GRAND ISLE — The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is hiring as many as ten boat launch stewards to work at New York and Vermont public boat launch access areas during the Program’s 11th season. The stewards help to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species by identifying high-risk boats for courtesy inspection and providing information about invasive species spread prevention.
During the first ten years of the program, LCBP stewards surveyed nearly 83,000 boats and spoke to more than 181,000 visitors about steps they could take to ensure their boats and equipment were cleaned, drained, and dried. Over 80 percent of visitors to Lake Champlain reported that they are trying to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
“Since the inception of the Lake Champlain boat launch steward program, stewards have removed aquatic invasive species from 4,000 boats and trailers launching and retrieving from Lake Champlain,” said Meg Modley, LCBP aquatic invasive species management coordinator. “With the growth of steward programs in the greater Adirondack and Northeast region, and the installation of boat wash stations visitors have access to the best available technology to clean their boats. LCBP is working with partners to support the installation of boat wash stations at launches around Lake Champlain.” 
For more information about the boat launch steward program contact Meg Modley at the Lake Champlain Basin Program802-372-3213. Applications are due to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission byFriday, March 10. Follow this link to submit an application:www.neiwpcc.org/employment/internships.asp.
The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) works in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont and Québec, private organizations, local communities and individuals to coordinate and fund efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation and cultural resources. For further information about the program, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at802-372-3213or 800-468-5227orwww.lcbp.org.