Lake Champlain Basin Program

What Lake Champlain Basin Program does

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is a Congressionally-designated, non-regulatory environmental coordination partnership created by the 1990 Lake Champlain Special Designation Act and most recently reauthorized in 2022 as the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program through 2027. LCBP coordinates and funds the protection and restoration of the Lake Champlain Basin across New York, Vermont, and Quebec, focusing on clean water (particularly phosphorus reduction and harmful algal bloom mitigation per the 2016 TMDLs), healthy ecosystems, aquatic invasive species management, habitat connectivity, and cultural heritage preservation. The program is jointly administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Regions 1 and 2), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the Quebec Ministry of the Environment, and NEIWPCC, which serves as fiscal agent and employer of LCBP's approximately 15 permanent staff based in Grand Isle and Burlington, Vermont, with additional support staff in Ray Brook, Montpelier, and Longueuil, Quebec.

LCBP's core products and services are digital data platforms and educational resources rather than commercial technology products. The portfolio includes the Lake Champlain Basin Atlas (interactive GIS-based mapping at atlas.lcbp.org), the Lake and Watershed Data Portal aggregating water quality, AIS, hydrological, and climate data from multiple agencies, the State of the Lake triennial report, the Cyanobacteria Tracker Map for public health, the WatershED Matters education platform, and a grants database tracking more than 1,300 local awards since 1992. The program operates a physical Resource Room at ECHO Leahy Center in Burlington that engaged 115,000 visitors between 2017-2021, and produces video series including 'Diving In', 'Bringing Back Salmon', 'Meet the Scientist', and 'Clean Water Commitment'.

LCBP's business model is government appropriation-based, not commercial revenue. Annual inflows average over $10 million from EPA Section 120 (Clean Water Act) appropriations, supplemented by $0.6-2 million from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission for sea lamprey management and fisheries research, up to $400,000 from the National Park Service for the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, and up to $8 million per year through FY2027 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Since 1992, LCBP has awarded more than $17.2 million in local grants and funded over 80 research and demonstration projects, channeling federal dollars through state agencies and a network of 40+ watershed organizations. Cumulatively, nearly $105 million was appropriated through FFY2021. LCBP does not sell products or services; its 'customers' are government co-administrators, academic research institutions (the six-member Lake Champlain Research Consortium), watershed groups, and Basin residents and visitors served through education programs.

Name

Lake Champlain Basin Program

Legal name

Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program

Website

https://lcbp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Lake Champlain Basin Program is a Congressionally-designated non-regulatory partnership coordinating water quality, ecosystem, and cultural heritage protection for the Lake Champlain Basin across New York, Vermont, and Quebec, funded primarily by EPA, GLFC, NPS, and IIJA federal appropriations and administered jointly with state and provincial agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Management

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL)

Keywords

• Watershed management
• Water quality monitoring
• Aquatic invasive species
• Environmental conservation programs
• Grant administration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Isle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Appropriations (EPA): Primary funding from US Environmental Protection Agency appropriations authorized under Section 120 of the Clean Water Act. Annual appropriations have averaged over $10 million since 2017. Funding supports operations, grants, monitoring, and implementation of the Opportunities for Action management plan with particular focus on reducing phosphorus pollution and harmful algal blooms.
2. Great Lakes Fishery Commission Funding: Appropriations via GLFC supporting sea lamprey management, fisheries research, habitat restoration, and watershed restoration work. Approximately $0.6-2 million annually available to LCBP, with balance directed toward sea lamprey management, fisheries research, and habitat restoration by USFWS and UVM researchers.
3. National Park Service (CVNHP): Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership funding up to $400,000 annually from NPS to support heritage and recreational programs, cultural resource preservation, and interpretation of the region's history.
4. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Up to $8 million per year (FY2022-2027) for ecosystem and wetland restoration, stormwater treatment, nature-based infrastructure, community resilience, resilient shorelines, and environmental education projects.
5. Grants Distribution: LCBP serves as a grant-making entity, distributing funds to local organizations, watershed groups, municipalities, and research institutions. Since 1992, has awarded more than $17.2 million in local grants and funded more than eighty research and demonstration projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Lake Champlain Basin Program is a federally designated partnership that coordinates and funds environmental protection for the Lake Champlain watershed across Vermont, New York, and Quebec. It administers a grants and RFPs program (over $17.2 million in local grants and 80+ research and demonstration projects since 1992), maintains basin-scale water quality monitoring and data platforms, operates an education and outreach program including the Resource Room at ECHO, and publishes the periodic State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report. Operationally it works through EPA, state, provincial, and nonprofit partners under the Opportunities for Action management plan rather than through commercial sales.

Product overview

The Lake Champlain Basin Program operates as a unified environmental management program offering a portfolio of digital platforms, educational resources, data tools, and grant programs. Core offerings include the Lake Champlain Basin Atlas (interactive mapping), WatershED Matters (education platform), the State of the Lake Report (assessment publication), the Lake and Watershed Data Portal (monitoring data), the Grants Database (project tracking), the Cyanobacteria Tracker Map (public health tool), the Clean Water Commitment video series (outreach), and the LCBP Resource Room at ECHO (in-person education). The program also administers a Grants and RFPs program that has distributed over $17.2 million since 1992. These offerings work together as an integrated suite supporting water quality monitoring, public education, community engagement, and funding coordination across the Lake Champlain Basin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lake Champlain Basin Atlas Interactive online mapping tool providing spatial data, maps, and geographic information about the Lake Champlain watershed (recreation sites, watersheds, environmental features) for teachers, researchers, resource managers, and the public.
• State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report Comprehensive periodic report summarizing trends and data on key indicators of the health of the Lake Champlain ecosystem for policy makers, researchers, agency partners, and the public.
• Lake and Watershed Data Portal Aggregated data portal linking to aquatic nuisance species data, lake and stream water level/flow data, water quality monitoring data, weather and climate data, and GIS resources from multiple federal, state, and local entities for researchers, agencies, and watershed practitioners.
• LCBP Grants Database Searchable public database of more than 1,300 local grants awarded by LCBP since 1992, allowing users to look up projects funded for water quality improvement, ecosystem restoration, and education across the basin.
• Cyanobacteria Tracker Map Interactive map tracking cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom status and swimming advisories across Lake Champlain beaches and swimming areas to support public health decisions by residents, visitors, and health authorities.
• Clean Water Commitment Video Series Video and multimedia series educating the public about phosphorus pollution and the Lake Champlain TMDL through stories of practitioners, farmers, scientists, and partners working to protect water quality.
• LCBP Resource Room at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Public education and interpretation center at ECHO Leahy Center in Burlington, VT, providing hands-on activities, exhibits, and educational materials about the natural and cultural resources of the Lake Champlain Basin for general visitors, families, and school groups.
• WatershED Matters Education Portal Online watershed education portal providing curriculum, lesson plans, and classroom resources for K-12 educators and students on watershed science, water quality, and stewardship in the Lake Champlain Basin.
• LCBP Grants and RFPs Program Grant-making program for watershed organizations, municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions, and researchers in the Lake Champlain Basin. Awards are issued through Requests for Proposals with committee-reviewed applications for water quality, ecosystem restoration, education, and community engagement projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 138 Clean Water projects ($7.7M) awarded 2017-2021 with over 200 conservation practices on 150 farms
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NEIWPCC (New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIWPCC serves as the fiscal agent for LCBP, managing financial, contractual, and human resource business operations on behalf of the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. LCBP staff are employees of NEIWPCC operating from offices in Vermont and New York.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Regions 1 and 2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary co-administrator of LCBP. EPA provides annual appropriations (averaging over $10M since 2017) and oversees program implementation under Section 120 of the Clean Water Act.
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-administrator of LCBP. NYSDEC staff (Myra Lawyer - Agronomist, Erin Vennie-Vollrath - NY Lake Champlain Coordinator, Elizabeth Whitmore-Stolar - AIS Outreach Specialist) support LCBP implementation in New York.
• Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VTANR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-administrator of LCBP. VT ANR staff (Sarah Coleman - VT Lake Champlain Coordinator, Kelsey Colbert - Long Term Monitoring Biologist) coordinate LCBP funding and implementation in Vermont.
• Québec Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiquescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-administrator of LCBP. Quebec Ministry provides provincial coordination for the Lake Champlain Basin management efforts, with Daniel Tremblay serving as regional director.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing technical assistance and project support. LCBP works with USACE on watershed restoration projects through the Watershed Environmental Assistance Program and on AIS barrier studies for the Champlain Canal.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for fish and wildlife management, habitat restoration, and wetland conservation. USFWS conducts fisheries research, sea lamprey management, and habitat restoration work with GLFC funding.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)majorTechnology or IntegrationFederal partner providing scientific data, monitoring support, and technical expertise for water quality and ecological assessments in the Lake Champlain Basin.
• National Park ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing funding for the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP), up to $400,000 annually. NPS liaison is Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.
• Lake Champlain Sea Grant (NOAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA Sea Grant program supporting research, education, and outreach related to Lake Champlain's resources. Collaborates on water quality and fisheries projects.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (Vermont and New York)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing technical and financial assistance for conservation practices, wetland restoration, and agricultural conservation programs in the Basin.
• U.S. Forest Service (Eastern Region)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner supporting forest ecosystem monitoring and conservation efforts in the Lake Champlain Basin region.
• U.S. Coast GuardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner involved in the Federal Partners Workgroup, providing support for navigation safety and emergency preparedness in the Basin.
• International Joint CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral commission supporting studies on Lake Champlain-Richelieu River flooding, water quality analysis, and cross-border coordination between U.S. and Canada.
• Lake Champlain Research Consortium (LCRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium of 6 academic institutions (Castleton University, Middlebury College, Northern Vermont University, Saint Michael's College, SUNY Plattsburgh, University of Vermont) coordinating research and scholarship on Lake Champlain ecosystem. LCRC co-sponsors the Lake Champlain Research Conference.
• Lake Champlain Steering CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body setting resource management policy and approving budget allocations for LCBP. Includes representatives from NY, VT, Quebec, federal agencies, and chairs of advisory committees.
• Technical Advisory CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory committee providing scientific and technical guidance to the Steering Committee on water quality, ecosystem management, and research priorities.
• Education and Outreach CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory committee guiding educational programs, public outreach, and communication strategies for LCBP.
• Heritage Area Program Advisory CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory committee for the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership providing guidance on cultural heritage preservation and interpretation.
• Citizens Advisory Committees (Vermont, New York, Quebec)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic advisory committees providing forum for citizen discussion of Lake Champlain issues and advising the Steering Committee on public concerns across all three jurisdictions.
• 40+ Watershed OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional and local watershed organizations implementing water quality monitoring, restoration projects, and community engagement. Partners include Addison County Riverwatch Collaborative, Friends of the Mad River, Missisquoi River Basin Association, Lewis Creek Association, and many others across VT, NY, and Quebec.
• ECHO Leahy Center for Lake ChamplainmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience center housing the LCBP Resource Room. LCBP staff at this location provide education and interpretation of Lake Champlain's natural and cultural history to visitors.
• Organisme de basin versant de la baie Missisquoi (OBVBM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec watershed organization and LCBP partner for the International Joint Commission's Missisquoi Bay Water Quality project and bi-national coordination.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chesapeake Bay Program: Multi-jurisdictional federal-state-tribal-private partnership coordinating restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed under a similar congressionally-mandated model. Shares LCBP's structure of federal appropriations, grants to watershed organizations, triennial reporting, and partner-driven implementation, but operates at much larger scale.
• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI): Federal interagency program funded through EPA with comparable governance structure combining federal leadership, regional implementation, and grant-making to local organizations. Operates across multiple states and shares LCBP's focus on water quality, AIS prevention, and habitat restoration.
• Long Island Sound Study: Cooperative federal-state estuary program under EPA's National Estuary Program with EPA Regions 1 and 2 involvement (the same LCBP partners). Directly comparable in scope, model, partners, and even co-branding with LCBP on its website.
• Puget Sound Partnership: State-federal-tribal-local-NGO partnership coordinating Puget Sound recovery under federal legislation with annual appropriations, Science Panel, and Implementation Strategy. Shares LCBP's legislative mandate, Science Panel model, and ecosystem-based management focus.
• Lake Tahoe Basin Program: Federal multi-agency program under the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act coordinating water clarity, aquatic invasive species, and forest health. Comparable to LCBP in lake-specific federal mandate, partner-driven implementation, and emphasis on AIS prevention.

Broad incumbents

• New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC): Compact commission serving as fiscal agent for LCBP and broader New England region. Direct operational relationship through which LCBP staff are employed; offers broader water pollution control services across multiple state programs.
• NOAA Sea Grant College Program: Federal-academic partnership with LCBP through Lake Champlain Sea Grant; provides comparable water research, education, and outreach but at broader national/sectional scale across coastal and Great Lakes states.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Lake Champlain Region): Federal agency partner that conducts fisheries research, sea lamprey management, and habitat restoration in Lake Champlain. Shares core operational territory and technical responsibilities with LCBP but operates under direct federal authority rather than a partnership model.
• River Network: National nonprofit that supports watershed organizations including Lake Champlain basin groups. Provides training, capacity-building, and grantmaking comparable to LCBP's downstream role with its 40+ watershed organization partners, but at national scale.

Regional players

• International Joint Commission: U.S.-Canada binational body that oversees Lake Champlain-Richelieu River flooding studies and water quality work with Quebec. Partners with LCBP on basin issues but operates on broader bi-national scope through IJC's other Great Lakes responsibilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lakechamp
• Facebookfacebook.com/LakeChamplainBasin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lake-champlain-basin-program

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lake Champlain Basin Program