Bill Overview
Title: Lake Champlain Basin Program Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2033 the Lake Champlain Basin Program, which supports restoration and protection efforts for Lake Champlain and its surrounding watershed located in New York, Vermont, and Quebec.
Sponsors: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Target Audience
Population: People living in the Lake Champlain Basin
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The Lake Champlain Basin is a watershed that spans across the US states of New York and Vermont, and extends into the Canadian province of Quebec.
- People living within the Lake Champlain Basin are directly affected as they rely on the lake for drinking water, agriculture, recreation, and economic activities such as fishing and tourism.
- The surrounding environment, wildlife, and ecosystems also benefit from protection and restoration efforts, which indirectly affects the people who rely on these natural resources.
- Environmental restoration and protection efforts often involve local communities, regional authorities, and industries within the basin.
Reasoning
- The Lake Champlain Basin Program Reauthorization Act focuses on environmental protection and restoration for regions in New York and Vermont, thus directly affecting the population living in these areas.
- The population directly impacted is estimated at around 1 million people in the US, which includes a diverse mix of local residents dependent on the basin's resources.
- The wellbeing impact varies, with some gaining significantly from environmental restoration due to improved resources and tourism, while others are only mildly affected or not affected due to limited involvement with the basin.
- With a budget cap for implementation, significant impacts are most likely to be seen in high-population areas or those critically dependent on basin resources, while individuals outside these areas see less change in wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Fisherman (Burlington, Vermont)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The health of Lake Champlain directly affects my livelihood.
- Improving water quality and fish stocks can help sustain my business long-term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
State Environmental Officer (Albany, New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This reauthorization is crucial for continued efforts to preserve Lake Champlain.
- The long-term benefits to biodiversity and water quality are critical for our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Tourism Operator (Plattsburgh, New York)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lake Champlain is a key attraction for tourists, so restoration efforts are positive for my business.
- Clean water and vibrant ecosystems increase tourism appeal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 2 |
Farmer (Rural Vermont)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful the policy will help maintain water levels and quality for irrigation.
- Effective implementation is critical for continued agricultural success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Retail Worker (Queensbury, New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While my job doesn't depend on the lake, a healthy Lake Champlain is great for my leisure activities.
- I support environmental restoration, but it doesn't impact my daily life heavily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Burlington, Vermont)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy reauthorization is a step towards achieving crucial environmental goals.
- It's exciting to be a part of an area committed to the environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Retired (Saratoga Springs, New York)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living near Lake Champlain was a choice for retirement due to its beauty and tranquility.
- I hope this policy keeps the area pristine for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Independent Researcher (Malone, New York)
Age: 41 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved water quality supports both my work and community health.
- The policy is essential for sustainable water management efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Elementary School Teacher (Montpelier, Vermont)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy serves as a great educational example for my students about the importance of environmental stewardship.
- It helps us practice what we preach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Construction Worker (Bennington, Vermont)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm not directly impacted by the lake, I appreciate the importance of environmental health.
- The policy seems necessary for long-term regional benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $10250000 (Low: $8250000, High: $12300000)
Year 3: $10500000 (Low: $8400000, High: $12600000)
Year 5: $11000000 (Low: $8800000, High: $13200000)
Year 10: $12000000 (Low: $9600000, High: $14400000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Key Considerations
- The program's geographic scope includes multi-state efforts which need to account for diverse regional needs and potential cross-border cooperation with Quebec.
- Ensuring the participation of local communities and regional partners is crucial for effective implementation.
- Funding allocation should account for both ongoing monitoring and one-time restoration projects.