The Voice

New s from the Hoosic River W atershed Association Autum n 2008

Vermont Un-assessed Waters Project

financed by the sale may fly, and stone fly larvae.) of the state’s con- regularly assesses BMI servation license populations on most of the state’s plates), Kelly has streams (usually on a once-every- begun the Vermont several-years basis), but the state al- Un-assessed Waters locates its resources over a large area Project on Hoosic to capture water quality trends and and Batten Kill identify major sources of pollution. tributaries in Ver- As a result, about 18% of Vermont’s mont. watercourses have never been sam- The goal of the pro- pled. ject is to determine In Basin 1, this is changing. In water quality on un- 2008, for the first time, BMIs were assessed streams by sampled on seven Hoosic tributaries sampling and that had never before been assessed.

Steve Fiske VT DEC aquatic biologist (L), and Kelly Nolan, analyzing ben- (Kelly also sampled at five sites in HooRWA monitoring coordinator, discuss physical habitat at thic macroinver- the Batten Kill watershed.) Barney Brook in Bennington in September. tebrate (BMI) In each watershed, Kelly has used populations, and Vermont DEC sampling protocols The Hoosic is undeniably special, documenting high water quality and data processing quality assur- but in at least one respect we are not tributaries in Basin 1. (BMIs are the ance/quality control methods, ensur- alone. With the Batten Kill, we are creatures that live on the bottom of ing that the information collected is the only Vermont watersheds which our streams, critters like caddis fly, comparable and compatible with data drain to the . The already held by DEC. These are the Vermont Department of Envi- kind s of partnerships HooRWA ronmental Conservation recog- seeks to strengthen – partnerships nizes this hydrologic sisterhood with other environmental advocacy in its watershed planning ef- groups, with state agencies, and with forts, designating the lands individuals who support our efforts drained by these two rivers as with their membership gifts—or, for one basin. Residents of both you Vermonters out there, perhaps by watersheds might be irritated purchasing a Ver- had DEC called us, say, Basin mont conserva- 17. Instead, we are, as we tion license plate. should be, “Basin 1.” Through the efforts of Kelly Nolan, HooRWA’s water qual- Also In This Issue ity monitoring coordinator (and a consultant to the Battenkill • Welcome new ED! Conservancy), Basin 1 has • Bike ride biggest ever stepped up to the water quality monitoring plate. With support • Problematic pipe/floater’s from a Vermont Watershed bane gone, thanks to Atlantis Grant program grant (a fund Equipment

The Hoosic River Voice Autum n 2008

Board of Directors President’s Corner John Case, President by John Case Drew Jones, Vice-President

Jim Neidbalski, Secretary Tom Ennis, Treasurer Sarah Brill Great Days Harold Brotzman Rick Dovey Sarah Gardner Sometimes we in HooRWA get lake for more than thirty years and Thom Gentle so busy working for the river, we had mentally written it off as a giant Wendy Hopkins don’t find time to enjoy it. That milfoil problem. What a lovely sur- Tom Hyde certainly happened to me this year. prise to find I had the lake pretty Ernest LeClaire (emeritus) Heather Linscott I got out on the river exactly once, much to myself—except for about ten Ken Norris on a HooRWA raft trip last spring. great blue herons. Yes, I could al- Wendy Skavlem Fortunately, a couple of trips this ways hear the hum of Route 8, but Lauren Stevens fall helped me reconnect. In Sep- the stark scenery of the Greylock Elena Traister tember, Lauren Stevens and I led a massif certainly muted the noise. I

Staff trip for Williamstown Rural Lands had never before noticed the clutch of David Shufelt, Executive Director Foundation from Hopkins Forest islands in the north pond—as pretty Kelly Nolan, Monitoring Coordinator down to Wire Bridge. A glorious as those in Lower Saranac Lake in Shelly Stiles, Program Director fall day with goldenrod, asters, and the Adirondacks. At the causeway

Hoosic River monarchs all showing off. I hadn’t between the two ponds, I ate lunch Watershed Association been on that trail for years and was with a number of picnickers, most of P.O. Box 667 struck especially by the gorge them taking a break from pedaling Williamstown, MA 01267 across from the Steiner Film prop- the Ashuwillticook Trail. As I ate 413 458-2742 erty. The hemlocks here are so ma- my PB&J, an osprey joined me for [email protected] jestic and the site so seemingly re- lunch, making a huge splash a hun- www.hoorwa.org mote, you could be in the deepest dred feet off shore. HooRWA is dedicated to the wilderness. Two great days. All the time and restoration, conservation and My second foray was a kayak effort we all put into the watershed – enjoyment of the Hoosic River and its watershed, through education, trip in early October on Cheshire yep, it’s worth it. research, and advocacy. Lake, the headwaters of the Hoosic John Case South Branch. I hadn’t paddled the HooRWA welcomes David Shufelt as Executive Director

In October, HooRWA welcomed miles on an eventual forty-six miles what’s going on in the western part our new executive director, David of abandoned rail bed between of the watershed,” he says. “Half of Shufelt. (Former director Eileen Wassiac and Chatham, NY. the watershed is over there.” Fielding left in June to become ex- “I see similarities between rail ecutive director of the Farmington trails and rivers,” says David, River Watershed Association in Con- “similarities in the way they trav- necticut.) David, a 1983 graduate of erse communities and different Williams College, has recently been habitats and even different states.” consulting for Habitat for Humanity David is excited about HooRWA’s in Columbia County, NY and for the emphasis on expanding activities in Hill Country Observer newspaper. Vermont and , activities Earlier and for eight years, he worked such as our Vermont Un-assessed for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail As- Waters Project and the Hoosic sociation. The Harlem Valley Rail River Greenway in Hoosick Falls. Trail now consists of fifteen paved “I’d like to see us explore more David Shufelt on the banks of the Hoosic. Autum n 2008 The Hoosic River Voice

Highest Attendance Ever at Fourth Hoosic River Ride

The 4th Hoosic River Ride, held nizing the on a beautifully summery August squads, and to 23rd, netted more than $5500 for all the volun- HooRWA’s programs in education, teers who as- research and advocacy. “This is a sisted at the tremendous boost to our budget in a aid stations. challenging fundraising environ- Bennington ment,” said HooRWA’s President College pro- John Case. vided a very This year’s ride boasted the high- comfortable est number of attendees ever, with mobilization over 150 participants. While the ma- and post-ride jority came from within a 50-mile picnic venue. radius, there were small groups from Local busi- Montreal, Philadelphia and New nesses pro- York City. Steve Brown, one of the vided critical participants who made the trek from support to the Pennsylvania, offered this comment event through The introduction of a short-ride option pleased many youngsters. about the ride, “ …it was pretty, chal- financial and lenging and just plain old fun. The in-kind contributions. Wild Oats Grinnell, Dubendorf and Smith, LLP, whole event was very well- Market, The Store at Five Corners, Heliocentrix, Hoosick Federal Credit organized, and the people at the rest Williams College Dining Services, Union, Jack Miller Contractors, Liv- stops could not have been nicer and Helen’s Place, Mezze, the Chef’s ing Well Chiropractic, Maxima Elec- more helpful.” The people at the rest Hat, All Days & Onions, and tric, Merchants Bank, Overland Sum- stops were also well qualified: EMTs Power’s Market contributed food to mers, Pedaling.com, Pella Windows from the Bennington, Petersburg, the post-ride picnic. A number of & Doors, r.k. Miles, Stewart’s Shops, Hoosick Falls, Cambridge, and Pow- the region’s museums and attrac- Tillou Engineering, Trustco Bank nal Rescue Squads all provided their tions donated hospitality items to and Williamstown Physical Therapy services to those in need at the six the ride bag. Thanks to The Clark, together underwrote the cost of the rest stops located throughout the wa- MassMoCA, Bennington Museum, event. Highlander and The Spoke tershed. Thanks to Bill Hathaway of Southern VT Arts Center, Park- also contributed. “Without the sup- Bennington Rescue Squad for orga- McCullough House, Bennington port of the region’s businesses and Monument, cultural attractions this ride would North River not happen” said Lisa Carey-Moore, Winery and former HooRWA president and or- Occasional ganizer of the ride. “We are very Flowers. Ad- grateful to everyone who donated in ams Coopera- these challenging financial times, tive Bank, especially since we understand that Bennington there are many worthwhile causes to Subaru, Berk- support.” shire Gas, The Hoosic River Ride intends to C.H. McNally celebrate its fifth year back in Ben- & Son, Dan- nington next August. delion De- Those interested in help- signs, Grey- ing to plan the 2009 lock Federal event should contact Lisa Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan on an unusually flat portion of Credit Union, Carey Moore at 413-458- the long route. 2241. Nonprofit Org. Hoosic River Watershed Association US Postage P.O. Box 667 PAID Williamstown MA 01267 Permit No. 62 Williamstown MA 01267

ue: or is iss irect In th new d ome ver Welc ide e • bike r gest aters Big sed w • asses T Un- • V oject sage pr mes ent’s resid • P

Autum n 2008 The Hoosic River Voice

Floater obstacle sent to scrap yard, thanks to Atlantis Equipment

Navigating the Hoosic River has ter with the crane, and then cut it going to be.” gotten easier. For years, an aban- with a large gasoline powered cir- HooRWA board member Lauren doned 8” pipe 100 feet long lay cular saw with a metal cutting Stevens was especially pleased. across the river at the former Photec blade. The crane operator, Joe “That pipe has been an obstacle to Mill site in Williamstown. Now that Oleskiewicz, couldn’t see mechan- canoers and kayakers for years! Hur- pipe is gone, thanks to Atlantis ics Monte Krusz and Bob Reynolds ray for Atlantis for finally getting rid Equipment Co. while they were cutting, so they had of it for all of us!” Tom Ennis of HooRWA ap- to be in constant radio proached Matt Witek, manager of contact to coordinate Atlantis in Adams, to see if there their work. was a feasible way to remove the After nearly an pipe and if so, what it would cost. hour of cutting and Witek replied that it would be “no tugging, the pipe was problem to take out the pipe. We’ll finally cut free and just cut it and yank it out with our was lifted out. Atlan- crane” - and all as a donation to tis then cut the pipe HooRWA. into pieces and took it Cutting the heavy-walled steel to a scrap yard. pipe, weighing over 4,400 pounds, When the job was proved to be, not “no problem,” but done, Atlantis super- a very big deal indeed. With the visor Mark Beverly pipe below water level all the way joked, “these jobs are to the bank, the only way to cut it always harder than HooRWA’s Lauren Stevens watches as Monte Krusz was to lift it partially out of the wa- Matt thinks they’re from Atlantis Equipment cuts the old pipe.