SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $16 MILLION IN FED FUNDS FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN WATERSHED CONSERVATION
USDA Rural Conservation Partnership Funds Awarded to New York State Will Allow NY to Partner with Vermont & Work Together to Implement, Accelerate Conservation Practices in the Lake Champlain Watershed
Projects Include Targeting Conservation Practices for Optimal Environmental Benefits & Monitoring Conservation Effectiveness – Senators Have Led Fight to Improve Lake Champlain Watershed, A Key Economic Driver for North Country
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $16 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is headed to New York State and the state of Vermont to implement conservation projects in the Lake Champlain watershed. The funding was allocated through the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and will enable New York State and Vermont to partner in their continual efforts to improve Lake Champlain’s water quality, support wildlife habitat and enhance the environment. Schumer and Gillibrand said these conservation projects include using innovative tools, like modeling, to identify conservation best practices in order to optimize environmental benefits, as well as monitoring overall conservation effectiveness in the Lake Champlain Watershed so the area can continue to be a key economic driver for the North Country region.
“Lake Champlain is one of the crown jewels of the entire state, and making sure it stays clean and a viable habitat is critical to our environment and our economy. Tourists come from all over the state and country to visit Lake Champlain, generating jobs and economic activity on all sides of its expansive shores, and these federal funds will ensure conservation efforts are effective and far-reaching,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased the USDA has awarded these funds so Lake Champlain can continue to be a center for recreation, tourism and economic development for generations to come.”
“Lake Champlain Watershed is a vital natural resource and key economic anchor in upstate New York,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “This critical funding is an important step in the right direction as we work to protect this watershed and improve water quality for those who rely on its resources. I will continue to push for these types of investments that support New York farming and tourism and will work to ensure the Lake Champlain Watershed remains a clean recreational resource for our families and local businesses.”
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), promotes coordination between Natural Resources and Conservation (NRSC) and its partners to provide federal assistance to farmers and landowners. Regions must apply in order to be eligible partners in the program and access federal funding. The program was authorized under the most recent farm bill.
