Governor Peter Shumlin today renewed an historic agreement between the States of Vermont and New York and the Government of Québec to collaboratively enhance and preserve Lake Champlain and its watershed. The partnership dates back to 1988 and has been renewed seven times in the 27 years since. Through a memorandum of understanding signed today, Vermont, New York, and Quebec agree to share research and information on water quality and conservation, improve the flood resilience of communities in the Lake Champlain watershed, protect natural and cultural resources, reduce polluted storm water runoff and blue-green algae blooms, and protect the lake from aquatic invasive species. The partners will also work closely with the Lake Champlain Basin Program to implement Lake Champlain’s long-term management plan, Opportunities for Action.
Governor Peter Shumlin and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard pose for a photo in front of frozen Lake Champlain. Courtesy photo.
“At this critical time with Vermont keenly focused on clean water, I am delighted to renew our partnership with the State of New York and the Province of Québec in protecting this great shared treasure, our Lake Champlain,” Shumlin said. “This cooperative alliance has yielded important results thus far and signifies a continuation of our collective effort to restore the health of Lake Champlain for this and future generations.”
The new memorandum of understanding includes a new provision recognizing the relationship between clean water and our resilience to floods. This agreement represents the seventh time Vermont, New York and Quebec have renewed their commitment to collaborate on Lake Champlain issues. Each renewal has reconfirmed the commitment of Vermont, New York and Quebec to continue the partnership for restoring, managing and protecting the Lake Champlain Basin.
Along with renewing the partnership for another five years, the new agreement adds additional support to commitments made by Vermont, New York, and Québec to share the burden of reducing pollution entering the Lake. The work being done under this important agreement continues to guide collaborative action among Vermont, New York and Quebec to preserve and restore Lake Champlain water quality.
For more information, see:
· The NY/VT/Québec Memo of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation on the Management of Lake Champlain http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/erp/champlain/
· Lake Champlain Steering Committee http://www.lcbp.org/about-us/committees/lake-champlain-steering-committee/.
Source: Governor's office. 3.23.2015