Vermont business leaders, environmental officials and elected officials are sharing a common message on cleaning up the state's waters — especially Lake Champlain: Everyone needs to chip in.
Several speakers touched on cooperation Wednesday during an unusual "committee of the whole" meeting in which the entire Legislature was invited to hear the testimony of witnesses who normally would be speaking to the environmental and agriculture committees.
The group also heard from Governor Peter Shumlin, who urged that if any group does not like proposed funding sources for water cleanup, they should come up with their own proposals.
Among the financing sources suggested so far: a $200 annual fee on commercial and industrial lots in the Lake Champlain watershed, and a tax on fertilizer.
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