Hi All,


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=1845&e=4&u=/cpress/20040803/ca_pr_on_na/que_vermont


Canada - Canadian Press 
 
 
Quebec, Vermont leaders discuss pollution, roads, security in meeting

Tue Aug 3, 5:36 PM ET  

KARINE FORTIN 

BURLINGTON, Vt. (CP) - Quebec and Vermont will intensify their efforts to
fight pollution in Mississquoi Bay and Lake Champlain, which have been
off-limits to swimmers for years, Premier Jean Charest and Gov. Jim Douglas
promised Tuesday. 

Water pollution, an unfinished highway and continuing co-operation on
security were the focus of the meeting between the two leaders. 

Bacteria in the water is a problem in many parts of Quebec and Vermont. 

"There is a flourishing tourism industry that is being threatened by
pollution," Charest said. 

A plan to reduce phosphorus in lake water by 2016 was adopted last year but
the state and provincial governments plan to accelerate their efforts. 

If all goes according to plan, the anti-pollution objectives should be met
by 2009, the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain by
explorer Samuel de Champlain, Charest and Douglas told a news conference. 

Douglas acknowledged the plan is "ambitious" but pointed out it
is important to show Quebecers and Vermonters their governments are serious
about fighting the problem. 

So far Quebec has spent $1 million to clean up Mississquoi Bay, mainly in
efforts to stop farms in the area from dumping waste in the bay. 

Douglas said Vermont would be devoting $8 million US to cleaning up the lake. 

Trans-border commerce and security were also discussed and Charest said he
wants the remaining 33 kilometres of Highway 35 to the Vermont border
completed. 

Charest said he has to discuss financing of the $250-million project with
the federal government because it's an international highway. 

Douglas said he would like to see the work done soon. 

On security issues, both leaders said co-operation between Quebec and
Vermont police would continue. 


From the desk of...


   Michael


 + CrossPosted in: WHAT'S_HOT
 + CrossPosted in: CANACHAT
 + CrossPosted in: POL_DISORDER
--- Devil's Point System 6.66