Lake Wise Program
The White River Conservation District (WRNRCD) in partnership with the Lake Fairlee Association is working to address some of the troubling trends that have been observed in the data about water quality in Lake Fairlee. The Vermont Lake Score Card lists Lake Fairlee as “stressed” with declining water quality. An EPA-funded National Lakes Assessment Study found that Vermont Lakes are most at risk from poor Shoreland Development Practices. Implementing shoreland Best Management Practices can help reverse these disturbing trends.
The Lake Wise Program is a voluntary program administered by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Lake Wise aims to inform, teach, and change the current lakeshore development practices from clearing shores and building sea walls, to practices that are more lake-friendly and known to effectively protect the lake. The goal of Lake Wise is to educate lakefront property owners on a new normal, a new culture of lakeshore landscaping that is proven to help protect the lake. A property that earns the Lake Wise Award will represent a "model" shoreland property.
Through Lake Wise, participants receive technical assistance for addressing erosion problems, mitigating runoff, and enhancing shoreland vegetation to protect lake quality and wildlife habitat. Vermont lakeshore owners earning the Lake Wise Award will help create a movement towards more lake-friendly living around Vermont lakes, thereby greatly improving protection for wildlife habitat and lake water quality.
If you would like to learn more about the Lake Wise Program, or schedule a Lake Wise assessment of your property, please contact Vicki Pattison-Willits, Lake Wise Inland Lakes Seasonal Technician, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. [email protected] or mobile: 802-261-7400.
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Read the November 2022 interview with Lisa Niccolai.
The Lake Wise Program is a voluntary program administered by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Lake Wise aims to inform, teach, and change the current lakeshore development practices from clearing shores and building sea walls, to practices that are more lake-friendly and known to effectively protect the lake. The goal of Lake Wise is to educate lakefront property owners on a new normal, a new culture of lakeshore landscaping that is proven to help protect the lake. A property that earns the Lake Wise Award will represent a "model" shoreland property.
Through Lake Wise, participants receive technical assistance for addressing erosion problems, mitigating runoff, and enhancing shoreland vegetation to protect lake quality and wildlife habitat. Vermont lakeshore owners earning the Lake Wise Award will help create a movement towards more lake-friendly living around Vermont lakes, thereby greatly improving protection for wildlife habitat and lake water quality.
If you would like to learn more about the Lake Wise Program, or schedule a Lake Wise assessment of your property, please contact Vicki Pattison-Willits, Lake Wise Inland Lakes Seasonal Technician, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. [email protected] or mobile: 802-261-7400.
AND
Read the November 2022 interview with Lisa Niccolai.
Video: FOVLAP Webinar : Overview of the Lake Wise Program
Watch the Webinar
On February 21st, 2023, the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds held a special event to discuss the Vermont DEC’s Lake Wise Program. Alison Marchione, the Lake Wise Coordinator for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, spoke about the Lake Wise Program she had recently come to lead. Alison covered the reasons for the program’s existence, reviewed the process of getting Lake Wise assessments, and briefly spoke about the Lake Wise “Gold Award.” She also covered several common best management practices for lake shorelines and described how lake associations can help promote the Lake Wise program. The presentation also included a Q &A at the end.
A PDF of Alison’s presentation can be viewed here.
The event was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube.
Watch the Webinar
On February 21st, 2023, the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds held a special event to discuss the Vermont DEC’s Lake Wise Program. Alison Marchione, the Lake Wise Coordinator for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, spoke about the Lake Wise Program she had recently come to lead. Alison covered the reasons for the program’s existence, reviewed the process of getting Lake Wise assessments, and briefly spoke about the Lake Wise “Gold Award.” She also covered several common best management practices for lake shorelines and described how lake associations can help promote the Lake Wise program. The presentation also included a Q &A at the end.
A PDF of Alison’s presentation can be viewed here.
The event was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube.
Video: Living Shorelands Watch the video.
Download a copy of
A Guide to Healthy Lakes Using Lakeshore Landscaping
Design templates and easy-to-use planting plans
A Guide to Healthy Lakes Using Lakeshore Landscaping
Design templates and easy-to-use planting plans
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This booklet grew out of a series of Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds (FOVLAP) projects designed to encourage lakeshore property owners to add vegetation to their property. Vegetated buffers, like wetlands, are crucial to maintaining and improving water quality, flood resiliency, and aquatic and lakeshore ecosystems. When lakeshore owners act, everyone benefits. Clean water and healthy ecosystems enhance our recreational experiences, provide fish and wildlife habitat, reduce costs for drinking water systems, and protect lake property values.
The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds - FOVLAP |
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Download a copy of
Sharing the Edge
A Guide for Lakeshore Property Owners in Vermont
Sharing the Edge
A Guide for Lakeshore Property Owners in Vermont
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Living by the water invites one to slow down and take notice of the many spectacular natural occurrences that define Vermont's lakes and ponds. Lakeshore residents share the space with wildlife, fish, and vegetation. Those who expect and understand that lakes are ever-changing natural systems (not backyard swimming pools) garner even greater appreciation of these special resources.
Lakeshore property owners assume part of the responsibility of protecting a lake or pond. Actions on land have a direct impact on the water quality, habitat, and shoreline stability of a public resource. Caring for the lakeshore will preserve Vermont's iconic lakes and ponds for generations to come. | |||
Download a copy of
The Vermont Shoreland Protection Act
A Handbook for Shoreland Development
The Vermont Shoreland Protection Act
A Handbook for Shoreland Development
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This handbook informs shoreland property owners, municipal officials, landscapers, contractors and others about the Shoreland Protection Act, what activities are exempt, what activities require a per-mit and how to obtain a permit.
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| lp_shorelandhandbook.pdf |
Vermont Lakeshore Management - Best Management Practices
Lake Wise practices apply to the land that is within 250 feet of the lake's mean water level.
Managing Vermont lakeshores according to Best Management Practices will maintain property values, good water quality, good aquatic habitat, good fishing, swimming, boating, bird-watching and other favorite activities.
Click here for a single page listing of all Vermont Shoreland BMPs.
Click here for more details on many shoreland best management practices including:
Lake Wise practices apply to the land that is within 250 feet of the lake's mean water level.
Managing Vermont lakeshores according to Best Management Practices will maintain property values, good water quality, good aquatic habitat, good fishing, swimming, boating, bird-watching and other favorite activities.
Click here for a single page listing of all Vermont Shoreland BMPs.
Click here for more details on many shoreland best management practices including:
- Conserving Lakeshores - Ensuring Natural Conditions
- Shoreland Vegetation Management Standards - Ensuring Natural Conditions
- Resloping, Rock Toe & Rip Rap - Bank Stabilization
- Establishing No Mow Zones - Bank Stabilization
- Planting and Maintaining Vegetated Areas
- Planning Pathways - Minimizing Access Points
- Lake-Friendly Yard Maintenance - Pet Waste, Yard, etc.
- and more