Stream and Floodplain Reconnection Projects in Vermont: Design and Phosphorus Crediting under the Lake Champlain TMDL
Evan Fitzgerald, CPESC, CFM
Jordan Duffy, PE, CPESC
Fitzgerald Environmental Associates
Colchester, Vermont
Authors: Evan Fitzgerald, CPESC, CFM, Jordan Duffy, PE, CPESC, Rodrigue Spinette, PhD
The number of stream and floodplain reconnection projects being designed and implemented in Vermont is increasing each year as State agencies and stakeholders work to improve water quality, protect vulnerable infrastructure, and improve aquatic habitat. In this talk, we will present several case studies of stream and floodplain reconnection projects in Vermont and associated phosphorus (P) crediting under the EPA-approved Lake Champlain P TMDL. Projects span a range of settings in the Lake Champlain watershed, including rural agricultural land and suburban land, and include dam removal, berm removal, floodplain lowering, and stream-crossing replacement. Several years ago, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) developed the Functioning Floodplains Initiative to guide P crediting for stream sector projects under the TMDL. In the last five years, as stream and floodplain projects have advanced through design and construction, VTDEC has been actively refining its policy and guidance around P crediting. We will share examples of how the Vermont approach compares with nutrient reduction crediting in other regions with similar TMDLs.
About Evan Fitzgerald, CPESC, CFM
Coming Soon
About Jordan Duffy, PE, CPESC
Coming Soon