water quality

Senator Leahy, USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey, Chief of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Matthew Lohr, Congressman Peter Welch, UVM President Garimella, and Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts announce two major long-term projects centered on Vermont agriculture and water quality.

Leahy unveils the establishment of a USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Food Systems Center at the University of Vermont. The center, funded at $3 million per year, over five years, is a result of work by Leahy, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. UVM and ARS scientists will perform integrated research on small-scale farming and value-added food production and nutrition, to benefit farmers and rural communities in Vermont and across the United States.

Leahy, Northey, and Lohr also announce nearly $2 million in grants to study the impact of voluntary conservation and stewardship practices on Vermont’s water quality. The multi-year study aims to assist farmers as they work to improve water quality and conservation practices.

This discussion panel is led by spiritual leaders from many different faiths and traditions. They explore how water enters into these faiths and traditions, important rituals, and how polluted or unclean water affects those traditions and beliefs.

This event's discussion focuses on our local watershed and Lake Champlain, and what citizens can do to help protect and preserve this critical resource. 

Participants: Craig Heindel, Senior Hydrologist, Waite-Heindel Environmental Management; Krista Hoffis, Program Coordinator, Lewis Creek Association; Rose Paul, Director of Science and Freshwater Programs, The Nature Conservancy; Haley Pero, Environmental Outreach, Senator Sanders’ Office; Don Rendall, Vice Chair, Shelburne Natural Resources and Conservation Committee.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy - Water Quality in Vermont - March 25, 2016.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Vermont hold this public meeting to discuss new pollution reduction targets – often referred to as a TMDL – to prevent pollution from flowing into Lake Champlain and its tributaries. The meeting is moderated by the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
EPA officials present the Lake Champlain phosphorus reduction plan called a “Total Maximum Daily Load” (TMDL) that will place a cap on the maximum amount of phosphorous that is allowed to enter the Lake and still meet Vermont’s water quality standards. EPA anticipates releasing the TMDL by August 14, which will begin a 30-day public comment period.
For information or for a copy of the TMDL following the anticipated August 14th release:

EPA information on Vermont Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL: http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/tmdl/lakechamplain.html

VTDEC Restoring Lake Champlain Page: http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/erp/champlain/