Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Gina McCarthy visited Burlington, Vermont, on Friday and made a commitment to the people of the region.

McCarthy appeared with Governor Peter Shumlin, Sen. Patrick Leahy and Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and expressed the desire of her agency to help the city curb pollution runoff into Lake Champlain.

A press conference was held at Saint Albans Bay State Park, a Vermont park. It is to be noted that blue-green algae blooms, which are toxic, had filled Saint Albans Bay for several days this summer.
McCarthy announced about $67,000 grant to curb Lake Champlain's pollution. She added that the EPA will provide all necessary help in the efforts to clean up the lake.

She said, "We have been making some great success in drinking water and the water bodies that we love in terms of protecting them. But we are facing unprecedented challenges".

For his part, Senator Patrick Leahy said that more work is needed to curb pollution in Lake Champlain. He vowed to make efforts to bring money to the cause but asserted that steps should be taken to spend that money in the right way. Leahy added that he will use his political influence in Washington to bring money for the cause.

Vermont office of the Conservation Law Foundation's head Chris Kilian said the EPA will have to play important role in the state process and the agency should evaluate the effectiveness of the state's program.

Some specific recommendations were given by Vermont residents. A Saint Albans resident, Bob Qua, said that politicians must show the commitment to take care of the issues of the people.