Watershed Groups will likely be some of the  key users of the Vermont Functioning Floodplain Initiative (FFI) to plan for reconnection projects to improve water quality, flood resiliency, and habitat.  WUV has invited the state’s FFI contractors to give a webinar on the development and use of the FFI.  They will explain how stream geomorphic assessments and emerging floodplain science are being brought together to assess the physical connectedness of streams, buffers, wetlands, and floodplains to support restoration and conservation work.  Web-based project planning tools are being designed within the FFI to support the Lake Champlain TMDL and Vermont Act 76 work that many Watershed Groups will be engaged in to reduce nutrient loading through natural resource projects.  They will give an introduction to the FFI phosphorous allocation and project crediting methods being developed to achieve the stream equilibrium goal of the Lake Champlain TMDL; and how flood resiliency and habitat may be assessed and presented as co-benefits or stand-alone values within the FFI tools. We will send a registration form in the coming weeks.