FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release
Contact:
Alison Marchione, Lake Shoreland Coordinator
Department of Environmental Conservation
802-490-6128, Alison.Marchione@vermont.gov
Montpelier, VT (December 22, 2022) – The Lakes and Ponds Program of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce that a third lake has achieved the “Gold Lake Wise Award”. Lake Iroquois, located in Williston, Hinesburg, Richmond, and St. George, joined Echo Lake in Charleston and Seymour Lake in Morgan in reaching this accomplishment.
“The Gold Lake Wise Award is an impressive achievement,” said DEC Commissioner John Beling. “It is clear that Lake Iroquois community is committed to preserving the health of the lake and promoting sound shoreland management practices.”
The Gold Lake Wise Award is granted to lake associations when 15% of the properties surrounding a lake have received an individual Lake Wise Award.
A Lake Wise Award is given to individual property owners who participate in the voluntary Lake Wise program to improve stormwater management and prevent erosion on lakeshore properties. Properties must meet a series of criteria that indicate the property is well managed, using shoreland Best Management Practices, and is maintained to care for the lake.
In 2017 Echo Lake in Charleston, VT was the first lake to reach the 15% threshold and receive the award. It was followed closely by its neighbor Seymour Lake, which reached the goal in just a few weeks later.
Since then, no other lake in Vermont has reached this achievement until now.
Lake Iroquois Association President Shannon Kelly reacted to the news, “We are so thrilled that Lake Iroquois has achieved this milestone. This was a goal of mine when I took over as president 18 months ago, and it is so exciting to attain that goal.”
The award was achieved just as Lake Iroquois Association, in conjunction with the Winooski Natural Resource Conservation District, started its Lake Watershed Action Plan (LWAP). An LWAP is an assessment and planning tool used to identify the greatest threats to a lake ecosystem from the land uses within the watershed, including impacts on water quality and wildlife habitat.
Learn how to become a Gold Lake awardee: https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/lakeshores-lake-wise. Find other Lake Wise properties and lakes and view the map.
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The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont's natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.