CWSP Application Cover Letter- Otter Creek Basin – for a fillable pdf version of the form, reach out to the staff below.
The ACRPC, in its role as the Clean Water Service (CWSP) Provider for Basin 3, the Otter Creek, Lewis Creek, and Little Otter Creek watersheds, provides funding for projects that improve water quality in Basin 3. Any proposed projects must be consistent with the Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) Funding Policy. Applicants must consult with DEC staff on potential project impacts on natural resources, like wetlands or river corridors and to give DEC 30 days to review project impacts. Projects must be in keeping with the vision set forth by Act 76, the Clean Water Service Delivery Act, and policies and guidance set forth by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to implement the Act.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly review of proposals.
For more information contact Mike Winslow at [email protected] 802-578-9999
The Otter Creek Basin encompasses all or part of 54 towns in six counties, with the majority of the towns (41) being in Addison and Rutland Counties.
CWSPs are charged with identifying, implementing, operating, and maintaining projects to improve water quality. They were established by the Vermont legislature under Act 76 of 2019. Projects eligible for support from a CWSP must not be required by regulation, and must lead to phosphorus reductions. The work of the CWSP will be guided by priorities outlined in the Otter Creek Tactical Basin Plan.
The CWSP is guided by a Basin Water Quality Council (BWQC). The BWQC establishes policy and makes decisions for the CWSP regarding the most significant water quality impairments that exist in the basin and prioritizes the projects that will address those impairments based on the basin plan. Eligible members of the BWQC are established in statute and consist of two members from Natural Resource Conservation Districts, two members from regional planning commissions, two members from local watershed protection organizations, one member from a land conservation organization, and two members from municipalities.
The BWQC reviews proposals for projects at their quarterly meetings on the fourth Wednesday of January, April, July and October. Meeting minutes and agendas will be posted on the ACRPC website at https://acrpc.org/minutes-agendas/. Proposals should be received at least two weeks prior to the meeting. Contact the CWSP for assistance in developing a proposal.
More information about the Clean Water Service Provider program is available at the Vermont DEC website.
This storied and highly used waterway has an important place in Vermont history. The longest river in Vermont, Otter Creek flows north from southern Vermont through a number of different bedrock formations, and the erosive power of water has created numerous waterfalls along its path. Before the widespread availability and use of fossil fuels, these waterfalls were invaluable as sites for hydropower, turning the mills that ground grain, milled lumber, and ran industrial plants such as forges.
As the word got out in lower New York and New England that the Otter Valley and the Champlain Valley were fertile, productive places, settlers migrated here. Communities sprung up at the more powerful falls along Otter Creek at Rutland, Brandon, Middlebury, and Vergennes. The soils in the valley produced corn, rye, oats, barley, wheat, peas, beans, hemp and flax. Otter Creek is still a workhorse of a river, hosting several hydroelectric facilities and wastewater treatment plants.
Basin Water Quality Council members
Regional Planning Commission delegates
Natural Resources Conservation District delegates
Municipal delegates
Watershed Organization delegates
Land Conservation organization delegates
