Basin planning for water quality management purposes is an ongoing process meant to be compatible with the Vermont Water Quality Standards and other applicable state and federal laws. The term "basin" refers to the 17 major river basins which are found within the State of Vermont. The map below identifies the name and approximate location of these 17 major drainages.

A Basin Plan summarizes current and past assessment, planning, and implementation activities. The document integrates topics of special local importance with topics of special state importance, contains management recommendations on these topics and updates previously developed water quality plans.

All elements of the basin planning process include public involvement. Public opinion is gathered through meetings, mailings, newspaper and web-based notices, site visits and activities and contact with community groups. Not all major drainages currently have underway a basinwide water quality management planning process. Referring to the map below, the basins that are underlined signify the areas where basinwide planning activities are underway. Further information regarding basin-specific planning activities can be obtained by clicking on the names of the underlined drainages or their corresponding regions of the map.

		Hudson River Drainage Basin
		1. Battenkill, Walloomsuc, Hoosic
		Lake Champlain Drainage Basin
		2. Poultney, Mettawee
		3. Otter Creek, Little Otter Creek, Lewis Creek
		4. Lower Lake Champlain
		5. Upper Lake Champlain, LaPlatte, Malletts Bay, St. Albans Bay, Rock, Pike
		6. Missisquoi
		7. Lamoille
		8. Winooski
		Connecticut River Drainage Basin
		9. White
		10. Ottauquechee, Black
		11. West, Williams, Saxtons
		12. Deerfield
		13. Lower Connecticut, Mill Brook
		14. Stevens, Wells, Waits, Ompompanoosuc
		15. Passumpsic
		16. Upper Connecticut, Nulhegan, Willard Stream, Paul Stream
		Lake Memphremagog Drainage Basin
		17. Lake Memphremagog (Barton, Black, Clyde), Coaticook, Tomifobia

Updated: October 2006