UVM Study Examines Economic Impact Of Pollution In Lake Champlain

Vermont Public | By Mitch Wertlieb

Published July 22, 2016 at 10:55 AM EDT

A new study from the University of Vermont says that pollution in Lake Champlain could lead to loss of tourism and a decrease in property values for houses on the lake.

Pollution in Lake Champlain could lead to a significant decrease in the value of lakeside homes and a notable loss of tourism dollars being spent in the region, according to a new study.

The study found Vermont's lakeside communities stand to lose nearly $17 million in economic activity, along with 200 full-time jobs, for every 1-meter decrease in the big lake's water clarity.

VPR spoke with the author Brian Voigt, an economist at UVM, about his findings.

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Mitch Wertlieb

A graduate of NYU with a Master's Degree in journalism, Mitch has more than 20 years experience in radio news. He got his start as news director at NYU's college station, and moved on to a news director (and part-time DJ position) for commercial radio station WMVY on Martha's Vineyard. But public radio was where Mitch wanted to be and he eventually moved on to Boston where he worked for six years in a number of different capacities at member station WBUR...as a Senior Producer, Editor, and fill-in co-host of the nationally distributed Here and Now. Mitch has been a guest host of the national NPR sports program "Only A Game". He's also worked as an editor and producer for international news coverage with Monitor Radio in Boston.

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