Dear Editor,
I am deeply concerned with our state’s lack of enforcement of water quality standards in the Champlain Valley. Water runoff from farms into streams that feed into Lake Champlain led to an order from the Environmental Protection Agency for Vermont to enforce water quality standards. This issue impacts all Vermont residents’ access to clean, safe water. I urge my fellow Vermonters to put pressure on our legislators to enforce water protection policies.
There is no mistaking the bright green algae blooms in Lake Champlain in the summertime or bright red signs stating, “beach closed due to cyanobacteria.” The lake’s water quality is a huge problem, not only for aquatic ecosystems but also for the communities around the lake. Toxic conditions make the lake uninhabitable for the animals that call it home and make it hazardous for us humans!
Managing manure runoff from farms is more complicated than just cracking down on policy enforcement. Farmers need resources to be able to change practices to reduce their impact on downstream ecosystems. While a good start to cleaning up Lake Champlain is stricter enforcement of the policy, it is important to remember that lasting changes will have to come from changes in farming practices.
I urge all Vermonters to write to our representatives and legislators, calling for stricter enforcement of water quality standards and policies. If we make changes to protect our waters, we can be known for our beautiful green mountains, not our polluted green waters.
Sofia Cosentino
Quechee
Read the story on VTDigger here: Sofia Cosentino: Vermont, the green water state.