Citing opposition from environmental groups and the public, Lake Champlain Transportation Company and Vermont Division for Historic Preservation have announced the withdrawal of its application for a permit to sink the Adirondack, a retired ferry, in Lake Champlain. Instead of being abandoned underwater to create artificial interest for scuba divers, the vessel will be scrapped.
This development comes after the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) and the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) appealed the permit by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) granting approval to sink the ferry. The environmental groups emphasized harmful consequences for water quality and a lack of broad input from the public.
In addition to opposition from environmental groups and the public, the proposal to sink the Adirondack — which was built in 1913 and operated for 65 years on the lake — faced review by the City of Burlington, whose Harbor Commission held a public hearing on the plan in May and had another planned for June.
Meanwhile, in response to advocacy by LCC and VNRC, the Vermont Legislature is considering a three-year moratorium on the sinkings of any vessels in Lake Champlain.
Photo of Adirondack courtesy Lake Champlain Committee.
Hmm … NO vessels? NO prob. Does Burlington have any subway cars it cannot use? Just thinkin out loud here 😉