WESTPORT — While the recent low water level of Lake Champlain has concerned many and made recreational activities difficult, it allowed easier visibility and access to strewn refuse below the water’s surface Nov. 7.
A dozen volunteers with the Westport Wadhams Community Alliance took advantage of the increased shoreline and spent several hours patrolling about a mile of the hamlet’s park and beach area.
Jen Williams, president elect of WWCA and co-chair of Safe Roads — Walkable Westport Task Force, used about $500 of a livable communities grant, funded by Toyota North America, for tire and trash disposal fees for the project.
As the group gathered at the DEC boat launch on Route 22, Williams went over safety protocols, including being aware of changes in water depth, recognizing cold stress, avoiding heavy lifting and precautions for medical waste.
“WWCA Board member Chris Maron approached me early last week as he and Westport Town Councilman Michael Fergot had done a walking survey of the shoreline, acknowledging that we had a limited golden opportunity with record low water levels and relatively still warm water temps to clear out this debris that has been polluting our water for 50 years,” Williams said.
“Michael Fergot liaised with Ike (Westport Town Supervisor Michael ‘Ike’ Tyler) and the transfer station, so we were all well coordinated, as well with property owners to receive their consent and ensure we had safe access to the shoreline from the Lakeside Motel down to the Yacht Club.
“While not a formal co-host of this cleanup event, Colin (Powers) from BRASS stepped up to help prepare us organizers with smart safety protocols and loaned us equipment that was especially useful like walkie-talkies, extra gloves and loading carts.”
She said the WWCA was lucky to receive this grant to bring the community together for the environment.
“I’ve been especially grateful to have won this $25k grant that allows us to do community initiatives that everyone can benefit from,” Williams said. “Nurturing collaboration across residents, businesses and organizations is part of our mission. Environmental sustainability is also a part of our organization’s mission. I look forward to the WWCA developing more projects toward it.
“In 2025, we have our first junior board member and youth liaison, 16 year-old Evan Beech, who is especially keen to help WWCA with environmental-focused initiatives.”
Removing the 68 tires was not an easy task.
Most were submerged in muck and required shoveling around them to provide enough leverage to counterbalance their 50-pound or more weight due to the mud within. Each tire took about two people to roll to the shore before they removed sludge to load them onto a trailer.
“Great job of volunteerism by the Westport community,” Tyler said. “The timing couldn’t have been better with the lake being at record lows.
“Tires were brought to our transfer station with the knowledge that the Westport-Wadhams Alliance was picking up the tab.”