Lake Champlain Line House, Vermont

This small seasonal dwelling, overlooking the water of Lake Champlain, sits directly on the shore, and on the border. It was restored 15 or so years ago without the consent of the Boundary Commission, which officially regulates all construction projects that take place within ten feet of either side of the international boundary. Usually the IBC denies construction permits for projects that renovate or restore buildings on the line, as they would prefer that they were removed, in order to preserve an unobstructed vista line, clearly showing the border. This is an important place for the Commission, directly on the waterfront of a major and historic waterway, and on the edge of the state of Vermont. According to the Commission, not only does the house block the line of site along the border, it sits where a shoreline range marker should be. The Commission recently constructed a large boundary monument, nearly blocking the front door of the structure.