VERGENNES — The Lake Champlain Committee recently received an $8,280 grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Ecosystem Restoration Program to fund a study of needed design modifications for a stormwater pond in the Crosby Farms neighborhood of Vergennes.
The city will contribute $2,800 in matching funds, according to City Manager Mel Hawley.
The stormwater pond has been identified as needing remediation in the Vergennes Municipal Plan and by a Vermont DEC stormwater mapping project.
That pond receives stormwater runoff from the area around Bowman Road, Green Meadow Acres and Booska Court, and officials believe it can provide improved water quality treatment with some redesign.
According to a Lake Champlain Committee press release, the grant will cover initial project planning, with the intention of seeking subsequent DEC funding for construction updates to the pond that will not only improve treatment of stormwater in the neighborhood, but also better manage local flooding.
Hawley said the study will let the committee, the DEC and city officials “know specifically what needs to be done” to meet those goals, noting that water from the pond quickly makes its way into nearby Otter Creek.
LCC Executive Director Lori Fisher said the organization was pleased with the grant.
“LCC consistently seeks opportunities to roll up our sleeves and tackle problems that will make a difference in water quality,” she said in the press release. “We look forward to working with the city of Vergennes to help address their stormwater issues.”