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Wetland Protection and

Restoration Program Accomplishments

Bissonette Farm Wetland Restoration Site

The Agency has formed a partnership with the Hinesburg Land Trust, in cooperation with the Trust for Public Land and the Vermont Land Trust, to help conserve a 631-acre property in Hinesburg.  The Agency has committed $120,000 for this project. This funding will be used to acquire an easement or otherwise permanently protect the designated wetland restoration area contained in a 216-acre portion of this property through ownership by a public agency or qualified non-profit organization. The Agency’s commitment of funding is considered to be critical to the project as it is being used to leverage other funding sources for wetland restoration and land conservation. 

Known as the Bissonette Farm, this property is located along the LaPlatte River in Hinesburg.  It contains 2.1 miles of the main stem of the LaPlatte River, including its headwaters, and at least 3.2 miles of its tributaries.  The property is also located within a groundwater protection area.  There are multiple conservation priorities for this property including riparian wetland restoration, protection of the majority of land adjoining the main river channel and its tributaries, protection of prime soils located in the sub-watershed, and protection of a rich mosaic of forested uplands that provide habitat for a diversity of species.

Draining, ditching, and straightening operations occurred on the river, which flows through part of the property, as riparian wetland areas along the floodplain were converted to farmland. The Hinesburg Land Trust is proposing to protect the corridors of the mainstem and tributaries to allow for natural meandering and floodplain development by restoring the natural hydrology of approximately 120 acres of land along the river in the northern portion of the site.  Based on a review of soils mapping, this area likely contained an expansive area of riparian wetlands before its conversion to farmland. 

The wetland hydrology will be restored through ditch plugs, ditch filling, and/or other techniques.   The restored wetlands will then act as receiving areas for floodwater.  Dense vegetation will be allowed to grow and these areas will be taken out of agricultural production.  Eventually the wetland areas will become wooded and will also act as a buffer to the river.  The newly vegetated areas will trap sediments and nutrients in the floodwaters, and the wetland vegetation will also absorb some of the nutrients.  The restored riparian wetland area will reduce phosphorus loading into the river, which ultimately flows into Lake Champlain.

Due to its large size, the restoration project will take several years to come to fruition.  This property was conserved in 2007.  Restoration is planned to occur in 2007/2008.