DOCSLIB.ORG

Restoring Natural Resources in the Housatonic River Watershed Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Restoring Natural Resources in the Housatonic River Watershed Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Restoring Natural Resources in the Housatonic River Watershed Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program The Problem Highlights The Housatonic River flows through Protected 267 acres of wildlife habitat; western Massachusetts and Connecticut Constructed five canoe access areas and 2.6 miles of recreational trails; and empties into Long Island Sound. Conducted rare species surveys (2 species of rare dragonfly have already been From 1932 through 1977, the General documentd for the first time in the Housatoic watershed); and Electric Company (GE) facility in Provided environmental education to schools in ten towns. Pittsfield, Massachusetts, released polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Housatonic River environment. The PCBs contaminated the river’s water, sediment, riverbanks, and floodplain, as well as various species of fish and wildlife. Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program When hazardous substances enter the environment, fish, wildlife, and other USFWS Association Pool Vernal Leo Kenny, natural resources can be injured. The Restoration projects help protect the rare Protecting land along the Housatonic Department of the Interior, along with Bog turtle. provides vital habitat for the Wood frog. State, Tribal and other Federal partners, acts as “trustee” for these resources. Trustees seek to identify the natural been divided between the geographic Wildlife Resources and Habitat resources injured and determine the areas of Massachusetts and Connecticut Habitat Protection on the Mainstem extent of the injuries. Trustees work for restoration projects in the watershed. Acquire and protect 161 acres of with the responsible parties to carry out Through Round 1 of funding allocations, undeveloped land (1.4 miles of restoration activities, or recover funds the Massachusetts Trustee SubCouncil shoreline) abutting the Housatonic from responsible parties to carry out the allocated $4 million to ten multi-year River in Great Barrington. restoration activities. These efforts are projects: Partners: Berkshire Natural possible under the Natural Resource Resources Council, Inc. Damage Assessment and Restoration Aquatic Biological Resources and Program (NRDAR), the goal of which Habitat Habitat Protection on the Southwest is to restore natural resources injured Rare Species Recovery Branch by oil spills or the release of hazardous Expand protection for rare species by Acquire 31 acres along the river’s substances. identifying previously unknown species Southwest Branch to protect wildlife locations throughout the watershed, habitat and provide recreational Restoring the Resources generating conservation maps, and opportunities. In October 2000, the Natural identifying sites for habitat protection Partners: City of Pittsfield. Resource Trustees, which include the and rare species restoration. Massachusetts Office of Energy and Partners: Massachusetts Division of Floodplain Forest Restoration Environmental Affairs (MA EEA), Fisheries and Wildlife’s Natural Restore and enhance floodplain forests the Connecticut Department of Heritage and Endangered Species along the Housatonic River through Environmental Protection (CT DEP), Program. native plantings and invasive species the Department of the Interior’s control, and conserve habitat through United States Fish and Wildlife Service West Branch Housatonic River land acquisitions and easements (USFWS), and the National Oceanic and Remove the Mill Street Dam to restore totaling approximately 75 acres. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), natural flows to approximately 13 Partners: Project Native, Inc., The reached a settlement with GE for various contiguous river miles. Nature Conservancy, Sheffield Land specific restoration activities as well as Partners: City of Pittsfield, Trust, Kampoosa Bog Stewardship for approximately $15 million in natural Massachusetts Riverways Program, Committee, Natural Resource resource damages. These funds have Berkshire Regional Planning Conservation Service. Commission. Environmental Education and Outreach Housatonic Environmental Literacy Program (HELP) ■ Enhance the stewardship of the Housatonic River by working with local schools to implement an environmental education and hands-on river experience program involving all 4th and 6th graders within the watershed (ten towns). ■ Partners: Massachusetts Audubon Society, Housatonic Valley Association Berkshire Conservation Agent Program ■ Provide municipal conservation commissions with technical assistance and training regarding the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, including field work, application review, permit preparation, and monitoring and administration of projects, resulting in increased protection for wetlands in the Housatonic River watershed. ■ Partners: Berkshire Regional Planning Munney Ken Commission Kayaking the river. Recreational Uses Great Barrington Housatonic River Walk ■ Stabilize and restore the steep river banks along a recreational trail by removing non-native invasive vegetation and planting native species. Enhance river stewardship through environmental education. ■ Partners: Great Barrington Land Conservancy, Simon’s Rock College, Flying Cloud Institute Enhanced Public Access ■ Construct five new canoe access areas along the Housatonic River. ■ Partners: ESS Group, Inc., Housatonic Valley Association, City of Pittsfield, Towns of Lee, Lenox, Great Barrington, and Sheffield. Old Mill Trail Varela Veronica ■ Construct a passive recreation trail Great Barrington Housatonic River For additional information or questions along 2.6 miles of the Housatonic River. Walk. ■ Partners: Housatonic Valley contact: Association, Crane & Company, Inc. Molly B Sperduto U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300 Concord, New Hampshire 03301-5087 603/223-2541 [email protected] http://www.fws.gov/newengland Birds such as Downy Woodpecker Federal Relay Service (pictured left), Eastern Tufted Titmouse, for the deaf and Veery, Northern Parula, Blackpoll hard-of-hearing Warbler, and Mourning Warbler will 1 800/877 8339 benefit from protection and restoration of March 2010 Dennis Donohue/ through-my-lens.com floodplain forests..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Geographical Distribution and Potential for Adverse Biological Effects of Selected Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Strea
    Geographical Distribution and Potential for Adverse Biological Effects of Selected Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment in the Connecticut, Housatonic, and Thames River Basins, 1992-94 By Robert F. Breault and Sandra L. Harris Abstract exceed sediment-quality guidelines over a wider geographical area, although usually by lower Streambed-sediment samples were collected ratios of contaminant concentration to sediment- in 1992-94 at selected sites in the Connecticut, quality guideline than the organic compounds. Housatonic, and Thames River Basins to determine the geographical distribution of trace elements and organic compounds and their INTRODUCTION potential for adverse biological effects on aquatic organisms. Chromium, copper, lead, mercury, The Connecticut, Housatonic, and Thames River Basins study unit is one of 59 National Water-Quality nickel, zinc, chlordane, DDT, PAHs, and PCBs Assessment (NAWQA) study units nationwide. The were detected in samples from throughout the study unit drainage basin comprises an area of almost basins, but concentrations of these constituents 16,000 mi2 and extends through parts of the Province of generally were lowest in the northern forested Quebec, Canada, eastern Vermont, western New Hamp- drainage basins and highest in the southern shire, west-central Massachusetts, nearly all of Connect- urbanized drainage basins of Springfield, icut, and small parts of New York and Rhode Island. Massachusetts, and Hartford, New Haven and The study unit is entirely within the New Bridgeport, Connecticut. Possible anthropogenic England Physiographic Province (Fenneman, 1938), a sources of these contaminants include industrial plateau-like upland that rises gradually from the sea but effluent; municipal wastewater; runoff from includes numerous mountain ranges and individual agricultural, urban and forested areas; and peaks.
    [Show full text]
  • Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Draft Recreational Fishing Plan and EA
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Draft Recreational Fishing Plan March 2020 Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Draft Recreational Fishing Plan March 2020 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Berkshire National Fish Hatchery 240 Hatchery Road New Marlborough, MA 01230 Submitted: Project Leader Date Concurrence: Complex Manager Date Approved: Assistant Regional Director, Fish and Aquatic Conservation Date Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Draft Recreational Fishing Plan 2 Recreational Fishing Plan Table of Contents I. Introduction 4 II. Statement Of Objectives 5 III. Description of Fishing Program 6 A. Areas to be Opened to Fishing 6 B. Species to be Taken, Fishing Seasons, Fishing Access 6 C. Fishing Permit Requirements 6 D. Consultation and Coordination with the State 7 E. Law Enforcement 7 F. Funding and Staff Requirements 7 IV. Conduct of the Fishing Program 8 A. Angler Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures 8 B. Hatchery-Specific Fishing Regulations 8 C. Relevant State Regulations 9 D. Other Hatchery Rules and Regulations for Fishing 9 V. Public Engagement 9 A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Fishing Program 9 B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Fishing Program 9 C. How Anglers Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations 10 VI. Compatibility Determination 10 VII. References 10 VIII. Figures 11 Environmental Assessment 12 Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Draft Recreational Fishing Plan 3 I. Introduction Berkshire National Fish Hatchery (NFH) is part of the U.S. Fish and
    [Show full text]
  • Final Amendment to the Restoration Plan
    Final Amendment to the Housatonic River Basin Final Natural Resources Restoration Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Environmental Impact Evaluation for Connecticut May 2013 State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 4 2.0 ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS ................................................................................................ 7 2.1 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Proposed Preferred Alternative ............................................................................................. 7 2.2.1 Power Line Marsh Restoration ...................................................................................... 7 2.2.2 Long Beach West Tidal Marsh Restoration ................................................................. 10 2.2.3 Pin Shop Pond Dam Removal...................................................................................... 12 2.2.4 Old Papermill Pond Dam Removal Feasibility Study ................................................. 15 2.2.5 Housatonic Watershed Habitat Continuity in Northwest Connecticut ........................ 18 2.2.6 Tingue Dam Fish Passage ...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Housatonic River Preliminary Natural Resource Damage Assessment." Multiple Copies Are Included, As Appropriate
    294 INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INCORPORATED 2067 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge. Massachusetts 02140 ' l 7/354-0463 MEMORANDUM January 28, 1997 TO: Housatonic River NRD Agency Contacts FROM: John Weiss SUBJECT: Preliminary Natural Resource Damage Assessment Report Enclosed please find lEc's final report entitled "Housatonic River Preliminary Natural Resource Damage Assessment." Multiple copies are included, as appropriate. Please call if you have any questions. Confidential Attorney Work Product HOUSATON1C RIVER PRELIMINARY NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT r i Prepared for: Mark Barash Anton P. Giedt Department of the Interior National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Northeast Region Solicitor's Office Office of General Counsel Matt Brock John Looney Massachusetts Office of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General Attorney General Prepared by: Robert E. Unsworth, John C. Weiss, Maria A. Markowski Industrial Economics, Incorporated 2067 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 001927 Confidential Attorney Work Product TABLE OF CONTENTS WTRODUCTION........................................................^^ ASSESSMENT OF INJURIES TO NATURAL RESOURCES..................................... CHAPTER 2 PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF DAMAGES........................................................... CHAPTER 3 PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF RESTORATION OPTIONS........................... CHAPTER 4 APPROACH FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INJURY TO GROUNDWATER RESOURCES..................... CHAPTER 5 APPROACH FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES BASED
    [Show full text]
  • New Milford River Trail Alignment Study & Preliminary Engineering Report June 25, 2018 Acknowledgements
    NEW MILFORD RIVER TRAIL ALIGNMENT STUDY & PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT JUNE 25, 2018 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The New Milford River Trail alignment study is the result of planning and outreach with the Town of New Milford. We would like to extend special thanks for the efforts and participation of the following groups: • Office of the Mayor - Mayor Peter Bass • New Milford Bike & Trails Committee Thomas O’Brien - Chairman Former Mayor David Gronbach Lisa Arasim MaryJane Lundgren Seamus McKeon Pam Picheco • New Milford Planning Department - Town Planner Kathy Castagnetta • New Milford Public Works Department - Town Engineer Dan Stanton Prepared by: In Association with: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS................................................................................................................................................................................2 2.1 Wetlands and Flood Plains................................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Archaeological Survey.......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT BY PHASE.........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Acrobat Distiller, Job 11
    USE AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE WEST BRANCH OF THE FARMINGTON RIVER American Rivers National Park Service i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................... iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.......................................................................................................... viii I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................1 II. BACKGROUND....................................................................................................................3 III. RESEARCH METHODS ......................................................................................................6 Sampling Recreation Users...............................................................................................6 IV. RESULTS: USERS’ CHARACTERISTICS, ATTITUDES, AND OPINIONS .....................8 Users’ Experiences..........................................................................................................19 Users’ Attitudes about River Resources and Management ...............................................25 Attitude Comparisons of Anglers, Tubers and Boaters .....................................................34
    [Show full text]
  • Housatonic River Pittsfield, Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, and Sheffield Berkshire County, Massachusetts
    GENERAL ELECTRIC SITE – HOUSATONIC RIVER PITTSFIELD, LENOX, LEE, STOCKBRIDGE, GREAT BARRINGTON, AND SHEFFIELD BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS EPA FACILITY ID: MAD002084093 AUGUST 25, 2008 THE ATSDR PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT: A NOTE OF EXPLANATION This Public Health Assessment was prepared by ATSDR pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) section 104 (i)(6) (42 U.S.C. 9604 (i)(6)), and in accordance with our implementing regulations (42 C.F.R. Part 90). In preparing this document, ATSDR has collected relevant health data, environmental data, and community health concerns from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state and local health and environmental agencies, the community, and potentially responsible parties, where appropriate. In addition, this document has previously been provided to EPA and the affected states in an initial release, as required by CERCLA section 104 (i)(6)(H) for their information and review. The revised document was released for a 30-day public comment period. Subsequent to the public comment period, ATSDR addressed all public comments and revised or appended the document as appropriate. The public health assessment has now been reissued. This concludes the public health assessment process for this site, unless additional information is obtained by ATSDR which, in the agency’s opinion, indicates a need to revise or append the conclusions previously issued. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry.................................................... Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Administrator Howard Frumkin, M.D., Dr.P.H., Director Division of Health Assessment and Consultation…. .....................................................................William Cibulas, Jr., Ph.D., Director Sharon Williams-Fleetwood, Ph.D., Deputy Director Cooperative Agreement and Program Evaluation Branch ....................................................................Richard E.
    [Show full text]
  • Housatonic River Study Report, Connecticut
    FINAL REPORT THE HOUSATONIC IN CONNECTICUT A WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY August 1979 . Prepared by: U.S. Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (formerly Bureau of Outdoor Recreation) Northeast Regional Office Printed by the National .Park Service FOREWORD On October 12, 1976, the U.S. Congress amended the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542) to include for study the Housatonic River in Connecticut from the Massachusetts/Connecticut boundary downstream to its conflu­ ence with the Shepaug River. This action was the result of the initia­ tive taken by the people of the Housatonic Valley to protect the natural beauty and cultural heritage of their river. The Wild and Scenic Rivers System was established by Congress in 1968 to protect and conserve outstanding free-flowing rivers of this nation for the future. Its purpose as stated in the Act is "that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cul­ tural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoy­ ment of present and future gener­ ations." This report evaluates the Housatonic River in Connecticut, discusses the actions required for conservation and protection of the river, and explains the procedures for designation of the eligible river segment as a National Scenic and Recreational River. TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY. • • • . • . • . • • . • • . • . • . • • • • • • • • • . • . • • . • . • • • . 1 Findings. • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • • . • . • • . • 2 Recommendations. • • • . • . • . • . • • . • • . • . • • . • . • . • • • • . • • . • • . 4 THE RIVER ENVIRONMENT Natural Resources ...................................•...•........... 5 Topography ..........•......•...........•.......................... 5 Geology . .................................. o ••••••••••••••••••• Cl • o •• 7 Hydrology.
    [Show full text]
  • Establishing Nitrogen Endpoints for Three Long Island Sound Watershed Groupings: Embayments, Large Riverine Systems, and Western Long Island Sound Open Water
    Establishing Nitrogen Endpoints for Three Long Island Sound Watershed Groupings: Embayments, Large Riverine Systems, and Western Long Island Sound Open Water Subtask C. Summary of Tributary Loadings Submitted to: Submitted by: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tetra Tech, Inc. Region 1 and Long Island Sound Office March 27, 2018 Establishing N Endpoints for LIS Watershed Groupings Subtask C: Summary of Tributary Loadings This Tetra Tech technical study was commissioned by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to synthesize and analyze water quality data to assess nitrogen-related water quality conditions in Long Island Sound and its embayments, based on the best scientific information reasonably available. This study is neither a proposed TMDL, nor proposed water quality criteria, nor recommended criteria. The study is not a regulation, and is not guidance, and cannot impose legally binding requirements on EPA, States, Tribes, or the regulated community, and might not apply to a particular situation or circumstance. Rather, it is intended as a source of relevant information to be used by water quality managers, at their discretion, in developing nitrogen reduction strategies. C-i Establishing N Endpoints for LIS Watershed Groupings Subtask C: Summary of Tributary Loadings Subtask C. Summary of Tributary Loadings (Connecticut, Housatonic, and Thames Rivers) Contents Introduction and Methods Overview .................................................................................................... C‐1 Connecticut River
    [Show full text]
  • Riverwalkbrochure.Pdf
    1961, reprinted with permission of the family of the late George P. Fitzpatrick. P. George late the of family the of permission with reprinted 1961, ; Courier Berkshire Linder, Ronald to 1960, ; Courier Berkshire ; 1930, “The Housatonic River Speech,” Speech,” River Housatonic “The 1930, ; Darkwater 1920, Bois, Du B. E. W. by Excerpts 800-328-6515. , www.uscatholic.org Publications, Claretian ne, magazi Catholic U.S. from permission with reprinted Berry Wendell by xcerpt E alk w river the about berry -wendell It’s just a little narrow walkway, scaled right, but it’s an enormously suggestive thing. suggestive enormously an it’s but right, scaled walkway, narrow little a just It’s wrong. go can’t that like thing a me to and common, in have can everybody that local something cherishing It’s Church and River Streets. River and Church at Park River Bois Du B. E. W. the through entered be also can It Bridge St. Bridge DOWNSTREAM Complex Searles/Bryant RIVER WALK RIVER River Street and ends at Bridge Street. Street. Bridge at ends and Street River River Park River * W.E.B Du Bois Du W.E.B on lot parking Corporation Berkshire Town Hall Town Housatonic River Housatonic Route 7 Route * accessible and begins adjacent to the the to adjacent begins and accessible Birthplace section of the trail is wheelchair wheelchair is trail the of section Castle St. Castle W.E.B Du Bois Du W.E.B River St. River on Dresser Avenue. The downstream downstream The Avenue. Dresser on Church St. Church Railroad St.
    [Show full text]
  • Provides This File for Download from Its Web Site for the Convenience of Users Only
    Disclaimer The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) provides this file for download from its Web site for the convenience of users only. Please be aware that the OFFICIAL versions of all state statutes and regulations (and many of the MassDEP policies) are only available through the State Bookstore or from the Secretary of State’s Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) Subscription Service. When downloading regulations and policies from the MassDEP Web site, the copy you receive may be different from the official version for a number of reasons, including but not limited to: • The download may have gone wrong and you may have lost important information. • The document may not print well given your specific software/ hardware setup. • If you translate our documents to another word processing program, it may miss/skip/lose important information. • The file on this Web site may be out-of-date (as hard as we try to keep everything current). If you must know that the version you have is correct and up-to-date, then purchase the document through the state bookstore, the subscription service, and/or contact the appropriate MassDEP program. 314 CMR: DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL 4.06: continued FIGURE LIST OF FIGURES A River Basins and Coastal Drainage Areas 1 Hudson River Basin (formerly Hoosic, Kinderhook and Bashbish River Basins) 2 Housatonic River Basin 3 Farmington River Basin 4 Westfield River Basin 5 Deerfield River Basin 6 Connecticut River Basin 7 Millers River Basin 8 Chicopee River Basin 9 Quinebaug
    [Show full text]
  • Schenob Brook
    Sages Ravine Brook Schenob BrookSchenob Brook Housatonic River Valley Brook Moore Brook Connecticut River North Canaan Watchaug Brook Scantic RiverScantic River Whiting River Doolittle Lake Brook Muddy Brook Quinebaug River Blackberry River Hartland East Branch Salmon Brook Somers Union Colebrook East Branch Salmon Brook Lebanon Brook Fivemile RiverRocky Brook Blackberry RiverBlackberry River English Neighborhood Brook Sandy BrookSandy Brook Muddy Brook Freshwater Brook Ellis Brook Spruce Swamp Creek Connecticut River Furnace Brook Freshwater Brook Furnace Brook Suffield Scantic RiverScantic River Roaring Brook Bigelow Brook Salisbury Housatonic River Scantic River Gulf Stream Bigelow Brook Norfolk East Branch Farmington RiverWest Branch Salmon Brook Enfield Stafford Muddy BrookMuddy Brook Factory Brook Hollenbeck River Abbey Brook Roaring Brook Woodstock Wangum Lake Brook Still River Granby Edson BrookEdson Brook Thompson Factory Brook Still River Stony Brook Stony Brook Stony Brook Crystal Lake Brook Wangum Lake Brook Middle RiverMiddle River Sucker BrookSalmon Creek Abbey Brook Salmon Creek Mad RiverMad River East Granby French RiverFrench River Hall Meadow Brook Willimantic River Barkhamsted Connecticut River Fenton River Mill Brook Salmon Creek West Branch Salmon Brook Connecticut River Still River Salmon BrookSalmon Brook Thompson Brook Still River Canaan Brown Brook Winchester Broad BrookBroad Brook Bigelow Brook Bungee Brook Little RiverLittle River Fivemile River West Branch Farmington River Windsor Locks Willimantic River First
    [Show full text]