January 2011
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Sea Lamprey Control Improves Lake Champlain Fisheries

Lamprey On FishThe Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative are reporting unprecedented success resulting from the on-going sea lamprey control program.  The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together to improve and manage the fisheries of Lake Champlain.   As a result of this program, the number and size of lake trout and salmon in the lake are increasing.  This is great news. Read More
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Governor Jim Douglas Signs Lake Champlain Management Plan

Gov Douglas Signs Mng PlanVermont Gov. Jim Douglas adds his signature Tuesday to a long-term management plan for Lake Champlain, along with those from representatives of the governments of New York and Quebec, and the Environmental Protection agency. Read More
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Vermont's State Fish Hatchery
Program Update


Fish HatcheryThe department operates five state fish hatcheries which collectively rear over a million fish annually to stock public waters for angling and fish restoration.  Lake Champlain was stocked with over 284,000 yearling landlocked salmon, steelhead, and brown, trout, over 160,000 landlocked salmon fry, and almost 200,000 walleye fry and fingerlings. Read More

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Environmentalists Question Lamprey Treatment Program

lampreysLake Champlain fishermen are rejoicing over the big fish they've caught this summer and fall. The anglers credit their success to a taxpayer funded program that kills sea lamprey that prey on trout and salmon. But the chemical treatment can have lethal consequences for other aquatic life, including several endangered species. And some environmentalists are now questioning the long-term effects of treating the lake's tributaries with a powerful pesticide. Read More

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Aquatic Plant Control Program
Water ChestnutAuthorized by the River and Harbor Act of 1958, the Aquatic Plant Control Program for Lake Champlain provides for the control and eradication of aquatic plants in navigable waters, tributary streams, connecting channels and other allied waters in the interest of navigation, flood control, drainage, agriculture, fish and wildlife conservation, public health, and related purposes.
Read More
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Let's Go Fishing 2011 Instructor Training

If you love to fish and want to pass on the fishing tradition to children and their families, then become a "Let's Go Fishing" Volunteer Instructor. Instructors in the "Let's Go Fishing" program either organize or volunteer at fishing clinics in their communities or schools to teach successful fishing techniques and ethical attitudes to Vermont's future anglers. Learn More  The Let's Go Fishing program will once again have a booth at the 2011Yankee Sportsman's Classic at the Champlain Valley Expo.  The Classic runs from January 14-16, 2011.  This is a great chance to stop by the VT F&W booth to talk with volunteers and learn more about the Let's Go Fishing program.
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New York Anglers Fear State Budget Cuts

Trout HatcheryAnglers fear state budget cuts will reduce the number of trout and salmon stocked in New York's waterways next spring, despite hefty license fee hikes last fall. 

Jason Kemper, chairman of the state's Conservation Fund Advisory Board, says the recommended staffing level in the state's fish hatchery system is 80, but early retirement incentives and unfilled vacancies have brought staffing down to 67.

He told an Assembly hearing earlier this month that staffing is insufficient.   The price of a fishing license was raised from $19 to $29 last year to bolster the Conservation Fund, which pays for fish and wildlife programs.

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EPA Orders Vermont Farmer to Restore Damaged Wetlands

WetlandA Vermont farmer has been ordered to restore about three acres of freshwater wetlands in Swanton, Vt. that he altered in order to expand a corn field. According to EPA's complaint, the farmer began in 2006 to clear, grade, fill and generally alter wetlands at his farm on County Road. Read More
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American Urban Lake Pollution Traced to Parking Lot Seal Coat

PavementA black sealant sprayed on parking lots, driveways and playgrounds turns out to be the largest contributor to the rise of a toxic pollutant in urban lakes and reservoirs across America. PAHs are known as a probable human carcinogen since the 19th century, when cancer struck chimney sweeps. PAHs also are toxic to fish and other aquatic plant and animal life. Read More
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EPA Analysis Shows Reduction in 2009 Toxic Chemical Releases in Vermont

Scull n Cross BonesEPA's most recent Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data is now available for the reporting year of 2009. In Vermont, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment have decreased since the previous reporting year (2008). TRI information is a key part of EPA's efforts to provide greater access to environmental information and get information to the public as quickly as possible. TRI was recently recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the 10 major ways that EPA has strengthened America. Read More
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New Auction Item
Coming Jan 1st
2011
Cloud Nine Logo
&
Captain Obe White
present a 6 hour
fishing experience
to remember
on Lake Champlain
cloudninefishing.com
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Donate Button
Give a gift of education,
conservation, restoration,
and revitalization
for Lake Champlain.
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In This Issue
Sea Lamprey Numbers Decrease in Lake Champlain
Gov. Jim Douglas Signs Lake Champlain Management Plan
VT's State Hatchery Program Update
Environmentalists Question Lamprey Treatment Program
Aquatic Plant Control Program
Let's Go Fishing Instructor Training
New York Anglers Fear State Budget Cuts
EPA Orders VT Farmer to restore Damaged Wetlands
Lake Pollution Traced to Parking Lot Sealant
Reduction in 2009 Toxic Chemical Releases
Can We Save America's Crumbling Water System
EPA Completes Research of Water Quality Criteria
Richford Day Camp Receives Grant from LCI
VT Fish & Wildlife Law Book
Congrats Patti!
DEC Urges Participation in Christmas Bird Count
Fishing Tips
Poll- Should agriculture be held to the same water pollution regulations as other industries?
Just BLUE it!
Become an LCI Member
Sign Lamprey and Missisquoi Petitions
About LCI
OM Cares Advertisement
Click Here to Subscribe
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Join our Mailing list
Follow LCI:
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Contact LCI
802-879-3466
[email protected]
531 Main St.
Colchester, VT 05446
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Pollution at our feet
in "green" state Find us on Facebook
Stormdrain 2
 Do your part to protect our beaches, pets & fish!
 More pollution pictures here
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Quick Links
*American Sportfishing
     Association
*Baitfish
*Balanced Champlain
      Ecosystem Petition
*Carry Bay Wind and Wave
      Study
*Champlain Bass Fishing
*Champlain Tributaries
      Conservation
*Fish Indicators of Watershed
      Health
*Fish Species of Greater 
      Conservation Need
*Interactive Clean Water Act
      Map
*Lake Champlain Fisheries
      Habitat
*Lake Champlain
      International, Inc.
*Missisquoi River - Swanton
      Revitalization Petition
*NEIWPCC Resource Links
*Northern Pike Biological
      Survey
*NY Fishing Seasons
*Swanton Dam and Fish
      Passage
*UNH Stormwater Center
*Vermont Fish Records
*Vermont Fishing Seasons
*VT Fishing Access Areas
*VT Fishing License Online
*Walleye and Sturgeon
      Spawning Habitat

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Can We Save America's Crumbling Water System?

Clogged PipeWater infrastructure may not be a sexy topic, but it's becoming an important one. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently gave America's drinking-water systems a grade of D-minus. Roughly 10 billion gallons of sewage seep into these crumbling pipes each year. The Obama administration has secured $6 billion for improvements, but the Environmental Protection Agency puts the true cost of fixing water infrastructure at roughly $335 billion.
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EPA Completes Research to Develop New Recreational
Water Quality Criteria


DockEPA has completed studies that serve as a scientific foundation for developing new or revised water quality criteria for recreational waters, such as lakes, rivers and oceans, by October 2012. EPA's research studies were focused on predictive modeling, method development and validation, and epidemiological studies.
Read More




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Richford Day Camp Receives grant from LCI

Kid FishingFor the past 15 years, Richford Health Center has sponsored an annual day camp program that serves about 150 children daily for 5 weeks every summer.  The day camp is held at the town's public playground which is bordered by the MIssisquoi River, and is free to all participants.  Waterfront activities are popular with the campers, and it is an excellent place to introduce kids to fishing.  LCI has granted the request from Richford Day Camp to supply them with rod and reel combos and a $500 grant.  LCI is very excited to be able to help Richford introduce fishing to kids from ages 0 to 18, as LCI believes that one of the best ways to get  people involved with cleaning up Lake Champlain and its tributaries, is to get them hooked on fishing at an early age. Thanks to Richford Day Camp, even more kids will learn how to fish this year, and learn the sport we all love.



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Vermont Fish & Wildlife Digital Law Book Now Available For 2011

The Fish and Wildlife have just released the Electronic version of the 2011 hunting and fishing law book.
Read Here






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Congratulations to Patti Delang!

UNited Way logoThis long-time volunteer of Lake Champlain International, has been nominated as a Volunteer of the Week by Liz Ehlers of LCI, as part of the United Way's Volunteer of the week recognition program.


Patti is going to be featured in the United Way's column in the Burlington Free Press, so be on the look-out for Patti and give her the congratulations she deserves! 

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DEC Urges Participation in Christmas Bird Count

Dave's BirdNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials are urging wildlife enthusiasts to join thousands of volunteers throughout the United States to take part in the Audubon Society's 111th Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which began Dec. 14, 2010, and runs through Jan. 5, 2011. The CBC is the longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations. Read More




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Fishing Tips: Ice fishing safety reminders

Ice Fishing guy
"Ice fishing can be safe and a lot of fun," said Col. David LeCours, Vermont's Chief Game Warden, "but when we go onto the ice, we need to use good judgment and observe several safety precautions." 
Read More Ice Fishing Tips From the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department



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Lake Champlain International Poll

Ag FieldShould agriculture be held to the same water pollution regulations and standards as other industries and businesses?  
 
Click here to vote
(poll is in the bottom left of the page)

 
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion.
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Just BLUE it! 
BLUE Logo
Lake Champlain International and Tethys Corp. are working with homeowners to help protect the health and safety of our families through a few simple steps around the house and lawn. This pilot program initiates an innovative method towards managing water pollution runoff, starting at the source. Tethys BLUESM program is a framework to expand residential stewardship and help homeowners protect our oceans, bays, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

For more information about Tethys and BLUESM



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Become an Official LCI Member

Lake Champlain International, Inc. logo
If you
become an LCI member , your contribution will help restore the glory of the Champlain fisheries, help raise awareness of the numerous issues facing the lake, assist our youth in helping to carry on the heritage of the lake, and be kept up to date with the latest information concerning Lake Champlain's watershed. 

Read More



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Help Lake Champlain Ecosystems
          
lampray2 Please sign our petition to continue the progress we are making protecting our salmon fishery from the devastation wreaked by the parasitic sea lamprey.  Tell our elected officials you support a balanced Lake Champlain ecosystem and so should they.
Sign the Lamprey Petition



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Swanton Dam 2Please sign our petition to support exploring the removal of the old dam located in the Village of Swanton, Vermont on the Missisquoi River. We consider removal of this old dam as a necessity to restore fish runs to their historic spawning grounds which will benefit fish and other aquatic species found in the Lake Champlain basin.
Sign Missisquoi River Petition  Read more




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About Lake Champlain International, Inc.

LCI is a non-profit conservation organization working to clean up Lake Champlain, a community of conservation stewards committed to caring for Champlain's future and traditions. ... because a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain is the only option.

a 501(c)(3) organization                          
Lake Champlain International, Inc.
531 Main Street
Colchester, VT 05446
802.879.3466  Fax: 802.879.1746

www.mychamplain.net 
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