LCSG and VTDEC Partnered to Host Successful Clean Water Project Training Field Day
Through the Green Infrastructure Collaborative, Lake Champlain Sea Grant partners with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) Clean Water Initiative Program to coordinate initiatives that support green stormwater infrastructure and nature-based solutions in Vermont. To ensure the ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M) of green infrastructure projects, VTDEC and LCSG are partnering to host O&M trainings. VTDEC has new O&M funding through the Clean Water Service Provider network to support this work. The trainings are intended for practitioners, including project managers, designers, and contractors involved with O&M to ensure that projects implemented with state funding function as intended for a long lifespan.
“We are thrilled to be seeing long term State investment in operation and maintenance of green infrastructure projects and nature-based solutions,” shared Jill Sarazen, LCSG Green Infrastructure Collaborative Coordinator. “It is essential that these projects are set up to be successful long term to help improve water quality. With the right care, projects can last 20 years or longer.”
Throughout 2024, LCSG and VTDEC hosted a series of online trainings for partners involved with O&M to learn about VTDEC’s guidance and tools. Trainings are recorded and available online. The online trainings provide an opportunity to share information widely with participants who may not be able to paerticipate in in-person trainings, but there’s no substitution for on-the-ground learning.
VTDEC and LCSG hosted the first field-based training on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Over 20 clean water partners from across Vermont attended the training to practice using the tools they learned from the online trainings, including project-type specific inspection checklists hosted on an application used to gather data in the field, called Survey123. These tools were developed by VTDEC with input from many partners.
The group visited two established clean water projects: a stormwater subsurface flow gravel wetland in South Burlington and a riparian buffer planting in Richmond. At each site the group learned about the project purpose and background. The stormwater wetland receives and treats runoff coming off a roadway before it enters Potash Brook. The buffer planting in Richmond was planted to stabilize the streambank and reduce erosion along the Winooski River. At each site, site managers shared information about routine maintenance plans and lessons learned from implementing these projects. Training participants worked in small groups to evaluate aspects of the project’s condition and function and collected those data in Survey123. The survey looks at plant health and growth, evidence of erosion, and signs of damage. Both projects are in great, functioning condition!
"I appreciated the trainings, and I found using the app in the field very helpful, especially with people around to brainstorm and answer questions," shared one of the attendees.
Once a clean water project is implemented, ongoing routine maintenance and verifying project condition is essential for a project to function and provide water quality benefits. This training program offered opportunities to learn collaboratively with partners, gather feedback, and highlight successful projects in the field.
The VTDEC O&M program is planning to host additional in-person and online trainings next field season. For more information about these trainings and to get involved, see the VTDEC O&M program website.