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…

This Project Grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency's Geographic Programs - Lake Champlain Basin Program (CFDA 66.481) provides $15,151,278 in funding to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) to coordinate and support water quality improvement, ecological restoration, and environmental management efforts in the Lake Champlain Basin. Key activities include long-term water quality monitoring, phosphorus reduction strategies, agricultural best management practices, invasive species control, and watershed restoration projects. The award also supports subrecipients such as universities, non-profit organizations, and local governments to implement activities including cyanobacteria monitoring, contaminants monitoring, agricultural outreach, habitat protection, and community education and outreach programs. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029.

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 lake champlain basin program's 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 lake champlain basin program'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 famers 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, lake champlain basin program'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; small and large healthy ecosystems implementation grants; habitat protection, enhancement, and monitoring; aquatic nuisance species local implementation grants; implement regional environmental education and outreach programs; organizational support and workforce development for lake champlain watershed groups and communities; and the disadvantaged community liaison grant program.outcomes:anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes will support implementation of the lake champlain management plan, opportunities for action. This management plan was most recently updated and approved in june 2022. Deliverables and outcomes include: BUL