Clean and Clear Water Action Plan

State of Vermont

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Remarks of Governor James H. Douglas

Clean and Clear Water Action Plan
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
 

I thank all of you for coming.

We are here today to celebrate a new commitment to improving and protecting the Lake Champlain basin and waterways throughout Vermont, and to talk about the new actions we must take to protect water quality for future generations.

All of the people here today understand the importance of clean water and many of you have been championing efforts to improve water quality in Vermont for a number of years. But after more than a decade of discussion, I believe that we can-and we must-act now.

I'd like to take a moment to thank Buzz Hoerr, the chair of the Vermont Citizens' Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain's Future, for his constant and patient tutelage on this subject. I would also like to thank Mark Snelling the Chair of my Environmental Advisory Committee, and the members of this important advisory council.

I'd also like to welcome Mr. Francios Lebrun and Mr. Gerard Cusson, here today representing Premier Charest.

And, of course, it is always a pleasure to see Mayor Dan Stewart of Plattsburg, who I know shares my commitment to water quality improvements and is working from his side of the lake to address our common concerns. It's nice to see you again Dan.

THE VERMONT WAY

The plan I am detailing today-which I have dubbed the Clean & Clear Action Plan-represents one of the most significant water quality initiatives Vermont has ever undertaken.

But the plan that we embrace today is about more than a precious natural resource; it is about more than our lakes, rivers and streams. It's about our quality of life, and our way of life.

It is a cruel irony that here in Vermont - a state that we so highly value for its quality of life; a state so near to perfect in its natural environment - that people should feel compelled to leave in order to seek a better life, that businesses flee because of the perception that the good life has led to hard times.

Vermonters should not have to sacrifice a good wage and career opportunities in order to live here. Neither should we have to sacrifice clean air, clean water, or the grandeur of our countryside in order to work here.

I reject the notion that jobs come at the expense of the environment, and that environmental protection must be compromised in order to have economic progress. We must have both in order to realize the true promise of Vermont.

That is why I advocate an alternative public policy framework I call the Vermont Way-this is a policy that is committed to both our environment and our economy.

The Vermont way is first and foremost about people. It is about their economic security, their health and their way of life. It is about ensuring every Vermonter who wants to can enjoy Vermont's hills and valleys, lakes and streams, our forests and fields without worrying that their next paycheck will be their last.

It's about protecting our air and water from pollution so that our children can grow up healthy.

And it's about escaping rigid, doctrinaire philosophies that demand unyielding allegiance to one special interest or another, and employing a balanced, common sense philosophy that is in the best interests of everyone.

We're here today to announce a plan that exemplifies the Vermont Way.

THE PLAN

The benefits of clean water and thriving aquatic ecosystems are clear, but we must also recognize that it is here, at the waters edge, where the environment and the economy meet-we cannot not have strength in one without strength in the other.

Lake Champlain is the crown jewel of Vermont, and I know it holds similar significance for the people of New York and Quebec. It is a national and international treasure, welcoming visitors from around the United States, and indeed, from around the world.

That's why we're here today: to guarantee that future generations of Vermonters and visitors can enjoy the same benefits from this lake we have all been able to enjoy, and more.

Phosphorus runoff is a pollutant that promotes excessive growth of algae and therefore poses a serious water quality problem for waterways throughout Vermont. Reports of algae blooms in Mississquoi Bay, St. Albans Bay and the South Lake deeply concern me, and there are other trouble spots as well.

In some areas, algae growth is extreme enough to cause massive floating mats that close beaches, impact tourism, prevent recreational enjoyment, and release potentially dangerous toxins.

I am here today at Mississquoi Bay to pledge my commitment to making this lake --and all of our waterways--clean & clear for Vermonters.

Moving forward, my administration will dedicate available resources to the conservation and restoration of Lake Champlain, and other bodies of water, in an effort to complement the work that is already in progress.

My Clean & Clear Water Action Plan will focus on providing leadership, financial resources and a sustained commitment to work together with all partners to ensure that we meet the high water quality standards Vermont is known for.

PROGRESS TO DATE

On Earth Day, I was very pleased to embrace the efforts of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. We joined my friend Governor George Pataki in signing the Lake Champlain Management Plan and the Memorandum of Understanding between our states to cooperate closely to implement the recommendations laid out in Opportunities for Action, the management plan for Lake Champlain.

This summer, Premier Charest added his endorsement to the MOU, completing our regional commitment to the lake.

The goals and priorities set forth in Opportunities for Action are the result of a consensus-based, collaborative approach to decision-making that involved numerous partnerships among state and federal agencies, local government, business representatives, citizens, and private not-for-profit organizations from Vermont, New York, and Quebec.

These documents, together with the bilateral agreement between Quebec and Vermont for the restoration of Missisquoi Bay, set clear goals for improving Lake Champlain and its watershed.

LEADERSHIP-ACCELERATE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GOALS

We have been successful in achieving goals for phosphorus reduction set in Opportunities for Action for the first five years. However, it is my view that not only can we achieve the goals in the Opportunities for Action but we can do it at an accelerate rate.

That is why under my leadership Vermont will accelerate pollution reduction measures for Lake Champlain from 2016 to 2009 in every possible instance.

The reason for this aggressive timeline is clear: the sooner we begin significant reductions in pollution, the sooner our waters can begin to restore themselves.

In addition, I have been urging Quebec and New York to join us in accelerating our clean up plans and I am very pleased to report that Premier Charest has agreed to join Vermont in this aggressive effort.

The Citizens Advisory Committee has advocated for the 2009 date, as have other individuals and organizations, as an ambitious, yet realistic, goal. I believe that we can accomplish this goal given the increase in resources we are anticipating. 2009 is also significant because Vermont, New York and Quebec will celebrate the quadricentenniel of Samuel de Champlain's initial exploration of the lake. What greater legacy could there be than to celebrate the completion of our goals?

IMPLEMENT TMDL

To achieve these ambitious goals, we must first implement the EPA approved phosphorous clean up plan called the Lake Champlain Phosphorous Total Maximum Daily Load, more commonly known as the TMDL.

This plan establishes limits on the allowable phosphorus loading to Lake Champlain from New York and Vermont. With over 60 action items in 12 watersheds throughout the Lake Champlain Basin, Vermont is responsible for a sizeable portion of the lake clean up efforts, estimated at $139 million.

Our state government cannot do this alone. This initiative will require us to pool federal, state, local and private resources to accomplish our goals.

FEDERAL FUNDING

I commit to you today that I will lead an aggressive pursuit of funding from all available sources.

Of course, we will be working very closely with our Congressional delegation. Senators Leahy and Jeffords have long been supporters of these efforts and I believe with all of us working together we can identify and receive the needed federal funds.

Since taking office in January, I am pleased to have worked closely with the Bush administration to help secure an additional $2.3 million in federal funds to reduce phosphorous runoff into our water and help farmers preserve their open space. I will continue this work with the federal government.

I have spoken directly with USDA Secretary Ann Veneman regarding Vermont's need for the full commitment of the $12 million minimum in regional equity funding for conservation projects as authorized in the 2002 farm bill. She was persuaded of the need for assistance in Vermont and my staff continues to work closely with the administration in Washington, as well as with Senator Leahy, to urge them to make a more significant contribution to our efforts.

STATE FUNDING

Of course, federal funding is only one part of the equation. The Clean & Clear initiative will require significant state resources. In taking responsibility for this initiative, Vermont will make every effort to leave no federal dollar unmatched.

Working closely with state leaders, I will propose to the Legislature that we issue Citizen Environmental Bonds to help fund the capital needs of this effort. Our environment is not an inheritance from our ancestors to be spent down; it's a loan from our children and we ought to be prepared to pay it back with interest.

Vermonters will now have the opportunity to invest in the future of our state for their children and for future generations; and this investment pays terrific dividends.

PROGRAM EXAMPLES

The environmental and economic benefits of implementing this plan and improving and protecting our water go well beyond phosphorus and algae reduction. Many of the actions identified in this plan reduce other pollutants in addition to phosphorus.

For example, stabilizing stream banks, controlling erosion at construction sites, and better maintenance of back roads all reduce the erosion of sediment into waterways. Sediment is a serious pollutant of Vermont's streams and lakes, and can be a carrier of toxic metals such as mercury.

Other actions we will be taking, such as reducing sedimentation of our streams and preserving and restoring vegetation along stream banks, can improve habitat for fish and wildlife while at the same time reducing pollution in our waterways.

Many of the action items have significant economic advantages, independent of their environmental benefits. Foremost among these advantages is the economic value of healthy lakes, rivers and streams for Vermont's travel and tourism industry.

In addition, construction of manure storage facilities, better management of fertilizer application, and barnyard improvements, all improve the efficiency of farm operations while protecting water quality.

Restoring the stability of Vermont's stream banks and stream channels can reduce the severe infrastructure damage and property loss that occurs during major flooding;

Helping towns improve the maintenance of their back roads can save municipal costs by correcting chronic erosion problems at roadsides, culverts and ditches;

And, providing state capital funding to towns to install biological phosphorus removal equipment at their wastewater treatment plants can save those towns annual operating costs while still meeting strict discharge permit limits for phosphorus.

MISSISQUOI BAY AND ST. ALBANS BAY

As you know, it is no coincidence that we would choose this bay to launch this important initiative. The challenges of Missisquoi Bay highlight the need for action and I intend on jump-starting the Clean & Clear Initiative by focusing on the Missisquoi and St. Albans Bay areas.

You can see by this chart that the problem is real. Therefore, we will place early implementation emphasis on Missisquoi Bay and St. Albans Bay.

FUNDERS' SUMMIT

Protecting our water is one of the deepest obligations we have.

We therefore need a comprehensive approach to funding this water quality plan using federal, state, local and private funds. On December 2, I will convene the first Governor's Funders' Summit at the Radisson Conference Center in Burlington.

The Funders' Summit will bring together all levels of government, concerned organizations and members of our communities, to share ideas and to pool resources, for this comprehensive strategy to safeguard our water.

THE PLEDGE-PART OF YOUR DAILY LIFE

Around our home in Middlebury, Dorothy and I are strong conservationist and do our best to be responsible stewards of our environment.

Here on the shores of this lake, this event has been a wonderful way of illustrating the point I want to make to every Vermonter: Our concern for the environment, clean water in particular, but environmental matters in general, needs to be part of our daily life. It needs to be a part of how our children learn and how all of us adults live.

Our concern for the environment needs to be a part of how we think about the economy. Because, as I have said many times before, the choice we face today is not a choice between jobs or the environment, it is a choice between both or neither.

Every child deserves to grow up with water that is pure to drink, lakes that are safe for swimming, and rivers that are teeming with fish. We have to act now to combat these pollution challenges with new protections to give future generations the gift of clean, safe water to which they are entitled.

As a demonstration of our commitment to action, I'd like to ask the Secretary of Natural Resources Wibs McLain, and the Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture Steve Kerr to join me today in taking "The Lake Pledge" from the Lake Champlain Committee which outlines areas where we can each contribute to this effort by making informed choices.

I encourage all of you to do your part to improve and protect water in Vermont.

CLEAN WATER DAY

To promote the role of coordinated community efforts in improving and protecting water quality, I have instructed our Agency of Natural Resources staff to work with partners like The Nature Conservancy, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the ECHO Center and the Lake Champlain Committee to establish a "Clean Water Day". Modeled after Green Up Day, Clean Water Day will offer Vermonters an opportunity to help clean our stream banks and waterways. I am looking forward to launching the first Clean Water Day next year.

CONCLUSION

Clean water is not only about Lake Champlain but with the Lake Champlain Basin covering nearly 50% of Vermont; it's a good place to start. Many of the programs designated for increased funding - the agricultural programs, erosion control, and riverbank restoration - benefit waterways throughout the state - like Lake Memphremagog and the Connecticut River. There is much work to do, and we need to begin now.

I stand here today with many of the partners needed to make clean and clear water a reality. And I know that the best ideas come not from Montpelier, but from the communities, organizations and individuals that are confronting these challenges every day.

So we will seek input and opinion from all of you. Specifically, I invite the Legislature to work with me in supporting this new state commitment to clean and clear water.

I look forward to working with my counterparts in New York and to continue our effort in Missisquoi Bay where Quebec and Vermont are mutually dependent for a common goal.

This is no easy task, but together we will invest in our common natural resource for the benefit of our future generations.