 WASHINGTON, D.C. , Feb. 12, 2026 Congresswoman Stefanie News Release – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) Enhancements Act of 2026 to reauthorize the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) for five years to support the health and conservation of the Lake Champlain Basin. This legislation will also promote transparency in creating an oversight process within the Environmental Protection Agency and the Lake Champlain Steering Committee to evaluate the efficacy of LCBP’s fiscal agent and ensure the program’s needs are properly met by its fiduciary.
“Throughout my time in Congress, I have a long, bipartisan record of delivering results for the Lake Champlain region. Upstate New Yorkers rely on the Lake Champlain Basin for clean drinking water, and millions of Americans each year witness the beauty of its wildlife habitats and participate in efforts to restore its watershed. I’m grateful to work alongside Senator Welch on this legislation to invest in the longevity of Lake Champlain, ensuring future generations can continue to cherish and depend on this natural resource,” said Stefanik.
“Lake Champlain is an important part of Vermont’s culture. The Lake Champlain Watershed is a designated resource of national significance, provides drinking water to an estimated 250,000 people, and is home to shipwrecks, Revolutionary War-era forts, and abundant aquatic ecosystems. That’s why investing in the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program, which has supported conservation, healthy ecosystems, and thriving rural communities, is vital,” said Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Rep. Stefanik on this effort to support the important work of the LCBP and ensure it continues for years to come.”
Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are also co-sponsors, reflecting support for this legislation from Lake Champlain’s entire Congressional Delegation.
“Lake Champlain is at the heart of so many Vermont communities, and protecting its health requires strategic and sustained interstate commitment,” said Balint. “The Lake Champlain Basin Program plays a crucial role in that work, strengthening our ecosystems and helping our region adapt to the impacts of climate change. I’m proud to support this reauthorization so the LCBP can continue driving vital conservation work for Vermonters and our neighbors on the other side of the basin.”
Stefanik has long advocated for Lake Champlain and successfully delivered $10 million in funding last month for the Great Lake Fishery Commission to preserve and protect Lake Champlain in the North Country and to invest in an educational and outreach center.
Read the bill text HERE. |
