May,
2012 - DEC’s 2012 PSRW award recipient The Vermont e-cycles
Team - Karen Knaebel, Kim Lutchko, Barb Schwendtner, Cathy Stacy, Cathy
Jamieson, Matt Chapman: The Vermont e-cycles Team was
selected and recognized at the 2012 Vermont Public Service Recognition ceremony
held on May 7, 2012.
The Team confronted a significant environmental problem and
seized the initiative to successfully implement a legislatively mandated,
complicated program under serious time constraints. The Team developed the
program to divert electronic wastes from Vermont’s landfills and provide an
environmentally sound recycling alternative. Program costs are paid by
manufacturers, so the public enjoys free, convenient, collection at 90
facilities established across the state. To date, 75 manufacturers have
registered, and over 3.4 million pounds of electronics have been recycled –
under budget, and exceeding the mandated goal only three quarters of the way
through the first year – outstanding job.
May, 2010 - Canute E. Dalmasse Award - Dolores Kuhn: Dolores has worked in the Springfield Regional Office for 24 years and is well know as one of the kindest, gentlest souls in this office. Her words of encouragement, empathy and understanding always make it easy to talk to Dolores and her quiet dedication to her work is why she is the perfect candidate to receive this award. Please click here for the complete write-up.
May, 2010 -DEC ARRA Team Recognized: The DEC ARRA Team were recognized at the annual Public Service Recognition Week event this month. There were 32 staff members from six divisions that formed the team necessary to complete the extraordinary workload created by the Federal Simulus Act - in addition to their daily work. They assured the Commissioner from day one that they would meet every deadline - and they did. As a result, Vermont has had the benefit of more than $40 million in funding to improve infrastructure, replace school buses and help clean up stormwater. In the process, we helped create or retain dozens of jobs for Vermonters. For that we are all proud of them. (Complete listing)
July, 2009 - New Commissioner Appointed: On July 16, 2009, Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood named Justin Johnson as Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Conservation. Commissioner Johnson joined the Agency of Natural Resources in 2004 and has served twice as acting commissioner for the department. (Brief Bio)
June, 2009 - Leadership & Management Graduation: Recent DEC graduates from the Leadership and Management Program, Justin Johnson, Acting DEC Commissioner and Gary Kessler, Director of Compliance and Enforcement, were recognized for their accomplishments and completion of the four year program. Certificates were presented by Governor Douglas on June 19th as part of the graduation program.. . . more information.
February 2009 - 2008 DEC Staff Achievement Awards: On February 9th, Commissioner Laura Pelosi, Secretary Jonathan Wood and Deputy Commissioner Justin Johnson presented achievement awards to recognize Environmental Conservation staff. The work of the staff members recognized are greatly appreciated. Complete list & photos
January 2009 - Michael Carey, Construction Project Engineer from the Facilities Engineering Division facilitated a training session for Ultra-Vilet disinfection equipment for small water systemsat the Vermont Technical College. More info
December 2008 - Dam Removals Restore Stream Connectivity: DEC and its partners completed two dam removal projects in 2008. In Northfield Falls, 80 feet of a concrete dam was removed from Cox Brook, restoring both access to upstream spawning habitat by rainbow trout and downstream sediment transport. The project was completed in partnership with the dam owners, local community members, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Trout unlimited. ( Before and after photos.)
In Underhill, DEC worked with the owner of the dam on Stevensville Brook to remove the structure and eliminate a "sediment trap" that had resulted in harmful sediment discharges to the brook in past years.
Both removals are part of DEC's ongoing efforts to remove dams that serve no useful purpose. Dam removal is an important aspect of eliminating barriers to the movement of fish and other aquatic organisms and restoring stream habitat and natural sediment dynamics. The strategies will help make our streams and rivers more reslient to the impacts of climate change and watershed development.
November 2008 - Green Mountain Water Environment Association: Dep
uty Commissioner Justin Johnson and Paul Olander, Wastewater Management Division, gave a joint presentation to explain the potential ramifications the proposed Long Island Sound TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) may have on Vermont wastewater facilities that discharge to the Connecticut River Watershed.
November 2008 - Benson Wastewater Treatment Facility Lagoon Cleanout - Vermont has about 25 arerated lagoon facilities that treat municipal wastewater. The two major products of this wastewater treatment process are (1) the treated wastewater and (2) biosolids (or sludge) that accumulates on the lagoon bottoms. What happens next?
November 2008 - In Praise of Double-Wall Tanks, by Ted Unkles, Underground Storage Program. Below is a photo of an underground storage tank that failed, but no oil leaked into the environment.
November 2008 - Moss Glen Falls: Access to Moss Glen Falls is now safer and easier following the renovation of the Access Path, Viewing Area and Bridge.... see the rest of the project highlights
November 2008 - Mallets Bay Dock Improvements These dock systems were installed in late May of this year just prior to the LCI Fishing Derby. The dock system is comprised of an east and west dock system with approach ramps and platforms. The west dock can now be used for access by individuals with limited mobility and is in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. The west dock has an 8' square platform with railing, a 40 lineal feet approach ramp connected to three 24' floating dock sections, for an overall length of 120 feet. The east doc totals 144 lineal feet of length comprised of seven sections beginning with an 8' square platform, a 40 lineal feet approach ram that is angled 10-degrees easterly, connecting to four 24-foot floating dock sections. The total project cost was $90,500 and work was performed by the Dock Doctors of Ferrisburg, funded through the USFW Sports Fisheries Grant and matching funding through the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Mallets Bay West Dock
Mallets Bay East Dock
October 2008 - Groundwater Resource Maps Presented to the Town of Dorset The Vermont Geological Survey (Division of Geology and Mineral Resources within DEC) presented preliminary groundwater resource findings to the Town of Dorset. Dorset is also noted for abundant spring resources and twenty five spring locations were visited. These springs were located with GPS and the geology was mapped within the vicinity of the springs especially for the 13 higher and moderate flow discharges...the rest of the story.
Principal Mapper on the Dorset project, David DeSimone and Marjorie Gale
visiting the Evans deKnotbeck spring.
Commissioner's Office 
dec calendar 
the time that Joanna has been with the department, she has familarized herself with an entirely new complex accounting system, developed the FY'08 and FY'09 budgets, become familar with and helped develop the fee bill, resolved lingering personnel issues within the Business Office, and turned the Business Office team into an even greater asset to the department. Under her leadership, the Business Office and, therefore, the department are highly respected financially by the fifth floor, the agency, and by the department as a whole. Joanna's work, attitude, and work ethics are outstanding!
