Task Detail
Chapter 3: Informing and Involving the Public
Action:
Build awareness and understanding among residents and visitors about Lake Champlain Basin resources and behaviors that contribute to pollution.
Task
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.
- Task ID #: 3.2.16
- Lead Partners: Vermont
Task Comments
The USEPA, VTDEC and VAAFM have been collectively holding listening sessions regarding required revisions to the Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL in October and November. Individual meetings have been hosted and organized with the assistance of local partners including ANR staff, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Northwest and Addison Regional Planning Commissions, the Winooski and Poultney-Mettowee NRCDs, and other organizations such as the Lake Champlain Committee, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Lake Champlain Basin Program. Staff of the supporting organizations were on hand to provide technical assistance with the groups.
A press release announcing the second week of meetings is below and was released 11/2/11:
Second Round of Lake Champlain TMDL Meetings November 14 – 17
November 02, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Second Round of Lake Champlain TMDL Meetings November 14 – 17, 2011
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) are jointly holding a series of four meetings to discuss progress on the Lake Champlain Phosphorus cleanup plan, technically referred to as the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). This second round of meetings will be from November 14-17, 2011 and follows the first round of meetings that occurred earlier in October.
These meetings are the next step in gathering stakeholder input on practices, policies and funding commitments necessary to achieve phosphorus pollution load reductions required by the TMDL. They will also explore additional actions that should be taken if certain nonpoint source actions are not implemented according to the established timeline. The meetings will build on progress described in the Revised Implementation Plan for the Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL, dated January 15, 2010.
The VTDEC conducted a public process during 2009 which led to a Revised Implementation Plan for the Lake Champlain TMDL. The January 2010 revised plan presented approximately 200 strategies for improving water quality in Lake Champlain. The 2010 implementation plan will be used as a starting point for the upcoming discussions, and is available at: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/cleanandclear/news/TMDL%20impl%20plan%20final%20-%20011510.pdf
Each of the meetings will focus on an interest sector or geographical area, giving USEPA, VTDEC and VAAFM the opportunity to hear in depth how agencies, organizations and individuals should help implement the TMDL, factors that hinder compliance with the TMDL, and recommendations for next steps.
The second series of meetings will focus principally on the southern half of the Lake Champlain Basin. Interest sectors represented at this second series of meetings include: southern lake committees, municipalities, agricultural interests, wastewater treatment facility operators, and water supply managers. If you are unable to attend any of these meetings, USEPA, VTDEC and VAAFM would still like to hear from you. Please view the contact information below to arrange other options to participate:
1. Monday November 14—1-3:30pm
Municipal, Wastewater Treatment Facility & Water Supply Sectors
-Hosted by Vermont League of Cities and Towns
Middlesex Town Hall
5 Church St. (corner of Route 2 and Church St.)
Middlesex, Vermont
(802)229-9111
2. Tuesday November 15—9-11:30am
Mid-lake Watershed Groups & Municipal Sectors
-Hosted by Addison County Regional Planning Commission
Addison County RPC Offices
14 Seminary Street
Middlebury, Vermont
(802) 388-3141
3. Thursday November 17—1-3:30pm
Agricultural Sector
-Hosted by Poultney-Mettowee NRCD
Kehoe Conservation Education Center
636 Point of Pines Road
Castleton, Vermont
(802)287-8339 @ Poultney Mettowee NRCD
4. Thursday November 17—5-7:30pm
South Lake Community Geographic Sector
-Hosted by the South Lake Group
Green Mountain College, Gorge Room
1 Brennan Circle
Poultney, Vermont
(800) 776-6675
Your participation is vital to this process and we welcome your input. Meetings are open to the public, and space may be limited, so please RSVP to ensure that space is arranged accordingly.
• To RSVP for a particular meeting of interest, please email Michaela Stickney, VTDEC Lake Champlain Basin Coordinator, at michaela.stickney@state.vt.us
• If you have any questions about the meetings, please call Michaela Stickney at (802)338-4806.
• If you are unable to attend a meeting, please e-mail or call to arrange other options to participate.
END
For Further Information please contact:
Michaela Stickney at 802-338-4806 or email to michaela.stickney@state.vt.us