UPDATE: All 2019 recommended water use restrictions have been lifted. - 7/18/19

In cooperation with Misha Cetner from the Vermont Department Of Environmental Conservation and SOLitude Lake Management (SLM), the Lake St. Catherine Association would like to inform the community that the lake will be treated for milfoil on Wednesday, July 10th, 2019.

On May 16th, biologists from SLM and our DASH suction harvesting team visited the lake to perform a milfoil survey. They have identified areas to be treated with the aquatic herbicide ProcellaCOR and areas to be suction harvested.

5 areas, totaling 38.1 acres will be treated with the new herbicide: ProcellaCOR. As compared to the previous herbicide, Renovate, ProcellaCOR is highly selective to milfoil, much less is used during the application, and the water use restrictions are significantly reduced.

During and after the treatment, please be aware of the following lake water use restriction recommendations:

• NO USE of Lake St. Catherine waters and water from the outlet stream FOR ANY PURPOSE including boating, fishing, swimming, domestic (household) use or irrigation, the day of treatment on:

Wednesday, July 10, 2019, beginning at 9 am

• Swimming/wading, boating, fishing and domestic (household) use may resume on:

Thursday, July 11, 2019, beginning at 9 am

• USE of water from Lake St. Catherine FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES including for watering lawns, trees, or other plants may resume on:

Wednesday, July 17, 2019, beginning at 9 am or earlier based on sampling results, please refer to the website below for results

Please refer to www.solitudelakemanagement.com/vermont for additional information and updated water use advisories and recommendations.

Along with the herbicide treatment, 15 areas, totaling up to 65.8 acres have been selected for DASH. DASH is an acronym for Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting. This process involves scuba divers using suction hoses powered by a surface compressor to selectively remove milfoil from the lake bottom. They will be working throughout the season to remove milfoil by the roots in these designated areas.

Here is a map of the treatment areas for ProcellaCOR and DASH:

Treatment Notice:

Are you a member yet? Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. Grants, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding. If you'd like to help, please consider becoming a member or making a donation. The LSCA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and any contribution that you make is tax deductible.

Links:

- LSCA Permit Application
- Draft Permit
- SePRO ProcellaCOR® EC Specimen Label
- SePRO ProcellaCOR® EC Safety Data Sheet

If you have any questions about the upcoming milfoil treatment, please email us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

On Saturday, May 26th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their first meeting of the 2019 season.

The Trustees gave their reports on many topics - Click here to see the full meeting agenda. Meeting minutes compiled by Kemi Mcshane.

May 25th 2019 Meeting of the Lake St. Catherine Board of Trustees

Lake St. Catherine Country Club, 8:30 AM

Meeting called to order by President Jim Canders at 8:32AM.

Present: Jim Canders, Mary Jo Teetor, Elaine Bagley, Kemi McShane, John Belnavis, Frank Callahan, Jeff Crandall, Jerremy Jones, Ed Laird, Martha Pofit, Bob Wiliiams.

Absent: Ken Abt, Rob Goldman, Rob Nesbit, Phil Pope.

Guest speaker, Owen Teetor reported the present status of the Lake, Jeff distributed a survey map of the Lake with the proposed locations for the ProcellaCOR treatment sites. The divers have not gone in the water but did a search of the areas and there is sporadic growth; stated better than 6 years ago. The Sunken Island is targeted for treatment. The red highlighted areas on the survey map will be the designated treatment spots. Concentrating on these areas to monitor the growth. The divers plan to get into the water soon for a accurate reading of these areas. Jeff spoke of a fixed contract with Owen and Beck so have a fixed schedule and fixed cost. Have to manage the costs as we have a budget for treating the Lake. The divers know the Lake and the problem areas and can identify the species located in the areas. Martha questioned how to measure the number of weeds harvested and Frank questioned the approval of the permit. Jeff stated the permit is on file and we have a tentative approval for the permit, have a waiting period to receive the permit form the State. Discussion followed regarding the increased amount of run offs from the roads and driveways this Spring. The run off has makes the Lake murky, delaying the weed growth, but will produce algae. Jerremy requested pictures of the suction harvesting to advertise the work that the suction harvesting crew is doing. Martha spoke of the Lake’s score card and how LSC is ranked in the State. It is important to improve the ranking by identifying the number of plant species are in the Lake. The Greeters are identifying other plants and Solitude is recording their findings as well.

Hilary from PMNRCD spoke on the benefits of buffer gardens and infiltration steps so water can flow through them. A Lakewise workshop in July will cover septic, storm waters, the water shed and erosion issues that impact the water quality, and buffer planting. A committee or group of neighborhood leaders to provide outreach for the Lake would increase the knowledge base and educate people on the programs and projects that are addressed at the Lake. Frank raised the issue of property owners putting in a culvert with no permit and septic issues and running into the storm drains. Association can organize a group to work with Hilary. LEAP has funding to provide plantings. The transition for is difficult as a result of GMC closing. There is no contract in place between LSCA and LEAF. Ed proposed work forward in “good faith” finish the work, as backlog of getting contract out with a stop in cash flow. Martha numbers shows trend going in the other direction. More groups are applying for more money and there is more money going out and the groups are being awarded less money. MJ reiterated the programs LSC has is 20% matched as opposed to the 50% funding we used to receive from the State. Getting deliverables in the past. Kim told are behind, contract out late. Josh left and not replacing personnel and business office is having trouble. Jim stated to get together and move forward with the troubled areas. Martha discussed the clean water funding and the relationship with Hilary. VT required 2.3 billion over 20 years. More money to positioning our Lake to get money from the government proposal. It passed both houses, advocate together to get ourselves a full partnership to get the money. Hilary all funding to regional planning committee strong group working region. Capacity to use the funds for storm water projects. DEC 200-300 projects in watershed to keep sediment out of the Lake. Little Lake would be a good spot to concentrate on. Capacity up for people to implement work and apply for funds. Need a point person to oversee the work. Everyone is over worked. There is no funding for private roads or driveways and these are major problems. Conservation issues- no one helps with driveways. Need technical assistance, must keep trying with prevention treatments in focus on storm water projects. Pervious asphalt view on it versus hard pack material. More work on maintaining – engineers working on pervious. Jerremy stated funding 6% rooms and meals tax, 7 million the last page of Martha’s repot. Martha storm water project locked into it being the roll of the municipality to address- the municipality can get funds if do the work. 3 billion dollars distributed to different projects. 2 day application, get contract need help oversight and the LSCA can help coordinate.

Business meeting called to order at 9:24.

1. Recording Secretary’s report – Minutes of the August 25,2018 meeting approved. Frank made motion and John second. Old business, Bob- stated missing a trustee. Minutes on e-mail
2. Treasurer's report- Jerremy, Martha, and Elaine had a special meeting to get the new format established for the treasurer's report. Jerremy set up a power point presentation of the treasurer's report. It was demonstrated how the report can be automatically changed as entries are made to the report. This format is a live report google will update automatically. Can budget for income and expenses. It can show how much money we really have; shows the cash flow. Questioned the group – $111,000.00 to work with, what is our tolerance? Can generate new revenue through grants. How can we nickel and dime our expenses to lower our costs? Jeff, what is the % of property owners contribute to dues? How can we increase our membership? 286 active members- discussion for target mailings to give money to the LSCA. How can we increase the membership from the Little Lake? Bubblers not being supported by the State, State is pushing PREVENTIVE approach. Solitude budget 60,000.00 more expensive proposal. Fixed contract with Owen and the suction harvesting. $49,000.00. Looking at herbicide versus suction harvesting, can’t pay per diem have to have a bottom line. New herbicide long term basis, not do secondary sights and lower costs. Valid budget $75,000.00. Accounting wise, long term budget hold company more accountable, more expensive in the early years, lower the budget, keep Owen, DASH program, keep them motivated- 50/50 harvesting approach. A new harvesting method that contains the seeds and weeds. Little Lake needs to get a better harvester. SOLITUDE- not so much water treatment, state pushing water treatment expensive and that needs to be cut back on the testing. New herbicide only requires one day water restriction. New product- FDA told them state wants a baseline- how long do we have to keep testing. Discussion followed on the line by line report. How to create capital expense, line of credit. SOLITUDE come back with same cost- not seeing saving over the next 3 years. Long run, stay on top of milfoil issue, increase membership and dues and donations. SONAR letter distribution mailings to increase contributions. There is a need to generate more income. Waiting for approval of the new herbicide. Research states about new herbicide. People want to know the new herbicide greatly improves results with short term restriction. Provide a slide presentation at meeting to make people aware. Ed – responsibilities to disclose change of accounting measure, cash accounting versus accurate accounting for a non-profit. How to thank people for their contributions; list of Gold, Silver and Bronze contributors. Gifts to send out to people. Separate voluntary contributors versus membership dues. Make a separate line item to track. Motion made and second to accept the treasurer's report.
3. Annual meeting and Dinner LSCA July 27,2019. John stated format to remain the same as last year. Meeting at 6:00 and dinner to follow at 7:30. Andy is cooking, and the menu will be chicken, fish, pasta and prime rib. Advertise for the dinner meeting and allow for 60-80 people. Distribute notice around the Lake. John will get menu from Andy; the time dinner is to be served. Jerremy will have a power point presentation.
4. Milfoil management- Jeff reported the permit is in hand, will be finalized if not opposition. Treatment date late June early July before July 4th. Discussion with Owen and Beck for the mailings to the public. Allowed to give notice through e-mails. Discussion regarding jumping the gun to get the permit but won’t have the 30-day notice period. Confusion about the new permit; it is a 5-year permit but have to have yearly approval. DASH sights to be specifically approved. 2 permits on website under new DASH. Boat launch monitoring application submitted not received a letter back. Approved. DEC – not renew Little Lake permit for aeration as it is not improving Little Lake condition. Questioned if Little Lake has the weed harvesting permit, requesting a worker to operate the harvester. Martha, 10,000.00 15,000.000 20,000.00 Wells budgeted $ to an ineffective program. The LSCA need to approach Wells select board to discuss the LSCA work on maintaining the Lake and the water quality. Increase Little Lake membership and try to involve more people. After the treatment of the Lake try to get together with the Wells select board and get on the agenda. Poultney select board also needs to be approached to discuss the work being performed on the Lake.
5. Boat launch monitoring – John stated that Martha was able to secure more money. 7:00 need to have Greeters available as fishermen get there early. Able to increase the program by 25%. Have 8 fishing tournaments scheduled for the Lake this year. State park has two new managers, will make them aware of the boats coming into the Lake through the state park. Provide them with a package of information to distribute. Last year inspected 1409 boats. AIS present at launch, and the Greeters picked off 12 boats with milfoil. 161 milfoil on boats in August. Boat wash station, the state will give us to wash every boat coming out of LSC. New proposal no expense to us. Can’t use lake water even if its heated to 180 degrees. Fish and Wildlife needs to give us permission Martha $5000.00 grant to poll other lakes for best practice. Fill tanks deal breaker lack of water since we are infected with milfoil. MJ future do we need a boat wash. Martha evidence based boats coming out or bringing the weeds into lake. How can we get a decontamination station. Decline for boat wash.
6. Water quality- Mary Jo. No discussion
7. Publicity- Jerremy. Newsletter distributed around the Lake. Good viewers on Facebook. Only one call for the boat safety course. And have trifold brochures to distribute.
8. Lake safety- Frank. 2 missing markers need to be picked up. Stewart take over Horseshoe Bay. John helped distribute markers.
9. Nominating Committee- Bob. Need new trustee. Suggested to approach residents on the Little Lake.
10. Membership – Elaine. A June mailing will go out to remind people to pay the dues.
11. Government- Phil. Martha spoke regarding distributing a package of information the the Wells select board prior to the night of the event. It was dominated by the Lake Conservation group. Trying to reallocate resources back to LSCA. MJ Poultney did not give us $5,000. As has cut funds. The town of Poultney upset about the closing of GMC.
12. Old Business- Martha and Jim work on grants. Simplify the application process. Pay us for what the LSCA is already doing. $50,000.00 funding out there trying to increase revenue.

Boat Parade: need someone to manage the boat parade, slated for July 6,2019.

Saturday, July 6, the fireworks will be held. Rick Roberts asking for contributions.

Wells Day: July 13 – Frank sets up will need assistance manning the booth.

East Poultney Day: August 10,

Nominating Frank, Ed, Rob, Mary Jo, Phil for re-nomination for the position of trustees. Lake residents were recommended for trustees.

Adjournment- 11:06 Meeting called for adjournment by President, motion made by Frank and second by Jeff. All in favor

Hello LSC.

We'd like to let you know about a program created by the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds (FOVLAP) to monitor for cyanobacteria on all VT Lakes & Ponds.

So, we are looking to connect with folks from Lake St. Catherine and other local water bodies to attend a class presented by FOVLAP to teach you how to become a cyanobacteria monitor. You do not need a boat, or any special equipment.

From the Vermont Health & The Environment website on Cyanobacteria:

"Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are naturally found in fresh water in the U.S. and in Lake Champlain and other Vermont waters. Some types of cyanobacteria can release natural toxins or poisons (called cyanotoxins) into the water, especially when they die and break down."

You can click here to learn more about Cyanobacteria.

Last season, there was a brief bloom of Cyanobacteria that appeared in the channel from Halls Bay. The bloom was quickly identified and the Vermont DEC dispatched a crew to contain it.

If you would be interested in attending this presentation, please email us at info@lakestcatherine.org. If we have enough interest, FOVLAP will schedule the seminar. It would be great to have residents around the lake trained in identifying Cyanobacteria so any possible future blooms can be quickly identified and contained.

Info about the program can be seen in the image below.

Thank you!

Hello good folks of the Lake St. Catherine community.

We'd like to let you know that the LSCA Spring 2019 newsletter is now available.

In an effort to save on printing and mailing costs, we've decided to only print a short run of copies and distribute them to Otto's Cones Point General Store and the Wells Country Store. If you'd like a printed copy, please feel free to pick one up when you are out and about in Poultney or Wells (starting around noon today). Thank you to Otto's and WCS!

The digital version is now available online via our website through this link: Click here to view the Spring 2019 Newsletter, or click on the image below. You will be able to read through the newsletter and/or save a copy to your computer.

We hope you'll enjoy this edition of the LSCA newsletter.

We welcome your comments: info@lakestcatherine.org.

Thank you for your support!

Are you a member yet? Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. Grants, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding. If you'd like to help, please consider becoming a member or making a donation. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and any contribution that you make is tax deductible.

The Lake St. Catherine Association is pleased to provide two FREE boating safety courses this season.

The first will be held on June 12th and 13th from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Poultney Volunteer Fire Department on Beaman Street.

The second will be held on July 8th and 9th from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Wells Village School on Route 30.

Anyone born after January 1st, 1974 must successfully complete an approved boating safety education course to legally operate any motorized vessel - including personal watercraft.

Frank Callahan, Trustee in charge of Boating Safety, will be conducting the courses.

Space is limited to 24 attendees, so please call 802-645-9136 or email Frank at frank.callahan@lakestcatherine.org to register. Last season, both classes filled up to capacity very quickly, so please call to schedule as soon as you can.

For additional information about boating in Vermont, check out the online Handbook of Vermont Boating laws and Responsibilities.

Are you a member yet? Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. Grants, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding. If you'd like to help, please consider becoming a member or making a donation. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and any contribution that you make is tax deductible.

Hello LSC fans...

We have some exciting news - we'd like to let you know about the 7th Annual Boat Parade and when the LSC 4th of July fireworks will light up the sky.

7th Annual Lake St. Catherine Boat Parade:

This year, the Boat Parade will take place on Saturday, July 6th at 1 PM. Prizes are awarded for:

• Most Original
• Most Patriotic
• Funniest
• Best Overall

Register your boat today! Email us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Please note: we are looking for a new Boat Parade Coordinator. Lila Burgner started the Boat Parade 7 years ago, and she has decided to 'retire'. If you'd be interested in coordinating the Boat Parade this year, please contact us!

Here's our Best Overall winner from last year:

Fireworks:

Lake resident Rick Roberts has informed the LSCA that his fireworks display will occur on Saturday, July 6th. This year, the fireworks will launch from the east side of the lake, near the mouth of Hall's Bay from a barge. Rick asks that boats give the barge a 150 yard perimeter.

Rick personally organizes and funds this annual fireworks display for us all to enjoy - please consider making a contribution to Rick. Thanks Rick!

A photo from last year's display by Ben Nicolson Photography:

What a photo!

So, mark your calendars for Saturday, July 6th for the Boat Parade and the Fireworks display!

We'd like to let you know about some upcoming workshops, conferences and trainings - all on the topic of keeping our lakes healthy.

Public Access Greeter Trainings

LSCA trustees and our crew of Greeters will be attending the May 18th workshop at the Castketon Community Center.

Each season, our Boat Launch Greeters attend this training session so they can provide invasive species education and watercraft inspections to boaters as they enter and leave Lake St. Catherine. Each season, the LSCA funds the Boat Launch Greeter program from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

In early 2019, the Watershed Grant program recognized the Lake St. Catherine Association’s “Greeter” program at the State’s boat launch by awarding us with a $5,000 grant. The LSCA will use the this funding to expand the aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention program to keep invasive species out of Lake St. Catherine.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Additional dates & info:

Septic Solutions Conference

On May 9th, from 8:30 AM - 3 PM at the UVM Davis Center in Burlington, VT - the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District will hold a Septic Solutions Conference.

Topics will include: Septic 101, septic regulations for shorelines, septic financing and innovative and alternative systems.

It is extremely important that septic systems on the shoreline are working properly. If your system is in need of replacement, this looks to be an excellent conference to attend.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Additional info:

Summer Erosion Control Workshops

These training workshops are for professionals working in soils, erosion control, water quality, public works, engineering, roads, planning and consulting.

Sediment is the world’s #1 pollutant. During storms, disturbed soils erode and wash into streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands, threatening drinking water, fish and wildlife, and recreational uses.

This workshop teaches techniques for preventing and controlling erosion and supports a favorable quality of life in Vermont.

The first workshop will be on June 11, 2019 at Lake Eden in Eden, VT. The second will be on June 12, 2019 in Richmond, VT.

These workshops requires a $30 registration.

Additional info:

Since its creation in 1998, the Vermont DEC’s Watershed Grant Program’s primary focus has been to support watershed-related education and recreation and directly protect and restore Vermont’s watersheds.

In 2019, the Watershed Grant program recognized the Lake St. Catherine Association’s “Greeter” program at the State’s boat launch. Entitled “Taking the Lake St. Catherine Greeter Program to the Next Level of Performance through Evidence-Based Decision-Making”, The Association will use the $5,000 full funding of the outreach grant to expand the aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention program to keep invasive species out of Lake St. Catherine.

Specifically, the grant will expand the AIS Prevention Program (Greeter Program / Boat Launch Monitoring), through a 25% increase in hours, a special focused pilot study on July 4th weekend, to initiate outreach through a dialogue with Lake St. Catherine State Park on common goals and protocols, and a structured review of best practices and outcomes, for consideration of the feasibility of a pressurized decontamination station.

The Public Access Greeters perform a variety of inspections and decontaminations: visual and tactile inspection, removal of organic material, boater remove the bilge plug until drained, and distribute educational materials. In 2018, over 800 watercraft were inspected.

The Greeter Program is not only aimed at preventing the introduction of invasive species to Lake St. Catherine, but also at education and community building. It is an opportunity to interact with boaters, gain trust, and provide information on how to safely enjoy the Lake.

Half of the proceeds derived from the sale of Vermont Conservation License Plates go towards funding the Vermont Watershed Grants Program.

The Program, co-administered by DEC and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, distributes grant dollars for noteworthy local and regional water-related projects within Vermont.

All are encouraged to consider switching your current license plate to a Vermont Conservation license plate. Applications to do so can be found at here at the Conservation License Plate website. Currently, there are 3 plate options to choose from: Deer, Loon, Trout:

If you know of a conservation-minded student who would enjoy working at the boat launch this summer, kindly contact LSCA Board Member John Belnavis at: john.beinavis@lakestcatherine.org.

The Board of Directors of the Lake St. Catherine Association sincerely thanks the Vermont DEC for supporting its efforts to protect Lake St. Catherine, now and in the future.

Hello LSC fans.

With the recent warm weather, I'm sure we've all been thinking about Spring.

So, we decided to have some fun while we wait. Based on an idea posted on our Facebook page (thanks Derric), we've decided to have an Ice Out prediction contest.

When do you think the ice will go out this season?

Make your prediction here: LSC Ice Out Prediction Form

The winner will be crowned "LSC 2019 Ice Out Champion" and will have bragging rights all year.

Make your guess - and good luck!

The following is a summary on funding of clean water projects in Vermont compiled by Lake St. Catherine Trustee Martha Pofit. Martha is also on the Board Of Directors of the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds (FOVLAP), focusing on legislative issues.

Background: Federal EPA Requirements

Vermont is required to fund $2.3 billion over the next 20 years to comply with federal pollution reduction orders for Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog and other water bodies in the state. Since the 2015 passage of Act 64, Vermont’s Clean Water Act, the state has used short-term sources — such as appropriations from the capital bill — for the majority of its share of the funding. Going forward, Vermont is obligated to identify a stable, long-term clean water funding source.

Governor’s Budget Plan for Long Term Funding

In his budget address, Governor Scott laid out a proposal to use a portion of the estate tax for clean water funding, (while also reducing the number of individuals who would be subject to paying the estate tax). His plan also included using some general fund money generated from the property transfer tax, and other sources. Next year, as an example, the budget calls for a total of $48 million for clean water efforts, including management of the state’s 7,000 miles of dirt roads and on-farm water quality projects. That total includes more than $19 million in federal funds.

Preliminary Legislative Reaction

Legislative leaders have expressed concern about diverting revenue from the general fund and creating a funding gap for other state priorities, as well as the volatility/variability of the estate tax. As an alternative, the Vermont Senate Natural Resources Committee was expected to consider a clean water funding bill that would contain a combination of a per parcel fee and an impervious surface fee.

Advocates Weigh In

The Vermont Water Caucus, (including the Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Conservation Voters, Audubon Vermont, Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club, Lake Champlain Committee, The Nature Conservancy in Vermont, Connecticut River Conservancy, Watersheds United Vermont, and Conservation Law Foundation.) developed a series of principles to apply to any long-term funding sources.

• Funding sources must be stable and sufficient to meet Vermont’s needs.
• Funding sources must be stable, predictable and reliable from year to year, to support ongoing, consistent clean water protection and restoration efforts.
• Funding must be flexible in terms of its use, to meet the full and evolving scope of clean water needs across the state.
• Funding must restore our degraded waters and also protect our river and lakes from future degradation.
• Funding sources must minimize negative economic impacts on lower-income Vermonters, who already bear a disproportionate burden of the consequences of contaminated water.

Federal EPA’s Reaction to the Governors Funding Plan

The federal Environmental Protection Agency gave its preliminary approval February 11 to the plan from the Scott administration to fund clean water projects with existing revenues and create regional districts to implement projects, calling it a “sensible framework” that meets the state’s obligations to provide a long-term source for clean water funding.

Specific Legislative Proposals

Senate bill 96

Senator Bray, D-Addison, introduced S. 96 on February 12.

This bill proposes to establish a Clean Water Board for the receipt and dissemination of Clean Water Funds, sets priorities and eligible entities to receive funds and establishes a Clean Water Assessment on all parcels in the State. Monies collected under the Clean Water Assessment would be deposited in the Clean Water Fund to fund water quality improvement projects in the State. The amount of the Clean Water Assessment shall be approximately $40.00 per parcel, collected by July 1, 2021.

Reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Bray for the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on March 2 for the Senate Calendar of March 12.

House bill 171

Rep. Till, D-Jericho, introduced H. 171 that would raise the Clean Water funds through a combination of taxes and fees on parking lots, asphalt sales, hotel rooms, and milk handlers.

Specifically, this bill proposes to establish an impervious surface fee on all parcels in the State. The bill would repeal the sunset of the Clean Water Surcharge on the Property Transfer Tax. The bill also would establish a Water Quality Occupancy Surcharge on the rent of each occupancy in the State. The bill would impose on milk handlers a fee per pound of fluid milk purchased from a milk producer for the purpose of bottling, manufacturing, processing, distribution, or sale of dairy products in the State. The bill would require a manufacturer of asphalt to pay an assessment per ton of asphalt sold in the State each year. The revenue from the impervious surface fee, the Water Quality Occupancy Surcharge, and the asphalt assessment would be deposited in the Clean Water Fund. The revenue from the milk handling fee would be deposited in the General Fund.

On February 27, Committee on Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife be relieved of the bill, moved to Committee on Ways and Means.

House bill 507

Rep. Dolan, D-Waitsfield, introduced a bill to fund Clean Water Projects through collection of a tax on bottled water at 10 cents per bottle and sugary drinks at 15 cents per bottle. The legislation would also levy a 6 percent tax on barbering or cosmetology services and a .05 percent increase in the income tax.

Specifically, this bill proposes to raise revenue for water quality projects and programs. The bill would establish a 10-cent per bottle tax on bottled water sold in the State. The bill would establish a 15-cent per bottle tax on each bottle of sugar-sweetened beverage sold in the State. The bill would establish a sales tax of six percent on the value of barbering or cosmetology services. The bill would also raise individual income rates by .05 percent. Revenue raised under the bill would be deposited in the Clean Water Fund for the purposes of that Fund, except that 67 percent of the revenue raised from the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages would be deposited in the State Health Care Resources Fund for use according to the purposes of the Fund.

On February 28, referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

Federal Funding Announced by Sen. Leahy on Feb 22

More than $20 million in federal funding was appropriated to Lake Champlain in fiscal year 2019- the highest level of annual federal funding to assist clean up efforts. Sen. Patrick Leahy announced the funding at Burlington’s ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, which he helped secure in his role as vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The figure has more than doubled since 2017.

The specific funding lines are $11 million for the EPA Lake Champlain Program, $7.25 million for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, $1 million for the Lake Champlain Sea Grant, $500,000 for the U.S. FWS Sea Lamprey Control and $1 million for the International Joint Commission Flood Study.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee moves S. 96 to the Senate Floor

On March 1, Senate Natural Resources reported a favorable recommendation to place S.96 on the Senate Calendar for March 12. S.96 would mandate every landowner pay a clean water tax, or “assessment,” of approximately $40 and establish regional planning commissions.