VERMONT PLANNING REMOVAL OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN CAUSEWAYS

WATERBURY, VT --. The U.S.-CANADA, International Joint Commission (IJC) under the Boundary Water Treaty of 1909 has recommended that the Missisquoi Bay causeway be removed.
The State of Vermont has now initiated the planning process for removal of both the Missisquoi Bay and Carry Bay causeways from the waters of Lake Champlain.

The Missisquoi Bay causeway located on U.S. Route 78 connects West Swanton and Alburg. It is owned by the Vermont Agency of Transportation and will be replaced by a new bridge now under construction.

The Carry Bay causeway is an abandoned railroad causeway between North Hero and Alburg. It is owned by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Strong public support for removing both causeways has been expressed by citizens and organizations from northwestern Vermont.

Many people are concerned and believe that removal of causeways will improve water quality in the north end of Lake Champlain. The Douglas Administration recognizes public concern for water quality in the lake. The Governor's Clean and Clear Initiative is aimed at solving the larger water quality problem in Lake Champlain. Reduction of nutrient inputs into the lake is seen as the key to solving both local and lake-wide water quality problems.

The solid rock fill construction of these causeways is known to negatively impact lake processes and aquatic habitat. Causeways have disrupted and altered water currents that control normal beach building and shore line erosion processes. They also fragment aquatic habitat and create barriers to free movement of many species of fish, turtles, and other aquatic organisms that seek refuge and travel along shorelines. Habitat fragmentation adversely impacts species that must move seasonally to different parts of the lake in search of spawning, nesting, over-wintering, feeding and other types of habitat.

These are among the issues being considered as the risks and benefits of removing causeways from Lake Champlain are being assessed. "Because of the negative impacts that causeways can have on shoreline processes and habitat, correcting these, alone, should provide enough benefit via restoration of the natural character and function of the lake to justify causeway removals," according to Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, Wayne Laroche.

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For Further Information please contact: Wayne Laroche at 802-241-3700