Easygrants ID: 39410 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation NFWF Project ID: 1401.13.039410 LI Sound Futures Fund 2013 - Planning All Types and Water Quality Monitoring - Submit Final Programmatic Report (New Metrics) Grantee Organization: River Coastal Conservation District, Inc. Project Title: Chapman Mill Pond Fishway Design, Menunketesuck River (CT)

Project Period 1/01/2014 - 3/31/2015 Project Location Menunketesuck River, Clinton/Westbrook, CT. Description (from Proposal) Project Design a fishway to open up over 2.9 miles of river and 40 acres of pond habitat for spawning and Summary (from nursery habitat of migratory fish including river herring and sea-run brown trout. Proposal) Summary of The Coastal Conservation District (the District) successfully completed the Accomplishments design and permitting of a fishway for Chapman Mill Pond dam on the Menunketesuck River in Westbrook and Clinton, CT, the first impediment to migratory fish on the river. Coordinating with multiple partners, including CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Inland Fisheries staff and the local community, the District solicited bids and contracted with an engineering firm to complete the fishway designs, reviewed draft versions and finalized the engineered design plans, and applied for permits and received our Army Corps of Engineers Category 2 Permit, and notification from CT DEEP Dam Safety about our tentative approval. The design includes a steeppass fishway, as well as an eel pass and low flow fish return, which were not part of the original plans but will provide greater benefits to anadromous fish species in the Menunketesuck River. The LISFF grant award and progress on the project have been publicized in the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District newsletter and annual report.

Lessons Learned It was important to be flexible through the fishway design process to ensure the best design possible, thus ultimately enhancing benefits to migratory fish species. Close communication and regular input/technical guidance from CT DEEP Inland Fisheries Division staff was critical to the project. While unanticipated changes to the design extended the time required for the design process, we can be assured that no corners were cut, or essential items were omitted. The one downside is that the engineering firm was required to go back to the drawing board many times to revise the plans, but we were fortunate to work with an engineering firm that understood the importance of the changes, was willing to be flexible, and was amenable to putting in the additional time on the design work despite having a fixed price contract.

Activities and Outcomes

Funding Strategy: Habitat Restoration Activity / Outcome: LISFF - Fish passage improvements - Miles of stream opened Description: Enter the number of miles of stream opened Required: Recommended Miles of stream opened - Current: 0.00 Miles of stream opened - Grant Completion: 2.90 Notes: The planned fishway over the Chapman Mill Pond dam will open up 2.9 miles of stream to river herring and sea-run brown trout for spawning and rearing habitat. This total includes the 0.75 miles of Chapman Mill Pond itself, as well as 1.55 miles of the mainstem Menunketesuck river as it meanders up to the Bushy Pond dam. In addition, 0.6 miles of streambed on the Plane Brook watershed, up to the dam at the bottom of Ortners Pond, will be opened to migratory fish.

With the Chapman Mill Pond fishway design completed, we have completed the initial phase required to improve fish passage in the Menunketesuck River and open up upstream habitat for migratory fish.

Funding Strategy: Habitat Restoration Activity / Outcome: LISFF - Fish passage improvements - # passage barriers rectified Description: Enter the number of fish passage barriers rectified Required: Recommended # passage barriers rectified - Current: 0.00 # passage barriers rectified - Grant Completion: 1.00 Notes: The Chapman Mill Pond dam is the first impediment to migratory fish on the Menunketesuck River. Once this dam is opened up, migratory fish will be able to move all the way to Ortners Pond dam on the Plane brook and to the dam at Brushy Pond on the mainstem Menunketesuck River.

With the Chapman Mill Pond fishway design completed, we have completed the initial phase required to address this barrier to fish passage in the Menunketesuck River.

The following pages contain the uploaded documents, in the order shown below, as provided by the grantee:

Other Documents Other Documents Photos - Jpeg Photos - Jpeg Final Report Narrative - Standard

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Final Programmatic Report Narrative

Instructions: Save this document on your computer and complete the narrative in the format provided. The final narrative should not exceed ten (10) pages; do not delete the text provided below. Once complete, upload this document into the on-line final programmatic report task as instructed.

1. Summary of Accomplishments In four to five sentences, provide a brief summary of the project’s key accomplishments and outcomes that were observed or measured.

The Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District (the District) successfully completed the design and permitting of a fishway for Chapman Mill Pond dam on the Menunketesuck River in Westbrook and Clinton, CT, the first impediment to migratory fish on the river. Coordinating with multiple partners, including CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Inland Fisheries staff and the local community, the District solicited bids and contracted with an engineering firm to complete the fishway designs, reviewed draft versions and finalized the engineered design plans, and applied for permits and received our Army Corps of Engineers Category 2 Permit, and notification from CT DEEP Dam Safety about our tentative approval. The design includes a steeppass fishway, as well as an eel pass and low flow fish return, which were not part of the original plans but will provide greater benefits to anadromous fish species in the Menunketesuck River. The LISFF grant award and progress on the project have been publicized in the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District newsletter and annual report.

2. Project Activities & Outcomes

Activities š Describe and quantify (using the approved metrics referenced in your grant agreement) the primary activities conducted during this grant.

The primary activities conducted under this grant to complete design plans for the Chapman Mill Pond Fishway include the following: 1. Contracted with Technical Project Manager, Tom Cleveland 2. Established Project Steering Committee and held organizational meeting; developed schedule for bid process and a timetable for the project 3. Drafted, finalized and released the Request for Proposals for engineering services; and scheduled and held onsite pre-bid meeting 4. Reviewed and evaluated proposals received from three engineering firms, and selected winning firm. 5. Finalized proposal scope and contracted with the winning engineering firm, Nathan Jacobson & Associates, Inc. (NLJA) 6. Preliminary designs completed by Engineer, with input from committee members, including DEEP Inland Fisheries Division staff 7. Initiated permitting process, including holding a pre-application meeting with CT DEEP permitting staff, and consultation with the US Army Corps of Engineers concerning the type of permit that will be required, Category 1 or 2 8. Completed and submitted Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) Request to CT DEEP; received response; and incorporated recommended practices into the design plans to protect federally listed species identified at the site 9. 100% designs completed by Engineer with input from committee members, including DEEP Inland Fisheries Division staff and NOAA Restoration Center staff, with adjustments based on NDDB response 10. Completed and submitted final Dam Safety permit application to CT DEEP; received notification from CT DEEP that review was completed and public notice of tentative determination was to be issued 11. Completed and submitted final Army Corps Category 2 permit application; received notification from Army Corps that permit was awarded and planned work authorized 12. Construction bid documentation, including Final Design Opinion of Probable Construction Costs, completed by Engineer

As described in the project metric notes, the Chapman Mill Pond fishway, when constructed, will allow migratory fish to move all the way to Ortners Pond dam on Plane Brook, and to the dam at Bushy Pond on the Menunketesuck River main stem. The fishway will open up open up 2.9 miles of stream to river herring and sea-run brown trout for spawning and rearing habitat. This total includes the 0.75 miles of Chapman Mill Pond itself, as well as 1.55 miles of the Menunketesuck River main stem as it meanders up to the Bushy Pond dam. In addition, 0.6 miles of streambed on the Plane Brook watershed, up to the dam at the bottom of Ortners Pond, will be opened to migratory fish.

š Briefly explain discrepancies between the activities conducted during the grant and the activities agreed upon in your grant agreement.

The only discrepancies between activities conducted and agreed upon activities are the result of changes/enhancements made to the original fishway concept design submitted as part of our application—the eelpass and downstream passage (see more information under outcomes).

Outcomes š Describe and quantify progress towards achieving the project outcomes described in your grant agreement. (Quantify using the approved metrics referenced in your grant agreement or by using more relevant metrics not included in the application.)

We have completed final engineered designs for the fishway and applied for required permits. We have received final approval of our Army Corps of Engineers permit, and a communication from CT DEEP that their review is complete and a notice of tentative determination was about to be issued. With the Chapman Mill Pond fishway design completed, we have completed the initial phase required to address the barrier to fish passage in the Menunketesuck River, and open up upstream habitat for migratory fish.

š Briefly explain discrepancies between what actually happened compared to what was anticipated to happen.

The fishway design plans have been completed, though they require minor modifications due to the fact that the fishway specifications evolved and new components were added during the design process. The eelpass and downstream passage, add-ons requested by DEEP after the District had contracted with NLJA and the designs were in process, are on the plans in concept only; the plans still require minor modifications for the eelpass and downstream passage (low flow fish return) facilities to bring them to the stage where they are suitable for bidding for contractors. The required fishway design modifications will not affect the status of the existing permits, because they are consistent with the plans already submitted as part of our permit applications. The District is seeking funds to complete the design plans and construct the fishway, and we plan to contract with the same engineering firm.

š Provide any further information (such as unexpected outcomes) important for understanding project activities and outcome results.

As mentioned, while we will ultimately have an improved fishway design for Chapman Mill Pond due to the added components, additional design work still needs to be completed. Nonetheless, we still have an aggressive timetable for constructing the fishway, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015, pending approval of our funding application to CT DEEP for Supplemental Environmental Project Funds designated for constructing the Chapman Mill Pond fishway.

3. Lessons Learned Describe the key lessons learned from this project, such as the least and most effective conservation practices or notable aspects of the project’s methods, monitoring, or results. How could other conservation organizations adapt their projects to build upon some of these key lessons about what worked best and what did not?

It was important to be flexible through the fishway design process to ensure the best design possible, thus ultimately enhancing benefits to migratory fish species. Close communication and regular input/technical guidance from CT DEEP Inland Fisheries Division staff was critical to the project. While unanticipated changes to the design extended the time required for the design process, we can be assured that no corners were cut, or essential items were omitted. The one downside is that the engineering firm was required to go back to the drawing board many times to revise the plans, but we were fortunate to work with an engineering firm that understood the importance of the changes, was willing to be flexible, and was amenable to putting in the additional time on the design work despite having a fixed price contract.

4. Dissemination Briefly identify any dissemination of lessons learned or other project results to external audiences, such as the public or other conservation organizations.

There have not yet been opportunities to disseminate information about project results, though when we do have our final permits we plan to publicize the completion of this design and permitting phase funded through NFWF. Further, when the construction phase of the project is funded, we will have more opportunities to publicize the project. We did, however, publicize the grant award in our newsletter in the District News & Events section; and progress on the design phase in our annual report, which includes a photograph of the fishway site on the cover, mention of the project in the Letter from the Executive Director, and a photograph of the pre-bid meeting with information about the project in the Conservation Highlights section.

5. Project Documents Include in your final programmatic report, via the Uploads section of this task, the following:

š 2-10 representative photos from the project. Photos need to have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and must be accompanied with a legend or caption describing the file name and content of the photos; š report publications, GIS data, brochures, videos, outreach tools, press releases, media coverage; š any project deliverables per the terms of your grant agreement.

POSTING OF FINAL REPORT: This report and attached project documents may be shared by the Foundation and any Funding Source for the Project via their respective websites. In the event that the Recipient intends to claim that its final report or project documents contains material that does not have to be posted on such websites because it is protected from disclosure by statutory or regulatory provisions, the Recipient shall clearly mark all such potentially protected materials as “PROTECTED” and provide an explanation and complete citation to the statutory or regulatory source for such protection.

onservation Times Newsletter of the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Inc. January 2014

The “Whats, Whys and Hows” of Waterside Buffer Gardens

In 2013 the District collaborated with the Wild & Scenic Watershed to establish a demonstration buffer garden on Lake Hayward in East Haddam, with the help of Lake Hayward Association members and Landscape Designer, Kathy Connolly, Speaking of Landscapes, and a grant from The Rockfall Foundation. The buffer is part of a project to promote use of vegetated buffers along streams, lakes and ponds to enhance wildlife habitat and protect water quality throughout the Eightmile River Watershed. A variety of CT native shrubs, grasses and flowering perennials were planted in three separate beds along the lake shore in a popular, well-used recreational area. In addition to addressing natural resource concerns, the waterside buffer garden provides a beautiful, professionally designed example to inspire others to follow suit. While the focus of this project was on the Eightmile River Watershed, waterside buffers are an easy to install “green” landscape element that we encourage for enhancing and protecting any waterbody.

So—what exactly are waterside buffers, and why are they important? These buffers are vegetated areas along a stream, pond or lake. They can be sized, designed and planted, as garden beds, or can simply be naturally vegetated areas. A waterside buffer does not necessarily block views or prevent access to a waterbody, and can even enhance its enjoyment.

There are a multitude of benefits associated with waterside buffers. They provide shade, stabilize banks, prevent erosion, slow stormwater runoff, filter pollutants, and help to avoid flooding. In addition, they provide food, shelter and travel corridors for wildlife. Waterside buffers are also beautiful and inviting places for people to enjoy!

Creating a waterside buffer garden is no different from creating a garden bed. X Size your garden considering available space, keeping in mind it’s best to protect as much of the waterbody’s length as practical. A 35-foot width is recommended, but a narrower buffer is better than none! Y Design your garden by starting with a sketch, then choose plants appropriate for your soil and light conditions. Plants native to CT are best; they are adapted to our climate and soils, and will attract native wildlife. A variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, ferns and flowering perennials with different heights, bloom times, colors and textures will add interest and enhance benefits. Lower growing plants will preserve views, and paths will allow access. Z Prepare and plant your garden by marking out the area to be planted, and clearing weeds, grass and any other unwanted vegetation. Be sure to remove any non-native invasive plants that could overrun your new garden. Amend your soil (test it first to determine what’s needed), and you are ready to plant!

Check out the great selection of CT native plants available at the District plant sale (see pg. 4 for info or go to www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal to see our brochure and order form). Many would be perfect for your waterside buffer garden! District Makes Progress on Conservation and Assessment Projects

Coginchaug River Watershed Work Proceeds On-Farm Assessments Assist Horse Owners District staff continue to work with a local stakeholder You may recall that in 2012 our District, along with the committee to address watershed water Southwest and Eastern CT Districts, was awarded a Long quality concerns. Recent efforts include a water quality Island Sound Futures Fund grant to improve horse farm improvement project at Half Mile Acres Farm in North manure management with the goal of protecting water Guilford in the watershed’s headwaters; ongoing water quality in our rivers and . Over the quality monitoring to identify sources of high bacteria in past two years we have conducted outreach and held a the river; and our annual river cleanup in Middletown. a workshop on best management practices and technical and financial resources available to help with planning The planned stormwater management project at Half Mile and implementation of improvements; and completed Acres Farm is now completed. Three catch basins and on-farm assessments to evaluate natural resource impacts underground pipes were installed to redirect stormwater and recommend management changes. runoff from the road, addressing severe erosion of the pasture and manure runoff into the stream. All of the work Interested horse owners contacted the District to conduct was conducted by the farm owners. This project is part of a assessments of their farms in Clinton, East Haddam, Old larger nutrient and agricultural waste management effort Lyme, Portland, and Salem. Management recommendations being completed with assistance and funding from USDA addressed concerns about uncovered manure piles, erosion, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). stormwater, horse access to streams, waterside vegetation, Funded in part by a US EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 grant and pasture health and forage quality. Follow up for one administered by CT DEEP of the farms included development of a Certified Nutrient Management Plan by our staff with separate funding from 2013 Coginchaug watershed monitoring activities included a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant, two bacteria studies: a water sampling survey in the upper which will enable the facility to obtain NRCS cost-share watershed (N. Guilford, Durham, Middlefield) conducted assistance for structural improvements. A small pot of with Connecticut River Watch Program volunteers; and an funds is also available to implement management practices intensive survey conducted by staff along a stream where for farms not eligible for NRCS assistance. Anyone who chronically high bacteria levels have been measured. Water would like to benefit from a farm assessment—at no cost— samples were analyzed for E. coli bacteria levels at the State should contact the District office as soon as possible! Public Health Lab. The broad survey included eleven sites, sampled weekly from July to September: major tributaries Miner Brook Stormwater Retrofits Completed where high bacteria levels were measured in 2012; new The District collaborated with the Middletown Public tributary sites to bracket suspected sources; streams where Works Department to complete two stormwater retrofit management practices are being implemented to monitor projects to address sediment accumulation in Miner Brook water quality improvements; and main stem sites. Only in the Westlake condo area. Miner Brook, a tributary of the two of these sites met the criteria in CT’s water quality , is on the CT List of Waterbodies Not standards for E.coli. The intensive stream survey included Meeting Water Quality Standards. Concerns include high eight sites, sampled once in wet conditions, and twice in bacteria levels, in addition to excessive sediment. Sediment dry conditions. Elevated bacteria levels were measured at (e.g. road sand) is a major pollutant carried into streams all of these sites; some in wet weather, some in dry, and with rainfall and snowmelt, which can also transport some in both. Possible sources to all streams with high attached bacteria with it. The brook was the subject of a bacteria levels will need to be investigated further. A more past District study to track down sources of water quality detailed summary of results is available on our website. problems, and stormwater outfalls in the Westlake Drive area were identified as priorities for improvements. Our 5th annual Coginchaug River cleanup was held in Retrofits to address sediment concerns in two areas were Middletown at Veteran’s Park incorporated into plans for upgrading the Westlake Drive on October 5. As in the past, culvert. The add-ons will help protect and restore the the District coordinated the quality of Miner Brook and prevent downstream impacts cleanup with Middletown to the Mattabesset River by capturing sediment before it Regional Agricultural Science gets to the stream. A hydrodynamic separator that screens, & Technology Center as part of the CT River Watershed separates and traps sediment, debris, oil and grease was Council Source to Sea watershed-wide cleanup. Many installed just upstream of the bridge. Further upstream, a thanks to teacher Stephanie Russell for recruiting students; catch basin was retrofitted with a deep sump to trap sedi- the Middletown Parks Dept. for providing a staff person, ment from Grandview Drive, and a riprap plunge pool and supplies and a dump truck; St. Pius Peer Ministry Team for grass swale were constructed to slow stormwater runoff. joining forces with us; and the many student, parent and Funded in part by a US EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 grant community volunteers who helped clean the river! administered by CT DEEP 66th Annual Meeting Celebrates State Park Centennial at Devil’s Hopyard In celebration of the 100th anniversary of CT's State Parks, the Conservation District’s 66th annual meeting was held at Devil's Hopyard State Park on Saturday, October 26, 2013. It was a bright chilly day, but there was plenty of hot chocolate and mulled cider to keep everyone warm! The program featured an outdoor adventure at the park, complete with mysterious legends of unusual geologic formations. Friends and partners joined staff and board to hear about this past year's conservation highlights; honor our 2013 Conservation Award winners; and enjoy a talk and guided walk led by Alison Guinness, District board member, birder, naturalist, historian and friend of Connecticut state parks. One of the earlier properties to become part of our state park system, Devil's Hopyard was acquired by the former State Park and Forest Commission in 1919. The park features the dramatic Chapman Falls—where the Eightmile River drops more than 60 feet over a series of steps—and its unusual pothole formations, thought by some to be the work of the devil. Alison's fun and information-packed presentation covered the park's history, geology, flora and fauna, and the lore behind its name. She even included a few spooky tales to usher in the Halloween season. Our sincere thanks to Alison for “hosting” our meeting, and to our partners, friends and family members who helped celebrate with us! Congratulations 2013 Conservation Award Winners! Environmental Professionals Certificates of Appreciation Steve Gephard, Fisheries Biologist, David Richards, Clinton Nurseries Connecticut Department of Energy Mark & Mindy Yuknat, & Environmental Protection CT River Expeditions (on right, with Tom ODell) Gary Crump & Gloria Priam, Cooperator Priam Vineyards Urban Oaks Organic Farm, Mary Kay Brown, Organic Vintages New Britain, Mike Kandefer Matthew Rubin, Old Saybrook Special Merit Shopping Center Jenifer Nadeau, Equine Extension Pierre Bennerup, Sunny Border Nurseries Specialist, University of Connecticut Rob Merritt, R2 Graphics Kathy Connolly, Landscape and Garden Thomas D. Comer, CPA, Designer, Speaking of Landscapes, LLC Comer & Company, LLC Urban Oaks Organic Farm—An Urban Agricultural Oasis Most people don’t automatically think of New Britain when considering where to buy their local organic veggies...but they clearly should! Urban Oaks Organic Farm, a nonprofit certified organic farm, is the first urban farm of its kind in the nation, now one of only two in CT. The farm began in 1999 with a vision to restore a blighted area and create an inner-city organic farm to help save a neighborhood. Urban Oaks, an urban oasis in a densely developed area, grows top-quality produce, year-round, for restaurants, caterers, schools and the local community, including at the farm’s market and through CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares. The 3.5 acre farm grows an impressive variety of heirloom and specialty vegetables, greens, herbs, and fruit, including its award winning salad greens. The farm has enhanced the local urban environment by demonstrating use of sustainable, non- polluting farming practices and soil amendments, and natural predators for pest control; and by providing greenspace. Urban Oaks also teaches local residents and school groups about organic gardening methods, composting, and other environmentally-friendly practices. Neighborhood children, viewed by Urban Oaks as the future of urban farming, are provided a connection to the land through hands-on programs and job opportunities at the farm. Two recent projects with NRCS have made the farm more sustainable and efficient: a seasonal Mike Kandefer, Urban Oaks high tunnel installation to extend the growing season, and an Agricultural Energy Management Founder and Farm Manager, Plan, including an energy audit of the greenhouses, cooler and farm market. If you’ve never receiving the District’s 2013 visited this unique farm, we recommend it highly! (Go to www.blog.urbanoaks.org for info.). Cooperator Award District News & Events January 2014 The Connecticut River Coastal Conservation INTRODUCING BOARD MEMBER ERIC DAVISON District, Inc. is a nonprofit organization Our newest board member, Eric Davison, found his way to the District through whose mission is to promote the sound use his conservation activities. A practicing Wildlife Biologist, Eric is also certified and management of our natural resources as both a Wetland Scientist and a Soil Scientist. He has worked as a land use through technical assistance and education. professional for 15 years, and currently operates Davison Environmental Board of Directors Consulting, providing natural resource assessment, management, mapping Thomas M. ODell, Westbrook, Chair and restoration planning services. Also active in his community, he serves on Alison Guinness, East Haddam, V. Chair the Chester Inland Wetlands Commission. Last year, Eric was a presenter for Christopher Holden, Middletown, Treasurer the 2013 CT Land Conservation Council (CLCC) annual conference, through Cindy Gaudino, Middletown, Secretary which he met our Chairman, Tom ODell, also a member of the CLCC Steering Jim Costello, East Haddam Committee. Eric’s varied experience and skills dovetail perfectly with the Gary Crump, Colchester District’s work, and we are excited to have him on board as a resource. Eric Davison, Chester Warren Herzig, Durham 9TH ANNUAL RIVER CRUISE FUNDRAISER ENJOYED BY ALL!! Timothy Myjak, East Haddam Our 9th annual CT River Tree Swallow Cruise and Wine Tasting to benefit the Mark Yuknat, Essex Connecticut River Watch Program held in Jennifer Weymouth, Middletown late August was another great success! A District Staff warm summer evening, beautiful scenery, Jane L. Brawerman delicious food, plentiful fine wine, a sky Executive Director full of swallows and many other avian Kelly L. Starr sightings (bald eagles, cormorants, great Natural Resource Specialist blue herons...), and a boatful of fun people! Barbara A. Davis What more could you want?!? Office Administrator Thank you to our very generous sponsors— The District serves the towns of Berlin, CT River Expeditions, Priam Vineyards, Organic Vintages, Clinton Nurseries Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Cromwell, and R2 Graphics—and all of the cruise participants for supporting our efforts Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Hebron, to engage our communities in working for cleaner rivers. And don’t miss out… Killingworth, Lyme, Madison, Marlborough, stay tuned for information about this year’s cruise! Middlefield, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, 23RD ANNUAL SHRUB & SEEDLING SALE TO BE HELD April 25-27, 2014 Portland, Rocky Hill, Salem and Westbrook. Old Saybrook Shopping Center, Boston Post Rd. & Elm St., Old Saybrook It may be cold and snowy outside, but it’s not too early to start planning your The Board of Directors holds public meetings spring landscape improvements!! Our annual plant sale is coming up, where every fourth Wednesday, 7:00 PM, at the deKoven House Community Center in you can select from an extensive list of Connecticut Middletown. All programs and services are native plants, including shrubs, ground covers, offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without evergreen tree seedlings, grasses, ferns, flowering regard to race, color, national origin, religion, perennials, edibles, pollinator plants, wet-loving sex, age, marital status or handicap. plants for rain gardens, and plants suitable for your waterside buffer gardens (see cover article). We’ll Conservation Times is published by: also have Collins Organic Compost once again, and Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Inc. new this year—a special group of hummingbird deKoven House Community Center attracting plants in a rustic, reusable handmade pine 27 Washington Street box. Whether you’d like to enhance your landscape with natives, pick flavorful Middletown, CT 06457 berries in your yard, grow your own herbs, provide food and cover for wild- Phone: (860) 346-3282 life, attract butterflies and birds, promote pollinator health and survival, or FAX: (860) 346-3284 protect water quality...you won’t be disappointed in our selection! www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal

For a brochure and order form go to www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal, or phone (860) 346-3282. Quantities of your selections may be limited, so don’t miss out—reserve your plants by sending in your order form by April 7, 2014. DISTRICT AWARDED GRANT TO DESIGN FISHWAY This past fall the District was awarded a Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant to design a fishway for Chapman Mill Pond Dam in Westbrook. We are excited about our first fish restoration project, which we’ll be working on in partnership with DEEP and the town of Westbrook, among others. Check our website for updates on the project as it progresses! 2014 Annual Report Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Inc.

Providing Technical Assistance and Education for Natural Resource Conservation

Since 1946

Middletown, CT 06457 06457 CT Middletown,

Middletown, CT 06457 CT Middletown,

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27 Washington Street Washington 27

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deKoven House Community Center Community House deKoven

Conservation District, Inc. District, Conservation U. S. POSTAGE POSTAGE S. U.

NON PROFIT ORG. PROFIT NON Connecticut River Coastal Coastal River Connecticut

Board of Directors A Letter from the Executive Director Thomas ODell, Westbrook, Chair Alison Guinness, East Haddam, Vice Chair Fish barriers and stormwater and bacteria, oh my! The path to protecting and restoring our fragile natural Christopher Holden, Middletown, Treasurer resources, our working lands, and our “magical” scenic places is full of challenges like these. There is no shortage Cindy Gaudino, Middletown, Secretary of conservation work to be done in our twenty-six town area, and as always, we have had a busy year. Jim Costello, East Haddam Gary Crump, Colchester We launched our first fish passage project, a fishway at Chapman Mill Pond dam on the Menunketesuck River Eric Davison, Chester in Clinton/Westbrook, which has been a great learning experience for us. The project is still in the design phase, Warren Herzig, Durham but when completed, the fishway will open up almost three miles of river and forty acres of pond habitat for Timothy Myjak, East Haddam spawning and nursery habitat for migratory fish, including river herring and sea-run brown trout. Jennifer Weymouth, Middletown Mark Yuknat, Essex Our work to remove the Coginchaug River from the State’s Impaired Waters List continued with tracking Staff down bacteria sources and implementing water quality improvements. Citizen scientists collected water samples Jane Brawerman, Executive Director throughout the watershed to support our water quality investigations, and also helped conduct an intensive visual Kelly Starr, Natural Resource Specialist survey of a brook with chronically high bacteria levels in search of impairment sources and restoration needs. Barbara Davis, Office Administrator Tom Cleveland, Chapman Mill Pond Fishway Catch basins, underground pipes and “bubble-up” outlets were the chosen solutions for a stormwater Technical Project Manager management problem on a farm in the headwaters of the Coginchaug River. Runoff was causing severe erosion of the farm’s pasture and resulting in cow manure being carried into a stream on the farm. How gratifying to Partners see the erosion gullies gone and the area stabilized after the work was completed! American Farmland Trust CT Association of Conservation Districts Without you, and your ongoing commitment and support, we couldn’t turn our conservation challenges CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation into successes. Thank you for being a critical part of our conservation community. CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) CT Resource Conservation and Development Council CT RC&D Environmental Review Team Program CT River Watershed Council CT Sea Grant Middletown Regional Agricultural Science and Technology Center Jane L. Braweman, Executive Director National Association of Conservation Districts Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials Program (NEMO) UConn Cooperative Extension System The District’s 66th Annual Meeting was held on October 26, 2013 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam in celebration of the 100th US Fish and Wildlife Service anniversary of CT State Parks. Participants enjoyed an outdoor fall US Geological Survey Working Lands Alliance adventure—a guided walk led by Alison Guinness, the Connecticut River The 26 District towns Coastal Conservation District Board Vice-Chair, highlighting the park’s Many local organizations history, geology, flora and fauna, the lore behind its name, and the legends The Mission of the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation of unusual geologic formations. District is to promote the sound use and management of our natural resources through technical assistance and education. Our Congratulations 2013 Conservation Award Recipients programs and services are provided to municipal staff, land use decision makers, environmental professionals, engineers, Environmental Professional Certificates of Appreciation farmers, teachers, Realtors, civic groups, and the general public. Steve Gephard, CT Department of Energy Clinton Nurseries, Inc., David Richards and Environmental Protection The District holds public meetings every fourth Tuesday, 7:00 pm Comer & Company, LLC, Thomas D. Comer, CPA at the deKoven House Community Center, 27 Washington Street in Middletown. All programs and services are offered on a Cooperator CT River Expeditions, Mark & Mindy Yuknat nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national Urban Oaks Farm, New Britain Old Saybrook Shopping Center, Matthew Rubin origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or handicap. Special Merit Organic Vintages, Mary Kay Brown The District serves the towns of Berlin, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Jenifer Nadeau, University of Connecticut Priam Vineyards, Gloria Priam & Gary Crump Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Hebron, Killingworth, Lyme, R2 Graphics, Inc., Rob Merritt Madison, Marlborough, Middlefield, Middletown, New Britain, Mike Kandefer, Urban Oaks, with Kathy Connolly, Speaking of Landscapes Newington, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, Rocky Hill, District Chair, Tom ODell Sunny Border Nurseries, Pierre Bennerup Salem and Westbrook. Cover photo: Chapman Mill Pond Dam, site of the CRCCD Fishway Project, Westbook/Clinton, CT CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS Financial Statement District programs cover a variety support recreational use of open space July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 of bases, from protecting natural resources in preserves, the District was hired by the town our backyards; to assessing and restoring water to develop trail maps for Horse Hill Woods, INCOME quality and habitat in our rivers; to engaging Chapman Mill Pond, Salt Island Overlook, 319 Grants $84,750 the public in citizen science; to identifying and several other properties. The maps will be State Funds 50,000 natural resource impacts and promoting available in hard copy and on the town’s website, Material Sales 39,759 sustainable practices on our farms. Following and enabled for download to smartphones. are some highlights of our past year. Local Funds 36,913 Long Island Sound Futures Fund 29,850 Conservation Technical Assistance Grant 14,229 River Watch Program 5,860 Contributions 3,527 Connecticut DEEP 2,000 Interest Income 320 Miscellaneous 77 Total Income $267,285

were inconclusive and more surveying and EXPENSES sampling was planned in coordination with Wages & Payroll Taxes $155,926 Following up on recommendations made the Middlefied sanitarian. Grant Expenses 43,388 On a frigid snowy day, prospective by the District last year, the owners of this Shrub Sale & Fundraising Expenses 28,905 bidders for the District’s Chapman Mill Pond Clinton horse farm constructed a concrete pad fishway project gathered at the dam for a and cover for manure storage and composting Rent 14,400 meeting with Connecticut Department of to replace an uncontained pile. This project Office Expenses 5,483 Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) was part of our Long Island Sound Futures 403(b) Matching 4,527 Fisheries Biologist, Steve Gephard. This Fund initiative to improve equine manure Publications, Postage & Advertising 3,152 project, on the Menunketesuck River in and nutrient management in coastal areas. Insurance 1,892 Clinton/Westbrook, was initiated with a grant Matching funds provided by the Connecticut from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. We Council on Soil and Water paid for materials Professional Fees 875 hired Tom Cleveland as project manager, and and supplies, and the farm owner completed Conferences, Meetings & Workshops 741 awarded a contract to Nathan L. Jacobson & the construction work. Community volunteers were trained Miscellaneous 293 Associates for the fishway design. in sampling protocols and helped assess Depreciation 17 Coginchaug River water quality as part of the District’s citizen monitoring program, the Total Expenses $259,599 Connecticut River Watch Program. Following Excess (Deficiency) $7,686 up on previous years’ E. coli data, volunteers collected weekly water samples at eleven sites Compiled by Comer & Company, LLC over nine weeks to help identify potential Certified Public Accountants sources of bacteria. Samples were analyzed at the State Public Health Lab through a Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Inc. cooperative arrangement with the towns. deKoven House Community Center 27 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457

An impressive flotilla of twenty boats Phone: (860) 346-3282 participated in a Clean Water Paddle held E-mail: [email protected] with the Connecticut River Watershed Web: conservect.org/ctrivercoastal Council, funded in part by a Rockfall Foundation grant. Starting at the District’s Catch basins, underground pipes and Mattabesset River Canoe/Kayak Trail launch “bubble-up” outlets were installed to redirect in Cromwell, we discussed efforts to keep our and slowly release stormwater, and rivers clean and build awareness about water address severe erosion and associated manure quality issues, then paddled downstream through runoff impacting a stream at this farm in Cromwell Meadows to the Connecticut River, North Guilford. The project is part of the ending at Harbor Park in Middletown. District’s ongoing water quality improvement work in the Coginchaug River watershed. It was completed with assistance from NRCS and the farm owners, and funded in part by CT DEEP through a US EPA Clean Water Through the River Watch Program, the Act §319 grant. District also assisted with training and field data collection for stream macroinvertebrate With the help of a Coginchaug Regional assessments led by the Vernon Conservation High School student, the District conducted Commission and Salmon River Watershed a visual assessment of a Coginchaug River Partnership as part of the CT DEEP River tributary in Middlefield to investigate high Bioassessment for Volunteers (RBV) program. levels of E. coli bacteria measured in the brook. Here, a volunteer sorts through a stream Field surveyors walked the stream in search sample from the Tankerhoosen River in Vernon Field data collection for a mapping of potential sources of impairments and in search of organisms like mayfly, stonefly and project in Westbrook included taking GPS needed improvement/prevention measures. caddisfly larvae. Stream invertebrates are points of natural and cultural features, like As shown here, they make their way into a good indicators of water quality due to their this stone wall at Horse Hill Woods. To stream culvert in the railroad bridge. Results differing sensitivities to pollution. n

Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District Donors We are grateful to the many Conservation District donors who support our important work. The following list reflects all individuals, municipalities, organizations, businesses and granting agencies that have supported the District from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 with funding or in-kind donations. Our sincere apologies for any inadvertent omissions.

Sylvia Adams Debra & Lance Goodman Donald McKinlay Rachel & Eric Thomas Municipalities Charlene & David Amacher Katherine Green Betsy McManus Patricia & Harvey Thomas, Jr. Berlin Richard Amerling Judith & James Grover Robert & Elaine Melvin Mia Unson Chester Mary Augustiny Alison & Bill Guinness Susan & Stefan Michael Ann & Stanley Walonoski Clinton Walter Baldyga Ann & Scott Hadley Joyce & Ken Mikulski Alan White Cromwell Anita G.Ballek Janet Hamilton Sheryl Milardo Jacqueline Williamson Mary A.Becker Diana Harbison Kenneth W. Miller Erik S. Young Deep River John Beierle Rev. Timothy & Phyllis Haut Michele & Robert Millham Arlene Zick Durham Sabrina Berardozzi Heather & Ryan Healy Sandra & Russell Molitoris East Haddam William Bernhart Susan Hessel Pamela Frost & Jonathan Morris East Hampton Corporations Essex Linda & Stephen Boatti Jeffrey Hill Nancy Mueller Aetna Foundation, Inc. Michele & John Boccalatte Lisa A. Hourigan Timothy Myjak Haddam Clinton Nurseries, Inc. Edson Bourn Alan Hurst Martha & William Neale Hebron Comer & Company, LLC Susan & Thomas Bransfield Sandra & Edward Ianello Patricia Newton Killingworth Jane Brawerman & Brian Stewart Dr. Ruth Johnson Diane & James Nuhn Connecticut Horse Council Connecticut NEMO Program Lyme Maria Brown Susan Kaufmann Carol & Tom ODell Madison Jamie Ann Burgess Joanne Kelley Ronald Olanson Connecticut River Expeditions Eightmile River Wild & Marlborough Carolyn & Donald Capellaro Janet Klett Kristin & Mark Olivieri Middlefield Jeanne & Paul Carroll Mark Kondracky Jody & John Perkins Scenic Watershed Lisa & Mark Carruthers Patricia & Ronald Koniuta Geraldine & Philip Piccola Friends of the Hockanum Old Lyme Janice & Ronald Catrone Sandra Kopell Jennifer Weymouth & Jason Polayes River Linear Park Old Saybrook Susan Cecchini Konrad P. Kotrady Sally & John Pritchard GeoInsight Portland Jennifer & Robert Chaffiotte Elaine & Leon Kowaleski Samara & Ted Rahmann IBM Corporation Rocky Hill Susan Colby Karen & Paul Kupfer Ruth Randolph Lake Hayward Association Westbrook Jim Costello Debra & Charles Landrey Gail & Daniel Reynolds Old Saybrook Shopping Center Doris Coster Janice & Robert Laneri Michele & Peter Richards Organic Vintages Grants Alison Cumming Andrea Lavery Steven Rieth Priam Vineyards Connecticut Department of Energy Linda & Denis Cunningham Valerie & Philip LeMontagne Michael Riggio Rhode van Gessel Design & Environmental Protection, Lawrence Cyrulik Thomas Lentz Linda & Anthony Rigono R2 Graphics, Inc. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act §319 Barbara O. David Barbara & Alan Lipman Jean Marie Roche Salmon River Watershed Partnership Barbara & Arnie Davis Patricia Ludwig Laura & Gregg Ross Emilie & Raul deBrigard Ellen & Lew Lukens Justine B. Rutan Speaking of Landscapes Long Island Sound Futures Fund Nancy D’Estang Barbara Lunn Starr & Philip Sayres Sunny Border Nurseries, Inc. Daniel Digiulio John Lyman, III Holly & John Schroeder The Rockfall Foundation USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Beth & James Dillon Gregory Machinski David Semnoski University of Connecticut Service, Conservation Technical Lori & Stephen Fritzer Susan Malecky Regina & Thomas Shaffer University of Connecticut Assistance Jennifer & Kenneth Geisler Louise Maloney Douglas A. Shomo Cooperative Extension System Stephen Gephard Sally Marston Kathleen & Scot Slimon Master Gardener Program June Getchius Helen McDonald Leslie Starr USDA-Natural Resources Marilyn Getman Katherine McGrath Lauri & Kurt Swanke Conservation Service Judith & Timothy Glaza Marie & Patrick McKenna Laura & Jim Therrien Westport Garden Club