A Key to NEK Economic Sustainability

One important key to the economic stability puzzle of the Northeast Kingdom is the use and benefit of our many water resources. Rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes contribute to the economic benefits of the agricultural, recreational, and scenic aspects of the NEK. Maintaining the quality of these waters can only increase the economy. Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) invites the public to participate in the following conversations to discover what is being done and can continue to be done to make NEK’s waters its finest resources.
MWA in partnership with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is sponsoring a series of three public dialogues to raise awareness for the need to reduce the phosphorus (P) being introduced into the Memphremagog Watershed and ultimately into Lake Memphremagog and other waters in the Watershed. Come learn how to ‘Take the “P” out of our Watershed’ This is a multi-faceted issue that will need the actions of all citizens of the Watershed so please come and learn how you can be a part of this important task.
The first conversation on June 7 will be a general overview of the Vermont Clean Water Act (Act 64) of 2014 and an introduction to the concept of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) or the amount of phosphorus that can be allowed to enter Lake Memphremagog in order for the Lake to meet water quality standards set by the EPA. The standard for Lake Memphremagog is 14 parts per billion and currently the Lake is at approximately 17 parts per billion or 21% above the standard. The meeting will be held at the Gateway Center, Newport, VT beginning at 6:00 PM.
The second of this series will be held June 30 and will be a more in depth description of the plans to reduce the various phosphorus sources in the Lake Memphremagog Watershed and thus reduce the amount of phosphorus flowing into our “Beautiful Waters”. The public will learn the actions that are already underway, and what is proposed for the future to meet this challenge. The meeting will be held at the Emory Hebard Building, Newport, VT beginning at 6:00 PM.
The final meeting of the series will be a discussion with the agricultural community. The public is welcome but reservations may be encouraged due to limited space. The meeting will be held on August 11 between 11:30 and 2:00 at the Poulin Grain Conference room, light lunch will be provided. Estimates of phosphorus from different sources across the Watershed indicate that agricultural lands are responsible for a large percentage of the phosphorus loading to Lake Memphremagog in part because they make 17 percent of the watershed areas throughout Vermont. Therefore, “best management practices “by farmers will contribute significantly to the reduction and help bring the water quality into compliance. This meeting will be an open discussion to explain the development of the TMDL with a focus on aspects related to agricultural lands, as well as a discussion of the practices needed to meet the TMDL. Information on reservations will be announced.