The Northwest Regional Planning Commission has been selected by Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation to serve as the “Clean Water Service Provider” (CWSP) for the Missisquoi and Lamoille basins. (See maps)
As a CWSP, NRPC plays a pivotal role in the implementation of Vermont’s Clean Water Service Delivery Act (Act 76). Act 76 provides funding and “a project delivery framework” to improve water quality in the state.
Much of the available funding will be used to implement “non-regulatory” projects, including “green infrastructure” stormwater practices, conservation initiatives on farm and forestland, and natural resource restoration. Such restoration projects can include conservation easements, wetland and floodplain restoration, and riparian buffer plantings.
Act 76 also emphasizes the importance of meeting phosphorous reduction targets set for each watershed. New policy bodies known as Basin Water Quality Councils (BWQCs) guide this effort by setting priorities. As a CWSP, NRPC will help form the BWQC and partner with it to identify, implement, operate, and maintain projects.
Project funding is distributed to CWSPs by formula. The formula uses phosphorus reduction targets and standardized costs to identify priority projects.
Phosphorus reduction targets have been set for watersheds across the Lake Champlain basin, including for the two major watersheds that are the focus of NRPC as a CWSP. Some NRPC communities lie within a third watershed (the Northern Lake Champlain area). NRPC can assist those communities with advancement of projects that could be eligible for funding from the Northern Lake Champlain Clean Water Service Provider.
For more information, please contact Dean Pierce by email or at (802) 524-5958, ext. 124.