LCC Lake Ripples - April 2012 E-news

Happy spring! As you embrace this season of renewal and rebirth we hope you’ll remember the lake and renew your Lake Champlain Committee membership. Please stay involved in the work for clean, accessible water. Renew at the $45 level or higher and we’ll send you our 2012 Lake Champlain Paddlers’ Trail Guidebook when it’s released in June. The lake is calling, please don’t delay.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) has been asked to develop a plan of study concerning the record flooding of Lake Champlain and its tributaries, and of the Richelieu River which occurred in Spring 2011. In letters from the Governments of the United States and Canada, IJC is being asked to develop a study proposal which would examine the causes and impacts of flooding, as well as the full range of measures to prepare for, prevent and mitigate such impacts.

It’s not the first time the IJC has examined flooding on Lake Champlain. Back in 1973 an IJC-appointed engineering board debated whether regulating the level of the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain would alleviate shoreline flooding in Quebec. The board agreed that regulation could reduce flood damage, but they disagreed on the environmental affects that would occur. The IJC continued their investigation until January of 1981.

The Lake Champlain Committee, with the support of Dr. Stockton Barnett of SUNY-Plattsburgh and other scientists compiled extensive evidence that artificially manipulating lake levels would have costly economic and environmental impacts. Ultimately the IJC opted against regulating water levels, and instead recommended improved flood forecasting and a variety of non-structural measures to lessen flood damage.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) will hold public hearings about a recently completed report identifying critical source areas of phosphorus loading to Missisquoi Bay. The hearings will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday May 1^st at the St. Armand Quebec Community Center and Wednesday May 2^nd at the Swanton Vermont Village Municipal Complex. Learn more about the IJC hearings.

Even if air temperatures seem balmy, the lake takes much longer to warm up. Additionally, strong currents and springtime debris are potential marine hazards this time of year. Lake Champlain temperatures are still in the 30s. If you are immersed in water that cold, exhaustion and unconsciousness can set in after 15 minutes. Read more about cold water caution.

Pollution loading from developed lands remains one of the most difficult sources of phosphorus to control. The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) recently released two requests for proposals for studies that could improve management of developed lands in the New York portion of the watershed. One project would outline a program to better manage New York back roads. Click for more about storm water management.

The Lake Champlain Committee has been working with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to help map aquatic natural resources in Vermont. The work is part of a larger project to produce a statewide map and supporting database identifying the lands and waters that support high priority ecosystems, natural communities, and habitats worthy of conservation or restoration. More on mapping natural resources.

Go out for Earth Day – outside that is. Take a stroll, a hike, a bike ride, a paddle, a run, or go fishing in the great outdoors. Breath some fresh air, take in the sunshine – or the rain, watch the stars. Commune with nature. Getting out into the greenery can boost your mood and your health. Research indicates that spending time in forests and nature areas helps people recover from stress and fatigue. More about Go Out for Earth Day.

Stylists and students from O'Briens AVEDA Institute and O'Briens' salons are teaming up to produce a fun night of hair and fashion to raise money for LCC! Students will create looks based on themes of Earth, Air, Fire and Water and dress each model from head to toe in recycled garments. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the show starts at 8:00 on Friday, April 27 at Club Venue in Colchester on Porter's Point Road. MORE on LCC's website.

Join us for a beginner-intermediate conference on river science issues specifically designed for municipal officials, consultants, contractors, legislators, curious citizens, watershed group members and farmers. Using case studies, speakers will discuss the various aspects of what makes rivers stable - or unstable - such as:  gravel extraction, roads and bridges, agricultural practices, downtown development, stormwater, dams and flood plains. No previous river science background is required and the conference is free and open to all. More about the river conference.

Activities will span the weekend and both sides of the bridge, with programs taking place at Chimney Point and Crown Point historic sites. Stop by LCC's table for paper and paint and share your artistic vision of a clean lake. Other celebration events tentatively include a gala opening ceremony, hometown grand parade from Vermont to New York, a Farmers' Market, fireworks and more! More details on the grand celebration.

If you’ve changed your address recently, please send us an email so we can update your files and ensure you receive news on lake issues and LCC’s work. Email is our primary form of communication with members. Mailing electronically saves time and resources and reinforces the stewardship ethic of our mission. We don’t give away or sell email addresses. To ensure you receive email from LCC, please add lcc@lakechamplaincommittee.org and the domain enews.lakechamplaincommittee.org to your safe/allowed list and address book. Thanks!