News Archive

LCC’s work depends on the financial support of people and businesses that care about the lake and invest in our efforts to protect water quality, safeguard natural habitats and enhance recreational access. Our heartfelt thanks to the members who…

Earlier this month the spiny waterflea was confirmed in the Champlain Canal and the Glens Falls feeder canal. The spiny waterflea is an invasive plankton species native to Eurasia. The Champlain Canal is directly connected to Lake Champlain in…

LCC’s blue-green algae monitoring program, now in its ninth year, got underway earlier this month. Thanks to a grant from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, over 50 volunteers are checking water conditions on a weekly basis at more than 50 shoreline…

For many years, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has warned anglers that consuming yellow perch, brown bullhead, or American eel caught in Cumberland Bay posed a risk to their health. This year perch and bullhead were…

Do you have ideas for how we can commemorate half a century of lake advocacy? We want to hear from you. Volunteer opportunities abound in planning our 2013 birthday party. LCC was instrumental in working for Lake Champlain's health and accessibility…

LCC is seeking site stewards for several locations along the Paddlers’ Trail. Stewards visit Trail sites at least once a month during the paddling season to check on conditions, pick up trash and report their findings to LCC. MORE

Everything from fixing the leaks in your house to changing the watering patterns of your lawn can add up to big water savings. If you wonder whether the small changes you make really matter, consider this: each of us uses an average of 100 gallons of…

The Vermont Legislature passed and Governor Shumlin signed a bill that would prohibit fracking in Vermont. Lawmakers deliberated on a three-year moratorium but ultimately opted for a ban. LCC testified in favor of the legislation and strongly…

The Vermont legislature ended up merging and then passing lake and river bills that had been considered during the session. The larger bill institutes a suite of programs that will help Vermont prepare for and cope with future flooding issues. MORE

The New York legislature passed a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Sayward and Senator Little, to allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to help stop the spread of invasive species. MORE

We're looking for a few high quality items to help our office and field work hum along more smoothly. Do you have any items on LCC's wishlist you'd like to donate? MORE

Warm days, particularly in the spring and fall, bring out hordes of sunbathing turtles. Sometimes it can even be hard for them to find a place to set their shell. There are five species of turtle that might be spied on the lake. Most people are…

Concerned about water quality and wondering about Lake Champlain conditions? Please join the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) for an informative and interactive session on blue-green algae. The program will cover: MORE

Now in it's ninth year, the Lake Champlain Committee's Blue-Green Algae Monitoring Program is in full swing with over 100 individuals trained on how to identify this potentially toxic form of cyanobacteria. Learn more about how you can become…

Get out on the water and support great lake-related causes - including the Lake Champlain Committee - by participating in the 2012 Regatta for Lake Champlain! MORE

Learn the skills needed to participate in the Lake Champlain Committee's blue-green algae monitoring program. Upcoming training sessions will be held throughout the Lake Champlain region in New York and Vermont. MORE

LCC Staff Scientist Mike Winslow and Burlington Free Press environmental reporter Candy Page discuss the short and long-term impacts of the flooding and the interest that's been kindled in "flood control" with VPR's Jane Lindholm.

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…

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…

LCC’s work depends on the financial support of people and businesses that care about the lake and invest in our efforts to protect water quality, safeguard natural habitats and enhance recreational access. MORE

On March 9, 2012 a field hearing of the House Agriculture Committee convened in Saranac Lake, NY to hear from agriculture producers on their views of the Federal Farm Bill. Every five years Congress has to reauthorize the federal Farm Bill. The…

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 at the St. Armand…

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…

As the weather warms we are more likely to turn to a nice cold drink of water to quench our thirst on a hot afternoon. Fill a pitcher and keep it in the refrigerator rather than running the tap until the water cools every time you need a drink. Doing…

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…

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…

Spring is a great time for finding driftwood on the shores of Lake Champlain. The wood can come from trees along forested shorelines that were undermined by wind and wave erosion, but more commonly it is delivered by streams and rivers entering the…

Delve into the rich history of clay soils and the agricultural, engineering, and environmental challenges they pose at the Champlain Valley Clay Symposium on June 1. MORE

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…

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…

Way to Go is an annual program co-founded by LCC to promote the use of cheaper, healthier, earth-friendly alternatives to driving alone. Individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations can all participate. Sign up online and your pollution, gas…

Be a part of LCC's springtime effort to remove dog doo from our sidewalks and recreation paths on April Stools Day - April 1, 2012, or anytime that suits your schedule. Pet poop contains bacteria and excess nutrients that are bad for our health and…

Earlier this month we reported that in February, the Vermont House passed a three-year moratorium on the gas extraction procedure known as fracking. Now that the cross-over deadline has passed, Senate and House Committees will be spending more time…

The proposal to install a 1,000-megawatt transmission line on the bottom of Lake Champlain to transport hydro and wind power from Canada to the New York City market continues to move forward. At the end of February the project proponent, Transmission…

Celebrate World Water Day with leaders and individuals around the globe on March 22. World Water Day has been recognized by the United Nations since 1993 as a time to focus attention on the importance of water, and advocacy for the sustainable…

The winter of 2011-12 will go down as the second warmest on record (behind only 2001-02) in the Champlain Valley. Meteorological winter includes the months of December, January, and February. Meteorologists report that low air pressure associated…

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…

Give some TLC to your body and the lake at O'Briens AVEDA Institute Spa Night. For a $20 donation you can choose up to four services from manicures and makeup to facials and massage. All the money raised will go to LCC. MORE

Dan Jacobs has donated over 25 hours of his time with the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) since August 2011, assisting with organization mailings and member communication pieces. Jacobs, a Burlington, Vermont resident, began volunteering to help Lake…

On a recent winter day my family was exploring some woodlands along the shore of a river near Lake Champlain. My daughter exclaimed about the huge birds in the trees on the opposite side. Three bald eagles sat regally staring out over the landscape.…