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Connecticut River Conservancy Testimony in OPPOSITION to SB 300 An Act Concerning Natural Gas Capacity and the Renewable Portfolio Standard March 6, 2024 To: Honored Co-Chairs, Sen. Needleman and Rep. Steinberg, and distinguished Members of the Energy & Technology Committee I am writing on behalf of the Connecticut River Conservancy; we are an environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the entire Connecticut River valley through initiatives that support clean waters, healthy habitats and thriving communities. We are strongly opposed to SB 300, especially as it erodes environmental guardrails for hydropower. Hydropower can have substantial impacts on river health by blocking fish passage, dewatering areas where fish and other wildlife raise their young, and eroding habitat along riverbanks causing water levels to fluctuate up and down unnaturally. Our organization routinely advocates for the river in proceedings with hydroelectric facilities in other states in the watershed to push for strong environmental protection. Upstream we deal with facilities that impact access to recreation, dewater rivers, decimate fish and other aquatic species, and erode streambanks all while profiting off of a public trust. While hydropower is less carbon intensive than “non-renewable” sources of energy, it still has measurable and long-lasting negative impacts on rivers and their associated ecosystems. Therefore, the environmental attributes required for hydropower to be included in any Class of the Renewable Portfolio Standards is essential and necessary. We understand the need to make energy more affordable. But we must not do so by removing ecological standards and giving preference to hydropower generation projects that are not environmentally sound. We appreciate that Connecticut currently has basic environmental protection for our waterways in our statutes – we should not remove those and move backwards. We urge you to not pass this bill. Connecticut River Conservancy Testimony in SUPPORT of SB 292 An Act Concerning the Use of PFAS in Certain Products March 8, 2024 To: Honored Co-Chairs, Sen. Lopes and Rep. Gresko, and distinguished Members of the Environment Committee I am writing on behalf of the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC); we are an environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the entire Connecticut River valley through initiatives that support clean waters, healthy habitats and thriving communities. I am writing to support SB 292, as it will help address the problem of PFAS contamination in our state, safeguard our ecosystems, and protect public health. The manufacturers of PFAS have known for decades that these “forever chemicals” are harmful to human health and that they persist in our environment. Despite this, PFAS are being increasingly used in consumer products, often without the consumer’s knowledge. PFAS are found everywhere scientists have gone looking for them – groundwater, surface water, fish, animals, humans, etc. We need strong regulations to limit the use of PFAS and prevent them from entering our environment. In conclusion, I urge you to support SB 292 and take decisive action to regulate the use of PFAS in consumer products. By enacting stringent regulations and investing in monitoring and remediation efforts, we can protect our rivers, ecosystems, and communities from the harmful effects of PFAS contamination. Connecticut River Conservancy Testimony in SUPPORT of HB 5004 An Act Concerning the Implementation of Certain Climate Change Measures March 8, 2024 To: Honored Co-Chairs, Sen. Lopes and Rep. Gresko, and distinguished Members of the Environment Committee I am writing on behalf of the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC); we are an environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the entire Connecticut River valley through initiatives that support clean waters, healthy habitats and thriving communities. I am writing in strong support of HB 5004 as it is a crucial step in the right direction towards addressing and mitigating climate change in our state. I particularly want to highlight and celebrate Section 22, which focuses on nature-based solutions. Riparian buffers play a vital role in maintaining the health and resilience of river ecosystems. These areas serve as critical wildlife habitats and provide numerous ecosystem services such as filtering polluted runoff, erosion control, and flood mitigation. However, riparian areas across our state are facing increasing pressures from development, pollution, and climate change, threatening their integrity and functionality. The proposed nature-based solutions program outlined in the bill offers a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges and safeguarding our riparian areas and river ecosystems. By prioritizing the acquisition of land and conservation easements in riparian areas adjacent to cold water streams, the bill recognizes the importance of protecting these sensitive habitats and the species they support. Additionally, the bill proposes a collaborative approach. Connecticut will work with other northeast states and federal agencies to develop a coordinated regional adaptation and conservation approach, which will lead to effective and strong strategies for protecting river ecosystems and human communities on a broader scale. I urge you to support HB 5004 for a more resilient Connecticut. We need to work with nature not against it, if we want to adapt in a changing climate, and nature-based solutions will help us do that. Thank you for your consideration. I may be reached at rdrozdenko@ctriver.org or 860-929-8021. Rhea Drozdenko (she/her/hers) River Steward

Photo Credit: Ayla Skorupa USGS The shifting of the seasons triggers remarkable changes in our local habitats. We can see changes happening on the land around us, from trees dropping their leaves, to birds migrating south, to various animals settling in for their long winter hibernation. Us humans are also often settling in to a new routine, focused on staying warm and maybe looking forward to spring (though we’ve got a long ways to go…). As the river cools down our underwater neighbors are similarly adjusting their routines; in ways that are still rather mysterious and hidden from our eyes. In acknowledgement of our hidden river heroes, this blog post is all about… mussels! Freshwater mussels are pretty remarkable little creatures; they may look a bit like rocks, but they certainly don’t behave like them. This time of year they are on the move… downwards. When the water cools off freshwater mussels move slightly deeper and wiggle their way into the sediment with their foot, burying themselves (hopefully) in an area that won’t freeze solid over the winter. Mature females are full of fertilized eggs if spawning was successful during the summer and fall. Have you ever wondered how mussels reproduce? Come spring, the gravid females release larval mussels, called glochidia, which begin their own epic migration to find suitable habitat by hitching a ride in the gills of fish. Woah! There are 12 species of freshwater mussels in the Connecticut River watershed and multiple species are threatened or endangered. New Hampshire is host to the three largest remaining known populations of dwarf wedge mussel, a federally endangered species. Each of the 12 species is dependent upon host fish to complete their life cycle. Some, like the eastern pearlshell are very particular as to which fish they attach to (brook trout and other salmonids in this case) while others will utilize many different species (the eastern elliptio for example will seemingly just glom on to whoever is closest). Glochidia ride along on their host fish for a couple of weeks to months before dropping off and burrowing into the sediment where they will stay within a short distance of where they landed while growing, becoming sexually mature in five to six years, and living out the rest of their surprisingly long lives on the bottom of the rivers and streams. Why should we care? For one, those little bivalves help keep our rivers clean. They filter water… a lot of it… and while they feed on the algae and detritus they filter out of the water, these actions can help to reduce turbidity and convert small particles unavailable to many consumers into larger particles (mussel poop) that other organisms will consume. Not only is it critical to maintain suitable habitat for adult mussels, but freshwater mussels will not survive without healthy water, food, and habitat for the host fish species. The mussels themselves are an important part of the food chain, providing a tasty snack for many predators. Mussel beds can increase biodiversity of benthic invertebrates by providing hard surfaces and habitat structure through empty shells as well as mixing the sediment with their movements, thereby facilitating the exchange of oxygen and nutrients between the benthos and the water column. So we say, “Go on Connecticut River, flex your mussels!”

We are happy to report that Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and project partners have completed 29 river restoration projects throughout the four-state watershed (NH, VT, MA, & CT) in 2023. While many occurred in the upper watershed this year, annual priorities fluctuate based on variables such as grant funding, project readiness, partner or stakeholder agreement, and restoration needs. River restoration projects play a vital role in the ongoing stewardship of the Connecticut River and tributaries. New events such as severe flooding, coupled with historic challenges such as old dams, fragmented habitats, and erosion lead to a range of environmental strategies implemented by Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and partners to continue fostering cleaner, healthier, more resilient rivers. In addition to CRC’s other work related to advocacy, water quality monitoring, community science and much more, these projects provide an opportunity to make a tangible difference for expanded migratory fish habitat and safer river communities. Completed Restoration Projects: 1 dam removal and culvert replacement/bridge installation project in Wilmington (VT) 3 floodplain restoration projects in Bath (NH), Canaan (VT), and Plymouth (VT) 10 strategic wood addition projects with Redstart Forestry Inc. in Corinth (VT) 15 riparian buffer tree planting projects in CT, MA, VT and NH “Restoration projects on the Connecticut River and its tributaries require lots of funding, collaboration, and vision, to say nothing of good old-fashioned hard work” said Rebecca Todd, Executive Director at CRC. “We want to make a lasting impact through clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. Thank you to our incredible partners and supporters for leaving a positive living legacy in our watershed!” Dam Removal Connecticut River Conservancy worked with the Town of Wilmington, the State of Vermont, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and a private dam owner to remove an old mill dam and upgrade a town-owned culvert to a new bridge. This project will restore water quality, reconnect native Brook trout habitat, and improve flood resiliency in Beaver Brook (a tributary to the Deerfield River in the town of Wilmington). Ecological and community benefits include the following: Increased water flow, water quality, and oxygen levels for aquatic organism health. Increased aquatic organism passage (AOP), including native Brook trout which require access to cold water habitats for spawning. Lowering the flood elevation level by 7 feet to help minimize future flooding and road closures. Eliminate the disruption of emergency services during future storm events. Floodplain Restoration Restoring floodplains includes removing artificial berms and converting former farm fields back into floodplain forests. These restoration activities increase flood storage capacity during storm events, reduce potential damage to infrastructure, help limit sedimentation of aquatic habitat, and improve natural river functions. This year CRC led or supported these projects in Bath (NH), Canaan (VT), and Plymouth (VT). Strategic Wood Addition Strategic wood addition projects use felled trees to add roughness in small headwater streams by securing them in place at defined intervals. These projects offer benefits in the following ways: Help reduce Nitrogen inputs into the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound for improved water quality Increase habitat for native brook trout Increase aquatic biomass Lower stream temperatures Help slow runoff from headwater streams, which can reduce flooding downstream Previous projects have resulted in a three-fold increase in trout populations in these small headwater streams. CRC’s projects in 2023 were in Corinth, VT, on small Waits River tributaries. Riparian Buffer Plantings Buffer planting involves planting native trees and shrubs to create a vegetation zone between developed land and waterways, thereby helping to control erosion and slow the flow of water during flood events. CRC’s riparian buffer planting projects in 2023 resulted in nearly 10,500 native trees and shrubs being planted, restoring roughly 26 acres of riparian land along the Connecticut River and several tributary streams. River Restoration Partnerships CRC’s work would not be possible without the help of many federal, state and local agencies, local businesses and landowners, and other non-profit organizations who help make these projects a success. In 2023, these partners include the Grow Food Northampton, Hartland (VT) Conservation Commission, Intervale Conservation Nursery, Keney Park, New England Wetland Plants, Northwoods Stewardship Center, Passumpsic Valley Land Trust, Redstart Forestry Inc., River Park Estates, Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, Town of Hartland (VT), Town of Wilmington (VT), Trout Unlimited, Two River Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission, and private landowners and contractors. In addition, our funders include our generous CRC donors, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, One Tree Planted, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and Watersheds United Vermont.

Photo credit: Stone Pond Dam in November 2022, taken by Paula Sagerman Connecticut River Conservancy is happy to announce the receipt of a grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to remove an old, unused dam and restore the stream channel and surrounding floodplain in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. Stone Pond Dam Removal The project, which is currently in the engineering design phase, will excavate 82,000 lbs. of nitrogen and 5,700 lbs. of phosphorus in sediments behind the dam immediately and then prevent 908 lbs. of nitrogen and 26 lbs. of phosphorus annually, reducing pollution from flowing downstream in the Connecticut River to Long Island Sound. The long-term impact will benefit community flood resilience at the site prone to flooding. The restoration planting of trees and shrubs following dam removal will further stabilize the banks and provide shade to keep the stream cool for migratory fish such as American eel, freshwater white suckers, and other organisms. CRC is working with the private dam owner, Town of Fitzwilliam, State and federal agency partners, and Dubois & King Inc. to finalize design and permitting in 2024.  Removal and restoration activities are estimated to begin in 2025. NFWF Grant Objectives for Long Island Sound This grant is part of $12 million in grants awarded to improve the environment of Long Island Sound. Federal and state environmental agencies and officials from New England and New York, including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), recently announced 39 grants totaling $12 million to organizations and local governments to improve the health of Long Island Sound. The grants are matched by $8 million from the grantees themselves, resulting in $20 million in total conservation impact for projects in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. In all, these Long Island Sound Futures Fund (Futures Fund) 2023 grants will support projects that improve water quality by preventing 2.7 million gallons of stormwater and 101,000 pounds of nitrogen pollution from flowing into Long Island Sound waters. The projects will also remove 120 tons of marine debris from the sound and support planning for restoration of 880 acres of coastal habitat and 102 miles of river corridor vital to fish and wildlife. And, the projects will reach 30,000 people through environmental education programs that increase awareness of how to improve the health and vitality of the Sound. Funding for the grant program comes from the EPA as part of the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), with additional support from FWS, NFWF and The Zoetis Foundation. A full list of grantees can be found here. Thank you very much to the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for supporting Connecticut River Conservancy with the funds to move this restoration project forward!

Vermont experienced catastrophic flooding in July 2023. Given that these floods are expected to become more frequent and severe with climate change, effective response and recovery measures are becoming increasingly important. Sediment deposition was an overlooked impact of the floods, despite the fact that many areas in Vermont were left covered in feet of mud after flood waters receded. Between September and December of 2023, our NH and VT River Stewards were pleased to work with a student consulting team (Robin Andresen, Sam Messina, Ella Roelofs, and Captain Rudolph) from Middlebury College’s Community Engaged Practicum class to investigate how sediments were handled in developed areas during July 2023’s flood response, identify gaps in this response, and made recommendations for improvement in response to future flooding events in Vermont. You can read their final report and recommendations here.

For Connecticut River Conservancy’s first LiveStream of the season we welcomed Alfred (Fred) Venne, Museum Educator at the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College, for a riveting journey back and forth through time to explore the geological history of the Connecticut River valley. Fred shared major events that shaped the valley & watershed, present-day river and land environments and conditions, and working with mother nature. CRC’s Vermont River Steward, Kathy Urffer, added perspective on building climate resilience through restoration projects, such as dam removals, tree plantings to restore riparian buffers, and overall protection of the river. Check out the full recording here: About LiveStream: CRC brings your rivers to you! Join CRC staff and partners for a series of live lunchtime presentations, on select Wednesdays from Noon-1pm. You get to learn more about the rivers you love, ask questions, and interact with a river-loving community all from the comfort and safety of your home (or wherever you may be). LiveStream will be hosted via Zoom. Please register for each presentation to receive meeting information. Check out CRC’s Events Calendar to learn about other upcoming events.

Connecticut River Conservancy’s end-of-year virtual livestream recording includes an introduction from CRC’s new Executive Director, Rebecca Todd, followed by a 2023 river accomplishments summary from staff. All key areas of work were covered including migratory fish, aquatic invasive species, restoration, dam removal, advocacy, recreation, water quality monitoring, and more. Thank you to those who joined us live, and those who are viewing on their own time! Sign up for our newsletter to receive future Connecticut River updates or volunteer opportunities in your inbox.

Connecticut River Conservancy Testimony in SUPPORT OF HB 5218 An Act Concerning the Establishment of Riparian Buffers and Revision of Certain Inland Wetlands Provisions February 26, 2024 To: Honored Co-Chairs, Sen. Lopes and Rep. Gresko, and distinguished Members of the Environment Committee I am writing on behalf of the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC); we are an environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the entire Connecticut River valley through initiatives that support clean waters, healthy habitats and thriving communities. I am writing in support of HB 5218 which will provide incentives to protect and conserve riparian buffers that are critical to the health of the Connecticut River. Stormwater runoff transports pollutants from roads, farmland, sidewalks and yards into our river systems – but riparian buffers act as a filter. Stormwater runoff pollutes our rivers and streams with bacteria, nutrients, oil, microplastics and more. The runoff picks up herbicides, lawn fertilizer, farm waste, road salt and without buffer filtration – it ends up directly in the water. This pollution harms ecological habitats and creates unsafe conditions for recreational opportunities like swimming and boating. Nutrient loads lead to harmful algal blooms, toxic road runoff can kill fish, and agricultural waste can end up in people’s favorite swimming holes. Riverbanks with native trees and shrubs filter polluted runoff and provide a crucial buffer zone between our streams and land use. Protecting existing streamside buffers is far more impactful than restoring lost ones. At CRC, we restore riverbank vegetation throughout the Connecticut River watershed. Since 2011, we have planted more than 79,403 native trees in order to filter polluted runoff and provide a buffer zone. However, we believe that it’s far more impactful to conserve and protect these plants from being removed in the first place. There are a number of critical actions that we will need to take to mitigate the impact of stormwater pollution including planting trees, invasive species removal, and green infrastructure. But protecting existing riparian buffers – which is a nature-based solution – is a cost-effective and impactful action. It’s important to note that in addition to filtering runoff, riparian buffers provide critical wildlife habitat, mitigate floods, stabilize banks, capture carbon dioxide and create beautiful places. I urge you to support HB 5218 as it is a step in the right direction to protecting critical riparian buffers which are integral to maintaining clean and healthy water and mitigating the impact of stormwater pollution. Connecticut River Conservancy Testimony in SUPPORT of HB 5215 An Act Concerning Municipal Authority to Prohibit the Sale of Nips February 26, 2024 To: Honored Co-Chairs, Sen. Lopes and Rep. Gresko, and distinguished Members of the Environment Committee I am writing on behalf of the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC); we are an environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the entire Connecticut River valley through initiatives that support clean waters, healthy habitats and thriving communities. I am writing to support HB 5215, which will help Connecticut’s municipalities curb litter and prevent pollution from entering our waterways by banning the sale of nips. Nips are a top item found during our Source to Sea trash cleanups. CRC has organized the annual Source to Sea Cleanup for 28 years. During this watershed-wide event, over a thousand volunteers get their hands dirty to clean up our rivers. They also tally up their trash – counting the items they find so that we can track trends over time and see what types of trash ends up in our waterways. And every year – our volunteers find and remove thousands of nips from our rivers, riverbanks, roadsides, and parks. Pollution from nips threatens the health of aquatic species, and significantly reduces the aesthetic of, and therefore, attraction to and use of the river, a major economic and environmental resource. CRC has advocated for years for a stronger bottle bill to increase recycling of our beverage containers. However, nips cannot be recycled due to their small size which can clog and contaminate recycling machines. So even if they are properly disposed of, nips will end up in landfills rather than recycled like other types of beverage containers. Therefore, CRC supports municipalities that want to ban the sale of nips in their own communities. That will lead to less plastic ending up in our landfills, and less litter in our rivers. Municipalities in Massachusetts like Falmouth and Mashpee have seen reductions in nip litter after bans.1 Falmouth saw nip litter go from 32% of all litter picked up to only 7% after the sales ban.2 CT’s 5 cent tax currently placed on nips has not done enough to actually reduce nip litter throughout the state. Cleaning up nips isn’t enough, we need to stop pollution before it starts. I urge you to support HB 5215, as it will give Connecticut’s municipalities the authority to make choices about litter and plastic pollution in their communities, reduce the influx of plastic waste into our rivers, and help restore the natural beauty of our ecosystems. Thank you for your consideration. I may be reached at rdrozdenko@ctriver.org or 860-929-8021. Rhea Drozdenko (she/her/hers) River Steward

As River Steward for Connecticut River Conservancy, I can’t stop thinking about rivers.  Since the 2011 Tropical Storm Irene, as an organization we have been racing to get projects done to protect communities before the next big flood. Projects like berm removals that allow our rivers to access floodplains so they can slow down and dissipate the energy of flood waters, projects like the removal of deadbeat dams – all of which are no longer in use and have been blocking our rivers for years – that will lower the flood stage when they are out of the way, projects like planting trees along rivers to help slow the energy of floodwaters and provide a healthy forested buffer for flood waters to infiltrate. We all know that in July and then again in December many of our communities got hammered by floods. We still have neighbors that are waiting for help to “build back better” and we are being schooled about the expense of being reactive instead of proactive. Fortunately, the VT legislature started this session with a healthy dose of urgency and is poised to pass some important climate resiliency legislation. Senate bill 213 (S213) will implement multiple changes that will help us proactively protect our communities before the next flood. These changes include moving the regulation of development in the areas along riverbanks from municipalities to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The volunteers who run most of our municipalities have been burdened with this responsibility. Unfortunately, partly because it puts them at odds with their neighbors it has not been done comprehensively, if at all.  Water advocates agree that the State is the more appropriate entity to have responsibility to regulate flood hazard areas and our river corridors to provide space for our rivers to move, reduce flood energy, and store water in their floodplains. The DEC has expertise and experience dealing with accurately identifying river corridors. There is also a strong focus on protecting and restoring our wetlands. Wetlands enable the storage of huge volumes of water while simultaneously purifying it. According to some estimates, we have lost over 30% of our wetlands and we desperately need that storage capacity back. How our wetlands are managed cannot be at the whim of a specific administration. We need comprehensive mapping to understand where our valuable wetlands are to protect them, and we need to codify in law the intention that the Agency of Natural Resources will structure their work around wetlands to achieve a net gain over time. Some privately owned dams, that no longer have any beneficial use, often fall apart and continue to deteriorate or breach during flooding events. In Vermont and nationally, our dam infrastructure is old and decaying. S213 would make changes to the existing State’s Dam Revolving Loan Fund to provide an easier pathway to access funds to remove dangerous or breached dams instead of using State funds only to repair them.  We need additional support for our Dam Safety staff to increase inspections and provide additional funding to get unused and unsafe dams out of our rivers. Additionally, we need to move the oversight of the few hydro facilities in VT that are not regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from the Public Utilities Commission to the VT DEC Dam Safety Program  – who has the expertise and engineers needed to properly inspect dams and protect public safety. Flood resilience costs money up front, so we need to expand the flexibility of our Clean Water Funding to increase implementation of natural resource projects for flood resiliency all over the State.  While we support the Agency of Natural Resources work to address the excess amount of phosphorus affecting Lake Champlain, we also need increased support for projects all over the state that will protect our communities from the excessive and expensive flooding that we know will be coming our way, year after year from now on. This commentary is by Kathy Urffer, resident of Brattleboro and River Steward for Connecticut River Conservancy in VT.

February 8, 2024 Vermont Legislature Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy Via email to: Judith Newman RE: Comments of Kathy Urffer, River Steward for Connecticut River Conservancy Dear Chair Bray and Senators: Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on S213 – An act relating to the regulation of wetlands, river corridor development, and dam safety, which we wholeheartedly support! I am the river steward for Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) in VT and in that role take responsibility for working to support the health of VT’s rivers. I routinely participate in regulatory proceedings affecting our rivers and provide public education about potential impacts to our rivers. Additionally, as an organization we manage the implementation of natural resource projects in partnership with landowners. Many of these projects are vital to community resilience in the face of increased flooding. CRC is supportive of all aspects of this bill. It is vital that regulatory authority regarding development in river corridors and flood hazard areas be managed by the state.  I think the urgency to move quickly and proactively to protect our communities cannot be overstated. As an example, the state is desperately in need of additional housing, but that housing cannot be developed in places that will exacerbate flooding, and our many volunteer municipal leaders cannot be put in the position to have to make that determination.  It is the responsibility of the Agency of Natural Resources to regulate for and protect our environment and it is the responsibility of the State to protect our people. Wetlands enable the storage of huge volumes of water while simultaneously purifying it. According to some estimates, we have lost over 30% of our wetlands and we desperately need that storage capacity back, NOW, to protect our communities. How our wetlands are managed cannot be at the whim of a specific administration. We need to codify in law the intention that the Agency of Natural Resources will structure their work around wetlands to achieve a net gain over time and we need comprehensive mapping to understand where our valuable wetlands are to protect them. We are one of the leading organizations on dam removal in VT and are regional experts on hydropower relicensing. In Vermont and nationally, our dam infrastructure is old and decaying. CRC supports changes to the existing State’s Dam Revolving Loan Fund to provide an easier pathway to access funds to remove dangerous or breached dams instead of using State funds solely to repair them. We adamantly support moving oversight of the few hydro facilities in VT that are not regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from the Public Utilities Commission to the VT DEC Dam Safety Program, with additional support for our Dam Safety staff to provide the expertise and engineers needed to properly inspect dams and protect public safety. Finally, thank you very much for adding language to S213 to ban unenclosed polystyrene dock floats. This is an issue that we have been working on in all four of our Connecticut River watershed states for many years.  During our Annual Source to Sea cleanup, (this year will be our 28th year) we typically remove more than 30 tons of garbage from our rivers each year. We routinely have data collection reports that show the removal of on average 20 to 30 large chunks of unenclosed polystyrene dock floats from the tributaries and the Connecticut River on the eastern side of Vermont each year. This amount does not capture all of the polystyrene pieces, any of the millions of disintegrating small pieces, or how many additional chunks might have already floated downstream into our other watershed states. Polystyrene is a plastic and as it breaks apart it is contributing untold amounts of microplastics into our environment.  In addition, animals such as river otters will burrow into the docks further degrading them and reducing the life of the dock (and the otter). The presence of polystyrene leaches chemicals such as benzene, styrene, and ethylene into the water, which are acutely toxic to freshwater aquatic life in small doses. Additionally, the physical degradation of plastic foam floatation threatens wildlife, as plastic beads clog the airways of species and enter their digestive tracts, preventing them from absorbing vital nutrients. It is estimated that plastic foam may NEVER fully break down in the natural environment, remaining a threat to aquatic ecosystems forever. Several years ago CRC began an outreach effort to river communities about the issues of unenclosed polystyrene dock floats in an effort to encourage dock owners to “Swap your Dock.”  As a part of this educational effort we developed an educational video, and both a 30 year and 50 year comparison of overall replacement costs of unenclosed dock floats and various alternatives over time. Spoiler alert – unenclosed polystyrene ends up being one of the costliest options to install. Many of the VT watershed organizations were on the ground leading cleanup efforts in our flooded communities after the July floods.  Climate change predictions tell us that these flooding events are going to be repeated – likely at an increased rate and increased intensity.  Banning unenclosed polystyrene dock floats is an uncontroversial and easy solution to reducing the toxic pollutants entering our waterways. Please pass S213.  It is vital to the safety and the health of our human and ecological communities. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, Kathy Urffer River Steward, VT

The annual Source to Sea Cleanup is a watershed-wide initiative organized by Connecticut River Conservancy in NH, VT, MA, and CT to remove as much trash as possible from the Connecticut River and tributaries. 2023 was the 27th year in a row that the massive cleanup effort has taken place and once again there was an incredible turnout by over 100 different groups consisting of communities, families, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and diverse volunteers united in their commitment to cleaner, healthier rivers. While the majority of events happened on September 23rd-24th, some groups had to postpone due to rain and others preferred to schedule for October for other conveniences, which means the overall cleanup effort is not yet complete! And it will be some time before Connecticut River Conservancy receives everyone’s photos and the results of all the trash tallies – including details of exactly how much trash was collected, what kind of items were common this year, and everyone’s favorite category: most unusual items found. We will provide a much more detailed summary of activities in this year’s Cleanup Chronicle (here is last year’s for reference) later this fall, but in the meantime we’re sharing some of the highlights and photos recent events. If you have participated this year and have any questions or would like to send us your photos, please contact us at cleanup@ctriver.org. Here is the 2023 summary so far! Several legislators joined cleanups in Massachusetts, including Senator Jo Comerford, Lindsay Sabadosa (State Representative, 1st Hampshire District), Natalie M. Blais (State Representative, 1st Franklin District), and Mindy Domb (State Representative, 3rd Hampshire District). We greatly appreciate the involvement of local leaders who not only support legislation that helps keep our rivers clean, but who roll up their own sleeves to get involved! The Franklin County Rivers Cleanup/Green River Cleanup (consisting of 35 separate events) celebrated their 20th year of being part of the Source to Sea Cleanup, with awards given to David Boles, Michael Pattavina, and Charlie Olchowski to recognize their incredible dedication and hard work through the years. The River Roads Festival cleanup group with Laudable Productions, music artists, volunteers, and Council Member At-Large Owen Zaret had the most impeccable organization system for trash tallies we’ve ever seen! They collected over 1,000 cigarette butts and several hundred nip bottles in just 2 hours. Holyoke Public Schools and the Academy of Charlemont had amazing participation from students, and an independent youth-led group in Easthampton organized by 17-year-old Willa also had young people involved in river cleanups. Eversource Energy, in addition to being a lead sponsor of the overall cleanup, had 3 separate staff volunteer groups in CT, MA, and NH. They were fiercely dedicated to making a big impact and collected an incredible amount of trash. The Deerfield River Watershed Trout Unlimited group found a hot tub! Among many other items removed from the Deerfield River. The Great Meadows Conservation Trust (along with the Wethersfield Dads Club) had a wonderful community turnout in Wethersfield Cove. The Umass Five College Credit Union had a great cleanup and found a message in a bottle! We recommend more sustainable activities for kids and methods of communication, but we’re glad this sweet message was received and appreciated. And of course, SO many other fantastic volunteers have been involved, having spent a precious weekend day (rain or shine) bringing a positive can-do attitude to address a serious problem. Special thanks to our incredible sponsors for supporting this year’s cleanup – we couldn’t do it without you! Stay tuned for the 2023 Cleanup Chronicle to include many more photos, stories, and trash stats.

Greenfield, MA, [9/28/23]. Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the Connecticut River watershed in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut since 1952, is thrilled to announce Rebecca Todd as their next Executive Director, to formally begin on October 9th, 2023. Rebecca has most recently served as the Executive Director of New Hampshire’s Stonewall Farm, a non-profit working farm and education center, however it is her rich experience as an attorney that has shaped most of her career. For over 30 years Rebecca has advised organizations, individuals, and businesses in matters related to environmental, educational, contractual, employment, and non-profit management. She served as General Counsel for Antioch University, as Associate Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General in Washington in the Education and Ecology divisions, and litigated cases for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Inc. (now Earthjustice) and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. related to the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and hazardous waste laws. Rebecca also teaches environmental law, legal advocacy, and other subjects nationally and internationally. In addition to these professional accomplishments, Rebecca grew up in the Connecticut River watershed, has raised a family while stewarding farmland along the river in New Hampshire, and is cultivating a new passion for the sport of rowing. “After an incredibly thorough search and evaluation of the needs of our organization, we are thrilled to welcome Rebecca as the next Executive Director. Her robust experience, character, and passion for the Connecticut River and surrounding communities will help implement a strategic and sustainable path in the years to come.” – Bob Sproull, Board Chair of Connecticut River Conservancy “I look forward to supporting the incredibly collaborative network of partners, members, and community members who recreate on the Connecticut River, and to developing solutions dedicated to healthier rivers in our beautiful watershed.” – Rebecca Todd, Upcoming Executive Director of Connecticut River Conservancy The Search Committee, including members of CRC’s Board of Trustees, staff, and executive search firm Eos Transition Partners, received applications from many well-qualified individuals across the country over the last few months and after careful review have determined that Rebecca is the most qualified to become the next great leader of Connecticut River Conservancy. Experience related to operational, fiscal, and human resource management were essential, as well as a track record in successful relationship-building, and experience supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as part of organizational culture. Many excellent candidates were considered, and CRC is grateful for all those who applied. CRC’s previous Executive Director, Andy Fisk, departed in the fall of 2022 after 10 years with the organization and is now the Northeast Regional Director at American Rivers. During this transitional time, CRC has been capably led by interim Executive Director and Director of Restoration Programs, Ron Rhodes who has been a member of CRC staff for over 12 years. The new Executive Director will be welcomed by an enthusiastic Board, knowledgeable staff, and dozens of highly engaged regional stakeholders. CRC has a robust 70-year history of environmental conservation and restoration. The organization was first formed as the Connecticut River Watershed Council in 1952 by a group of concerned citizens, rebranded to the Connecticut River Conservancy in 2017, and has been a voice for the Connecticut River since the beginning. Programs include healthy habitat restoration through tree planting and dam removal, advocacy to prevent pollution, invasive species removal, water quality monitoring, river recreation access, community science to support migratory fish, the annual Source to Sea Cleanup, and more. Rebecca will be available for interviews starting October 9th, and CRC’s direct communications via email and social media will include introductory messages in the weeks and months to come. A series of meet-and-greet events are also being planned. In the meantime, we invite you to share a personal message for Rebecca to send your congratulatory well-wishes or hopes for the Connecticut River and surrounding communities. For any questions, please contact CRC’s Director of Communications, Diana Chaplin, at dchaplin@ctriver.org.