DESCRIPTION: The Lake Champlain Watershed is an officially designated resource of national significance that spans the States of New York and Vermont and into Canada. It drains nearly half of Vermont, provides drinking water to approximately 250,000 people, and is a critically important economic and ecological driver for the region. In order to protect and restore this vital resource, Congress and the President established the Lake Champlain Watershed Environmental Assistance Program in December 2000. The program leverages the expertise of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with local, state, and other federal actors, to provide environmental assistance to non-federal interests in the Lake Champlain Watershed.
The goal of the Lake Champlain Watershed Environmental Assistance Program is to provide assistance with planning, designing and implementation of large-scale projects that protect and enhance water quality, water supply, ecosystem integrity and other water related issues within the watershed. The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is the administrative partner of USACE to implement this program under the terms of a General Management Plan. Congress is authorized to appropriate up to $100 million for this program; $14.3M has been received to date.
AUTHORIZATION: Section 542 of Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000 (Public Law #106-541) as amended in Section 3160 of WRDA of 2007 (Public Law #110-114).
STATUS: The New York District has completed six projects and one study under the Lake Champlain Program. There are currently three projects in progress.
- Champlain Canal Aquatic Invasive Species Barrier, NY- This project seeks to determine the best method of preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species from the Hudson River watershed through the Champlain Canal and into Lake Champlain. Phase I (Study) began in 2017 with the execution of a design assistance agreement between USACE and the New England Interstate Water pollution Control Commission and concluded in March of 2022 with three recommended alternatives. Phase II (Study/Design) began with the execution of a design assistance agreement between USACE and the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation. This phase of the project aims to refine the alternatives identified in Phase I and begin design work on the selected alternative. Phase II is anticipated to take two-three years, concluding in fall 2028.
- Swanton, VT Wastewater Treatment Lagoons – This project aims to assist the Village of Swanton, VT in cleaning out the two, 15-acre facultative lagoons from the municipal wastewater treatment plant. The project is in the initial scoping phase but awaiting determination from HQUSACE if the project can continue due to the presence of PFAS in the biosolids. The project team has submitted a PFAS Work Acceptance Request to Headquarters in December 2025. Cleaning out the lagoons will enable to wastewater treatment plant to more efficiently remove phosphorus and other contaminants from the effluent, thereby preventing it from entering Missisquoi Bay.
- Plattsburgh, NY Stormwater Sewer System – The City of Plattsburgh, NY inherited the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base in the 1990’s and along with the real estate, an expansive and aging stormwater sewer system. Now that system is failing and in need of significant repair. The NY District is working with the City of Plattsburgh to scope a study of the existing system and determine which sections are in most dire need of repair. The repairs will help improve public safety by eliminating the formation of sink holes in public roadways, and improve the water quality in Cumberland Bay by reducing the sediment load entering the bay during each rain event.
Lake Champlain General Management Plan
For additional information on the Lake Champlain Program, see Placemat
CONTACT:
Mr. Evan Nelson
Project Manager
P: (917) 225-7356
Email: Evan.M.Nelson@usace.army.mil
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS:
Sen. Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Welch (D-VT), Sen. Schumer (NY), Sen. Gillibrand (NY)
Rep. Balint (D/VT-00); Rep. Stefanik (NY-21)