Coordinating Water Quality Projects for Landowners and Communities
2020 Water Quality Projects Underway!
Stormwater related water quality projects – also known as Green Stormwater Infrastructure – are underway in Caledonia County this summer. These types of projects take advantage of ground infiltration to treat stomwater before it enters streams. The first project installation is at Northern Vermont University (NVU) campus in Lyndon and involves the construction of a Gravel Wetland. Gravel wetlands are a type of stormwater treatment practice for wetter soils that creates a way for water to infiltrate in soils it normally wouldn’t. The project will treat stormwater runoff from campus parking lots and athletic fields before it enters streams. This project was identified in the Stormwater Master Plan for the town of Lyndon.
NEK Nutrient Management Planning
Do you have a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP)that needs updating? Have you forgotten how to navigate goCrop? Are you not sure whether you need an NMP? Are you interested in soil sampling your fields but not sure how to get started?
All certified small farms are required to have an updated NMP with soil samples every 3 years and a manure sample each year. Not sure if you need to certify? Click here for more information or give us a call and we can help get you started.
Wondering about our Plant Sale?
We’re currently working on deciding whether to continue with this Plant Sale in 2021.
Have any input for us? We’d love to hear it.
Swale installed at Fenton Chester Arena in Lyndon, filtering runoff from the parking lot before its piped to a stream
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Local Installations Underway
Stormwater Master Plans in Caledonia County have identified many project opportunities where stormwater can be better managed to reduce erosion and improve water quality. Installing Green Stormwater Infastructure (GSI)works to direct stormwater from roads, parking lots and other surfaces to green spaces so water can infiltrate and filter pollutants. This reduces the amount of dirty stormwater that enters catch basins and gets piped to rivers. These GSI practices are funded by the State of Vermont’s Clean Water Initiative and Ecosystem Restoration Program. Several projects are getting installed this summer in Burke, Lyndon and St. Johnsbury – with more to come next year!
Hydroseeder Share Program Still Up and Running
The towns of Danville, Ryegate, Groton and Walden are part of our Hydroseeder Share Program. The program involves four towns sharing a grant-funded hydroseeder to help treat ditches and roadsides – speeding up maintenance and ensuring good cover on bare ground to prevent sediment runoff to streams and rivers. The program is funded by the State of Vermont’s Clean Water Initiative and was coordinated by a partnership with the Lamoille, Essex and Caledonia County Conservation Districts. With hydroseeders costing between $26,000 and $33,000, this program only costs towns $500 to join and $200/year.
Caledonia County NRCD Board Meetings
Please Note: These meetings have changed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Please call for more information on meetings.
Open to the Public! Every second Wednesday at 4:00pm Conservation Districts are local subdivisions of state government (municipal organizations) under Vermont’s Soil Conservation Act cooperating with landowners and municipalities to apply conservation practices to the land. The Caledonia County Conservation District sponsors and coordinates technical and financial assistance to address water quality, stormwater runoff, erosion, soil quality, watershed planning and conservation education. Conservation Districts provide a unique and powerful vehicle for landowners to become involved in influencing local conservation work and state programs. Our board meetings are held at 481 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury at the second floor conference room. Call if you’d like to learn more or attend a meeting! 802-424-3149