Welcome to the Lake Champlain region’s only bi-state citizens’ organization solely dedicated to protecting the health of the lake and accessibility to its waters.
The Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) has a 47-year history of science-based advocacy, education and collaborative action. We take a whole-lake approach to issues that affect this natural treasure, which boasts nearly 600 miles of shoreline in New York, Vermont and Quebec.
No matter how you choose to enjoy Lake Champlain, we invite you to explore this Web site to learn more about the lake's health, current ecologic challenges, and ways to access its resources, including the Lake Champlain Paddlers' Trail. As you explore, we hope you'll consider how you can personally make a positive impact on the quality of its water and ecosystem.
Read the latest edition of Ripples - LCC's E-Newsletter - online
Love the Lake? Learn more about it and catch up on lake news by reading Lake Ripples, LCC’s monthly E-newsletter online. Or you can get the latest issue delivered right to your email box by subscribing. Either way, Lake Ripples will keep you linked to important and timely information about the lake. Topics covered in recent issues include invasive species, new generation contaminants, muskie restoration efforts, loon monitoring, blue green algae updates, paddling information, upcoming lake events and more. You’ll also find natural history notes, our renowned Lake Look column and tips on how to keep the lake clean.
Latest Updates
Update 7/9/10 - Algae Bloom in the Lake
Our blue green algae monitoring program got underway this week with citizen monitors taking samples at 18 shoreline locations. The current hot, steamy weather conditions are ideal for algae growth and they’ve led to extensive algae blooms particularly in Addison (VT) and Essex (NY) counties. Blooms have been reported in many areas from Burlington south to the Crown Point Bridge area, including Port Henry, Westport, Panton, Ferrisburgh, Kingsland Bay, Long and Thompson’s Points, around Juniper Island in the Main Lake and other locations. Shifts in wind and water currents will move the blooms around the lake and scums may accumulate on the shoreline so keep a watch on the water....
Ban Pushed by LCC Will Result in
2 – 3 Tons Less Phosphorus Loading!
Effective July 1st, 2010 Vermont stores can no longer sell automatic dishwasher detergents that contain phosphorus. What does this mean for your dishes? Nothing! Phosphorus-free dishwashing detergents perform just as well as their phosphorus containing counterparts. This is great news for Vermont’s lakes and waterways! Phosphorus helps harmful algae thrive. It is easier and less expensive to reduce our use of phosphorus than it is to remove it at wastewater treatment plants. The ban is a result of a multi-year campaign LCC began in 2003 to get phosphates out of automatic dishwasher detergents. Similar legislation is pending in New York State.
EPA Agrees to Reconsider Lake Clean-up Plan
In late April the EPA agreed to reconsider the Vermont portion of the Lake Champlain clean-up plan (known as a TMDL). The TMDL is used to set limits on the amount of pollution produced by wastewater treatment facilities and to set goals for pollution reduction efforts from other sources. The original TMDL had been approved in 2001...
Welcome LCC Intern Ryan Garber!
This month LCC welcomes Ryan Garber as an Environmental Service Corps student intern for the summer. Ryan is a Master’s candidate at McGill University in Montreal. He is working on a project to identify ways municipalities might adapt to anticipated warmer temperatures, and greater frequency and intensity of storm events resulting from climate change. While state and federal agencies have the capacity to develop adaptation plans, municipalities have fewer resources. Thus, Ryan’s work will fill a gap in our efforts to adapt to a changing climate. We’re delighted to have him onboard!
2010 Trail Guidebook Coming Soon
Reserve your copy by joining LCC or renewing your membership!
The 2010 edition of the Lake Champlain Paddlers' Trail Guidebook and Stewardship Manual will be out in June. It’s filled with important information for great adventures on the water including site descriptions and chartlets for 39 Trail locations (including several new sites!), launch site listings, natural history articles, safety and stewardship tips, equipment check lists and more! - And it's available to all members who renew annually for $40 or more. Click here to make an online donation to ensure you have the guidebook in hand at the beginning of the paddling season.
Clean Lake Tip – Don’t “P” on Your Lawn!
The burst of hot weather has many of us outside doing lots of lawn and garden projects. With that in mind, below are a “clean lake” tips to follow to ensure that the investments you make in your property stay there rather than running off into a nearby waterway (and eventually the lake)...
Help Prevent the Spread of Spiny Water Flea
A new study released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service examines possible routes by which the invasive plankton species, spiny water flea, might reach Lake Champlain and options for trying to prevent such spread...
Underwater Transmission Line Update
TDI – Transmission Developers Inc. – has filed initial documents for their proposal for an underwater buried electric cable with the New York State Public Services Commission. The proposed cable would run the length of Lake Champlain and bring electricity from Canada to New York City and vicinity. Where possible, the proposed ...
Champlain Bridge Update
Work to replace the Champlain Bridge between Crown Point, NY and Addison, VT is progressing on schedule according to presentations at a meeting in Addison on May 11th...
New No-wake Zone During Lake Champlain Bridge Construction
The Coast Guard has established a no-wake zone effective May 7, 2010 until December 31, 2011, during the construction of the new Lake Champlain bridge connecting Crown Point, New York, and Chimney Point, Vermont. Until now, the Coast Guard had been enforcing a safety zone that excluded all vessel ...
