Archive for category: GA Events

Stewards of the Greensboro watersheds partnered with the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation Service to complete a Lake Watershed Action Plan for the Caspian Lake Watershed.  A Lake Watershed Action Plan is an assessment and planning tool which identifies the greatest threats to the lake ecosystem, including impacts on water quality and wildlife habitat from stormwater runoff and from altered, cleared, or converted shorelands. The assessment combines a lake’s condition of shoreland, tributaries, drainage ditches, wetlands, hydrologically connected roads, and working landscapes in an individual planning guide that prioritizes restoration and protection actions for that specific region.

The Caspian Lake LWAP information is available for your viewing on the Storymap site. This story identifies individual properties within the watershed where a stream, wetland, road or shore project could be completed to reduce phosphorus input to the watershed.  If you see your property in the storymap (by location identification only) and would like to pursue a project, please contact [email protected]

The Tour de Greensboro is a non-competitive classic style ski tour event located in the beautiful town of Greensboro Vermont. The course is a 25 km single loop starting and ending at the Highland Lodge with a 15 km cutoff for those who prefer not to ski the entire distance. Participants will experience some of the best classic skiing in NE with spectacular views along the course incorporating the Greensboro Trail System and private trails. The course will be professionally groomed by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and private landowners. Please note that this event is not for beginner skiers. You must know the basic classic techniques needed for skiing uphills and  downhills and the fitness required to ski 25km or 15km. For event registration, go to: https://www.skireg.com/tour-de-greensboro

To complete the survey:

• Scan the QR Code below
• Download the survey here
• Complete the survey online here
• Pick up a hard copy at Smiths, the Library or at the town offices

In the summer of 2021, JoAnn Hanowski, co-chair of the Greensboro Association’s Lakes and Environmental Stewardship Committee, authored a Caspian Lake petition to the Department of Environmental Conservation to reclassify the lake and watershed to A1 from its current classification of B1.  Caspian Lake qualifies as an A1 lake based on its current relatively low phosphorus level.  As an A1 lake, if Caspian faced an increase in phosphorus or other environmental issues, it would automatically qualify for dollars to implement projects to improve water quality and protect our lake.  JoAnn and her team collected nearly 500 signatures for the petition, and it was submitted in December 2021.  It was determined to be administratively complete and underwent technical and legal review. 

A public hearing on the petition was scheduled but has since been canceled due to an antiquated 1986 prohibition on new septic systems with a design flow greater than 1000 gallons/day.  When this prohibition was enacted, it was assumed that forbidding new septics of that size would prevent the construction of inns or very large houses.  However, today’s new single wastewater system technologies can replace and out-perform multiple old systems, yielding net positive impacts on water quality, thus making the 1986 prohibition a barrier to cleaner waters.  In addition, anti-degradation rules currently being developed will better address concerns over development than the one-size-fits-all septic size prohibition.  Nevertheless, the House Environment & Energy Committee is uncomfortable removing the 1986 prohibition due to development concerns; the Governor has put all lake re-classification petitions on hold until a replacement bill can be passed.  Katherine Sims has submitted a bill (H84), which addresses this issue, has the full support of the DEC, requires no additional funding, and was passed by the Senate in 2023.

What can we do?  Caspian Lake needs you to write a letter to all members of the House Environment & Energy Committee (listed below) asking them to take up S.146 (this is similar to H.84 per Katherine Sims) since they have passed this in the Senate.  The bill needs to pass in the House this session (end of May) or will have to go through both the Senate and House again next year.

Here is an example letter:

Dear—

I am writing to encourage you to quickly pass S. 146 this legislative session.  

The Greensboro community worked incredibly hard in 2021 to gather signatures for a petition to re-classify Caspian Lake to A1.  We received a public hearing date but have now learned that the petition is on hold due to concerns over a 1986 septic regulation.   

We are confident that new wastewater system technologies, developed since 1986, will give full protection of the water quality in the Caspian Lake watershed when approved under the antidegradation rules.  We are also comfortable with our current zoning by-laws, lakeshore protection rules and anti-degradation laws to make informed decisions that will protect our A1 waters from excessive development.  

Passing S 146 this session will allow the re-classification process for Caspian Lake to be successful, and will further protect our lake.

Sincerely,

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

2023-2024

Chair: Rep. Amy Sheldon, Middlebury

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

Vice-Chair: Rep. Laura Sibilia, Dover

[email protected]

Phone (802) 384-0233

Ranking Member: Rep. Seth Bongartz,

Manchester

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

Rep. Paul Clifford, Rutland City

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

Rep. Kate Logan, Burlington

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

Rep. Kristi Morris, Springfield

[email protected]

Phone (802) 885-2949

Rep Avram Patt, Worcester

[email protected]

Phone (802) 223-1014

Ninety very eager cross-country skiers took to the ski trails of the Northeast Kingdom on Saturday, Feb 10th to participate in the non-competitive 2024 Tour de Greensboro. Participants included a strong contingent of local skiers along with others from CT, ME, NH, MA, and NY. They all had one thing in common, to challenge themselves by skiing a full 25km loop on some of the most beautiful ski trails in the Northeast while enjoying the comradery of fellow skiers. For those skiers not quite up to the task, they could opt to do a 15km loop.

A spring-like day with temperatures in the 40’s welcomed skiers as they gathered for instructions from event organizer Jim Fredericks.  The course layout, which included 2200’ of climbing included some Highland Lodge trails combined with those of private landowners. Expertly groomed classic track conditions were provided by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and private landowners.  The midpoint of the Tour included a break for hot cider and donuts, along with a warm fire.

Thunder chased some of the skiers at the end of the tour, but all reached the finish safely thanks to a large volunteer safety patrol.  Karl Stein from the Hardwick Emergency Rescue Squad led a team of volunteer Greensboro Association members with Wilderness First Aid skills.   GA members also helped skiers park their cars, registered them on arrival and return, and made sure everyone had hot cornbread and chili along with Jasper Hill Farm cheese at the ski hut.

The Tour de Greensboro would like to thank all its volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible, including Toko US, Lumi Experiences, Highland Lodge, Willey’s Store, Jasper Hill Farm, and Connie’s Kitchen.

Proceeds from the Tour de Greensboro will be donated to the Greensboro Association, whose mission is to conceive, advance and support village initiatives and organizations that enhance the Greensboro community and protect Caspian Lake and its surrounding environment.

Months after massive flooding devastated the region in July, and with ongoing weather threats that have carried into 2024, the Greensboro Association continues to support local organizations assisting those most impacted with funds raised through its Community Relief Fund.

In its 90 year history, the Greensboro Association has distributed grants to local organizations whose efforts serve those directly within the greater Greensboro community.  But the summer 2023 flooding saw the greatest need in recent memory, and many in our local communities continue to struggle with food insecurity and basic living and housing needs. Together with members and community donations, the GA raised over $80,000 in the weeks following the July floods to aid in recovery efforts and continues to accept donations. Because of the Greensboro Association’s deeply connected relationships with local organizations, businesses, and community members providing vital services throughout our community, it has been able to direct the monies raised to those most affected in our local community and those for whom other resources, including state and federal emergency funds are not available or sufficient. Recent flooding and climate swings continue to create instability this winter, increasing the unmet needs of many in our community. 

“These most recent GA grants reflect the longer-term needs of our community supporting the next phase of recovery and resiliency, strengthening our community to mitigate future disasters.  The Grants team is also coordinating with others in the Northeast Kingdom in order to view all area needs, and encourage coordination between organizations,” said Cathy Irwin, President of the Greensboro Association.

Recipients of the latest rounds of grants include Greensboro United Church of Christ, Smith’s Grocery, Center for an Agricultural Economy, Hardwick Area Food Pantry, Neighbors in Action, The Civic Standard, Greensboro Land Trust for Porter Brook Trail repair, Northeast Kingdom Organizing, and the Kingdom United Resiliency & Recovery Effort, which is a new entity formed to manage the long term recovery work in the NEK in coordination with FEMA and other regional, state, and federal partners. Funds will be used for things like construction materials to support ongoing infrastructure and housing repairs in the area, food and meals for those in need, and individual needs of those directly impacted by the disaster.  

“Food security, housing, transportation, mental and physical health, safety, child care, social isolation and connection are all things our communities have been grappling with. The recent floods and ongoing climate swings have continued to exposed the vital needs in our community and we [the GA Grants Committee] feel fortunate to be able to partner with such a dedicated array of organizations and community volunteers who are working to address both immediate needs while also strengthening our local systems and networks,” said Naomi Ranz-Schleifer, co-chair of the GA Grants Committee.

The Greensboro Community Garden has made good progress this Summer with the help of the $500 GA grant. In May we held our first community outreach event in collaboration with the Greensboro Free Library. Doug and Kayleigh, co-owners of Breadseed Farm in East Craftsbury gave a presentation on “Maximizing the Harvest” – sharing tips and techniques on how to follow no-till, organic practices to grow bountiful, great tasting, produce. It was a hybrid event but most of the 26 attendees turned up in person to enjoy the social gathering following the presentation with cheese kindly donated by Jasper Hill and kombucha by Becky Arnold. 

Planting Day in early June was a huge success, with a demo of how to use a broadfork for “no-till” aeration of the soil, and a plentiful supply of compost from Black Dirt Farm. We were able to buy two hi-rise water sprinklers as well as no-kink, lightweight hoses using the GA grant funds, which was super helpful for ease of getting the seeds and seedlings established. All the bugs in June and the rains in July did not deter the Garden from growing, nurtured by an active group of 12 core volunteers with additional supporters. Harvests have been plentiful, with over 100lbs of produce donated to the Hardwick Area Food Pantry to date. 

Additionally, we formed a new collaboration with Smith’s Grocery in Greensboro Bend during August, which has been very well received. Over 50lbs of produce was donated during the month, stocking the chiller cabinet in the store on a Friday with fresh vegetables harvested from the Community Garden. In addition, volunteers from the Community Garden collaborated with Rural Arts and the Bend Revitalization Initiative to supply salad and veggies with dip at the Basketball Skills Event at the Bend Community Park in early August.

Other community events have included: participation in the Funky 4th pie auction, with two savory donations from Community Garden lead volunteer, Jenny Bales; and supporting the Greensboro Farmers Market, especially on Kids Day, with a “Veggies Rock Hunt” activity. 

We will continue to harvest our produce as long as it lasts for donation to the Food Pantry. In addition, we plan to wrap up the season with a community workshop on mushroom growing, discuss a collaboration with the “Grow Your Own” program sponsored by the Center for an Agricultural Economy, and planting garlic in the Garden.

Many thanks to our lead volunteers: Jenny Bayles, Heidi DeBrino, Carol Calcagni, Joan Feffer, Alison Gardner, Cathy Hansen, Beth Meacham, Sara Slater, Liz Steel, Emily Stone, Ed Sunday-Winters and Fan Watkinson.