Department of Fish and Wildlife Batten Kill News

Volume 2, Issue 1 Winter 2001 Bi-State Watershed Coalition Up and

Inside this issue: Running

BK Investigations & 2 Assessment Activities This is a story about meetings. (Now I’ve got your attention!) But these BK Special Regulation 3 Evaluation Final meetings weren’t the usual sort that Report people attend grudgingly, knowing Celebrate the New 4 they’d leave frustrated. These were Spring more like politely conducted rallies, with lots of energy, ideas, and people FYI 5 from many different backgrounds with many different concerns. The Check Out These 6 success of the gatherings shouldn’t Websites have surprised any of us, since these were meetings of what’s before long to become a bi-state Battenkill Panel discussion at September forum watershed coalition. The range of interests and the enthusiasm of those attending represent the the farm a mile upriver — discussed interests and enthusiasms of the how other watershed organizations people who live in the watershed or around the Northeast were organized work on behalf of this much-loved and funded. Afterward, a river. questionnaire was sent around listing the many ways in which those other The first meeting, held in October, organizations approach The MISSION of the was called to take advantage of organizational structure, funding, Vermont Department of excitement generated by a group mission, and work plans. Fish and Wildlife is the University of Vermont-sponsored Questionnaire respondents were conservation of fish, workshop on the Kill held in asked to rank those elements as they wildlife, and plants and Arlington the month before. Fifteen thought they should apply to our own their habitats for the people people from Vermont and fledgling Battenkill organization. of Vermont. In order to came to discuss whether a accomplish this mission, the watershed coalition is needed and if Almost everyone who responded believed that the new organization integrity, diversity, and it is, what it should look like. It was vitality of all natural easy to agree that a coalition was should be private non-profit systems must be protected. necessary, but as to what it should administered by a paid staff and look like… guided by a philosophy of partnership and consensus building. As for issues That issue was taken up at a Vermont Agency of the organization might address, the November meeting in Shushan, NY, Natural Resources highest ranked ranged from “what Department of Fish & Wildlife where 28 people — some from as far the public thinks is important” to 103 So. Main Street, 10 So. away as Ray Brook and Cortland, “natural resources” to “data Waterbury, VT 05671-0501 New York and Essex Junction, 802-241-3700 Vermont, others from as nearby as (continued on page 3) VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 BATTEN KILL NEWS PAGE 2

Batten Kill Investigations and Assessment Activities

Last winter, when the Batten Kill temperatures), river channel a number of reference streams Study Team was set up and met morphology (e.g., channel widths, located in other watersheds in the for the first time, one of its first water depths, bankfull and state. Reference streams are being actions it undertook was a review floodprone widths, stream bank selected on the basis of having of a long list of possible factors erosion), and current condition and biological and gross physical that might be affecting the river’s use of adjacent riparian lands. The characteristics not unlike the Kill, brown trout resource and causing survey began at the New York state such as they support wild, the decline in its abundance line and proceeded upstream on the productive trout populations through the 1980s and 90s. Many river mainstem. With one survey including brown trout, are not of these factors were raised by crew working on the river this past stocked, and are similar in size to concerned anglers and other summer, 4.6 miles were inventoried. the Kill. Water samples will be citizens during the several public Data from the survey have been collected throughout the year and meetings held over the past entered in a computerized database analyzed for such chemical couple years as well as through and processing of the data will begin parameters as total and dissolved letters and phone calls. Of these this winter. phosphorus, nitrates-nitrites, the study team identified 14 alkalinity, magnesium, calcium, issues or factors which it began Plans are being made to have two potassium, sodium, chloride, and addressing last year (see Batten survey crews on the river this pH. Kill News, January 2000 issue). coming summer picking up where the crew left off last year. An In order to continue tracking Even though much information on additional 10-12 miles of habitat is changes in the trout populations, the Batten Kill’s trout populations expected to be inventoried. By the electrofishing surveys were and sport fishery have been end of the 2002 field season, it is resumed this past summer at the assembled and analyzed over the hoped that 20+ miles of the usual four index stations: two on years, a quantitative assessment mainstem will be completed. the lower river in Arlington and of the river in terms of habitat for one each in Manchester and East trout has never been undertaken. To evaluate the effects of sediment Dorset. Results from these sites To this end, the study team transport and sedimentation on the were mixed. Catchable-size (>6 initiated investigations during quality of trout spawning substrates inches) brown trout abundance at 2000 and has planned additional (gravels), sampling cages were set both sampling sites on the lower work for the 2001 field season. out this past fall for the second river declined by about 30% from consecutive winter season in likely the 1997-98 means. However, Much attention is now being spawning habitats. The cages hold young-of-the-year (YOY) browns directed at assessing current suitably-sized gravel simulating an were greater than the 1997-98 habitat conditions in the Batten egg pocket of a spawning redd. means at both sites and Kill which in turn will be These are buried in the streambed approximated the higher levels evaluated against parameters and left in place over the winter observed during the years 1988-93. identified in the professional corresponding to the egg incubation At the Manchester and East literature as being optimal for and early fry development period. In Dorset index sites catachable-size brown trout production and the spring at about the time the fry brown trout numbers were similar survival. Additionally, the Kill’s would emerge from the redds, the to the 1998 estimates but were habitat will be compared with cages are removed and analyzed for still down from the years 1984-93. conditions currently existing in the quantity of fine sediments Brown trout YOY abundance other productive wild brown trout trapped in them. Excessive estimates were similar to those populations occurring in similar sedimentation can reduce egg and measured during the late 1990s. It streams around Vermont. fry survival. This technique is one is too early to know what, if any, way to assess whether During the 2000 field season, influence the 2000 year class will sedimentation is affecting trout year have on brown trout population Vermont Fish & Wildlife and U.S. class strength. Samples from last Forest Service fishery personnel structure in subsequent years, but winter have been processed and now it and other new year classes will initiated a detailed survey of the being analyzed. Kill’s trout habitat (e.g., be closely monitored. identifying and measuring pool Beginning this spring, water and riffle habitats, trout cover, samples will be collected from substrate composition, water several sites on the Batten Kill and (continued from page 5) VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 BATTEN KILL NEWS PAGE 3

(Watershed Coalition, continued from page 1) collection” to “fisheries” to “on-the-ground project mid– to late Winter 2001. The mission statement was implementation” to “habitat” to “town involvement” drafted just before the holidays (it’s a secret until the to “water quality.” “Sprawl”, “farmland protection”, larger group acts on it). Goals and objectives are the and “economic development” were considerably topic of the next meeting scheduled for late January. further down the list of priorities. So who are all these Battenkill advocates? They’re Twenty-four people attended the next meeting, in people from the Battenkill Conservancy-NY; the December, again at the Georgi Museum in Shushan. Battenkill Watershed Council; the Bennington County Referring occasionally to the questionnaire Conservation District; the Bennington County responses, the group discussed organizational Regional Commission; Senator James Jeffords’ office; structure, funding, and finally mission. We heard the Town of Manchester; the New York State that “we need effective mechanisms to communicate, Department of Environmental Conservation District coordinate, support one another,” that “communities 5; the Town of Salem, NY; Trout Unlimited (Vermont have to take responsibility for the stewardship of and New York chapters); the U.S. Fish & Wildlife their watershed,” that “the new organization should Service Partners for Wildlife Program in Vermont strengthen, not weaken, existing groups,” that “we and New York; the U.S. Forest Service; the Vermont need to use our clout to fix riparian problems and Department of Fish & Wildlife; the Washington other solutions will follow,” and many other County Soil and Water Conservation District; and suggestions. business owners and landowners from within the watershed on both sides of the state line. So many others, that the larger group asked a smaller steering committee to help manage them. — Shelly Stiles, Bennington County Conservation The steering committee was charged with drafting a District mission statement, by-laws, and a draft work plan by

Batten Kill Special Regulation Evaluation Final Report

The long awaited final report, that evaluates the protected slot limit placed on two miles of the Batten Kill from 1994-1998, has been completed and is available at request from the

Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, Springfield office.

The special regulation provided for the harvest of not more than three trout per angler per day, all trout 10-14 inches had to be released, and angling was restricted to the use of artificial flies and lures only. The rest of the river and tributaries continued under the state’s general fishing regulation. In short, the special regulation did not increase the abundance of quality size (10-

14”) trout in the population or improve catch rates as it was intended to do. It is postulated that unidentified factors, affecting the brown trout population throughout the river mainstem, had a dominating influence over the population rendering the special regulation ineffective. As a consequence of the unexplained steadily declining brown trout resource, the Fish & Wildlife Department placed 20 miles of the lower river (Dufresne

Pond dam to New York state line) under a “no-kill” regulation and investigations into the causes for the decline were begun and are in progress. VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 BATTEN KILL NEWS PAGE 4

Celebrate the New Spring!

The Bennington County Partners for Wildlife Conservation District and the Program, the Natural Southwestern Chapter of Trout Resources Conservation Unlimited seek volunteers to Service, and the plant two stream bank sites on Vermont Department of the Batten Kill on Saturday, Fish & Wildlife. April 28. Both sites were Funding, cash recently restored using natural contributions, and in- channel design techniques to kind services, such as forestall further bank erosion labor and excavator and enhance fish habitat. time, were provided by those organizations, Some 150 native shrubs will be and Burgess Bros. of planted at the Wilburs’ Bridge Bennington; Central site in Manchester. This 300-foot Vermont Public Service long project was completed last Corp.,; the Southwest Tree revetments at Wilburs’ Bridge site summer and made use of root Chapter of Trout wads and tree revetments to Unlimited; Orvis Company, Inc.; for Vermont April weather protect two sections of badly volunteers; and the participating conditions. Volunteers should eroded river bank up– and landowners. The projects were have heavy work boots and downstream of the historic coordinated by the Bennington gloves, a hat, rain gear, and of bridge. County Conservation District. course insect repellant for those pesky blackflies. Each The other site is in Arlington, If you are interested in nearly opposite “The Scales” person is encouraged to bring volunteering time and making a garden spade and/or shovel pulloff on Route 313. It was an important contribution to restored in the Fall of 1999 using and bucket (5 gallon the river, you should meet on preferably). Only a heavy root wads, tree revetments, rock April 28 at 9:00 AM in the vanes, and stone rip-rap. About downpour will cancel this parking area by the Route 313 event! 50 seedling trees will be added to bridge and Arlington the plantings installed last Recreation Area. Volunteers For more information, call Shelly spring. will be divided between two Stiles at the Bennington County Both projects were designed by teams to travel to either the Conservation District at 802-442- the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Manchester site or Arlington 2275 or e-mail her at Fish & Wildlife Service’s site. Please dress accordingly [email protected]. VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 BATTEN KILL NEWS PAGE 5

FYI

Each of the past issues of Batten Kill News closer relationships with some species than others. featured two of the river’s most prominent fish Most fishes found in the watershed are native or species, the brown trout and the brook trout. endemic to it; others are not but were introduced Because of the importance of these fishes to intentionally or accidentally from other waters. anglers, they are very familiar to most people who Since most introductions occurred many years ago, have spent time on Vermont streams. However, the their affect on the natural community is difficult to Kill is ecologically a complex community of ascertain. The following species are present in the organisms that interrelate with one another on Batten Kill watershed. An asterisk indicates the various levels and with their environment. These species is not native to the system. organisms encompass a wide range of species from microscopic bacteria, algae, protozoans, and zooplankton to macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects, Brown trout* Longnose sucker Brook trout White sucker crustaceans, molluscs) to higher plants inhabiting Chain pickerel* Brown bullhead the stream and stream banks (riparian vegetation) Lake chub Trout-perch and large vertebrates, including trout, minnows, Cutlips minnow Rock bass* suckers, ducks, mink, beaver, and of course Common shiner Pumpkinseed humans. Pearl dace Bluegill* Golden shiner Largemouth bass* But a community is much more than an Blacknose dace Tessellated darter assemblage of plants and animals that inhabit a Longnose dace Yellow perch* common environment, it has an organizational Creek chub Slimy sculpin structure comprised of different layers (trophic levels) which interact and are dependent on one The introduction of new species to a watershed, another in terms of food and energy relationships. either through stocking streams or private ponds or Alterations, whether natural or man caused, can release of fish from the bait bucket, is an ill advised have consequences for the environment, species, practice and in most cases is illegal. Introduced and overall ecological processes. Furthermore, species can reduce or even eliminate native fishes these changes can affect the abundance, survival, and other organisms by competing for habitat and and productivity of one or more species at any food, causing excessive predation, disruption of given time which in turn can cause a rippling effect natural processes, and/or introduction of pathogens through large parts of the community. and parasites. Ultimately this affects the ecology As for fishes that contribute to the larger Batten and health of our waters, our use and enjoyment of Kill community, 20 species have been identified as them (e.g., water quality, fisheries, and wildlife, occurring in the watershed. Each of these has and aesthetics), and is a cost to the public’s specific habitat requirements and, therefore, has investment to properly manage and protect these resources.

(Assessment Activities, continued from page 2) As a side note, there appeared to be a greater presence of large browns in the population last summer in contrast with past years. This was observed at several electrofishing sites as well as was reported by several anglers. Less intraspecific competition between brown trout resulting from low population densities over the past years and the elimination of harvest under the new “no-kill” fishing regulation are reasonable explanations for the larger browns. 20+” Batten Kill brown, The team is also considering other study proposals, including pesticide sampling Fall 2000 and analyses, evaluating river flows and patterns over the years, and resumption of creel survey. As these activities wrap up and the data are analyzed, results for each activity will be presented in a report or white paper. The first of these will be completed by the end of the year. Lastly, it merits mentioning that all of this work would be nearly impossible without the involvement and cooperation of state and federal natural resource agencies (Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service-Green Mountain Forest), and the support of private conservation groups (such as Trout Unlimited), and concerned and actively involved citizens. VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 BATTEN KILL NEWS PAGE 6 Check Out These Web Sites

VT Agency of Natural Resources www.anr.state.vt.us

Friends of the (VT) www.friendsofthemadriver.com

White River Partnership (VT) www.epa.gov/owow/showcase/whiteriver

Poultney-Mettowee Watershed The Vermont Agency of Natural Partnership (VY-NY) Resources is an equal opportunity homepages.together.net/~pmnrcd/index.html agency and offers all persons the benefits of participation in each of its River Watch Network programs and competing in all areas www.riverwatch.org of employment, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, Buffer Strips: Common Sense age, disability, sexual preference, or Conservation other non-merit factors. www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/Buffers.html

Aldo Leopold This publication is available upon www.aldoleopold.org request in large print, braille, or www.naturenet.com/alnc audio cassette.

BATTEN KILL NEWS Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife 100 Mineral Street, Suite 302 Springfield, Vermont 05156-3168 Phone: (802) 885-8855 Fax: (802) 885-8890 E-mail: [email protected]