By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-989679.mp3
Burlington, VT – The 20-million dollar grant will bring together teams of scientists from Vermont colleges, state agencies, nonprofit groups and the private sector over the next five years to study the chemical, physical geological and biological processes affecting the lake and surrounding basin. UVM Biology Professor Judith Van Houten is the Director of the Vermont Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, which is the grantee. Van Houten says the grant will help scientists determine new management practices for Lake Champlain.
The scenario testing is critical as climate change affects the lake and the region surrounding it. Dean and Professor at the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Mary Watzin is science leader for the grant.
Lake Champlain Basin Program Manager Bill Howland.
The grant from the National Science Foundation is the largest in the University of Vermont's history.