Franklin Watershed Committee Board Meeting
The most recent FWC board meeting was held on March 9th, 2023 and included updates about interested new board members, a treasurers report, the Feasibility study for an alum treatment, the water quality board, the boat greeter program, and water quality projects. Katy Dynarski from the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District provided the water quality projects update in the slides below!
Agriculture Update |
We want to send a big thanks to all the farmers in the watershed doing everything they can to improve water quality and protect Lake Carmi. Pictured to the left is a manure injector being used on Gallup Road. The benefit of injecting manure rather than spreading it is that the risk of runoff is reduced, preventing phosphorus in the manure from getting into our waterways during rain events. This method locks the nutrients in the soils where they are meant to be to fertilize the crops being grown.
Hi Everyone,
As we get ready and prepare to hit the ground running this year, it is important to remember why we do the work we do and why it is important for not only people, but our planet. In honor of Earth Week, we are reminded to consider the impact we as people have on our environment, both positive and negative. At the Franklin Watershed Committee, we are honored to be able to do our best to help improve water quality at Lake Carmi and the surrounding watershed. It is truly one of the most beautiful areas in Vermont, but at the same time, it continues to be the only Lake in Vermont classified by the state as a lake in crisis.
Over the years, so much progress has been made and continues to be made. None of the work we do could be possible without the help and commitment from the wonderful community up at Carmi and in the surrounding area. So, this Earth week, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community for everything you do to help keep Lake Carmi and the surrounding area clean and on track to heal.
So as the temperature rises and campers and other folks start heading back up to the Lake, we ask that you keep in mind how fragile this beautiful lake is and how much progress has been made. If you are able, do your part to help strengthen the environment, whether that’s picking up some trash on the road or in the woods, or implementing some Best Managing Practices on your property. Every little action helps us towards our goals. We will continue our work and are always here as resource to anyone in the community who would like to help but does not quite know where to start.
We cannot wait to get back up to the lake, and hope to see you all this summer, whether that’s in person or from a distance. Happy Earth week everybody!
Sincerely,
The Franklin Watershed Committee
As we get ready and prepare to hit the ground running this year, it is important to remember why we do the work we do and why it is important for not only people, but our planet. In honor of Earth Week, we are reminded to consider the impact we as people have on our environment, both positive and negative. At the Franklin Watershed Committee, we are honored to be able to do our best to help improve water quality at Lake Carmi and the surrounding watershed. It is truly one of the most beautiful areas in Vermont, but at the same time, it continues to be the only Lake in Vermont classified by the state as a lake in crisis.
Over the years, so much progress has been made and continues to be made. None of the work we do could be possible without the help and commitment from the wonderful community up at Carmi and in the surrounding area. So, this Earth week, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community for everything you do to help keep Lake Carmi and the surrounding area clean and on track to heal.
So as the temperature rises and campers and other folks start heading back up to the Lake, we ask that you keep in mind how fragile this beautiful lake is and how much progress has been made. If you are able, do your part to help strengthen the environment, whether that’s picking up some trash on the road or in the woods, or implementing some Best Managing Practices on your property. Every little action helps us towards our goals. We will continue our work and are always here as resource to anyone in the community who would like to help but does not quite know where to start.
We cannot wait to get back up to the lake, and hope to see you all this summer, whether that’s in person or from a distance. Happy Earth week everybody!
Sincerely,
The Franklin Watershed Committee
Water Quality Project Launch
On June 29th the Water Quality Project Kickoff meeting was held with the Franklin County Natural Resources District to discuss upcoming Best Management Practice projects. This summer, the FCNRCD will be gathering an inventory of existing BMPs and future BMP projects to improve water quality around the lake. In order to achieve this goal we want YOUR input!
The FCNRCD would love feedback on the following questions:
For more information about the Best Management Practice Project visit https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/lakecarmi
The FCNRCD would love feedback on the following questions:
- What is important to you about Lake Carmi? What is your vision for Lake Carmi?
- Would you be willing to host us to come to your neighborhood and talk about this project and connect with neighbors? Are there community events that we should attend?
- Are there areas around the lake where significant progress has been made that we should know about?
- Are there areas around the lake where there are opportunities for future BMP work – for example, an area of shoreline that can be revegetated, or a streambank that is eroding?
For more information about the Best Management Practice Project visit https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/lakecarmi
Rain Garden Infrastructure Walk
The Franklin County Stormwater Collaborative nd the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District is hosting a hybrid meeting to learn more about how soil composition and stormwater runoff affects water quality on March 23rd, 2023 at 6 pm.
More information at the link below
https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/post/march-23rd-winter-workshop-rain-garden-planning-stormwater-infrastructure-walk
More information at the link below
https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/post/march-23rd-winter-workshop-rain-garden-planning-stormwater-infrastructure-walk
Restoration Techniques Workshop
The Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District is hosting a Water and Landscapes Restoration Techniques Workshop at Paul Lin Dairy on March 30th, 2023 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm
More information at the link below
https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/post/water-and-landscape-restoration-techniques-workshop-at-paul-lin-dairy?fbclid=IwAR1uHQzbgnq0-UZ6hJxXturmn1CvzyCxtrIGZDD9_hf5bwEMHZT0StNNwXY
More information at the link below
https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/post/water-and-landscape-restoration-techniques-workshop-at-paul-lin-dairy?fbclid=IwAR1uHQzbgnq0-UZ6hJxXturmn1CvzyCxtrIGZDD9_hf5bwEMHZT0StNNwXY
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps at Lake Carmi!
This week (June 26th to June 30th 2023) a crew from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps completed some water quality improvement projects here at Lake Carmi! The VYCC crew installed dripline infiltration trenches at 4 camps, planted native plants along shorelines or for stormwater management at 3 camps, and replaced a concrete patio and walkway with pervious pavers and gravel at 1 camp on Patton Shore. The projects were selected from last summer's Lake Wise evaluations as recommended Best Management Practices. These projects will reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and nutrients that enters the lake, and help to reduce the overall amount of phosphorus in Lake Carmi. We are SO happy with the work that the crew put in and the enthusiasm that they brought with them.
We would like to offer a HUGE thank you to Kathy Dynarski at the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District and Kristen Balschunat at the VYCC for helping to plan this enormous project, without whom we could not have succeeded.
Stay tuned for photos!
We would like to offer a HUGE thank you to Kathy Dynarski at the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District and Kristen Balschunat at the VYCC for helping to plan this enormous project, without whom we could not have succeeded.
Stay tuned for photos!
Legislator Lake Visit
On Tuesday June 8th, our district's legislators came to Lake Carmi for a boat tour of the lake. We were joined by Oliver Pierson, head of the Vermont DEC's Lakes and Ponds Program and Andrew Schroth, Associate Research Professor of Geology and BREE Lake-Watershed Team Leader.
During the boat ride, we had the opportunity to discuss our objectives, priorities and the importance of the work being done in the watershed. We were also able to show them the in-lake aeration system and explain how it works to reduce the release of legacy phosphorus from the bottom of the lake. During the ride, we stopped by the UVM Buoy at the center of the lake which has been invaluable to our clean water work. The buoy sends real time data from throughout the entire water column several times a day and uploads it to a website.
The data can be found at this link: http://epscor.uvm.edu/LakeCarmi/
We would like to thank our legislators and all of our partners for their continued investment into Lake Carmi. We could not do the work we do without the amazing support that we receive from our elected officials and partners at DEC and UVM. We would also like to extend special thanks to Representative Lisa Hango and FWC President Rob Evans for organizing the event, as well as John Costa and David and Diane Larose for offering their boats and taking us on this wonderful tour of Lake Carmi.
During the boat ride, we had the opportunity to discuss our objectives, priorities and the importance of the work being done in the watershed. We were also able to show them the in-lake aeration system and explain how it works to reduce the release of legacy phosphorus from the bottom of the lake. During the ride, we stopped by the UVM Buoy at the center of the lake which has been invaluable to our clean water work. The buoy sends real time data from throughout the entire water column several times a day and uploads it to a website.
The data can be found at this link: http://epscor.uvm.edu/LakeCarmi/
We would like to thank our legislators and all of our partners for their continued investment into Lake Carmi. We could not do the work we do without the amazing support that we receive from our elected officials and partners at DEC and UVM. We would also like to extend special thanks to Representative Lisa Hango and FWC President Rob Evans for organizing the event, as well as John Costa and David and Diane Larose for offering their boats and taking us on this wonderful tour of Lake Carmi.
Letter to Our Legislators 2021 |
Vermont Legislators,
On behalf on the Franklin Watershed Committee, I wanted to welcome you to the 2021 legislative session. These certainly are challenging times and I hope you and your families have been able to stay safe and healthy!
As you are aware, in 2018 Lake Carmi was designated as Vermont’s only Lake in Crisis. This designation brought about a series of initiatives that included:
While we have made some amazing progress, our work is far from over. This past summer, we continued to see the adverse impacts of the high phosphorus loading our lake has experienced over the years that led to blue green algae blooms that started in early July and lasted until early November. During this time, large sections of our lake’s shoreline were covered in a green slime that kept community members and camp owners from enjoying the water at Lake Carmi.
As you begin your work this legislative session, we would like to offer some thoughts for your consideration and potential action:
Respectfully submitted,
Robert L. Evans
President, Franklin Watershed Committee
On behalf on the Franklin Watershed Committee, I wanted to welcome you to the 2021 legislative session. These certainly are challenging times and I hope you and your families have been able to stay safe and healthy!
As you are aware, in 2018 Lake Carmi was designated as Vermont’s only Lake in Crisis. This designation brought about a series of initiatives that included:
- The development and implementation of an (in lake) aeration system
- Enhanced water quality testing/data gathering through enhanced collaboration with UVM (in lake buoy/monitoring device)
- Completion of Critical Path Projects spanning across multiple sectors that include: agriculture, groundwater, natural resources, roads and the lake
While we have made some amazing progress, our work is far from over. This past summer, we continued to see the adverse impacts of the high phosphorus loading our lake has experienced over the years that led to blue green algae blooms that started in early July and lasted until early November. During this time, large sections of our lake’s shoreline were covered in a green slime that kept community members and camp owners from enjoying the water at Lake Carmi.
As you begin your work this legislative session, we would like to offer some thoughts for your consideration and potential action:
- Review and revise the 2018 Lake in Crisis Response Plan based on current lake conditions, watershed activity, latest understanding of phosphorus loading to the lake, and additional projects needed to reduce or mitigate this loading.
- Ensure all state agencies responsible for completing all Critical Path Projects designated in the 2018 Lake in Crisis Response Plan provide an executive summary that details the status of each project, total cost of each project, resources utilized and identifies any future work needed to meet targeted goals.
- Ensure the in-lake monitoring system (buoy from UVM) remains deployed on the lake from the summer of 2022 until our TMDL goals have been met.
- Due to our Lake in Crisis designation, consider a moratorium on all over land manure spreading in the Lake Carmi watershed until our TMDL goals have been met. We acknowledge the significant investment the state has made on injection manure applications in the watershed, yet a large number of acres continue to see overland manure spreading. We also acknowledge the impacts this may have on our farming community and would ask funding be provided to provide manure disposal alternatives for the farms impacted by this moratorium. At a minimum, a complete ban on all exemptions of winter manure spreading until our TMDL goals have been met.
- Continue to provide Lake in Crisis funding currently set at $50,000 (annually) to assist in the development, coordination, implementation, and oversight of local projects that would enhance water quality at Lake Carmi.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert L. Evans
President, Franklin Watershed Committee
HOMESTEADING ON THE HILL... WHAT'S ROLLING DOWN YOURS?
Educational, interesting, and interactive workshops presented by the Franklin Watershed Committee.
WHO: Hosted by the Franklin Watershed Committee
WHAT: Homesteading on the Hill – what’s rolling down yours?
WHEN: June 23, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Hammond Homestead. 4181 State Park Road, Franklin, Vermont
WHY: To interact with members of your community committed to the improvement of Lake Carmi.
Refreshments provided. Please RSVP with numbers attending to [email protected]. Full agenda to come soon!
HOMESTEADING: Reducing your environmental footprint. This will be an interactive workshop, where we share ideas on how to reduce a home’s environmental impact. Judith McLaughlin and Robert Cormier open their beautiful homestead to the community to share all the many ways they reduce their footprint to the watershed.
INNOVATIVE SEPTIC SOLUTIONS: Linda Patterson of Lake Champlain Sea Grant and Lake Champlain camp owner, shares her experience with an innovative septic system from Advanced Onsite Services and Jared Willey.
AERATION IN LAKE CARMI: Hear from John Tucci of EverBlue Lake Solutions with the latest updates on aeration in Lake Carmi with a Question and Answer Session to follow!
Stay tuned, more to follow!
2018-19 FWC BOARD MEETINGS
FWC Board Meeting January 10, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
** February Meeting Cancelled **
FWC Board Meeting March 21, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
FWC Board Meeting April 24, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
FWC Board Meeting May 22, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
FWC Board Meeting June 20, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
** July Meeting Cancelled **
FWC Board Meeting August 22, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
2018-19 TMDL IMPLEMENTATION TEAM MEETINGS
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting October 18, 2018 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting January 17, 2019 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting April 18, 2019 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting July 18, 2019 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
OTHER IMPORTANT MEETINGS & EVENTS!
Natural Resources Conservation District's (NRCS) Annual Meeting
'The State of the Rock River Watershed'
March 22, 2019 12:30-2:00 PM
Franklin Homestead Conference Room
142 Homestead Dr, Franklin, VT
Natural Resources Conservation District's (NRCS) Annual Meeting
'The State of the Pike River/Lake Carmi Watersheds'
March 27, 2019 12:30-2:00 PM
Franklin Homestead Conference Room
142 Homestead Dr, Franklin, VT
Missisquoi River Basin Association's (MRBA) Annual Forum
'How Healthy Are Our Rivers?'
April 4, 2019 7:00-9:00 PM
Montgomery Public Safety Building
86 Mountain Rd, Montgomery, VT
Vermont Clean Water Network's 2019 Leahy Environmental Summit
The Alchemy of Art & Science: Creating a Culture of Clean Water
April 5, 2019 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
1 College St, Burlington, Vermont
Waterfront Living in Vermont: A Septic Solutions Conference
Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District
May 9, 2019 8:30 AM-3:30 PM
Dudley H. Davis Center
590 Main St, Burlington, Vermont
Directions to Franklin Homestead (142 Homestead Dr, Franklin, Vermont)
Educational, interesting, and interactive workshops presented by the Franklin Watershed Committee.
WHO: Hosted by the Franklin Watershed Committee
WHAT: Homesteading on the Hill – what’s rolling down yours?
WHEN: June 23, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Hammond Homestead. 4181 State Park Road, Franklin, Vermont
WHY: To interact with members of your community committed to the improvement of Lake Carmi.
Refreshments provided. Please RSVP with numbers attending to [email protected]. Full agenda to come soon!
HOMESTEADING: Reducing your environmental footprint. This will be an interactive workshop, where we share ideas on how to reduce a home’s environmental impact. Judith McLaughlin and Robert Cormier open their beautiful homestead to the community to share all the many ways they reduce their footprint to the watershed.
INNOVATIVE SEPTIC SOLUTIONS: Linda Patterson of Lake Champlain Sea Grant and Lake Champlain camp owner, shares her experience with an innovative septic system from Advanced Onsite Services and Jared Willey.
AERATION IN LAKE CARMI: Hear from John Tucci of EverBlue Lake Solutions with the latest updates on aeration in Lake Carmi with a Question and Answer Session to follow!
Stay tuned, more to follow!
2018-19 FWC BOARD MEETINGS
FWC Board Meeting January 10, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
** February Meeting Cancelled **
FWC Board Meeting March 21, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
FWC Board Meeting April 24, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
FWC Board Meeting May 22, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
FWC Board Meeting June 20, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
** July Meeting Cancelled **
FWC Board Meeting August 22, 2019 6:00-7:30 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
2018-19 TMDL IMPLEMENTATION TEAM MEETINGS
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting October 18, 2018 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting January 17, 2019 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting April 18, 2019 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
TMDL Implementation Team Meeting July 18, 2019 4:45-6:45 PM; Franklin Homestead Conference Room
OTHER IMPORTANT MEETINGS & EVENTS!
Natural Resources Conservation District's (NRCS) Annual Meeting
'The State of the Rock River Watershed'
March 22, 2019 12:30-2:00 PM
Franklin Homestead Conference Room
142 Homestead Dr, Franklin, VT
Natural Resources Conservation District's (NRCS) Annual Meeting
'The State of the Pike River/Lake Carmi Watersheds'
March 27, 2019 12:30-2:00 PM
Franklin Homestead Conference Room
142 Homestead Dr, Franklin, VT
Missisquoi River Basin Association's (MRBA) Annual Forum
'How Healthy Are Our Rivers?'
April 4, 2019 7:00-9:00 PM
Montgomery Public Safety Building
86 Mountain Rd, Montgomery, VT
Vermont Clean Water Network's 2019 Leahy Environmental Summit
The Alchemy of Art & Science: Creating a Culture of Clean Water
April 5, 2019 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
1 College St, Burlington, Vermont
Waterfront Living in Vermont: A Septic Solutions Conference
Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District
May 9, 2019 8:30 AM-3:30 PM
Dudley H. Davis Center
590 Main St, Burlington, Vermont
Directions to Franklin Homestead (142 Homestead Dr, Franklin, Vermont)
Marsh Brook Investigations:
Staci Pomeroy, DEC stream scientist, Karen Bates, DEC Basin planner and Tucker Wehner, FWC assessed the Marsh Brook from mouth to headwaters near Little Pond Road over three days in late September and early October of 2020. The work completed included noting stream’s ability to access floodplain during storm events, degree of restricted flow through culverts, as well as the characteristics of tributaries or drainages that contributed flows to the stream and their watershed. Staci and Karen were very appreciative of Tucker Wehner’s assistance in measuring and note taking. They also appreciate landowners’ willingness to provide permission to walk the stream. Highlights of the walk included discussion with landowners on history of brook, including learning that large stone wall was part of a shingle factory. They were also happy to have had the opportunity to walk a beautiful stream, with its associated wetlands and forested banks, over three days in good company. Staci will complete the Marsh Brook stream geomorphic assessment report by the end of the year and will present her results to the community at a future Carmi Coordination Team meeting. The report will assess the stream’s progress towards meeting a state of equilibrium with watershed processes and characteristics, which will help with gaging the degree to which the stream is a source of excessive sediment as well as a site for sediment deposition as part of its processes towards adjustment in its path towards Marsh Brook.
Franklin Watershed Committee in Montpelier
For the 2018 legislative session, several FWC directors and members have been active in Montpelier. President Peter Benevento delivered testimony for the House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife. Several full and part time residence contributed as well. There are several bills being considered this session which we are hopeful will equated to improved water quality for Lake Carmi and other bodies of water throughout Vermont. Thanks to all those joining in the fight for water quality!
For the 2019 legislative session, many members of the community in addition to the Franklin Watershed Committee attended the 2019 Clean Water Policy Forum. Click below for access to the 2019 Clean Water Funding materials we were presented by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.
2019 Clean Water Policy Forum
2019 Clean Water Funding Documents
The Franklin Watershed Committee visits the Girl Scouts
We learned about watersheds, erosion and runoff and how they contribute to water quality. Our partners at MRBA brought along their watershed model and rainfall simulators for some great demonstrations. Then we rounded out the evening with some soil nutrient testing and tried to identify the land use of various soil samples. It was a great group of kids. They were very inquisitive and engaged.
Interested in hosting us for a water quality education event? Contact us!
Interested in hosting us for a water quality education event? Contact us!
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WikiWatershed- Learn more about watershed modeling and test your project ideas!
On March 15th, 2018 we held the workshop:
WikiWatershed: Estimating changes in water quality with map based computer calculations
It was a free webinar on Wikiwatershed, a freshwater stewardship tool. Dr. David Arscott, of Penn State University, will guided us through the use of this open access tool to simulate runoff and model & monitor our watershed. With this tool we can better understand how nutrient models work and run scenarios such as increased buffer widths, or adding a rain garden to every property, to explore ideas on what it will take to reach the nutrient goals for Lake Carmi.
If you missed this great workshop but would like to learn more about wikiwatershed, use this recorded webinar to learn more about it.
WikiWatershed: Estimating changes in water quality with map based computer calculations
It was a free webinar on Wikiwatershed, a freshwater stewardship tool. Dr. David Arscott, of Penn State University, will guided us through the use of this open access tool to simulate runoff and model & monitor our watershed. With this tool we can better understand how nutrient models work and run scenarios such as increased buffer widths, or adding a rain garden to every property, to explore ideas on what it will take to reach the nutrient goals for Lake Carmi.
If you missed this great workshop but would like to learn more about wikiwatershed, use this recorded webinar to learn more about it.