clean and clear

THE PLAN

The Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) was prepared jointly
by Vermont and New York and approved by the U.S. E.P.A. in 2002.

The TMDL:

• Defines the maximum allowable phosphorus load (input) to the lake
• Allocates the allowable load among the various sources:
  - Vermont, New York, and Quebec
  - Point and nonpoint sources
• Includes an implementation plan

Read more about it on the ANR-DEC Water Quality Division's Phosphorus TMDL page.

This page includes links to the ANR-DEC Water Quality Division's Fact Sheet:
Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL Factsheet- September 25, 2002 (5 pages PDF, 470KB)

and to the comprehensive report, Lake Champlain Phosporous TMDL - Final Submittal (136 pages PDF, 1MB) jointly prepared by the Vermont and New York Departments of Environmental Conservation in September 2002.

The TMDL is based on previous water quality plans and agreements between Vermont, New York, and Quebec, including "Opportunities for Action," a pollution prevention, control, and restoration plan for the Lake Champlain Basin. In April 2003, Governor Jim Douglas of Vermont and Governor Pataki of New York signed this plan, which is also endorsed by the regional administrators of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Read the full text on the Lake Champlain Basin Program website.

Phosphorus loading from nonpoint sources in Vermont must be reduced by 80 metric tons per year. Half of this reduction is needed in the Missisquoi Bay watershed.