Maintaining A Healthy Lake Champlain Ecosytem

  • Author:
    n/a
  • Send To:
    Governor of Vermont, Agency of Natural Resources Secretary, and Vermont Commissioners of the Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health and Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Sponsored By:
    Lake Champlain Anglers
  • More Info at:
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We, the Undersigned, fully support a comprehensive, permanent sea lamprey control program in the Lake Champlain basin of the State of Vermont, including chemical lampricide applications when deemed necessary by objective science.

We consider sea lamprey control measures necessary to balance the needs of all aquatic species found in the Lake Champlain basin with the human community that depends on them. The hypothetical needs of any one species should not be balanced on the demonstrable "back" of another. We believe, therefore, that sea lamprey populations in Lake Champlain are socially and economically unacceptable. Furthermore, their numbers within native ecosystem of the Lake Champlain basin are scientifically unjustifiable.

Based on past and present research regarding the safety and efficacy of lampricide treatments, and based on proven sea lamprey control successes previously achieved by historical chemical applications, we encourage resumption of continued, timely applications of lampricide in all waters where sea lamprey ammocetes are known to be present, including, and especially, the infested Lewis Creek.

While vocal detractors of sea lamprey control inflate lampricides alleged effects on non-target aquatic species, repeated and objective tests show current application levels an insignificant threat to ecological integrity. Alternatively, sea lamprey depredation is causing severe suffering to, and declines in, populations and distribution of other aquatic organisms. This cannot be allowed to continue as it is neither in the best interest of the endangered lake sturgeon, nor prized game fish such as lake trout and Atlantic salmon, to delay or reduce Lake Champlain sea lamprey control implementation.

Therefore, lampricide treatments must go forward in Lewis Creek and elsewhere in the Lake Champlain basin, in the best interest of the people of the State of Vermont, the people of the State of New York, and all others who enjoy and depend on a healthy Lake Champlain. These treatments are necessary to restore a much-needed balance in the Lake Champlain ecosystem, and must continue on an effective, systematic basis until more efficient or effective methods of control have been perfected and can be implemented.

As Senator Leahy has said, "The harm done by sea lamprey on the Lake Champlain fishery is substantial and poses real threats to recreational fishing, to the overall health of our fish population, and to our regions tourism economy." According to the Opportunities for Action Plan produced by the Lake Champlain Basin Program, anglers annually spend $205 million fishing Lake Champlain, patronizing 98 fishing-related businesses within ten miles of the lake.

We strongly encourage the State of Vermont, Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood and Department of Health Commissioner Wendy Davis, Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Justin Johnson and Department of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche to move forward in controlling this destructive, nuisance parasite. We strongly support continued, safe usage of lampricide while other effective means are explored, and strongly support an environmental philosophy inclusive, not exclusive, of human interest and values.

Populations of various nuisance species reaching epidemic levels are routinely controlled using pesticides and herbicides to reduce economic losses to agricultural production, to protect human health, to protect habitat, to aid in restoration of endangered species, and even to bring greater comfort to humans. To consider the sea lamprey epidemic currently extant in the Lake Champlain basin as merely a nuisance is a gross under-representation of biological truth.

Please approve the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife's lampricide application permits for Lewis Creek expeditiously.

Thank you.

773 Signatures

  • James Ehlers
    • Comments
    • Thank you for the successful 2009 treatment. The program's success is showing in increasing fish weights and ages.
    • Town, State
    • Colchester, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Lake Champlain International, Inc.
  • Kyle Scanlon
    • Town, State
    • Colchester VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Outdoors Magazine
  • Christopher Baker
    • Town, State
    • Essex Junction, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Lake Champlain International, Inc.
  • David Bertrand
    • Town, State
    • Williston, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Lake Champlain International Group
  • David Bertrand
    • Town, State
    • Williston, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Lake Champlain International, Inc.
  • robert qua
    • Town, State
    • St. Albans, Vt.
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Fred A. Johnson
    • Comments
    • A year ago it was a feat of great prowess to land a 4-5 pound Lake Trout. Now it is the "Normal" and I'm lovin it !!!!
    • Town, State
    • Troy, New York
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Adirondack-Champlain Guide Service
  • Frank Stanley
    • Town, State
    • Monkton, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Vermont Traditions Coalition
  • Peter N. Larrabee
    • Town, State
    • Colchester
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Diane C. Larrabee
    • Town, State
    • Colchester
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Thomas M Salmon
    • Town, State
    • St Johnsbury VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • cubby smith
    • Town, State
    • Burlington.VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Martin T. McDonnell
    • Town, State
    • Brooklyn, New York
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Michael Mac Williams
    • Town, State
    • United States
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Paul Hansen
    • Comments
    • Let's keep up the good fight
    • Town, State
    • Alburgh
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Walter Trzcienski
    • Comments
    • В
    • Town, State
    • Champlain, NY
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • В
  • Jeffrey Bartley
    • Town, State
    • Essex Jct., VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Mike Shellito
    • Comments
    • Let's keep it going!
    • Town, State
    • South Burlington, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Champlain Valley Anglers Alliance
  • Gerry Hartley
    • Comments
    • Thank you to Vermont Fish and Game, New York DEC, and the USFWS for their continued support of the Lake Champlain Lamprey Control Program and the Lake Fishery. Continued Lamprey Control is a must and must also be never-ending!
    • Town, State
    • Fairfax, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • www.fishH8me.com
  • Raymond Gratton
    • Town, State
    • St. Albans, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Mark Hickory
    • Town, State
    • Georgia, Vt
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Gordon Robertson
    • Town, State
    • Alexandria, VA
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • American Sportfishing Association
  • Mary Gentes
    • Town, State
    • Essex Jct., VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Lake Champlain Anglers
  • Richard Ryan
    • Town, State
    • Parkman Me
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Mark Berthiaume
    • Comments
    • Save Lake Champlain
    • Town, State
    • Califon, NJ
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Robert E. Brown
    • Comments
    • We need to control Lamprey on both sides ofthe lake for the good of the environment and the economy of both vermont and new york
    • Town, State
    • Saranac Lake, New York
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • New York State Conservation Council
  • Mickey Maynard
    • Town, State
    • Plattsburgh, New York
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • LakeChamplainAngler.com, LCCTU
  • Kevin Collins
    • Comments
    • this needs to happen
    • Town, State
    • Websterville Vermont
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Mark Favreau
    • Town, State
    • Enosburg Falls, VT.
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Gaston Pratte
    • Town, State
    • Hudson, NH
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Craig Greene
    • Town, State
    • Alburgh, Vermont
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Patrick Church
    • Town, State
    • Milton, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • bob fitzsimmons
    • Town, State
    • east montpelier, vt.
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Bejamin Sullivan
    • Town, State
    • Colchester
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • United States Marine Corps
  • Charles Sidoti
    • Town, State
    • Latham,NY
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Kurt DeGraaf
    • Town, State
    • Vergennes, Vermont
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • david brown
    • Town, State
    • walden vermont
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • jim bodette
    • Town, State
    • addison,vt
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Donald L Weaver
    • Town, State
    • North Hero
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Northern Lake Champlain Advisory Committee
  • Megan Winward
    • Town, State
    • Burlington, Vermont
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Bill Birch
    • Town, State
    • Readsboro, Vt
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • david borthwick-leslie
    • Comments
    • none
    • Town, State
    • grand isle, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • FNLC
  • Mike Leonard
    • Town, State
    • Alexandria, VA
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • American Sportfishing Association
  • Jason Haefner
    • Town, State
    • Denver, IA
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Geoffrey Ratte
    • Town, State
    • St. Paul, MN
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • American Sportfishing Association (Director)
  • EDWARD LUTHER
    • Town, State
    • EAST HARDWICK VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • Tom Schmidt
    • Town, State
    • Fairfax, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
  • mark holt
    • Town, State
    • saranac lake, ny
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • saranac lake fish and game club
  • Eric Nuse
    • Comments
    • Fishing is improving, keep up the good work
    • Town, State
    • Johnson, VT
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • В
  • Don Tobi
    • Town, State
    • Jericho
    • On behalf of organization?
    • No
    • Name of organization? (If answering "yes" above)
    • Lake Champlain International