River Management Society Supporting Professionals Who Study, Protect, and Manage RMS WINTER 2013 VOLUME 26, NO. 4 North America’s Rivers Northeast Chapter Focus Prepare to Launch! ............................... 4 RMS and Public Policy ......................... 5 Restoring a Log Driven Stream, ME ..... 6 Stream Restoration in Massachusetts .. 8 TU Leads Dam Removal in ME .......... 10 Clean-Drain-Dry for Paddlers Video ....11 Paddling the Canoemobile ................. 12 New National Rivers Database........... 13 River Protection in NH ........................ 15 Successful Restoration in NH ............. 16 Restoring the Souhegan in NH ........... 18 River Town Program - A Success! ...... 20 Delaware River Basin - Publication .... 27 RMS Training in Denver 2014 ............ 28 TransCanada’s Wilder Station. 10-22-12. Photo: Norman Sims, AMC Using The Integrated Licensing Process To Relicense Five Dams On The Connecticut River America’s First Designated National Penobscot, Rapid, and Magalloway Rivers more. Sometimes states withheld “401 Blueway & Heritage River in Maine provided millions of dollars for Water Quality Certificates” for political improved fish passage, improved water purposes that dragged on project licenses by Tom Christopher quality, increased base flows and extensive for multiple decades. There is a saying that “opportunity recreational enhancements for whitewater Even so, the best part of the ‘93 only knocks once” and when state and boaters and other river users. relicensing work was the emergence of federal agencies as well as multiple non- For those of us in the relicensing negotiated “settlement agreements” on governmental organizations (NGO’s) were game who worked on the earlier ‘93 the Deerfield, Kennebec and other New notified by the Federal Energy Regulatory projects and continued on in later work, England rivers. This opened the door Commission (FERC) that five dams on it was not an opportunity to pass up. As I for the development of the “alternative New England’s great Connecticut River have often said, “the only way to get out licensing process” (ALP) which allowed were up for relicensing, it was taken as of the relicensing game is to die” because stakeholders and applicants to identify a great opportunity to secure mitigation it takes so many years to get through the issues early in the process. Theoretically for decades into the future. The success FERC process. Back in the day, all of the this would save time, develop dialogue and extraordinary mitigation achieved projects we worked on started out in the and trust between stakeholders, and earlier through the “Class of 1993” traditional licensing process (TLP) which ultimately would result in better relicensings on the Deerfield River in took a minimum of five years, but would outcomes for the environment. Over Massachusetts, as well as the Kennebec, run on for nine or ten years and often (continued on page 24) Executive Director’s Eddy From the President RMS Main Office Risa Shimoda, Executive Director What’s Best for the River? Blue River and those government shutdown blues. PO Box 5750, Takoma Park, MD 20913 Ph / Fax (301) 585-4677 [email protected] [email protected] Welcome to an issue brimming with The annual meeting of the RMS decision made was we are fully committed Chapter officer level. Another problem is stories submitted from Northeast Chapter Board of Directors was October 10–13, to the success of the 2014 symposium, the board is comprised entirely of river National Officers week two of the federal government Managing Rivers in Changing Climes, managers. A good bunch of folks to be Dennis Willis, President members! Your colleagues have been shutdown. The meeting was scheduled April 15–17 in Denver, CO. Historically, sure, but possibly not the best skill mix Price, UT (435) 650-0850 moving very cool projects forward this at the AJ Andrews Experimental Forest the biennial symposium has been a major for these challenging times. We could do Linda Jalbert, Vice President year, hurdling speed bumps while keeping Grand Canyon, AZ (928) 638-7909 Conference Center, a Federal facility. revenue source. We had actually been better with an MBA or two and someone an eye on the prize and linking resources Jorjena Daly, Secretary What to do? Our board members from considering the possibility of canceling with fund raising expertise on our board. Anchorage, AK (907) 267-1246 in support of the work. Their projects around the nation had travel arrangements our signature event. Instead, we identified We are exploring the possibility of Helen Clough, Treasurer represent collaborations of dozens of and flights into Eugene, Oregon. We called strategy and made assignments to increase changing the by-laws and the way our Juneau, AK (907) 321-4004 organizations whose efforts will impact upon our friends in the Northwest Chapter both sponsorships and attendance. Even board is structured. We would like to keep hundreds of thousands of citizens, if not with local knowledge. In short order we though we are recruiting attendance from the representation from the Chapters. Ex Officio Advisors Gary G. Marsh more. Northeast Chapter authors: we thank had several alternatives in the Eugene area outside RMS, we still are depending on We think these regional viewpoints Mountain City, TN (423) 768-3621 you for your leadership and skill, and are that could house, feed and accommodate the support of our members. I hope you are valuable. We want to keep most of Randy Welsh proud to showcase your accomplishments. Water Gap just before Spring Break 2013 us. One of the great things about our will make the effort and attend what the decision making in the hands of an Washington, DC (801) 625-5250 and again during the fall colors season, society, you always have friends in the promises to be a great event. Executive Committee. A smaller group Dave Ryan, Legal Missoula, MT (406) 728-4140 Budget belt-tightening and the general affecting business owners who rely on know. The financial challenges we face can be more nimble and responsive in day Bo Shelby recommended the are causing us to re-evaluate the RMS to day decision making. We are looking Ken Ransford, Financial economic environment have resurfaced seeing some portion of the five million Basalt, CO (970) 927-1200 McKenzie River Mountain Resort, business plan and even our basic at some sort of process where chapter river management dramatically, from annual visitors. an old USFS Ranger Station that has governance. Currently, RMS is governed representatives would form the core of eliminating seasonal staff to eliminating RMS Listserve been privatized. Due to the government by an Executive Committee consisting of the board. They would be free to select [email protected] entire state river programs. Crowdsourcing As the water flowing through our nation’s shutdown, they had cancellations and were the President, Vice President, Secretary, additional board members, including the Web Page Coordinator river management time and talent is arteries continues to be harvested hungrily Cheston Crowser (406) 273-4747 able to accommodate us within our skimpy Treasurer and a Chapter President. The executive committee. This represents and altered in new ways (e.g., hydraulic [email protected] becoming a standard way to operate: rivers budget and short timeframe. It is located first four positions are three year terms, a major change in the way RMS has fracturing processes), management of Pro Deal Coordinator have a real future only where private and near the confluence of the Blue and filled through national elections. The traditionally been governed. Any such Scott Springer (541) 490-5289 public partners take notice of their needs our rivers has become a relevant topic [email protected] McKenzie Rivers and suited our purpose Chapter President, currently Dave Schade change would require a vote by the entire and pool resources to address them. for the general public. We can choose to perfectly. We always invite participation of Alaska, is selected yearly by the chapter existing board. So, what say you? Merchandise Coordinator Dan Haas (509) 546-8333 Urban river issues are particularly take advantage of the stage we are being and visits with RMS members at board presidents. The Executive Committee [email protected] If you have opinions or impressive because they can affect offered, and you can contribute to sound meetings. This year we were pleased to is advised by the remainder of the RMS Journal so many people, and they work when practices and solutions in your area of have join us for Saturday dinner: Heidi Board, consisting of the elected Chapter suggestions on how we can Caroline Kurz (406) 549-0514 [email protected] they have been developed by strong expertise or interest. and Tom Mottl from Prineville, Colin Presidents who can vote and non-voting, improve the governance Maas from the Smith River in Montana, ex-officio advisers. All board members are partnerships. of RMS we need to hear RMS is a non-profit professional organization. Relying on individuals or organizations Chuck Patterson and Dave Pacioretty both elected from the membership of RMS. All contributions and membership dues are from Pocatello. Dave is the Field Manager Elected boards are a traditional, from you. tax-deductible. The Delaware is the longest free-flowing with whom you may disagree on other and a new member, so it was great to old model for governing non-profit river in the Eastern U.S. An ongoing projects might take you out of your I invite you to contact me personally at: The mission of RMS is to support welcome him into the fold. Our guests membership organizations. The trend in [email protected], before debate continues about what is available comfort zone. While it may feel scary, professionals who study, protect, and were also able to join us for a lovely half non-profit governance has been a move April 1.