00A01141

Description:
Funding this award is to help the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission's (NEIWPCC's) Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) staff to accomplish the following activities and deliverables as authorized by Section 120 of the Clean Water Act:

1) Coordinate the continued exchange of state, federal and local perspectives and concerns on LCBP programs and activities;
2) Advise the Steering Committee, states of Vermont and New York, and the Environmental Protection Agency of progress toward achieving objectives of LCBP's work plans and other activities;
3) Reduce phosphorus inputs to Lake Champlain to promote a healthy and diverse ecosystem and provide for sustainable human use and enjoyment of the lake;
4) Reduce toxic contamination to protect public health and the Lake Champlain ecosystem;
5) Promote a basin-wide perspective on water quality issues of regional and national importance;
6) Coordinate efforts of water pollution control experts to assist in evaluating the spread of invasive species in the lake and to develop an appropriate management plan to minimize their impact;
7) Minimize the risks to humans from water-related health hazards in the Lake Champlain Basin;
8) Protect, conserve and restore Lake Champlain Basin wetlands, streams and riparian habitats and the functions and values they provide;
9) Inform citizens of activities and progress related to program implementation and towards achieving water quality goals.

The outcomes from these projects will help improve and/or evaluate the water quality and ecological health of the Lake Champlain Basin and benefit all residents of the Lake Champlain Basin. Subrecipient deliverables, which will also benefit all residents of the Lake Champlain Basin, will support program outcomes of clean water, healthy ecosystems, and an informed and involved public.

Activities:
The activities to be performed by the funding of this award include coordination of all Lake Champlain Steering and Executive Committees and the Lake Champlain Federal Partners Workgroup; interagency coordination and reporting; review and track progress towards goals in the Lake Champlain Management Plan; maintain water quality partnerships and coordinate the Technical Advisory Committee; conducting cyanobacteria monitoring; implementing the long-term water quality and biological monitoring program; collaboration with the New York State Lake Champlain Coordinator; providing agronomy support to farmers in New York; lake assessments and action plans; phosphorus reduction and tracking; invasive species management and response; and outreach and education coordination to the communities, residents, and visitors of the Lake Champlain Basin.

Subrecipient:
Subaward activities include cyanobacteria monitoring program, implementation of the long-term water quality and biological monitoring program, monitoring of cyanobacteria blooming in Island Lakes, environmental contaminants monitoring, microplastics sources and dynamics, LCBP's small and large clean water implementation grants and planning grants programs; technical agronomy support to farmers in New York; agricultural water quality partnership support; agricultural drainage research support; climate change effects on nutrient transport; future use of de-icing salts in the Lake Champlain Basin; zooplankton response to environmental change; small and large healthy ecosystems implementation grants; habitat protection, enhancement, and monitoring; freshwater mussel assessment; potential round goby impacts on native species; assessment of watermilfoils; ANS local implementation grants; implement regional environmental education and outreach programs; organizational support and workforce development for Lake Champlain watershed groups and communities; disadvantaged community liaison grant program; and the LCBP improving public access program.

Outcomes:
Anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes will support implementation of the Lake Champlain Management Plan.

New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission

66.481 - Lake Champlain Basin Program

EPA Region 1: Boston [EPA - RO]

Essex, New York United States

County-Wide

EPA-CEP-01