Last week the House passed a bill which would require all new construction within 250 feet of a lake shoreline to get a permit. We'll discuss the pros and cons of lake-shore development restrictions.

The state of Vermont is hoping to improve water quality in Lake Champlain's Missisquoi Bay basin, which has been the site of toxic algae blooms, by reducing bacteria that flows into the bay and finding solutions to suspected discharges in the towns of Enosburg Falls, North Troy, Richford and Swanton.

A House committee will hold a hearing next week on a bill that calls for new protections for the shorelines of lakes and ponds, including buffer zones for new development to prevent polluting run-off. But some property owners are concerned that the bill would infringe on their property rights.

The Shelburne Fire Department has proposed purchasing a used fire rescue boat to use on Lake Champlain for approximately $36,000. If purchased, it would be the only firefighting boat in the area.