WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, alongside U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) introduced the Lake Champlain Basin Program Enhancements Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would reauthorize the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) for five years at $35 million to support interstate conservation and the health of the Lake Champlain Basin. The lawmakers’ bill would also improve LCBP’s administrative efficiency by requiring the periodic evaluation of the program’s fiscal agent, with significant input from local stakeholders and the Lake Champlain Steering Committee.  

“Lake Champlain is an important part of Vermont’s culture. The Lake Champlain Watershed is a designated resource of national significance, provides drinking water to an estimated 250,000 people, and is home to shipwrecks, Revolutionary War-era forts, and abundant aquatic ecosystems. That’s why investing in the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program, which has supported conservation, healthy ecosystems, and thriving rural communities, is vital,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Rep. Stefanik on this effort to support the important work of the LCBP and ensure it continues for years to come.” 

“Lake Champlain is one of Vermont’s most treasured natural resources, and we must do everything we can to protect it,” said Senator Sanders. “For the past 30 years, the Lake Champlain Basin Program has worked to reduce pollution, restore habitats, mitigate harmful invasive species and educate residents and visitors. I look forward to seeing the good work the program will continue to do over the next five years to protect Lake Champlain for current and future generations.” 

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have a long, bipartisan record of delivering results for the Lake Champlain region. Upstate New Yorkers rely on the Lake Champlain Basin for clean drinking water, and millions of Americans each year witness the beauty of its wildlife habitats and participate in efforts to restore its watershed. I’m grateful to work alongside Senator Welch on this legislation to invest in the longevity of Lake Champlain, ensuring future generations can continue to cherish and depend on this natural resource,” said Rep. Stefanik. 

Joining Senators Welch, Sanders, and Rep. Stefanik on the bill are Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Rep. Becca Balint (VT-At-Large).  

“Lake Champlain is a crown jewel of Upstate NY. The Lake Champlain Basin Program is how we protect the natural beauty of Lake Champlain’s waters and wildlife, which are essential to the region’s tourism economy. That is why I’m proud to introduce legislation to keep this program running,” said Senator Schumer.“This critical legislation will strengthen the preservation of Lake Champlain’s health and beauty, ensuring residents and people coming from across the country can enjoy this gorgeous and historic lake. I’ll keep fighting to ensure Lake Champlain remains an economic anchor for the Adirondack region’s outdoor-recreation economy and continues to inspire generations to come.” 

“The Lake Champlain Basin is a vast, historic, and invaluable resource that is deeply important to communities in the North Country and must be protected,” said Senator Gillibrand. “For families, farmers, and small businesses across Upstate New York, Lake Champlain is central to daily life and local economies. This legislation will help ensure the Basin continues to provide clean drinking water, safeguard critical wildlife habitats, and support tourism and local jobs for years to come.” 

“Lake Champlain is at the heart of so many Vermont communities, and protecting its health requires strategic and sustained interstate commitment,” said Rep. Balint. “The Lake Champlain Basin Program plays a crucial role in that work, strengthening our ecosystems and helping our region adapt to the impacts of climate change. I’m proud to support this reauthorization so the LCBP can continue driving vital conservation work for Vermonters and our neighbors on the other side of the basin.” 

The lawmakers’ bill would strengthen local oversight of LCBP operations while reauthorizing the program through 2032. Specifically, the legislation would: 

• Establish a process through which the EPA and the Lake Champlain Steering Committee may periodically evaluate the efficacy of LCBP’s fiscal agent—the organization that helps manage LCBP finances and executes grant awards—and, if needed, select a new fiscal agent for the program. 
• Reauthorize LCBP funding at $35 million annually through 2032. 
• Formally authorize the partnership between LCBP and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, allowing for greater support for the Lake and collaboration between Federal, State and local, and non-governmental partners. 

Senator Welch has championed efforts to support the Lake Champlain Basin in the Senate. Last year, Senators Welch, Sanders and Gillibrand urged the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide robust federal funding for programs supporting the basin, including the LCBP. In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of federal programs to Lake Champlain that support critical work in the basin, from fostering a resilient watershed to promoting outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation. 

Learn more about the Lake Champlain Basin Program Reauthorization Act. 

Read and download the full text of the bill. 

###