gather records of known populations of AIS throughout the Basin and place in a GIS database by 2014. Partnership will consider using iMap Invasives to host the database. View Task Comments	7.7.4	LCBP, LCSG, New York, Québec, Vermont	02-25-12
Identify potential invaders and nearest established populations and develop and provide maps linked to a central database. This will allow the region to assess the ecological risk from each potential known invader by 2014. New York will share regional information from iMap Invasives database. Québec will obtain information from other Canadian provinces. LCSG will contribute through collaboration with the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network. Vermont will share available data. View Task Comments	7.7.5	LCBP, LCSG, New York, Québec, Vermont	12-10-11
Document AIS management strategies occurring within the Basin.
Work with partners to create a central database to track and locate AIS management strategies within the Basin by 2014. View Task Comments	7.7.6	LCBP

Expand 7.8) Determine the impact of climate change on the spread and management of aquatic invasive species.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Create a list of high-priority AIS not yet present in the Basin and evaluate whether range expansions are likely by 2014. Reevaluate this list with partners every 5 years. View Task Comments	7.8.1	LCBP, LCSG
Reevaluate management procedures for AIS in light of predicted climate conditions by 2014. View Task Comments	7.8.2	LCBP, Québec

Expand 7.9) Opportunities for Future Actions: Identify research and monitoring projects that can improve invasive species management programs and conduct these projects when funding resources become available.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Analyze the potential economic and ecological impacts of alewives on zooplankton, phytoplankton, and fish populations, particularly smelt and salmonids. View Task Comments	7.9.1
Develop AIS indicators to track species management efforts over time. View Task Comments	7.9.2
Conduct special demonstration projects to assess the effectiveness of various management and spread-prevention techniques as resources allow. View Task Comments	7.9.3
Conduct annual evaluations of spread-prevention measures and rapid response actions to identify opportunities for improvement; revise response plans and associated documents as needed. View Task Comments	7.9.4
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis for the Lake Champlain water chestnut-harvesting program. View Task Comments	7.9.5
Survey fish communities in areas of water chestnut cover before and after harvesting to assess changes in fish community composition by 2014. View Task Comments	7.9.6

Expand 9.1) Provide support for needed historical and archeological research and accelerate the identification, evaluation, protection, and interpretation of heritage resources, including ethnographies of the cultures within the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Support historical and archeological research and documentation. View Task Comments	9.1.1	LCBP	05-08-12
Support ethnographic research and documentation of the cultures within the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.1.2	LCBP	05-08-12
Use new and existing research and documentation to support the evaluation, conservation, and interpretation of natural and cultural heritage resources. View Task Comments	9.1.3	LCBP	05-08-12

Expand 9.2) Manage a comprehensive online heritage resource database.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Maintain and update the CVNHP online heritage resource database. View Task Comments	9.2.1	LCBP	11-02-11
Assess the compatibility of the New York and Vermont GIS databases. Investigate the availability of similar resources in Québec. View Task Comments	9.2.2	LCBP
Identify, develop, and maintain CVNHP GIS data layers for chosen heritage features. View Task Comments	9.2.3	LCBP	11-02-11
Promote use of the resource database and GIS information among partners. View Task Comments	9.2.4	LCBP

Expand 9.3) Develop a voluntary stewardship program to strengthen non-regulatory protection of cultural and natural heritage resources.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Review existing tax incentives for natural and cultural heritage resource protection on private property and explore the creation of new incentives. View Task Comments	9.3.1	LCBP
Increase landowner awareness of non-regulatory protection tools, such as sale of development rights, tax benefits through donating easements, tax credits, barn grants, and other incentive programs. View Task Comments	9.3.2	LCBP
Provide professional development resources to build the stewardship capabilities of non-profit groups to conserve cultural and natural heritage resources. View Task Comments	9.3.3	LCBP

Expand 9.4) Develop and implement Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership cultural and natural heritage resource protection programs.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Inventory, evaluate, and post online the federal, state, and local legislation governing the protection of cultural and natural heritage resources. View Task Comments	9.4.1	LCBP
Develop criteria for selecting priority cultural/natural heritage resources based on their importance, fragility, recreational opportunities, and economic benefits and develop consistent strategies for conservation. View Task Comments	9.4.2	LCBP
Examine mechanisms for providing technical assistance to landowners, communities, non-profit organizations, and other resource conservation organizations that wish assistance. View Task Comments	9.4.3	LCBP
Provide assistance to organizations that wish to develop comprehensive conservation plans that address individual issues in a regional context. View Task Comments	9.4.4	LCBP

Expand 9.5) Develop and implement a management strategy for underwater cultural heritage resources in the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Continue to survey, document, and evaluate underwater cultural heritage resources. View Task Comments	9.5.1	LCBP
Continue to monitor the impacts of zebra mussels and study the potential impacts of Quagga mussel on shipwrecks. View Task Comments	9.5.2	LCBP
Examine ways to collaborate with partners to support the establishment of underwater preserves on the Upper Hudson River, Champlain Canal, and Richelieu River. View Task Comments	9.5.3	LCBP
Work with the LCBP’s Lake Champlain Aquatic Nuisance Species Rapid Response Team to reduce the risk of Quagga mussel introduction. View Task Comments	9.5.4	LCBP
Integrate the results of shipwreck research with other resource studies. View Task Comments	9.5.5	LCBP
Make the results of supported research available to the public through a variety of interpretive materials. View Task Comments	9.5.6	LCBP
Support a bi-state management approach to the Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserve program that includes reasonable public access to appropriate sites as well as enhanced protection, maintenance, and operations. View Task Comments	9.5.7	LCBP

Expand 9.6) Support initiatives that promote sustainable recreational activities that feature the natural, cultural, and historical resources in the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Develop or improve natural and cultural heritage interpretative trails using wayside exhibits and other informative media. View Task Comments	9.6.1	LCBP	11-02-11
Continue to support regional, multi-jurisdictional programs that promote accessible and sustainable use of resources. View Task Comments	9.6.2	LCBP	01-16-12
Continue to develop and maintain the Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserve System and the Lake George Submerged Heritage Preserve Program and investigate the creation of a similar system in the Upper Hudson and Richelieu Rivers. View Task Comments	9.6.3	LCBP
Examine the feasibility of establishing a “national historic water trail” to connect the resources of the CVNHP, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, similar to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. View Task Comments	9.6.4	LCBP
Support efforts to link communities through transportation routes that feature interpretation of heritage resources. View Task Comments	9.6.5	LCBP
Develop a comprehensive guide to all types of public access opportunities on the interconnected waterways of the CVNHP, including winter access sites. View Task Comments	9.6.6	LCBP
Encourage the expansion of facilities and services along the interconnected waterways, such as restaurants, lodging, and equipment rentals, in a manner that minimizes impacts on recreational, cultural, natural, and historic resources and that features environmental sustainability. View Task Comments	9.6.7	LCBP

Expand 9.7) Increase and improve public access opportunities to the interconnected waterways of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership for diverse recreational activities.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Update and analyze resource inventories to identify gaps in public accessibility along the interconnected waterways of the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.7.1	LCBP
Develop an online CVNHP public access guide. View Task Comments	9.7.2	LCBP
Facilitate regional partnerships to manage public access improvements. View Task Comments	9.7.3	LCBP

Expand 9.8) Support a public information program that emphasizes recreational ethics, public safety, sustainable use, and stewardship of cultural and natural resources.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Support efforts to educate residents and visitors on the hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage of the region. View Task Comments	9.8.1	LCBP
Support tourism information centers, marketing organizations, regional byway initiatives, and the Non-motorized Tourism Clearinghouse to coordinate and disseminate information on opportunities for year-round use of recreational, natural, cultural, and historic resources of the CVNHP. These and similar programs will be encouraged to develop additional materials for distribution. View Task Comments	9.8.2	LCBP
Support the use of new information technology to provide quality information on heritage and recreation resources. View Task Comments	9.8.3	LCBP	11-02-11

Expand 9.9) Connect, promote, and improve cultural and natural heritage sites through interpretation.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Continue to provide design services for interpretive materials. View Task Comments	9.9.1	LCBP	11-07-11
Establish a unified, broadly applicable design template for all interpretive materials sponsored by the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.9.2	LCBP
Develop and maintain an online interpretive toolkit for the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.9.3	LCBP
Support pilot projects that utilize emerging interpretive technologies. View Task Comments	9.9.4	LCBP	05-08-12
Provide general technical support for interpretation projects. View Task Comments	9.9.5	LCBP	11-07-11
Support professional development for interpreters. View Task Comments	9.9.6	LCBP	11-02-11

Expand 9.10) Support the use of interpretive themes to link resources within the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Continue to explore Key Partner opportunities for shared programs. View Task Comments	9.10.1	LCBP
Work with interested partner organizations to determine what they wish to identify as the appropriate interpretive themes and focus areas for individual sites, the programs that support those sites, and the possible collaborative role of the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.10.2	LCBP	01-16-12
Collaborate with partners to develop an interpretive plan for the CVNHP that thematically links sites while preserving their individual identities and interpretive goals. View Task Comments	9.10.3	LCBP
Support initiatives that highlight the relationships among stakeholder sites and programs through interpretation, while maintaining the individual character of those sites. View Task Comments	9.10.4	LCBP

Expand 9.11) Promote cultural exchanges and international scholarship programs.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Support research and scholarship focusing on cross-border relationships of New York, Québec, Vermont, and other nations and cultures that relate to the Making of Nations, Corridor of Commerce, or Conservation and Community interpretive themes. View Task Comments	9.11.1	LCBP	05-08-12
Encourage youth cultural and education exchanges. View Task Comments	9.11.2	LCBP

Expand 9.12) Produce coordinated education programs for students.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Continue to conduct teacher-training workshops. View Task Comments	9.12.1	LCBP
Develop a comprehensive CVNHP Resource Guide for educators to use in developing teaching units focused on the natural and cultural heritage of the region with an emphasis on conserving and protecting those resources. View Task Comments	9.12.2	LCBP
Use the Internet and other media to share CVNHP information with students and teachers. View Task Comments	9.12.3	LCBP
Promote the “Teaching the Hudson Valley” website and determine if a similar service is needed for the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.12.4	LCBP
Work with state education departments to integrate CVNHP education into classrooms. View Task Comments	9.12.5	LCBP
Provide opportunities for teachers and students to participate in CVNHP-related field trips and restoration projects. View Task Comments	9.12.6	LCBP
Provide CVNHP-related presentations to schools. View Task Comments	9.12.7	LCBP
Provide bus transportation grants to improve school access to heritage sites and events within the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.12.8	LCBP
Evaluate the success of CVNHP education initiatives. View Task Comments	9.12.9	LCBP

Expand 9.13) Support professional development among Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership stakeholders, including an annual heritage partnership conference.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Provide a mini-grant program for professional development of heritage organizations. View Task Comments	9.13.1	LCBP
Sponsor training for conservation, education, interpretation, marketing, administration, and other topics as needed. View Task Comments	9.13.2	LCBP
Assess the Training to Sustain Heritage Center Operations program to determine suitability for replication throughout the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.13.3	LCBP

Expand 9.14) Encourage cooperation and enhance communication among partners within the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Convene periodic meetings of organizations and regional stakeholder groups within CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.14.1	LCBP
Provide translation services for meetings among partners from the United States and Québec as needed. View Task Comments	9.14.2	LCBP
Develop an enhanced website that includes a calendar of events, topical information, and other tools. View Task Comments	9.14.3	LCBP
Regularly publish a newsletter highlighting best practices among CVNHP partners, funding opportunities, updates, etc. View Task Comments	9.14.4	LCBP
Support the continued success of existing regional stakeholder groups and the creation of new groups for underserved regions of the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.14.5	LCBP

Expand 9.15) Support and encourage cooperation to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Convene stakeholders to discuss potential collaborative efforts to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the American Civil War Sesquicentennial. View Task Comments	9.15.1	LCBP	11-15-11
Examine the potential for developing bi-state, international committees to coordinate efforts among New York, Québec, and Vermont for both the War of 1812 Bicentennial and the American Civil War Sesquicentennial. View Task Comments	9.15.2	LCBP
Support research, interpretation, and other individual efforts to mark the anniversaries. View Task Comments	9.15.3	LCBP	01-16-12

Expand 9.16) Develop and maintain a consistent regional brand related to the interpretive themes of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Develop a template and design manual for maps, brochures, guides, and interpretive signs for the CVNHP that is based on the LCBP Wayside Exhibit design and provide design services to organizations willing to use the templates. View Task Comments	9.16.1	LCBP
Review existing local, regional, and state/provincial marketing efforts. View Task Comments	9.16.2	LCBP
Assign the HAPAC to recommend appropriate approaches to branding/marketing of the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.16.3	LCBP
Develop a marketing plan for the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.16.4	LCBP

Expand 9.17) Use the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership website to promote the region.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Develop an enhanced website that promotes the region as a whole, while acting as a window to encourage users to visit existing stakeholder websites for more detailed information. View Task Comments	9.17.1	LCBP
Encourage the development of new website technologies for use on the CVNHP and stakeholder websites. View Task Comments	9.17.2	LCBP
Develop web resources with Key Partners to advance outreach concerning specific partnership projects and programs. View Task Comments	9.17.3	LCBP

Expand 9.18) Support the development of bilingual materials, interpretation, and services.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Support bilingual interpretation of resources within the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.18.1	LCBP	10-05-11
Support teaching French to stakeholder staff, including service industry staff. View Task Comments	9.18.2	LCBP

Expand 9.19) Promote energy efficiency and resource conservation among Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership partners.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Encourage energy-efficient heritage tourism and recreation that has a low impact on the environment. View Task Comments	9.19.1	LCBP
Support energy efficiency audits and the development of energy conservation plans for cultural heritage facilities. View Task Comments	9.19.2	LCBP
Support the installation of energy-saving devices and materials in cultural heritage facilities. View Task Comments	9.19.3	LCBP
Encourage carpooling and the use of teleconferencing or web-based meetings for participation at regional meetings, conferences, and workshops. View Task Comments	9.19.4	LCBP
Support water conservation efforts at cultural heritage facilities. View Task Comments	9.19.5	LCBP

Expand 9.20) Prevent the introduction of new aquatic invasive species and limit the spread of established aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership region.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Support the development and distribution of AIS spread-prevention messages and public outreach campaigns at heritage and recreational venues in the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.20.1	LCBP	11-15-11
Develop and implement a heritage Lake stewardship program to inform recreational waterway users about AIS spread prevention. View Task Comments	9.20.2	LCBP
Support projects to manage AIS appropriately in ecologically sensitive heritage sites. View Task Comments	9.20.3	LCBP
Develop and support AIS spread-prevention interpretation and signage on the Champlain and Chambly Canals. View Task Comments	9.20.4	LCBP	11-15-11
Promote use of all waterways within the CVNHP in an environmentally sustainable fashion. View Task Comments	9.20.5	LCBP	11-15-11
Provide heritage interpretation training to the LCBP boat launch stewards. View Task Comments	9.20.6	LCBP

Expand 9.21) Prevent the introduction of new terrestrial invasive species (TIS) in the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership region.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Support the development of TIS spread-prevention messages and public outreach campaigns to protect heritage resources. View Task Comments	9.21.1	LCBP
Develop an invasive species educational program that can be used by project managers in heritage sites. View Task Comments	9.21.2	LCBP
Develop and support TIS spread-prevention interpretation and signage within the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.21.3	LCBP
Incorporate TIS interpretation at cultural heritage museums and sites in the region and at CVNHP-sponsored events that might include overnight camping. View Task Comments	9.21.4	LCBP

Expand 9.22) Focus on land-use changes and effects of stormwater runoff on water quality.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Promote improved understanding and interpretation of the environmental impact of the successive historical stages in settlement, forestry, agriculture, and development in the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.22.1	LCBP	01-16-12
Promote improved understanding of the importance of minimizing pollution from stormwater runoff at cultural heritage facilities and events. View Task Comments	9.22.2	LCBP

Expand 9.23) Promote sustainable agriculture practices in the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated
Support programs that encourage appropriate agricultural tourism in the CVNHP. View Task Comments	9.23.1	LCBP	01-16-12
Provide wayside exhibits to interpret the history and sustainable practices of the recipients of the Lake Champlain Farm Awards. View Task Comments	9.23.2	LCBP
Provide funding for the assessment of historic barns as heritage resources. View Task Comments	9.23.3	LCBP
Interpret sustainable farming and forestry practices in the context of agricultural tourism. View Task Comments	9.23.4	LCBP

Expand 10.1) Conduct full cost studies of the effectiveness of various policy and management initiatives, including water-pricing policy, stormwater utilities, farm management incentives, and point and nonpoint source regulation in the Basin to date.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Hold a workshop or series of workshops by the end of 2012 with regional and national experts in the field of ecosystem services and ecological economics to identify other organizations currently doing work that will complement an ecosystem services assessment for the Lake Champlain Basin and identify an approach to develop a complete ecosystem services assessment of the Lake Champlain Basin. View Task Comments	10.1.1	LCBP
Identify long-term economic benefits that will be generated through near-term investment in conservation and restoration of the ecological engine of the Basin economy. View Task Comments	10.1.2	LCBP
Identify funding sources (internally and externally) to complete an ecosystem services assessment of the Lake Champlain Basin by 2013. View Task Comments	10.1.3	LCBP
Analyze the impact of current federal, provincial, state, and municipal policies on the delivery and sustainability of ecosystem services in the Basin and identify the impact of these policies by 2014. View Task Comments	10.1.4	LCBP

Expand 10.2) Develop a scenario analysis with broad stakeholder input to evaluate various policy and management initiatives.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Hold a series of workshops through 2012 involving local and regional stakeholders to provide input on policy and management initiatives directed toward each of the four types of ecosystem services (Supporting, Regulating, Provisioning, Cultural). View Task Comments	10.2.1	LCBP
Identify the value of Lake frontage in the Lake Champlain Basin relative to improving or diminished water quality, in terms of economic and ecological value by 2013. View Task Comments	10.2.2	LCBP

Expand 10.3) Develop adaptive management capacity to manage the anticipated impacts of climate change, particularly on the changing dynamics between hydrological processes and eutrophication.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners
Identify impacts and indicators of climate change on the regional economy as related to agriculture, business (water quality related), forest products, and tourism by 2013. View Task Comments	10.3.1	LCBP
Subsequent to completion of 10.3.1, incorporate mitigation of climate change into an adaptive management framework for the Lake Champlain economy by 2015. View Task Comments	10.3.2	LCBP
Identify the long-term benefits of river restoration programs by 2013, given the expected increase in the severity and frequency of storm events. View Task Comments	10.3.3	LCBP

Expand 10.4) Complete an ecosystem assessment of the Lake Champlain Basin.

Associated Tasks	ID #	Lead Partners	Updated	Status
Identify ways in which an ecosystem services approach will target management actions for the Lake Champlain Basin by 2012. View Task Comments	10.4.1	LCBP
Identify a plan to complete an ecosystem services assessment of the Lake Champlain Basin by 2013. View Task Comments	10.4.2	LCBP

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Associated Actions / Tasks