What's New
WATER QUALITY MONITORING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Want to make an impact on stream health? The Stream Team is seeking volunteers to help collect samples from Chittenden County waterways for water quality testing. Twice monthly from late June to early September, volunteers will collect grab samples from their designated site, and then deliver those samples to the UVM lab for analysis. To learn more or to volunteer, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
CLEANING UP THE LAMOILLE RIVER WALK
Join your friends at the Stream Team for a clean up and work day at the Lamoille River Walk in Milton. We are partnering with the Milton Conservation Commission and the Milton Youth Coalition for the "Spring into Service" event. We'll bring the tools, materials and snacks. You bring some work gloves and a smile.
When: Saturday May 18, 2013
Time: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Where: CVPS Trailhead - Milton (http://trailfinder.info/trail.php?id=92)
Sign up!
HITTING THE STREET WITH PERMEABLE PAVEMENT
New pavement designs are making it possible to create stormwater-infiltrating surfaces where impermeable ground cover like concrete once stood; and the trend is starting to catch on here in Vermont. A recent Essex Reporter article explains a local developer's choice to use porous asphalt on a newly constructed parking area at a Lincoln Street complex. He recieved financial help from the Let it Rain stormwater program and reduced the impact on nearby Moon Brook. Want to learn more about this paving option and how you can get cash for your innovative stormwater project? Click here for a closer look at the process.
EPA LAUNCHES WATERWAY APP
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just launched a new app called "How's My Waterway" to help people find information on the health of any water body in the country from their smartphone, tablet or desktop. Start learning how the streams, rivers or lakes near you stack up by clicking here.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Friends of the Winooski River need a few volunteers to help with brush management on an Allen Brook restoration site in Williston. Call 882-8276 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested. A volunteer day will be scheduled based on interest and availability.
WNRCD *FREE* Rain Garden Workshop
When: September 6, 2012 5:30-7PM
Where: Burlington’s Coast Guard Waterfront Marina (At the on-site Rain Garden)
Come experience the benefits of rain gardens as natural filtration systems for stormwater runoff. Learn about the proper techniques to create your own rain garden including placement, plant selection, design, and soil preparation. We will use the on-site garden to illustrate important design elements and to stress the necessity of maintenance. Be prepared to do some light weeding and mulching. RSVP by September 4th to reserve your spot:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Want to Get Paid to Absorb Your Stormwater?
Let it Rain is a new program designed to help landowners access information, expertise and cash to manage runoff using low impact development (LID) strategies. This year, the program aims to help store or treat water from 25,000 square feet of impervious surfaces. If you've got a roof or a driveway, then you have stormwater that needs a place to go. Learn how you can start beautifying your property, protecting your investments and cleaning up our waterways at: www.uvm.edu/seagrant/let-it-rain
Water Quality Monitoring Gets Underway
On July 10th, a summer-long, volunteer-lead stream testing effort kicked off. Twice monthly, residents will head to their designated waterway and collect samples for analysis. Phosphorus, nitrogen, turbidity and cloride levels will be tracked in six Chittenden County streams and brooks. The data from this monitoring effort will be made available on this site. To learn more or to volunteer, click here.
Make It Take It Rain Barrel Workshop in Shelburne
ReSOURCE, in partnership with the Shelburne Natural Resources & Conservation Committee, will be hosting a “build your own rain barrel” workshop on June 7, 2012. Participants will learn the ins and outs of rain barrels and build their own rain barrel for immediate use. (read more...)
CCST Cleans Up Salmon Hole
On Saturday, May 5th CCST hosted a cleanup in and around Salmon Hole in Burlington. Salmon Hole is a popular recreational area along the Winooski River that's used by many local residents. CCST and Winooski Valley Parks District staff along with ten volunteers picked up trash and debris throughout the area, focusing heavily on the widely used river trail. Much to our surprise, we were also joined by a juvenile moose which reinforced the value of the work we were doing. A big thank you goes to everyone who participated.
CCST Receives Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Award
In mid-April, CCST was honored for their collaborative efforts to mitigate the harmful impacts of excessive stormwater runoff. We graciously accepted the award on behalf of everyone who has put time or energy into making the Stream Team a success, including all of our wonderful partners and citizen volunteers.
Click here to see the article written by Matt Sutkoski of the Burlington Free Press.
Ice Cream Social on April 19
CCST is hosting an Ice Cream Social outside the Champlain Mill in Winooski on Thursday, April 19 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Enjoy Ben and Jerry's ice cream while learning more about your local watershed and what you can do to protect it. Attendees will have the chance to win a rain barrel, learn about rain garden plants, and have a local water sample tested (please bring one with you). We hope to see you there.
Lewis Creek Association to Work with Town of Shelburne on Stormwater Mitigation
Lewis Creek Association (LCA) has been awarded a Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) $18,810 Ecosystem Restoration Grant to work with the town of Shelburne in the development and implementation of a Grass Swale Stormwater Mitigation Best Management Practice (BMP) Plan. The project will identify specific grass swale designs that will reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff and protect water quality. A methodology will be developed to assist the town in the evaluation and prioritization of grass lined swales while considering specific site conditions including safety, hydrology, soil types and slope.
Check out the full press release here.
Upcoming Worskshop
CCST is hosting a free workshop for Chittenden County residents on Thursday, March 29 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm in the Milton Community Room. The workshop will focus on low cost strategies and tips for controlling residential stormwater including rain gardens, rain barrels, natural lawn care, and cisterns. What a great way to get ready for spring. Call the Milton Recreation Department at (802) 893-4922 to sign up.
EPA's "Reduce Runoff: Slow it Down, Spread it Out, Soak it in" Video
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Botanic Garden produced this 9-minute on-line video, "Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In," that highlights green techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels to help manage stormwater runoff.
The film showcases green techniques that are being used in urban areas to reduce the effects of stormwater runoff on the quality of downstream receiving waters. The goal is to mimic the natural way water moves through an area before development by using design techniques that infiltrate, evaporate, and reuse runoff close to its source.
The techniques are innovative stormwater management practices that manage urban stormwater runoff at its source, and are very effective at reducing the volume of stormwater runoff and capturing harmful pollutants. Using vegetated areas that capture runoff also improves air quality, mitigates the effects of urban heat islands and reduces a community's overall carbon footprint.
Watch the video here.
Sunderland Brook Cleanup A Huge Success
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On Saturday, October 22 over 40 volunteers came out to help clean up the banks of Sunderland Brook in Essex, VT. Over the course of two and a half hours, these dedicated citizens removed beverage containers, corrugated metal, cinder blocks, shopping carts, shoes, bicycles, and a host of other trash including (can you believe it) a cast iron wood stove. This removal of these materials is a huge step towards improving the quality of this precious resource. Let's hope the brook stays clean for many years to come. Thank you to everyone who helped out on this fantastic day.
CCST Installs a Rain Garden at the Chamberlin School in South Burlington
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On September 6 and 7, CCST worked with over 30 students, teachers, and volunteers to install a 210 square foot rain garden at the entrance to the Chamberlin Elementary School. The garden is 8" deep and was planted with an assortment of plants including ferns, lilies, irises, grasses, hostas, and astilbe. Over the past week, the garden has done a wonderful job of keeping stormwater from flowing onto the adjacent parking lot and out to a nearby stream.
In the weeks and months to come, the 4th grade class that helped build the garden will learn more about soil, water, and pollution. We wish them luck in their educational pursuits and hope that they will continue to learn from this project.
Special thanks go out to all the staff and students at the Chamberlin School who participated, Bern Scarpa for his willingness to help all day, South Burlington Stormwater Services for their generous support of this project, and Arcana Nurseries for the beautiful plants.
New Hampshire Develops Residential Guide for Stormwater Management
Looking for some guidance as to what you can do to manage stormwater on your property? Check out the guide here.
Stream Team Becomes a Project of the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District
Starting in June, the CCST will be managed by the WNRCD which is a local organization dedicated to enhancing, restoring, and protecting natural resources within Chittenden and Washington Counties including three towns in Orange County. Over the course of the next three years, WNRCD will continue to provide opportunities for public participation revolving around stormwater through a series of projects, workshops, and events. We are actively scheduling projects and events for this summer so check back often for more details.
Stream Team to Track Chittenden County Water, as reported by the Burlington Free Press. Check out the article here.
Saint Michael's College Monitors Benthic Macro Invertebrates in stormwater impaired streams. Check out the data here.
