• Regulatory Development, VT Department of Fish and Wildlife, ANS Team. The VT 
Department of Fish and Wildlife ANS Team works to create new rules and regulations or 
amendments to existing rules and regulations that work to prevent or reduce the risk of 
aquatic exotic species introductions. In the past, existing rules pertaining to the baitfish 
industry were revised and included the creation of a permitting program for the 
importation, harvesting, and sale of baitfish. A baitfish identification booklet was also 
published. Currently, two regulations are being drafted—one pertains to general fish 
importation where the intent is to stock the fish and the second adopts prohibited, 
restricted, and unrestricted fish species lists and a permitting requirement on the 
importation of fish species regardless of intent. This rule will also pertain to the 
aquarium trade. 
• Public education and outreach, VT Department of Fish and Wildlife. Efforts to 
increase public awareness of exotic species issues, concerns, and risks are ongoing. 
Activities include work with the baitfish industry to write and adopt Hazard Analysis and 
Critical Control Point planning protocols into their daily operation. 
• Sea Lamprey Control Program, VT Department of Fish and Wildlife, New York 
Department of Conservation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program uses a 
variety of methods to control sea lamprey, including trapping adults in smaller spawning 
streams, constructing and maintaining barriers on certain streams to prevent sea lampreys 
from reaching spawning areas, and periodically using chemical lampricides to kill young 
sea lampreys in larger streams and rivers. 
• Lake Champlain Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program, VT DEC and Lake 
Champlain Basin Program. Project activities include: (1) Monitoring the distribution 
and abundance of zebra mussel larvae, juveniles, and adults; (2) Determining the 
occurrence of new colonization in Lake Champlain, tributaries, and inland lakes and 
incorporating this information into a database; (3) Determining appropriate management 
responses and assessing the effectiveness of spread prevention or control measures; (4) 
Informing the public , water treatment facility operators, and marina managers about 
zebra mussels so that appropriate spread prevention and control measures are taken; (5) 
Providing technical assistance on the design and operation of zebra mussel monitoring 
programs; (6) Documenting water quality parameters pertinent to zebra mussel survival; 
(7) Producing a report that documents the findings of the Lake Champlain Zebra Mussel 
Monitoring Program; and (8) Maintaining the Lake Champlain Zebra Mussel Monitoring 
Program Website. 
• Lake Champlain Basin ANS Management Plan, VT DEC, New York Department of 
Environmental Conservation, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, 
regional bodies, and nongovernmental organizations. The plan focuses on facilitating 
the coordination of ANS management efforts, providing opportunities for federal cost 
sharing, and implementation. 
A.46.3. CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS 
(None reported.) 
A-116 
