Lake Champlain And The Sea Grant Program

March 24, 1998

Senate Floor

Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleagues from the Great Lakes states today to offer an amendment that clarifies an issue relating to ecological research involving Lake Champlain and its relatives, the Great Lakes of the Midwest.

Almost ten years ago I embarked on a campaign to reverse the environmental degradation of Lake Champlain. This campaign includedaccess to the research and expertise of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Sea Grant Program.

When I included Lake Champlain within the definition of the "Great Lakes" for the purposes of the National Sea Grant Program, that change ignited some regional anxiety in the Midwest, the traditional home of the five Great Lakes, and it sparked a geography debate over the last month that has enlightened many a classroom and enlivened the conversation across many a dinner table.

Although my original amendment only modified the term "Great Lakes" for the purposes of the National Sea Grant Program, it snowballed into concerns that we would have to rewrite our encyclopedias or throw out our atlases. My amendment to the National Sea Grant Program simply allows Vermont colleges that border Lake Champlain to compete for Sea Grant College status and research funds.

Although Vermonters and New Englanders have always thought of Lake Champlain as the "sixth Great Lake," I recognize the historical and emotional significance this definition carries in much of the Midwest. That is why I have been working with my colleagues from the Midwest to ensure that their image of the Great Lakes remains intact while allowing schools in Vermont to compete for research dollars on a level playing field with other schools within the National Sea Grant Program.

Over the last few weeks, we have all heard tales of the greatness of Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes. We all agree that these lakes share in their "greatness," whether from their common geologic history or their shared biological system that supports the diverse flora and fauna in the region.

Although Lake Champlain may not be as large as the Great Lakes of the Midwest, it certainly has proved its "greatness" throughout American history. The pivotal Battle of Valcour in 1776 was a key element in winning the Revolutionary War. A turning point in the War of 1812 was the Battle of Plattsburg. And, last year, the sister ship to the Smithsonian's "Philadelphia," Benedict Arnold's gunboat, was discovered in Lake Champlain.

By expanding the National Sea Grant Program to include Lake Champlain, we will be able to preserve the environmental, economic and historical value ofa lake that is a Vermont and a national treasure.

The amendment I am offering with Senators Levin and Abraham today clarifies the definition of "Great Lakes." Representative Fred Upton has also been extremely active and helpful in developing this solution. The fact that all of us are offering this bill together is testimony to the shared understanding and respect for the importance of our lakes to our environment, our economy and our history.

Unfortunately, we also share many common threats to our lakes. In the last year, we have witnessed the spread of the zebra mussel infestation throughout Lake Champlain, through the connection to the St. Lawrence Seaway that we share with the other lakes. These small freshwater pests are threatening native mussels, community water systems and the network of underwater shipwrecks that make up a rich part of our nation's history. Scientists forecast that zebra mussels and other invasive species are likely to reach their maximum levels within the next few years.

The zebra mussel represents one of many connections between the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, having spread through waterways by boaters who travel among our lakes. We also share many other concerns, such as toxic pollutants, nutrient enrichment and habitat degradation, which threaten our common fisheries.

For the most part, this "Great Lakes debate" has not been a dispute among scientists, who know the common history and problems facing these lakes, but among politicians and columnists and radio talk show hosts. By pooling all of our resources on freshwater lake research and allowing schools conducting research on Lake Champlain to directly participate in the Sea Grant College program, we will be better prepared to solve these environmental and economic problems. We have already heard from scientists who are excited by the prospect of sharing information and starting joint research projects to address these problems.

Our bill will build on our existing partnership and ensure that the Sea Grant Program protects the water resources, biodiversity and economic health of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

Though the purpose of my earlier amendment was not to change any maps but to promote ecological research on the common problems facing our lakes, I understand the symbolic issue this has become with our friends in the Midwest. We have agreed to call Lake Champlain a cousin instead of a little brother to those larger lakes in the Midwest, while accomplishing our goal of improving the ecological health of our lake. This is a win-win solution that achieves our purposes while skirting the symbolism. Mission accomplished.

This will help make sure that all the lakes share the benefits of this research about their common problems like phosphorus runoff, zebra mussels and mercury pollution. It will help us avoid some of the pollution pitfalls that have stricken other lakes. And in the meantime, this has been a marvelous tourism ad for our beautiful lake. All those images of our deep blue lake, bracketed by two magnificent mountain chains, makes me all the more homesick to return to Vermont this weekend.