Lakes Champlain and Memphremagog Nutrient Loading and Harmful Algal Bloom Reference

For Lake Champlain, the reference states: Relevant to the reduction of nutrient loading and the causes of harmful algal blooms in Missisquoi Bay and the broader Lake Champlain and Richelieu River system, gather and review information from federal, provincial, state and municipal agencies, academic institutions, and other entities in the region on existing monitoring programs and measures being t [...] Following a reference given to the IJC in 2004 on “questions regarding possible transboundary implications of the Missisquoi Bay Bridge project”, the IJC issued a final report that included the following recommendation: “Phosphorus levels in Missisquoi Bay are excessively high and are well above the water quality criteria adopted for the bay by the State of Vermont and the Province of Quebec. [...] The final report for this “critical source area” study, issued in 2012, included 14 conclusions and recommendations that ranged from improving technical aspects of nutrient management in agricultural portions of the basin to enhancing the coordination and effectiveness of resource management agencies in the implementation of their respective programs and policies. [...] SECTION 2: CONTRIBUTIONS OF BASIN ORGANIZATION TO THIS REPORT Organizations that are well-established and respected in each of the Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog basins have been contracted to provide the IJC with reports in support of its development of recommendations to the governments. [...] Compilation of relevant data, documents and reports In accordance with the first element of the Reference, OBVBM and NEIWPCC have compiled preliminary lists of data, documents and reports relevant to the reduction of nutrient loading and the causes of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain and the Richelieu River system.