Lake Champlain
Basin Program
www.lcbp.org
PLATTSBURGH — Funding opportunities are available for lake-related projects across the Lake Champlain watershed.
The Lake Champlain Basin Program, which oversees the distribution of federal funding for lake programs, is issuing no fewer than seven separate requests for proposals over the first few months of 2010.
Projects of interest range from aquatic habitat protection and phosphorus control to climate change and watershed restoration.
"Critical funding allows the Basin Program to focus research efforts on specific data gaps," said Colleen Hickey, education and outreach coordinator for the Basin Program.
"The data derived from these projects helps scientists and lake managers target implementation funding to improve water quality. Grants awarded for fisheries and wildlife habitat projects will improve recreational aspects of the Champlain watershed."
Funding for the projects comes from the Environmental Protection Agency, the International Joint Commission and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
HABITAT RESTORATION
The first request for proposals, released in early January, targets up to $10,000 per applicant for aquatic habitat restoration projects.
"These funds were secured for the purpose of improving aquatic habitat on small-scale projects, such as culvert work to improve fish passage," said Eric Howe, technical coordinator for the Basin Program.
The grant, secured by Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont through the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, is available basin wide. About 10 grants will be awarded for chosen projects, Howe said.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Another request for proposals will address the impact of climate change on the Lake Champlain basin and offers $65,000 for a one-year study.
"This project is targeted for conducting a review of current and ongoing research into changes in climate patterns in the Northeast, with a special focus on the Champlain Basin where possible," Howe said.
"Outcomes of this project will provide projections and investigate changes to the hydrology within the basin (from increased rainfall amounts connected to climate change)."
ROADSIDE DITCHES
Between $80,000 and $100,000 is available for a one- to two-year study of the impact that roadside ditches have on the basin.
The goal is to develop a model that will estimate nutrient loadings from ditches and adjacent lands, Howe noted.
WETLAND RESTORATION
The Basin Program is also working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop wetland-restoration projects.
"These projects are quite large, more than $200,000 and sometimes over $2 million," Howe said.
Several projects are being considered in New York, including possible work in Saranac Lake, on Willsboro Point and in Lake George.
Other funding projects have focused on phosphorus pollution and nutrient loading in Vermont's Mississquoi Bay.
E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
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