NEWPORT — Governor Phil Scott, alongside the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), announced a significant environmental initiative, allocating $29.25 million in grants to address combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in 11 Vermont municipalities. This funding, sourced from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aims to improve municipal sewer infrastructure, enhance water quality in the state’s streams and lakes, and comply with Vermont’s strict CSO regulations.

ED BARBER, Staff Writer, The Newport Daily Express
Sep 15, 2024

The third annual Clyde River clean up yielded 50 tires, the front end of a canoe, a children’s toy slide, and a whole lot more junk. On Saturday, 27 volunteers paddled 12 canoes and two kayaks down the river from West Charleston to Little Salem on a mission to clean one small part of the environment. 

A combination of organizations and unaffiliated volunteers worked downriver, searching for material that is not a part of the Clyde River’s natural environment. Two previous events successfully removed debris from the lower section of the river. Saturday’s event focused on a stretch of the river below a series of rapids that hadn’t been touched.

The Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) has organized river clean up projects in past years. Three years ago the members decided to restart the event with an original focus on the Clyde River. They teamed with the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District (OCNRCD) and Northwoods Stewardship Center to organize this year’s event.

A shoreland property owner used a best management practice for encapsulated soil lifts to reduce erosion and stabilize the shoreline along Lake Bomoseen; the lifts or terraces also help to protect water quality and recreate wildlife habitat. DEC photo.

Rivers in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System capture the essence of all waterways that surge, ramble, gush, wander and weave through our country… each preserves a part of our American story and heritage.