• Vermont, New York and EPA Sign Lake Plan

• Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center Dedicated

• Floating Breakwater

Vermont, New York and EPA Sign Lake Plan

Governor George Pataki of New York, Governor Howard Dean of Vermont, and representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed the final version of Opportunities For Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin on Monday, October 28, 1996. Top environmental officials from Quebec, New York and Vermont were on hand to witness, the signing.

Governor George Pataki of New York, Governor Howard Dean of Vermont sign the final version of Opportunities For Action for Lake Champlain

overnor George Pataki of New York, Governor Howard Dean of Vermont, and representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed the final version of Opportunities For Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin on Monday, October 28, 1996. Top environmental officials from Quebec, New York and Vermont were on hand to witness, the signing.

The US and Canadian flags flew over the SUMY boathouse during the signing ceremony on October 28th

"This comprehensive plan demonstrates that New York and Vermont, along with our federal partners, can work together to protect and enhance a valuable resource that is cherished by families and communities in both states, " Governor Pataki said at a signing ceremony at Valcour Conference Center, located near the historic site of one of the first naval encounters of the Revolutionary War.

The plan, which has been under development for five years, provides recommendations for a wide variety of management actions, including water quality, fish and wildlife, recreation and cultural resources. The three main priorities in the Plan include: reducing phosphorus levels, reducing and preventing pollution from toxic substances, and controlling nuisance normative aquatic species.

"The clear priorities set out in the Plan will serve as a blueprint for action at the federal, state and local level," Governor Dean said. "I am proud of the members of the Management Conference for their perseverance. Without their tremendous dedication over the last five years, we would not be on the shore of Lake Champlain today committing to protecting this most important natural resource."

Implementing the Plan

pportunities for Action, the pollution prevention, control and restoration plan was prepared by the Lake Champlain Manage Conference created in 1990 under the federal Lake Champlain Special Designation Act. The Management Conference held its final meeting on October 9th to review public comments and approve final changes to the Plan. The Conference was chaired by EPA and comprised of a broad spectrum of Lake-basin interests from both New York and Vermont, including citizens, representatives from the business community, environmental and sportsfishing groups, state legislators, scientists and local, state and federal government representatives.

Under the Plan, Vermont will aim to reduce phosphorus discharges by 56 metric tons a year for the next 20 years, and New York will cut phosphorus discharges on its side of Municipalities, the Lake by one ton per year. Municipalities, farmers and residents will achieve these reductions voluntarily with the support of state and federal funding.

John DeVillars, EPA Region I Administrator stated "A healthy Lake Champlain not on makes environmental sense, it also helps foster a strong regional economy." By reducing phosphorus concentrations in the Lake, water quality should improve, thus helping lake dependent businesses such as marinas improve their economic standing. Similarly, the sportfishing industry may benefit from a reduction in toxic substances.

Currently, fish consumption advisories are posted for certain species of Lake Champlain fish due to elevated levels of mercury and PCB's.

The Plan calls on the states to reduce pollution from toxic substances by identifying sources of toxic materials and implementing pollution prevention plans in local watersheds. The Plan also recommends that a comprehensive approach be taken to ad dress the impact of nuisance normative aquatic species such as zebra mussels, lam prey, water chestnut and milfoil.

Responsibility for Plan oversight, and implementation will be transferred to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee a, group created by a Memorandum of Understanding in 1988. The Steering Committee consists of top environmental officials representing state and provincial government in Quebec, New York and Vermont. The Memorandum of Understanding was also renewed at the October 28th signing, ceremony, ensuring commitment of the three entities to protect Lake Champlain.

Opportunities for Action includes specific recommendations for expanding membership of the Steering Committee to broaden the diversity of perspectives represented. For example, the Plan recommends that the Steering Committee include representation from local government and the Citizens Advisory Committees in New York, Vermont and Quebec. The Steering Committee will continue to provide a forum for discussion and guide the use of federal funds for Lake Champlain projects.

The Steering Committee is scheduled to assume implementation responsibilities early in 1997. In the interim, a transition team has been appointed by the Lake Champlain Management Conference to provide oversight until the Steering Committee meets in January.

The transition to implementation marks an important milestone in the planning process for Lake Champlain. Senator Patrick Leahy said that October 28th signifies a beginning as we move forward to implement the recommendations outlined in the Plan. "The Congressional Delegations of our two states are on record supporting federal financial assistance to implement the Plan and I look forward to working with the Governors and our other partners to realize the vision of the Lake Champlain Special Designation Act—a vital, healthy Lake Champlain Basin ecology, economy and cultural heritage," said Leahy.

For further information about Opportunities for Action or the transition process, please contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program office at (802) 372-3213 or (800) 468-5227.

Credit: Lake Champlain Basin Program publication "Casin' the Basin" vol iv number 5

Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center Dedicated

Mayor Clavelle helps Marcel Beaudin dedicate LCCSS.

Clavelle Cuts Ribbon

by The Harbormaster

Burlington VT.

he mayor of Burlington, Peter Clavelle, spoke to a group of thirty supporters of the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center on the importance of the waterfront to Burlington’s growth, before cutting the ribbon officially opening the new Sailing Center. Clavelle thought it was fantastic that children, especially those from lower and middle incomes, now have the opportunity to lean how to sail. He admitted that he had never had the opportunity to learn to sail and was looking forward to sailing at the new center

The basis of LCCSS fleet; a JY-15 and a Hobie trainer.

As early as 1992 the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center (LCCSC) was the dream of Architect Marcel Beaudin. First conceived as a small boat facility on the Burlington Waterfront LCCSC will soon complete its second year of operation. Marcel Beaudin has been the architect, creator, designer and chief spokesman for the Community Sailing Center. Like any proud parent, he looked very pleased with the outcome of his efforts during the ribbon cutting on Friday, September 6. Beaudin originally considered a site just north of Perkins Pier but decided that the a location was too close to the ferry traffic and would not be suitable for a community sailing center. A quick tour of the Moran plant was enough to convince him that this was the best location available on the waterfront. According to Beaudin, who designed the Burlington Community Boathouse, the installation of the center was patterned after similar facilities located all over the country.

The project got it’s first boost in the fall of 1993 with the installation of a two ton hoist for launching small trailerable keel boats, such as the Sonar and J-24. The members of the local J-24 fleet were among the first supporters for the project. Many of the members jumped at the opportunity to dry sail their boats. Keeping a racing sailboat on a trailer is comparable to parking your car in the garage as opposed to parking it on the street.

The J-24 fleet has prospered and now has their own racing program. The fleet races every Monday night during the summer. Short windward-leeward courses enable the fleet to have as many as four races in one evening, giving everyone a chance to win.

With the purchase of a small fleet of Hobie and JY sailboats, LCCSC began offering sailing lessons and sailboat rentals this summer. The Hobie is a small, sturdy sailboat that is particularly suitable for beginning sailors. It offers reasonable performance and can accommodate two adults without feeling “squeezed”. The JY-15 is a popular one-design racing sailboat in the northeast. It was designed by Rod Johnstone (J-24 designer) to be an easily sailed boat for two adults. Both boats are launched by dollies from the ramp at the sailing center.

One of the early concerns of the LCCSC was the unprotected location. The dock and launching facilities is vulnerable to wind and waves from the west. A 200' floating breakwater made of steel tubing and plastic drums, supports an underwater curtain to help reduce the wave action. All the necessary permits are in place and with some luck the new breakwater will be in by next summer.

Visitors check out the small boat launching facilities.

During the ceremony, Vaughn Clark and Allan Ouellette demonstrated both the Hobie and JY-15. One of the missing elements of the project is a dock to land at when the wind is from the west.. Alan demonstrated a new technique in downwind landing. As he approached the leeward dock he raised the centerboard of his JY-15, sliding sideways he approached the dock and at the last moment, fell off and shot straight up the launching ramp. Stepping off the boat and onto the dock he gave the onlookers a big “I knew I could do that” grin. Fortunately the LCCSC launching ramp is made of wood and did not hurt the boat. Warning! Kids, don’t try this on the concrete ramps at the fishing access!

You can meet the people involved in the organization and operation of the Community Sailing Center at a benefit for the center at the Magic Hat Brewery, 180 Flynn Avenue, Burlington on September 21, 2000-2200.

The mission of the Community Sailing Center is education, with the aim of getting people of all ages involved in sailing who otherwise might not have the opportunity to get out on the water. For more information on the programs offered by the Sailing Center call Mike Quaid at 864-2499 at the Sailing Ceneter or Dale Hyerstay at 425-2800.

Floating Breakwater

Installing the floating breakwater should give adequate protection from wave action.

Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center

Burlington VT.

lthough the Burlington breakwater offers protection from all wind directions to the majority of the Burlington waterfront, the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center has an unprotected exposure to the southwest.

To facilitate the launching of boats from their docks and crane, the original plans for LCCSC called for a breakwater to reduce wave action near the docks.

According to Mike Quaid, "The new floating breakwater will give the center the protection it needs. All the Federal, State and local permits have been applied for and received. All we need now is the money".

The breakwater is made from steel tubing and plastic barrels. It will be anchored to the bottom with large mushroom anchors and will support a cloth apron to help reduce the wave action.

The LCCSC investigated a floating tire system similar to the ones used at Snug Harbor at Valcour, New York, but decided it would be too expensive to build and maintain.

The new system will be built in sections and coupled together to form a wall. Using their boat hoisting crane, it will be easy to install in the spring and pick up in the fall.