LAKES

2012 - 2014:  Shoreline Stabilization Technical Assistance, Design and Implementation   

Client:  Northwest Regional Planning Commission 

Fitzgerald Environmental Associates (FEA), in partnership with KAS Consulting and EcoSolutions LLC, were contracted by the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) to work with over a dozen shoreline landowners to develop stabilization plans consistent with the NRPC’s Shoreline Stabilization Handbook. The designs were supported by site-specific analyses of soil stability, exposure to wind and wave energy, and topographic mapping completed by FEA and KAS Consulting. Proposed stabilization treatments were tiered along the slope depending on the energy exposure at each elevation. Along the lower slopes with frequent wave action, a higher degree of resistance was required with a boulder toe, etc. A moderate degree of resistance was required along the mid-slopes of most sites; this was achieved using the bioengineering treatments (e.g., coir wattles, live branch layering) and vigorous shrub plantings. Finally, on the upper slopes where wave action is very infrequent, revegetation with vigorous shrub vegetation alone was utilized.   

FEA, KAS Consulting, and EcoSolutions successfully managed the implementation of four shoreline stabilization projects in 2014, including sourcing the project materials and construction coordination.

2018 - 2022:  Lake Eden Watershed Action Plan and BMP Implementation    

                       Eden, VT

Client:  Lamoille County Conservation District

Fitzgerald Environmental Associates (FEA) was retained by the Lamoille County Conservation District (LCCD) in 2018 to assist with the development of a watershed action plan for the Lake Eden watershed in Eden, Vermont. The goal of the project was to determine anthropogenic sources of sediment and nutrients flowing to Lake Eden and to identify projects to mitigate these inputs. FEA investigated shoreland, stream, and roadway sources of sediment and nutrients to the lake with a hybrid assessment approach that involved lakeshore assessments, stream walks, and touring the watershed’s uplands.  

The Lake Eden watershed action plan was completed by FEA, and adopted by the Town, in 2019. A total of 36 potential projects were identified, with 9 projects ranked as high priority and five projects selected for 30% conceptual designs. These projects were approved by the Lake Eden Association and Town of Eden Select Board. Click hereto view the report.

FEA coordinated with the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) Lake Wise Program and Rivers Program on the conceptual designs for stormwater improvements. The projects included a site at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife boat launch, stabilization of a large gully on a tributary to the lake, a Town-owned park, and the Mt. Norris Scout Reservation. The Mt. Norris site was funded for final design by FEA and completed in 2021. The boat launch and gully sites were funded for final designs by FEA and were completed in 2022.

2020 - 2021:  Lake St. Catherine Watershed Action Plan   

Client:  Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District

Fitzgerald Environmental Associates (FEA) was retained by the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District (PMNRCD) in 2020 to develop six stormwater final designs for the Lake St. Catherine watershed in Poultney and Wells, Vermont. The sites selected for final designs were high priority areas that FEA identified in the Lake St. Catherine Stormwater Master Plan, and completed conceptual designs for, in 2019. The projects selected for design and implementation included bioretention stormwater treatment at a Town-owned park in Wells and the Vermont State Fish and Wildlife lake access.

Five of the projects were constructed in 2020-2021. The designs were developed with input from the Lake St. Catherine Association, the Town of Wells Select Board, and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Appropriate departments were consulted regarding design and permitting considerations for stormwater treatment near wetlands and in the lakeshore zone.   

2020 - 2021:  Lake Dunmore & Fern Lake Watershed Action Plan 

Client:  Lake Dunmore Fern Lake Association 

Fitzgerald Environmental Associates (FEA) was retained by the Lake Dunmore Fern Lake Association (LDFLA) to develop a watershed action plan for the Lake Dunmore and Fern Lake watersheds located primarily in the Towns of Salisbury and Leicester, VT. The LDFLA is funding the plan due to concerns over rising phosphorus (P) level concentrations observed in the long-term monitoring data recorded by the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation. 

The goal of the project is to determine the sources of nutrients contributing to the rise in P concentrations and identify project opportunities to mitigate these inputs. FEA completed a desktop GIS analysis, meetings with stakeholders, and field tours of streams, shorelines, and upland areas, including private and Town roads. 

The 55 projects identified were listed in a spreadsheet and prioritized based on the potential for each project to improve water quality, reduce environmental impact, project feasibility, and co-benefits such as habitat improvement. FEA is working with the stakeholders to identify 7 high-priority projects for development of 30% concept designs.

2022 - Present:  Elfin Lake Erosion Reduction Design and Permitting   

Client:  Town of Wallingford 

Elfin Lake is a 20-acre lake in the Town of Wallingford, VT situated less than a mile southwest of the Village Center. The lake is accessible to the Town’s residents from the east through Stone Meadow Park, which is part of a 50-acre parcel connecting the Village to this natural area. The lake is surrounded by hilly, forested terrain with limited development along the shoreline. Water quality sampling results compiled by VTDEC since the 1980’s indicate “stressed” but “stable” conditions in Elfin Lake, with relatively static spring and summer phosphorus concentrations (Link to VT Lake Score Card). The lake’s water quality is a top concern for the Town’s residents, who enjoy the lake during summer months at the Town’s beach on the east shore. 

The Elfin Lake public beach has experienced erosion problems that have increased the Town’s maintenance efforts and decreased water quality over the last decade. These erosion problems stem from uncontrolled stormwater runoff that is directed toward the beach from the walking path and two structures located upslope of the shore. Although there have been efforts to improve stormwater management on the property, including a rain garden installed with DEC funding about 10 years ago, more work is needed to improve the function and aesthetics of the Town beach.

Fitzgerald Environmental Associates (FEA), in partnership with Greenleaf Design, was retained by the Town of Wallingford to evaluate the Elfin Lake public beach area and develop a plan for water quality and aesthetic improvements. Services include topographic survey, wetland delineation, and conceptual plans, illustrations, and renderings for up to 3 alternatives to improve water quality and use of the park. FEA will also prepare permit applications, assuming the project will need a shoreland permit and allowed use determination for work in the wetland buffer zone. Final (100%) construction drawings and specifications for contractor bidding, with detailed budgets and a summary of where source items can be obtained, will also be provided.