Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is a state-wide network of local groups dedicated to the health of their home watersheds. Our mission is to empower community-based watershed groups in all parts of the state to protect and restore Vermont's waters.
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In 2022, Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) received a Partnership Project Development Block Grant through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP). The purpose of the grant was to subgrant funds to organizations across Vermont to develop water quality improvement projects. Through the Project Development Block Grant, WUV awarded 8 subgrant awards totaling around $100,000 to: Friends of the Winooski River, Lewis Creek Association, Vermont River Conservancy, Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, Missisquoi River Basin Association, Franklin Watershed Committee, Memphremagog Watershed Association, and the White River Partnership.
Groups first worked to scope potential projects by reviewing plans focused on stormwater management, river corridor restoration and other restoration efforts. Groups also talked with landowners and others in their watersheds about water quality concerns and potential clean water projects. Once potential projects had been identified, groups worked with landowners, municipalities and other partners to further develop potential clean water projects to move these projects towards design and implementation. Groups used grant funds to develop the following project types: stormwater improvement, riparian buffer plantings, dam and culvert removals, and river and wetland restoration.
The above groups explored a total of 64 projects to determine feasibility and interest. Of those 64 projects, 47 were deemed as feasible and worthwhile to pursue for design and implementation. The remaining projects were considered infeasible due to site constraints, lack of landowner interest or other factors. This project development work has already led to the implementation of riparian buffer planting projects and other project types will be implemented this summer or are awaiting funding for future implementation. This project development work will also set the stage for the implementation of water quality improvement projects in the years to come leading to cleaner water and healthier and more resilient watersheds across Vermont.
Watersheds United Vermont has several open grant rounds for water quality restoration projects statewide. Please see WUV's Block Grant Resources Page for existing grant RFPs and deadlines.
