Clean Water
GOAL: The Lake Champlain Basin’s lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams will provide high-quality drinking water and safe recreation opportunities, and sustain diverse ecosystems, vibrant communities, and working landscapes.
Clean water is critical for the diverse habitats, working landscapes, and vibrant communities that sustain us. Pollution from human activities across the watershed impairs the water quality of the Lake, reduces public access, and decreases economic opportunities. Lake Champlain provides high-quality drinking water to more than 145,000 people in the Lake Champlain Basin. Maintaining and improving this unique resource for drinking water is critical to achieving the Clean Water goal and supporting vibrant communities. Lake Champlain is among the 25% of lakes in the United States that are impaired by excess nutrients (USEPA 2011), and among the 40% of lakes with health advisories for fish consumption due to elevated mercury concentrations (USEPA 2011).
SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING
Sound science is fundamental for action to achieve clean water in the Lake Champlain Basin. Our Sound science is fundamental for action to achieve clean water in the Lake Champlain Basin. Our understanding of lake conditions relies on ongoing monitoring and targeted, management-driven research. Data from monitoring networks like the Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring Program are critical for identifying areas in need of pollution interventions and making management decisions to allocate limited resources. New technologies and innovative research will be increasingly necessary to address threats to clean water.
CONTAMINANTS
Contaminants that originate from human activities and products, including pharmaceutical products, pathogens, road salt, and microplastics, pose distinct and complex threats to the waterways of the Basin. Their sources, environmental fate, and effect on biota and human health often are poorly understood. The variety and environmental persistence of these substances necessitate continued monitoring and scientific investigation to prioritize management actions.
NUTRIENT LOADING
Although nutrients are essential for all ecosystems, excessive levels of nutrients can impair water quality. Phosphorus in particular has been identified as a key nutrient that has a direct influence on cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Champlain. Phosphorus inputs to Lake Champlain must be reduced to meet the Clean Water goal. Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations for Vermont and New York and reduction plans for the Québec portion of the watershed are guiding forces for the LCBP’s phosphorus reduction efforts to benefit Lake Champlain. Actions outlined in this Plan will directly align with state and provincial partner plans to meet these important phosphorus reduction targets.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The effects of climate change have been widely documented in the Lake Champlain Basin. Rising air temperatures, warmer water temperatures, less frequent and persistent ice cover, more frequent and persistent rainstorms, and more precipitation falling as rain rather than snow all combine with other pressures that threaten Lake Champlain water quality. To respond to these pressures, it is necessary to better understand their effects, and then adapt to mitigate the negative impacts. A new climate change-focused objective aims to close knowledge gaps and direct resources that will provide benefits like shading streams to reduce water temperatures, reconnecting floodplains to reduce flood risk, and minimizing road-salt related salinization of Lake Champlain.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
Quantifying measures of success is critical to understanding the benefits of the LCBP’s work and communicating on progress toward the Clean Water goal for the restoration of Lake Champlain. Each strategy within the Clean Water goal has metrics that will tell the story of how Opportunities for Action is implemented, as identified in the tables below. Key strategy-level metrics will also be aggregated to provide a summary of implementation for the Clean Water goal.
GOAL-LEVEL METRICS
- Number of applied research projects supported with results provided to managers and stakeholders
- Amount of funding allocated toward research
- Amount of funding allocated toward implementation
- Number of pollution-reducing best management practices installed
- Amount of phosphorus pollution reduced
- Number of clean water improvement designs or plans funded
OBJECTIVES
| Strategy | Task Area | Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| I.A.1: Fund and interpret climate-change-oriented research. | I.A.1.a: Support programs and initiatives that increase accessibility of Lake Champlain Basin data to foster new management-oriented research and collaboration. | — Number of applied research projects supported with results provided to managers and stakeholders — Amount of funding allocated toward research — Creation of a Lake Champlain data hub |
| I.A.1.b: Support research to increase understanding of groundwater transport of nutrients and contaminants in the Lake Champlain Basin through monitoring and modeling efforts. | ||
| I.A.1.c: Support research to understand root causes of in-lake tributary loading, and other environmental trends to effectively focus restoration resources. | ||
| I.A.1.d: Maintain and expand the Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring program to include an in-situ monitoring network that effectively detects ecosystem conditions and changes and informs policy decisions and public interest. | ||
| I.A.1.e: Support and promote programs that expand sub-watershed monitoring to inform targeted watershed objectives. | ||
| I.A.1.f: Support research to improve understanding of cyanobacteria in Lake Champlain through expanding existing monitoring programs, increased cyanotoxin testing, and new technologies | ||
| I.A.1.g: Support monitoring to screen lake water for toxic substances, including herbicides, pesticides, and personal care products. | ||
| I.A.1.h: Support research and monitoring programs to inform consumption advisories for Lake Champlain fishes. | ||
| I.A.2: Fund and interpret research on management decisions and best management practices (BMPs). | I.A.2.a: Support research to develop innovative management approaches likely to improve water quality. | — Number of applied research projects supported with results provided to managers and stakeholders — Amount of funding allocated toward research |
| I.A.2.b: Support research to increase understanding of factors affecting BMP performance and efficiency, including the potential effects of climate change. | ||
| I.A.2.c: Support research to assess progress of existing water quality management programs to inform new decisions, priorities, and management trajectories. | ||
| I.A.2.d: Support research to develop strategies that reduce public beach closures. | ||
| I.A.3: Fund and interpret research to better understand nutrient dynamics and limit their impact. | I.A.3.a: Support research to quantify the mass balance, forms, and transportation routes of phosphorus for the entire Lake Champlain Basin. | — Number of applied research projects supported with results provided to managers and stakeholders — Amount of funding allocated toward research |
| I.A.3.b: Support research to close knowledge gaps on internal nutrient loading in key areas of the lake, with management recommendations. | ||
| I.A.4: Fund and interpret research on contaminants in the Lake Champlain Basin. | I.A.4.a: Support research to reduce agrochemical application and runoff of pesticides, herbicides, and other agrochemicals. | — Number of applied research projects supported with results provided to managers and stakeholders — Amount of funding allocated toward research |
| I.A.4.b: Support research to improve understanding of road de-icing salt impacts and effective management strategies. | ||
| I.A.4.c: Support research to improve understanding of emerging contaminants and points of control. |
| Strategy | Task Area | Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| I.B.1: Reduce contaminant pollution. | I.B.1.a: Fund and promote programs that reduce public beach closures. | — Amount of funding allocated toward implementation — Number of planning and design projects to reduce contaminant pollution — Number of projects supported that directly reduce contaminant pollution |
| I.B.1.b: Fund and promote programs that increase the efficiency of use of pesticides, herbicides, and other agrochemicals, and limit their transport to waterways. | ||
| I.B.1.c: Fund and promote programs that reduce de-icing salt application and limit their transport to waterways. | ||
| I.B.1.d: Fund and promote programs that upgrade wastewater treatment infrastructure to effectively treat contaminants of concern, including PFAS and microplastics. | ||
| I.B.1.e: Fund and promote programs that reduce the prevalence of contaminants of concern in Lake Champlain Basin waterways. |
| Strategy | Task Area | Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| I.C.1:Reduce nutrient inputs from streambanks. | I.C.1.a: Fund and promote programs to improve stream equilibrium and connect rivers to their floodplains in critical areas of the Lake Champlain Basin. | — Amount of funding allocated toward implementation — Number of pollution-reducing best management practices installed — Amount of phosphorus pollution reduced — Number of river restoration projects implemented — Area of floodplain restored — Length of stream/river restored |
| I.C.1.b: Fund and promote programs to protect or enhance river corridors for nutrient reduction and flood resilience. | ||
| I.C.2: Reduce nutrient inputs from agriculture. | I.C.2.a: Fund and promote programs that install recommended BMPs, provide technical assistance, improve soil health, and optimize farm operations to reduce nutrient load and improve water quality. | — Amount of funding allocated toward implementation — Number of pollution-reducing best management practices installed — Amount of phosphorus pollution reduced — Area of land recovered or floodplain restored — Number of farms supported |
| I.C.2.b: Fund and promote programs that recover agricultural land in floodplains to restore floodplain function, reduce nutrient inputs, and increase flood resilience. | ||
| I.C.2.c: Fund and promote programs that help farmers meet water quality regulations with targeted cost-share support for small farms, especially in critical sub-watersheds. | ||
| I.C.2.d: Fund and promote programs that remove phosphorus from tile drains and agricultural ditches. | ||
| I.C.2.e: Fund and promote economical and sustainable agricultural practices that address water quality concerns. | ||
| I.C.3: Reduce nutrient inputs from developed lands. | I.C.3.a: Fund and promote programs to reduce effective impervious surface area, especially in critical watersheds. | — Amount of funding allocated toward implementation — Number of pollution-reducing best management practices installed — Amount of phosphorus runoff reduced — Number of preliminary (30%) infrastructure designs funded — Number of full (100%) infrastructure designs funded — Area of impervious surface treated |
| I.C.3.b: Fund and promote green stormwater infrastructure design and installation, especially in combined stormwater-sewer service areas and in critical watersheds. | ||
| I.C.3.c: Fund and promote programs and interventions aimed at reducing nutrient pollution from high-density shoreland areas around lakes and ponds. | ||
| I.C.3.d: Fund and promote programs for asset management and water quality upgrades for wastewater treatment facilities. | ||
| I.C.4: Reduce nutrient inputs from forested lands. | I.C.4.a: Support programs to restore and protect riparian forests and corridors. | — Amount of funding allocated toward implementation — Number of pollution-reducing best management practices installed — Amount of phosphorus runoff reduced — Area of forested treated with BMPs — Number of landowners reached |
| I.C.4.b: Fund and promote programs that assist landowners with meeting water quality regulations on forested lands. | ||
| I.C.4.c: Fund programs to promote forestry BMPs while protecting habitats and improving climate change resilience. | ||
| I.C.5: Implement recommendations from the Missisquoi Bay bi-national phosphorus reduction task force. | I.C.5.a: Support recommended tasks to reduce phosphorus pollution and cyanobacteria bloom intensity and frequency in Missisquoi Bay. | — Number of projects that address task force recommendations — Funding allocated toward task force recommendations |
| Strategy | Task Area | Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| I.D.1: Fund and interpret climate-change-oriented research. | I.D.1.a: Fund and promote programs to improve stream equilibrium and connect rivers to their floodplains in critical areas of the Lake Champlain Basin. | — Number of applied research projects supported with results provided to managers and stakeholders — Amount of funding allocated toward research |
| I.D.1.b: Support research to improve understanding of the impacts of climate change on nutrient cycling dynamics in Lake Champlain. | ||
| I.D.1.c: Support research to quantify the impacts of climate change on phytoplankton communities. | ||
| I.D.1.d: Support research to improve understanding of the impacts of climate change on cyanobacteria bloom dynamics. | ||
| I.D.1.e: Support research to assess the impacts of climate-change-driven land use changes on water quality. | ||
| I.D.1.f: Support research to quantify the impacts of climate change on contaminant sources and transport. | ||
| I.D.1.g: Support research to improve understanding of the impacts of climate change on de-icing salt application and salinization. | ||
| I.D.1.h: Support research to assess the impact of climate change on water availability and water use. | I.D.2: Adapt to climate-change-caused water resource impacts. | I.D.2.a: Fund and promote clean water implementation programs that have co-benefits for adapting to climate change. | — Amount of funding allocated — Number of climate change adaptation projects supported — Area of floodplains restored — Area of wetlands restored |
| I.D.2.b: Fund and promote programs to protect and restore natural infrastructure systems that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including floodplains, wetlands, upland streams, and headwater areas. | ||
| I.D.2.c: Fund and promote programs to reduce the impacts of increasing water temperatures. | ||
| I.D.2.d: Fund and promote programs to reduce the impacts of climate change on water availability and use. |