A stormwater solution for Lowe's.

• Position: Vermont - Brief article

The January 2008 opening of the Lowe's Home Center store in South Burlington successfully capped seven years of CLF's efforts to demonstrate that Vermont can clean up Lake Champlain and its tributaries while still allowing responsible development.

CLF's efforts began in 2001 when CLF's Vermont Advocacy Center appealed Lowe's state-issued stormwater discharge permit. CLF halted construction at the Lowe's site after proving that the company's proposed pollution controls would not effectively protect Potash Brook from the erosion that can result from poorly managed construction activities.

Through settlement with CLF, Lowe's committed to a higher cleanup standard than the state had required. These measures include improved stormwater retention ponds and a filtration system for...