Lakes and Ponds

YouTube link to recorded meeting. The video is split into 2 parts

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNYUXpn-c1k

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwRaTAwEDPE

A public meting will be held on December 10, 2024 in Newport to foster public participation in the petition process prior to making a determination on whether or not to initiate formal rulemaking under the Use of Public Waters Rules regarding wakesports on individual waterbodies. Participants may join in person or remotely.

WHAT: Public Meeting to receive comment on five petitions proposing amendments for lake-specific changes to the Use of Public Waters Rules governing wakesports on Great and Little Averill Lakes, Echo Lake in Charleston, Lake Parker (Glover), Shadow Lake (Glover), and Lake Willoughby.

WHERE:  The Gateway Center 84 Fyfe Dr., Newport, VT 05855

OR online via Microsoft Teams, using the link at the meeting time: Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 271 524 703 497    Passcode: jhv7DQ

OR: Dial in by phone

+1 802-828-7667,,934454274#

WHEN: December 10, 2024 from 4:00pm to 8:00 pm

To submit a comment:

Written and verbal comments will be accepted. 

• Please submit written comments to anr.wsmdlakes@vermont.gov . Public comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on December 23rd. IMPORTANT: when submitting a public comment, please include the word "wakesports" in the subject line AND the specific petition (lake) for which you are providing a comment. 
• To sign-up to make a verbal comment (either virtually or in-person) at the public meeting on December 10th, please fill out the registration at the link: https://forms.office.com/g/XtS9HD8vKd     *The online sign-up form closes at 10 a.m. on December 10th (the day of the meeting). You may still sign up at the meeting (in person or virtually) to make a comment. Or, please send your comment in writing following the instructions above. 

Draft Meeting Agenda (Approximate Timing)

Meeting outline: 10-minute DEC intro followed by a 10-minute petitioner overview of their petition and 30-minutes of public comments. Repeat until all petitions have had public comments.

• 4:00: DEC intro to the petition process and meeting purpose
• 4:15: Averill lakes petitioner overview
• 4:25: Averill lakes petition comments
• 5:00: Echo Lake petitioner overview
• 5:10: Echo Lake petition comments
• 5:45: Lake Parker petitioner overview
• 5:55: Lake Parker petition comments
• 6:30: Shadow Lake petitioner overview
• 6:40: Shadow Lake petition comments
• 7:15: Lake Willoughby petitioner overview
• 7:25: Lake Willoughby petition comments
• 8:00 Wrap-up

YouTube link to recorded meeting. The video is split into 2 parts

Part 1: https://youtu.be/pFJpF12sMJs

Part 2: https://youtu.be/xRG9Ns4-BqM

A public meting will be held on December 12, 2024 in Montpelier to foster public participation in the petition process prior to making a determination on whether or not to initiate formal rulemaking under the Use of Public Waters Rules regarding wakesports on individual waterbodies. Participants may join in person or remotely.

WHAT: Public Meeting to receive comment on four petitions proposing amendments for lake-specific changes to the Use of Public Waters Rules governing wakesports on Waterbury Reservoir, Lake Fairlee, Caspian Lake, and Joe's Pond.

WHERE:  National Life Dewey Conference Room, 3 National Life Dr., Montpelier, VT, 05620 (in person)

OR online via Microsoft Teams, using the link at the meeting time: Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 268 492 569 354  Passcode: EExYY3

OR: Dial in by phone

+1 802-828-7667,,607382336#

WHEN:  December 12, 2024 from 4:30pm to 7:45pm

To submit a comment:

Written and verbal comments will be accepted. 

• Please submit written comments to anr.wsmdlakes@vermont.gov . Public comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on December 23rd. IMPORTANT: when submitting a public comment, please include the word "wakesports" in the subject line AND the specific petition (lake) for which you are providing a comment. 
• To sign-up to make a verbal comment (either virtually or in-person) at the public meeting on December 12th, please fill out the registration at the link: https://forms.office.com/g/eJumwGQquz  *The online sign-up form closes at 10 a.m. on December 12th (the day of the meeting). You may still sign up at the meeting (in person or virtually) to make a comment. Or, please send your comment in writing following the instructions above. 

Draft Meeting Agenda

Meeting outline: 10-minute DEC intro followed by a 10-minute petitioner overview of their petition and 30-minutes of public comments. Repeat until all petitions have had public comments.

Draft agenda (approximate timing):

• 4:30: DEC intro to the petition process and meeting purpose
• 4:45: Caspian Lake petitioner overview
• 4:55: Caspian Lake petition comments
• 5:30: Lake Fairlee petitioner overview
• 5:40: Lake Fairlee petition comments
• 6:15: Waterbury Reservoir petitioner overview
• 6:25: Waterbury Reservoir petition comments
• 7:00: Joe's Pond petitioner overview
• 7:10: Joe's Pond petition comments
• 7:45: wrap-up

Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant in Aid Environmental Stewardship Program

The VTDEC Lakes and Ponds Program is launching a new Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC) Grant in Aid Environmental Stewardship Program for 2021 to assist partners throughout Vermont to help prevent new introductions of aquatic invasive species and manage long term infestations.  Learn more about applying and the program here.  The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 26, 2021. 

An ANC Grant in Aid Environmental Stewardship Program Application workshop will be held on Thursday February 11, 2021 from 10:00 am-11:30 am via Microsoft Teams on-line meeting (link provided here) and applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.  Questions about the ANC Grant in Aid Environmental Stewardship Program participating costs program will be answered through this forum.  For additional information or questions regarding the application please contact Kimberly Jensen, VTDEC Lakes & Ponds Technical Service Provider, at kimberly.jensen@vermont.gov (802) 490-6120, or Maria Davies, VTDEC Grants Management Specialist at maria.davies@vermont.gov (802) 622-4022.

Information Links:

• ANC Grant in Aid Environmental Stewardship Program Request for Proposals
• VTDEC Lakes and Ponds Aquatic Invasive Species Program Grants and Funding Opportunities Webpage
• Grant Workshop: Thursday, February 11, 2021 - 10:00 am 
• Applications Due: Friday, February 26, 2021 - 5:00 pm

The DEC is now accepting applications for the Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant-in-Aid program for 2020. Application materials can be found at https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/aquatic-invasives/funding under the “Application Information” section. Please note that all application materials are due by February 14th, 2020. This year, it is expected that at least $400,000 will be available through this program for projects aimed at managing or preventing the proliferation of aquatic invasive species in Vermont. In 2019, we received a total request for $2.1 million and $435,000 was awarded. As we have done so in the past, we anticipate funding a portion of all the requests, rather than choosing select projects for awards. Knowing this, please plan projects accordingly.    

Each applicant is expected to fill out a single Application Cover Sheet, Project Sheet, and Budget for each specific project within the overall program. There are project sheets available for 3 distinct categories, each with a short set of questions. Those looking to start or maintain a Public Access Greeter Program should use the Greeter Program Project Sheet, while those planning to conduct aquatic vegetation management should use the Management Project Sheet. Other projects, including outreach or monitoring projects, should use the Education, Outreach, or Survey Project Sheet.  

Each complete application will consist of one Application Cover Sheet, Project Sheet, and Budget although some applications are expected to contain several Project Sheets and Budgets (a Greeter Program and a Management Harvesting Project on Lake Elmore, for example). We do ask that those that have multiple projects provide one Cover Sheet, and a Project Sheet and Budget for each project category. Please be sure to indicate the value of the in-kind/match respective to each project. Each project is reviewed and evaluated in comparison to others within the same category. We also anticipate that different funding sources may target specific categories.

As we are attempting to target federal funds to cover some of the costs of the program, we will be adhering to federal guidelines for eligible in-kind/match requirements. Ineligible expenses include fundraising events and/or fundraising supplies, grant writing, expenses incurred outside of the award duration, fees associated to secure permits, office supplies, and food/beverage/event space costs. In addition, please include in-kind services occurring for the intended project but not for the administrative duties of an association. Budgets that contain ineligible expenses will be considered at a reduced Total Project Cost.          

The application is to be completed electronically on fillable pdfs. We hope that everyone can take advantage of the many free pdf programs that are available to upload to computers to be able to fill out the form. For those unable to do so please contact me for a Word document. Assistance in filling out the application materials is provided in the Application Manual, and I encourage you to consult this document before filling out the application. As noted on the last page of the Manual, applications should be submitted electronically to Lindsay Carey, lindsay.carey@vermont.gov, by February 14, 2020.

We also encourage potential applicants (towns, lake associations) to partner with regional groups, such as Conservation Districts and regional watershed associations, when submitting applications. To alleviate the administrative burden on some municipalities, Towns and lake associations may file their project sheets with a regional applicant that will be able to provide administrative and technical support, and can work directly with the State to meet project deliverables, invoice for funds, etc. The individual sub-projects are still evaluated independently and scored/funded as such, but the Regional Partner is responsible for invoicing and administrative paperwork. Basically, the resources spent on administration of this grant program statewide, both at the State level and the municipal level, will be substantially reduced. This will allow all of us to put more time, energy, and money into the implementation of our spread prevention and management projects. There are no drawbacks for Towns/lake associations to applying through a regional partner.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the grant program as a whole, the application materials, or potential regional partners, please do not hesitate to contact me, Kim Jensen at Kimberly.jensen@vermont.gov. Our goal is make the Grant-in-Aid application process as easy as possible so that we can all focus on protecting the aquatic resources of Vermont.

Please join Vermont Lakes & Ponds Program staff at one of three free workshops offered to train Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) to monitor lakes and ponds for invasive species, survey healthy native plant populations, and reduce the threat for invasive species introductions.  All training sessions involve an introductory overview and a paddle on the water.

For more information please view:

• Vermont Invasive Patrollers web page
• 2019 Vermont Invasive Patrollers trainings

This Event:

Saturday, July 27, 2019      10:00 am  -  2:00 pm
VIP Workshop & Paddle – Lake Salem Beach House
480 4-H Road, Salem Lake, Derby VT 05829
* Hosted by the Salem Lakes Association

Please join Vermont Lakes & Ponds Program staff at one of three free workshops offered to train Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) to monitor lakes and ponds for invasive species, survey healthy native plant populations, and reduce the threat for invasive species introductions.  All training sessions involve an introductory overview and a paddle on the water.

For more information please view:

• Vermont Invasive Patrollers web page
• 2019 Vermont Invasive Patrollers trainings

This Event:

Saturday, July 20, 2019    10:00 am  -  2:00 pm
VIP Workshop & Paddle – Farm & Wilderness Camp
401 Farm & Wilderness Road, Plymouth VT 05056
* Hosted by Ninevah Foundation

Please join Vermont Lakes & Ponds Program staff at one of three free workshops offered to train Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) to monitor lakes and ponds for invasive species, survey healthy native plant populations, and reduce the threat for invasive species introductions.  All training sessions involve an introductory overview and a paddle on the water.

For more information please view:

• Vermont Invasive Patrollers web page
• 2019 Vermont Invasive Patrollers trainings

This Event:

Saturday, July 13, 2019  10:00 am  -  2:00 pm
VIP Workshop (10:00 am – 12:30 pm) – ANR Annex Building 
190 Junction Road, Montpelier VT 05620
VIP Paddle (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm) – Berlin Pond
215 Crosstown Road, Berlin VT 05602

Please join Vermont Lakes Program staff at one of five free workshops offered to train Public Access Greeters in educating lake visitors about invasive species, providing watercraft inspections and STOPPING invasive species introductions.  All training sessions satisfy the requirements necessary for operation as an approved aquatic nuisance inspection station as defined in Vermont statute 10 V.S.A § 1454(c).

Workshop Topics

• Aquatic invasive species biology, threats to Vermont, the importance of spread prevention
• Access area rules and regulations, invasive species laws
• Invasive species messaging, tips on interacting with the public
• Inspection and data collection training

Workshop Dates:

• Friday, May 17, 2019 | 3 PM - 6 PM
  Memorial Hall, 14 W Main Street, Wilmington
  * Hosted by the Lake Raponda Association
• Saturday, May 18, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  Castleton Community Center, 2018 Main Street, Castleton
  * Hosted by the Lake Bomoseen Association
• Tuesday, May 21, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  Westmore Community Church's Fellowship Hall 27 Hintion Hill Rd, Westmore
  *Hosted by the Westmore Association
• Friday, May 24, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  National Life Storage Annex, 190 Junction Road, Berlin
• Thursday, June 20, 2019| 9 AM - 12 PM
  Gateway Center, 84 Fyfe Dr, Newport
  * Hosted by the Memphremagog Watershed Association

Please join Vermont Lakes Program staff at one of five free workshops offered to train Public Access Greeters in educating lake visitors about invasive species, providing watercraft inspections and STOPPING invasive species introductions.  All training sessions satisfy the requirements necessary for operation as an approved aquatic nuisance inspection station as defined in Vermont statute 10 V.S.A § 1454(c).

Workshop Topics

• Aquatic invasive species biology, threats to Vermont, the importance of spread prevention
• Access area rules and regulations, invasive species laws
• Invasive species messaging, tips on interacting with the public
• Inspection and data collection training

Workshop Dates:

• Friday, May 17, 2019 | 3 PM - 6 PM
  Memorial Hall, 14 W Main Street, Wilmington
  * Hosted by the Lake Raponda Association
• Saturday, May 18, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  Castleton Community Center, 2018 Main Street, Castleton
  * Hosted by the Lake Bomoseen Association
• Tuesday, May 21, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  Westmore Community Church's Fellowship Hall 27 Hintion Hill Rd, Westmore
  *Hosted by the Westmore Association
• Friday, May 24, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  National Life Storage Annex, 190 Junction Road, Berlin
• Thursday, June 20, 2019| 9 AM - 12 PM
  Gateway Center, 84 Fyfe Dr, Newport
  * Hosted by the Memphremagog Watershed Association

Please join Vermont Lakes Program staff at one of five free workshops offered to train Public Access Greeters in educating lake visitors about invasive species, providing watercraft inspections and STOPPING invasive species introductions.  All training sessions satisfy the requirements necessary for operation as an approved aquatic nuisance inspection station as defined in Vermont statute 10 V.S.A § 1454(c).

Workshop Topics

• Aquatic invasive species biology, threats to Vermont, the importance of spread prevention
• Access area rules and regulations, invasive species laws
• Invasive species messaging, tips on interacting with the public
• Inspection and data collection training

Workshop Dates:

• Friday, May 17, 2019 | 3 PM - 6 PM
  Memorial Hall, 14 W Main Street, Wilmington
  * Hosted by the Lake Raponda Association
• Saturday, May 18, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  Castleton Community Center, 2018 Main Street, Castleton
  * Hosted by the Lake Bomoseen Association
• Tuesday, May 21, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  Westmore Community Church's Fellowship Hall 27 Hintion Hill Rd, Westmore
  *Hosted by the Westmore Association
• Friday, May 24, 2019 | 9 AM - 12 PM
  National Life Storage Annex, 190 Junction Road, Berlin
• Thursday, June 20, 2019| 9 AM - 12 PM
  Gateway Center, 84 Fyfe Dr, Newport
  * Hosted by the Memphremagog Watershed Association