NEWPORT, A petition seeking to have Lake Memphremagog designated a “lake in crisis” has been rejected by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Secretary Julie Moore turned down the request, saying state law requires evidence that property values have declined due to water quality issues.
To qualify for the designation, the lake must be listed as impaired, pose a risk to public health or the environment, and have at least one municipality that reduced property valuations because of the lake’s condition. Moore said the legislature intentionally set a high bar.
Peggy Stevens of the group Don’t Undermine Memphremagog’s Purity (DUMP), which submitted the petition, said the decision was disappointing but expected. “The fatal flaw is in the legislation, not in the secretary’s decision,” Stevens said. She argued that property values are being prioritized over public health and environmental risks.
The group cited cancerous lesions on Brown Bullhead fish, recurring toxic cyanobacteria blooms, and measurable PFAS levels as immediate threats. Their petition gathered 3,800 signatures.
Moore said the state remains committed to restoring the lake, and she has proposed a meeting with stakeholders to discuss next steps. DUMP plans to continue its advocacy regardless of the official designation.
Photo: USGS via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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