Federal Agencies Work Group Opportunities for Federal Action: Building Local-Level Implementation

Support and enhance cooperative watershed planning efforts to protect and improve water quality.

KEY FEDERAL ACTIONS

Environmental Protection Agency

Local grants are a key component of the LCBP funding from the EPA. Nearly $3 million has been granted since 1993 for local projects
by towns and not-for-profits. In 2005, $178,962 was allocated. Projects include providing organizational support for local watershed
groups, cleaning up streams, increasing Lake access, helping homeowners prevent pollution, and revitalizing cultural sites.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Education and engaging students, youth groups and underserved youth in watershed stewardship are major activities of LCSG through the Watershed Alliance and the Northern New England Lake Education and Action Project. With EPA support, Sea Grant, the UVM Watershed Alliance and Edmunds Middle School have developed an urban watersheds and water-quality education program that complements and strengthens the existing science curriculum. The curriculum is now in use in six 7–8 grade science classes at area middle schools. LCSG is also active in improving local government and community organizations’ capacities for watershed and water-quality protection by developing tools and providing educational and technical assistance. LCSG works in partnership with municipal officials, businesses, educators, and volunteer groups to engage the public in protecting lake and stream water quality from domestic/urban non-point source pollution in stormwater, increase public participation in basin planning, watershed and lake stewardship and stream restoration, and reduce and control erosion. LCSG now supports a full time Water Quality Educator to develop and deliver a Vermont/Lake Champlain NEMO program, part of a national effort to assist communities in identifying and reducing non-point source pollution from urban sources.

MARK MALCHOFF, LC SEA GRANT Students learned how to identify stream macro- invertebrates (insects) through Lake Champlain Sea Grant's Watershed Alliance program.

OTHER FEDERAL ACTIONS

In 2004, the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the Citizens Advisory Committees held two public meetings in New York and Vermont that were attended by 200 citizens. These meetings provided important public input on Lake Champlain issues, and the plan, Opportunities for Action.

Section 542 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 allows the Army Corps of Engineers to assist with planning, designing and implementing local projects.

Through its Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a key funding partner in many watershed planning
efforts in the Lake Champlain Basin.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service works with and through Conservation Districts and local work groups, as well as partners, to implement conservation activities. The eleven Vermont and four New York NRCS offices in the Basin provide a local- oriented conservation delivery system.

The National Park Service provides various grants through the LCBP, including the Technical Assistance Program, Partnership Program, and Public Access Enhancement Awards.