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The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. River Restoration Healthy riverbanks, floodplains, and forests throughout the Connecticut River watershed are essential to supporting clean water and thriving habitats in our rivers. That’s why CRC regularly plants native trees and shrubs along riparian zones of the main stem river and tributaries, restores floodplain forests and wetlands to their natural conditions, and conducts related projects to filter pollution, slow fast-moving waters, and provide a buffer zone between our streams and other land uses. CRC and partners have planted 102,362 TREES spanning approximately 313.8 acres throughout the watershed (since 2012) Here are some of the ways CRC restores healthy rivers: Forested Riparian Buffers Buffer planting involves planting native trees and shrubs to create a vegetation zone between developed land and waterways, thereby helping protect water quality by filtering sediments and nutrients, controlling erosion, and slowing water flow during floods. This often comes with a benefit of supporting native biodiversity, including birds, pollinating insects, fish, and other wildlife. CRC’s riparian buffer planting projects in 2024 alone resulted in 7,331 native trees and shrubs planted, restoring roughly 13.8 acres of riparian land along the Connecticut River and several tributary streams. To date, CRC and partners have planted over 100,000 native trees and shrubs throughout the Connecticut River watershed. Floodplain Forest and Wetland Restoration Restoring floodplains includes removing artificial berms, planting or seeding in native trees and shrubs, and converting former farm fields back into natural floodplain forests. These restoration activities increase flood storage capacity during storm events, reduce potential damage to infrastructure, help limit sedimentation of aquatic habitat, improve natural river functions, and store carbon. Additionally, CRC's Conservation Scientist, Fritz Gerhardt, is conducting research on restoration strategies with regional partners to inform future projects. One example is this Riparian Restoration Experiment in Vermont. Strategic Wood Additions Strategic wood addition projects use felled trees to add roughness in small headwater streams by securing them in place at defined intervals. These projects help reduce nitrogen inputs into the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound for improved water quality; increase habitat for native brook trout and other aquatic organisms; increase aquatic biomass; lower stream temperatures; and help slow runoff from headwater streams, which can reduce flooding downstream. To date, CRC and Redstart have restored 17 miles of river habitat in 50 streams with 13 different landowners. Biostabilization These projects help stabilize banks with large woody material known as rootwads to provide natural protection from erosion during high flow events or water quality impairments. Rootwads help trap sediment and debris, reduce nitrogen loading, and allow the stream bank to revegetate over time. They also add complexity to the river channel, slowing flows and providing cover for fish and other aquatic organisms. CRC's Tree Planting History (Through 2024) Dam Removal + River Restoration CRC’s riverbank plantings are often done in connection with a recently removed dam to ensure long-term stability and ecological health. The Connecticut River watershed includes over 3,000 dams and over 44,000 stream crossings such as culverts – many of which are obsolete and no longer serving a useful purpose. Here's an example of a tree planting following a dam removal in Wilmington, VT. Removing old dams restores vital stream access for migratory fish, supports flood resilience, and improves water quality. Our restoration teams usually plant trees, shrubs, and other plants in the area surrounding the removed dams during the following spring season. To date, CRC and partners have removed 24 defunct dams, upgraded 6 culverts, and restored over 427 miles of river habitat. Learn More About Dam Removal Why Floodplain Forests and Wetlands are Important In addition to being oxygen-producers, trees provide a range of other important benefits to rivers, people, and wildlife in our watershed. Including the following: Slowing rainwater runoff to reduce flooding, erosion, and pollution, and recharging aquifers. Providing important habitat for all kinds of animals, including those that fly, swim and crawl. Keeping our rivers cool helping fish and other river life. They do the same thing for our cities and homes. Capturing carbon dioxide locking it away in its roots, leaves, wood, and soil. Improving water quality as well as absorbing and filtering pollution from our soil and air. Creating beautiful places providing spots to gather, reflect, and enjoy nature. Restoration News CRC Celebrates Trout Unlimited’s Northeast Coldwater Habitat Restoration Program as Restoration Partner of the Year The Restoration Partner of the Year award is a celebration of collaboration for positive ecological impact within the Connecticut River watershed. Biostabilization Project to Address Erosion on Jacobs Brook in Orford, NH The goal of this river restoration project is to address severe erosion and use natural materials (rootwads and native vegetation) to dissipate the river’s energy during storms, reducing the potential for future erosion and improving instream and riparian habitats in this part of the Connecticut River watershed. How to Support Turtles and Their Habitats in the Connecticut River Watershed Learn about the 7 species of turtles in the Connecticut River watershed, CRC's current project for turtle habitat restoration, and how to help injured turtles you may encounter. For questions about river restoration with Connecticut River Conservancy, contact Ron at rrhodes - at - ctriver.org.

bmorrison at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 218 He/Him < Back Brett Morrison Director of Development Brett grew up on the Connecticut River – fishing, swimming, and floating on the brooks, streams, and rivers of southern Vermont’s hills and valleys. He joined the CRC team in 2018, eager to meet CRC members and work toward the river’s better future. His professional experience includes fundraising throughout New England and NYC for the Student Conservation Association (SCA), consulting and business development with a communications and printing company specializing in nonprofit fundraising, and over a decade teaching, coaching and house parenting at New England independent schools (including Bement School in Deerfield, MA and Northfield Mount Hermon). Since returning to Vermont in 2006, Brett has served on the boards of the West River Watershed Alliance (VT) and the Strolling of the Heifers (Brattleboro, VT), and the Planning Commission in Vernon, VT. He enjoys coaching lacrosse, skiing, playing ice hockey, time with family, and exploring new parts of the river and watershed. bmorrison at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 218 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Get Involved Whether you want to learn more about the watershed, support our work, or get your feet wet to volunteer for community science, there are many ways to get involved with the Connecticut River Conservancy. The options below change based on the season - with more hands-on volunteer opportunities in April - October. Choose your own adventure below or contact us anytime with questions or ideas. You can also sign up for e-news to get updates in your inbox. Watershed Snapshots Photo Raffle Submit your favorite watershed photos for a chance to win a 2026 subscription to Estuary Magazine & recognition. Deadline to submit is January 28th, 2026. More Info Upcoming Events (in-person & virtual) CRC has fewer events in the winter season, but we're always planning something! See the calendar for a range of events throughout the Connecticut River watershed in NH, VT, MA, CT + virtual. Events Calendar Support Our Work for Cleaner Rivers As a nonprofit organization we rely on contributions from donors to conserve and restore the Connecticut River watershed. Thank you! Donate Learn About CRC's Programs Learn about the different ways we accomplish our mission of clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. Primary Programs Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect River Programs Learn about CRC's focus areas Support Connecticut River Conservancy Today Your contribution will make a lasting impact for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities in the Connecticut River watershed. Donate

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Water Quality Monitoring CRC’s water quality monitoring program provides vital scientific information to help the public and local, state, and federal partners better understand our rivers’ health. The data collected by our volunteers and staff helps inform other areas of work such as advocacy, restoration, and recreation access. CRC's Water Quality Monitoring Lab CRC headquarters in Greenfield is home to a water quality lab where we process water samples for E. coli bacteria, nitrogen, and microplastics for ourselves, our partners, and the watershed community. Is it Clean Water Quality Database Water sample results in the watershed are uploaded to the Is it Clean website. Users can get E. coli data and likely water quality conditions to help make decisions about where to safely swim, boat, or recreate in local waterways. Connecticut River E. coli Report (2019-2023) Volunteers for CRC collect samples of the Connecticut River weekly from twenty-two locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. This report combines data from five years, illustrating trends in water quality. More About the Lab Explore the Database See the Report Volunteers for Water Quality Volunteers from throughout the watershed collect water samples from the Connecticut River and its tributaries during the spring and summer. The samples collected are tested for a variety of parameters, depending on the specific program. The parameters can include E. coli bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, chloride, turbidity, specific conductance, and microplastics. We recruit volunteers annually in early spring. We usually have limited openings and specific geographic needs. If you’d like to sign up to let us know that you’re interested and be among the first to know when we need help, contact Melissa at mlangley - at - ctriver.org. We are also happy to connect you with the local watershed group that samples near you if it isn’t us. Partnerships in the Watershed In addition to our own monitoring initiatives, CRC supports our subwatershed groups with their monitoring efforts in a variety of ways. We have helped by providing coordination or other technical assistance, processing samples at our lab, or including them as partners in our grant applications to support our joint monitoring goals. Some of the groups we work with regularly are: Deerfield River Watershed Association Fort River Watershed Association Chicopee 4 Rivers Watershed Council Scantic River Watershed Association Black River Action Team Ottauquechee NRCD The Connecticut River 's water quality has improved over the past few decades thanks to clean water legislation and the efforts of many conservation organizations, local and state agencies, and volunteers. But pollution, climate change, and obstacles to free-flowing rivers still remain, and require ongoing monitoring to inform the public. Stormwater & CRC's Lab on NEPM NEPM's Connecting Point news segment did a fantastic job of covering one of the biggest challenges of pollution in our rivers, which are Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO's). Due to outdated infrastructure, stormwater drains and sewage drains are connected in parts of the central watershed, resulting in sewage overflows into the Connecticut River during times of heavy rains or flooding. This sometimes leads to elevated E. coli and river conditions not considered safe for recreation. Cyanobacteria Research Connecticut River Conservancy began a cyanobacteria monitoring program in the summer of 2022, and has continued this work during the 2023 field season. While cyanobacteria does not yet pose a serious threat to the Connecticut River watershed, there have been cases of cyanobacteria blooms which have the potential to become a bigger challenge in the future as climate extremes increase and agricultural nutrients affect water quality. Our 2023 Cyanobacteria Monitoring Report is now available to provide the data gathered so far from 8 lakes and ponds tested in Massachusetts. In short, 2 of the 8 waterbodies were found to have active cyanobacteria blooms in 2023. This research will continue during the 2024 field season and will have new reporting in the fall of 2024. Additional resources: HAB Mitigation Project Planning Meeting – 11.08.21 Barley Straw for Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB) Control lecture, by Allison Ryan – September 2021 Cyanobacteria lecture, by Allison Ryan – June 2020 Cyanobacteria fact sheet, by Ryan O’Donnell Additional Reports Connecticut River e.Coli report 2019-2023 Bacteria Monitoring and Combined Sewer Overflows: Water Quality Data and Public Understanding in Hampden County Water Quality News Connecticut River Conservancy Invites Community Volunteers for Chloride Testing Watershed-Wide Testing chloride levels provides data on the impacts of road salt on water quality and wildlife in the Connecticut River watershed. New & Improved Website for Water Quality Data in the Connecticut River Watershed Is it clean? It will now be easier than ever to determine whether the waterbody near you is clean for swimming, boating, or recreation at isitclean.us. Bacteria Monitoring and Combined Sewer Overflows: Water Quality Data and Public Understanding in Hampden County The Connecticut River Conservancy has been collecting weekly water samples to test for E. coli bacteria in the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Some of the Hampden County sites in Massachusetts are heavily impacted by combined sewer overflows (CSOs), particularly from the more densely populated communities of Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield. For questions about CRC's water quality monitoring, or to volunteer to collect water samples, contact Melissa at mlangley - at - ctriver.org or call 413.450.8739.

Support the Connecticut River by making a contribution for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. Become a 2026 Sponsor of the Source to Sea Cleanup Make a positive impact for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities by sponsoring the 30th anniversary of the Source to Sea Cleanup ! Event sponsorship can help increase your business exposure through media coverage, CRC recognition, and other promotion. See sponsorship options here. Other Ways to Give Sponsor by Mail Please mail your check, made out to Connecticut River Conservancy, to: 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301 Sponsor by Phone To sponsor by phone or to get assistance with your sponsorship, please contact Mary at (413) 515-0710. Business Inquiries For any other questions related to your business, please contact Brett Morrison, CRC's Director of Development at (413) 772-2020 x 218.

Support the Connecticut River for Giving Tuesday by making a contribution for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. Free the Fish Challenge All donations up to $25K will be MATCHED for Giving Tuesday! Gifts through Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, will be DOUBLED thanks to a generous donor. This means you will have twice the impact in protecting river health and restoring habitat. This Giving Tuesday, show your support for healthy habitats in the Connecticut River watershed. Donate to free the fish! This challenge will fund dam removal to restore fish passage, culvert upgrades to improve climate resiliency, fish ladders and weirs for migrating species, and other habitat connectivity projects to benefit the fish that call these rivers home! Help CRC protect and restore the Connecticut River watershed for your community and the future with a MATCHED gift today. A donation form will appear below and some browsers require a few seconds to load. Thanks for your patience and support! Photo above by Ayla Skorupa. Other Ways to Give Donate by Mail Please mail your check, made out to Connecticut River Conservancy, to: 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301 Donate by Phone To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact us at 413-772-2020 More Ways to Give Learn about legacy and workplace giving, sponsorships, stock donations and more with more ways to give. For questions about making your gift to support Connecticut River Conservancy, contact Brett at bmorrison - at - ctriver.org or call 413.772.2020 x218.

rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 She/Her < Back Rebecca Budd Restoration Program Manager Becky joined CRC’s staff in October 2021. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College and M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of New Hampshire. She previously worked with American Rivers and The Nature Conservancy on land protection, river restoration, and conservation GIS projects. Becky has always lived near the river, from her childhood in Connecticut to her college dorm in “The River Cluster” near the upper Connecticut River. She currently lives in Northampton, MA with her family. In her spare time, she volunteers on rare species and habitat surveys and enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and skiing. rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

fgerhardt at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 219 He/Him < Back Fritz Gerhardt Conservation Scientist Fritz joined CRC as Conservation Scientist in January 2019 but has been working as an ecologist and conservation scientist since 1987. He completed his B.A. in Religious Studies at Grinnell College, his M.F.S. in Forest Ecology at Harvard University, and his Ph.D. in Community Ecology at the University of Colorado. He has worked, studied, and taught with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Harvard Forest, Dartmouth and Middlebury Colleges, University of Colorado, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, and NorthWoods Stewardship Center. For the past eleven years, he owned and operated an environmental consulting firm that specialized in conducting scientific research that furthered our understanding and conservation of the natural environment in northern New England and adjacent Canada. When not working, Fritz and his family enjoy living, walking, paddling, and gardening in the hills and valleys of the northern Connecticut River watershed. fgerhardt at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 219 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Thank you for supporting our mission. Photo courtesy of Al Braden Hydropower Relicensing 5 hydroelectric facilities on the Connecticut River are in the process of relicensing. This page includes background and historical information, along with updates as they develop. The most recent milestone as of May 2025 is that the Connecticut River Conservancy and co-appellant partners are challenging the Water Quality Certifications in NH, VT, and MA for all 5 hydropower projects undergoing relicensing on the Connecticut River. We have been involved in the relicensing process for over a decade with the aim of getting the best possible outcome for our rivers, wildlife, and communities. The process is not complete until there is a new license in place. Read on for all the details. Hydroelectric facilities use a public trust resource – your river – to produce power. In exchange for this privilege and to mitigate for impacts of the dams, FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) r equires that hydropower operators provide direct benefits to the public and be protective of the ecological health of the river. The license serves as a public contract that we revisit periodically to examine the impact of the facility on our public trust resource. Latest Hydro News Comments Submitted for Draft Environmental Impact Statements in Hydropower Relicensing FERC Publishes Draft Environmental Impact Statements for Five Hydropower Facilities Environmental Nonprofits File Appeal of VT and NH Water Quality Certifications for Hydropower Facilities The Connecticut River Advocacy Fund CRC has appealed the Clean Water Act §401 Water Quality Certifications in VT, NH, and MA to make sure that the state agencies do their job and protect our river for the next several decades. Your contribution is critical for the Connecticut River’s future. Wins in this court process will result in specific requirements that are written into the federal licenses impacting 175 miles of the river. Support the Advocacy Fund Submit Public Comments Read the Draft Env. Impact Statements & submit YOUR COMMENTS! Learn More 401 Water Quality Certification Details about the Water Quality Certifications issues by MA, VT, and NH. Learn More Relicensing Overview Get the key details to understand what's at stake for our rivers. Start Here Hydro Resources Learn more about hydropower and related state & federal processes. Learn More Sign Up for Hydro Email Updates We have a hydropower-specific email list to notify you as milestones happen or new resources become available. If you're not already on it, take a moment to sign up here and then return to this page. Five Hydro Facilities Now! The heart of the Connecticut River’s next 50 years. Since late 2012, five hydroelectric facilities in the heart of the Connecticut River have been in the process of renewing their operating licenses in a process known as relicensing. The licenses for two facilities in northern MA and three dams in southern VT and NH will endure for the next 30-50 years and impact more than 175 miles of the Connecticut River. It’s critical that we all speak up NOW in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence these operating licenses. The three dams at Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon in New Hampshire and Vermont are owned by Great River Hydro (formerly TransCanada), a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec whose sole shareholder is the Government of Quebec. The two Massachusetts facilities, Turners Falls Dam and Northfield Mountain Pump Storage Project, are now separate LLCs under FirstLight Power Services LLC , owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last issued licenses for these facilities over forty years ago and all five licenses initially expired in April, 2018. Comments by local communities, the states, individuals, and other stakeholders provide a rare opportunity to improve the health of our river. The current relicensing process for these five hydropower facilities will dramatically affect the health of the river and watershed for generations to come. The public has had numerous opportunities to formally submit comments to the the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), however the deadline for this has since passed as of May 22nd, 2024. CRC River Stewards Kathy Urffer (VT), Kate Buckman (NH through 2024), Marilla Harris-Vincent (NH starting 2025), and Nina Gordon-Kirsch (MA) are participating in all the formal proceedings related to this relicensing effort. They review reports, prepare CRC comments, and are working to engage the public in the process. They are glad to answer any of your questions or speak to your group about the relicensing. Both Great River Hydro and FirstLight submitted amended final license applications (AFLAs) in December 2020. And on February 22nd, 2024, FERC released a public notice indicating that the Turner’s Falls , Northfield Mountain , Vernon , Bellows Falls , and Wilder hydroelectric project applications have been accepted and are ready for environmental analysis. Link on the project name to see their respective notice. This opened a 60-day comment period through April 22nd, which was then further extended to May 22nd, 2025. This also initiated the Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification clock and gave the companies 60 days to file an application with the state to apply for a water quality certificate. Next Steps: This process is not complete until new licenses are in place, which means there is still more to do. We are now in the next phase of the relicensing, which are the state 401 Water Quality Certifications + federal Draft Environmental Statements. Read more about the 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) here. Read CRC's announcements about appeals to state WQCs in Massachusetts , and Vermont/New Hampshire. Read the Draft Environmental Impact Statements issued by FERC and submit your public comments by August 28th, 2025! Support the Connecticut River Advocacy Fund to empower CRC in the courtroom. A Public Trust Resource Refers to the public trust doctrine that recognizes the public right to many natural resources including "the air, running water, the sea and it's shore." The doctrine requires a state to hold in trust designated resources for the benefit of the people, regardless or private property ownership. Connecticut River Conservancy's Role: CRC’s desired outcomes and priority areas where we are actively advocating for change include: Safe, timely, and effective upstream and downstream fish passage Operational changes at the dams to minimize both upstream and downstream surface water fluctuations to reduce bank erosion and impacts to rare and threatened species Healthy aquatic habitat for river critters Seasonally appropriate minimum flows in the river channel Ecologically compatible and accessible recreational facilities Protection and interpretation of historic and archeological resources Equal consideration of Indigenous People’s traditional cultural properties Hydro Relicensing and the 401 Water Quality Certification: States & Federal Have a Parallel Process All hydroelectric facilities must also apply for and receive within 12 months a Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the state that that facility is located in. Anything the states require in this certificate will automatically be included in the final FERC license. Great River Hydro and FirstLight applied for their 401 WQ Certifications in April 2024, so the states used the following year to conduct public information sessions, issue a draft WQ Certification, and in most cases held a formal public comment period to receive comments on the draft. Read CRC's latest hydropower eblasts: 7/14/25 6/13/25 5/28/25 401 Water Quality Certification This refers to the Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in which a federal agency (in this case the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - FERC) may not issue a license to hydro facilities for a discharge from the hydro plant into public waters unless the state or authorized tribe issues a Section 401 water quality certification verifying that the discharge will comply with existing water quality requirements, or waives the certification requirement. After the states issued Water Quality Certifications in April 2025, the Connecticut River Conservancy and co-appellant partners have filed appeals in Massachusetts , Vermont, and New Hampshire challenging the WQCs for not going far enough to protect the Connecticut River. Links to the 2025 WQC's can be found here: New Hampshire: Read the Final 401 WQC for Wilder Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Bellows Falls Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Vernon Dam Read NHDES' Responses to Comments and Substantive and Minor Revisions Vermont: Read the Final 401 WQC for Wilder Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Vernon Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Bellows Falls Dam Massachusetts: Read the Final 401 for the Turners Falls Dam & Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station CRC's previously submitted comments on the state 401 Water Quality Certifications are below: For GRH Projects in Vermont: Comments on the application for the VT 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon (submitted on 10/1/24) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder (submitted on 2/6/25) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Bellows Falls (submitted on 2/26/25) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Vernon (submitted on 3/16/25) can be found here. For GRH Projects in New Hampshire: Comments on the application for the NH 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon (submitted on 1/31/25) can be found here. Final comments on NH 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon (submitted on 4/11/25) can be found here. For FirstLight Projects in Massachusetts: Comments on the application for the MA 401 Water Quality Certification (submitted on 6/3/24) can be found here. Letter to MassDEP regarding shortnose sturgeon and hydropower (sent on 12/5/24) Read the MA draft 401 Water Quality Certification (issued by MA DEP 1/24/25) here. Comments on the MassDEP 401 Water Quality Certification draft (submitted on 2/24/25). CRC has also made dedicated brochures for each state, which you can find here for Vermont , New Hampshire , and Massachusetts . Public comments submitted to the state during this process can have a positive impact on the long-term benefits for the river! You can learn more about this process in each state here: Vermont New Hampshire Massachusetts CRC's 2024 Livestream about the Water Quality Certification Process We have a hydropower-specific email list to notify you as milestones happen or new resources become available. If you're not already on it, take a moment to sign up here. Video Summary of the VT/NH Se ction of the River The LiveStream below with CRC's Director of Policy and Advocacy, Kathy Urffer, was recorded prior to the comment periods or issuance of Water Quality Certifications, the Fish Passage Settlement Agreement, and the sale of Great River Hydro to HydroQuebec, however the key details remain accurate and it describes the proposed operational change agreed to in 2020. Videos About Our Concerns Recreation Erosion Hydropower Resources Full License Applications submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Great River Hydro : Open “80-Amended-Final-License-Applications-AFLA” folder. Most information is in “Exhibit E.” CRC was concerned with information lacking in the AFLA so we submitted comments to FERC in January 2021. FirstLight : Executive Summary Table ES-1 shows inflated cost amounts that include a hidden expected energy revenue loss, whereas Exhibit D for the two facilities show lower costs. Otherwise, the Executive Summary is a concise summary of what the application package includes. CRC was concerned with information lacking in the AFLA so we submitted comments to FERC in January 2021. Stay informed! Subscribe to the FERC docket using the project number (eg. Northfield Mountain Pump Station is P-2485) so you receive updates whenever comments are filed, or FERC issues a determination. Research! Search the FERC eLibrary using the project number (eg. Northfield Mountain Pump Station is P-2485) for previously submitted comments, issuance, and documents. CRC and Appalachian Mountain Club’s recreation recommendations submitted to FERC. Recordings: CRC has been holding a number of virtual events to share information and answer questions. Visit CRC’s YouTube channel to see all past recordings. Background: Hydropower in the Connecticut River Watershed River A large natural stream of water flowing into a channel. Dams undo many of the very features that distinguish a river ecosystem, such as: Variations in flow rate, river bottom sediments, and movement of soil and rocks. Migratory fish runs that bring economic opportunity, sustenance, and nutrients inland. All power generation has impacts on the environment. Hydropower has large impacts on a river. The Connecticut River watershed has dozens of active hydropower dams and two pumped storage projects that are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Their individual and cumulative impacts to our rivers are massive. The Connecticut River is one of the most extensively dammed rivers in the nation. CRC has advocated for removing dams in our watershed that no longer serve a purpose. Thus far, we have aimed to minimize the impacts of operating hydropower dams rather than removal. However, we evaluate each facility on a case by case basis. Dams on the main stem of the Connecticut River alter flows and water levels on more than 324 miles of the river’s 410 mile total length, from the headwaters region all the way down to Holyoke Dam 86 miles upstream from Long Island Sound. They block the movement of migratory and resident fish and other aquatic animals. The dams turn New England’s longest river into a series of warm water reservoirs. They impede natural river flows and cause the accumulation of sediment behind the dams, burying important river bottom habitat. Paddlers have to portage around the dams to continue traveling on the river. Historical uses and artifacts along the river are changed or submerged. It is important to remember the companies aren’t just managing their facilities, nor merely impacting just the water “at” the dams or nearby habitat. Through their presence and operations, hydro facilities manage the whole river. Most hydropower facilities have a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license with a term of 40-50 years. When these operating licenses come up for renewal during the relicensing process, it is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change how these hydro facilities affect our rivers. With such lengthy terms, the licenses lock-in impacts to the river for generations to come. Therefore, advocating for the river during relicensing is critical! It is a chance to improve access, habitat, and the river’s overall health as an ecosystem. Working with state and federal agencies, municipalities, nonprofits, and local residents, CRC examines the impacts of each facility’s operations on our local waterways and submits formal comments to ensure a balance between hydro operations and protection of the river. YOUR ROLE: You Have A Say! It is important for the public and municipalities to submit comments to make sure that local concerns and desires are voiced during the relicensing process and are responded to as part of the new license. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is interested in maintaining these energy facilities and they are in constant communication with the companies in the course of their relationship as regulators. FERC needs to hear from the public in order to understand and balance local ecological and public access concerns with power production To submit comments on a particular dam or hydro project you first need to know the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) project number. There are many hydroelectric projects in the watershed. Click on the project in the map below to get more details. Comments can be in response to a particular filing or can be a complaint about project operations, safety, or recreation issues in the project areas. You can see comment examples and a way to see all submitted comments here. Project numbers for the five large hydro facilities on the main stem Connecticut River undergoing relicensing now: Wilder Dam, P-1892-030 Bellows Falls Dam, P-1855-050 Vernon Dam, P-1904-078 Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project, P-2485-071 Turners Falls Dam, P-1889-085 There are two options for submitting comments to FERC: For a comment up to 10,000 characters, you can submit an e-comment . This DOES NOT require creating an account with FERC. For a longer comment, or to post a comment on your letterhead, you will need to eRegister with FERC to create an account, and then eFile . Please see our Comment Guide for extended comment details. Comments submitted so far can also be found here . CRC's FERC Comment Guide Tributary Facilities Undergoing Relicensing P-10934 Sugar River II ; Newport, NH on the Sugar River P-9648 Fellows Dam, P-9649 Lovejoy, P-9650 Gilman and P-7888 Comtu Fall; Springfield, VT on the Black River P-8615 Fiske Mill ; Hinsdale, NH on the Ashuelot River P-7887 Minnewawa Brook; Marlborough, NH on the Ashuelot River P-7883 Weston; Groveton, NH on the Upper Ammonoosuc River P-2490 Taftsville ; Woodstock, VT on the Ottauquechee River P-2489 Cavendish ; Cavendish, VT on the Black River P-2816 North Hartland; Hartland, VT on the Ottauquechee River P-2839 Great Falls ; Lyndonville, VT on the Passumpsic River P-5261 Newbury ; Newbury, VT on the Wells River P-2392 Gilman ; Lunenberg, VT and Dalton, NH on the Connecticut River P-2669 Bear Swamp ; Rowe and Florida, MA on the Deerfield River CRC's Other Hydro Work For questions about hydropower relicensing, contact the following: Kathy Urffer for Vermont: kurffer at ctriver.org | 802-258-0413 Marilla Harris-Vincent for New Hampshire: mharrisvincent at ctriver.org | 603-503-0419 Nina Gordon-Kirsch for Massachusetts: ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org | 413-772-2020 ext. 216

mstrider at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 She/Her < Back Mallory Strider Assistant Director of Finance Mallory joined CRC in August 2019. Originally a native of Maryland from the Potomac River Watershed, she moved to the valley in 2014 to attend Smith College. Mallory earned her B.A. in History as a part of the Ada Comstock Scholars Program. As a history major, her capstone project for her archives concentration was a digital narrative and history of the Mill River. Prior to her relocation, Mallory volunteered with the Muddy Branch Alliance doing stream sampling as a part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Stream Waders Program. Mallory enjoys riding her bicycle, spending time outside, and exploring – sometimes guided by maps and sometimes guided only with a sense of adventure. mstrider at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Hydrilla Hydrilla is an aquatic plant that has earned the title of “world’s worst invasive aquatic plant.” It is listed as a federal noxious weed and can rapidly infest rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. The Connecticut River hydrilla is genetically distinct from other known hydrilla strains and research on this very invasive plant is ongoing. CRC is collaborating with partners to develop new strategies and increase community awareness to reduce the spread of this harmful plant in our watershed. Read On, or Click Below to Jump to a Specific Section What is hydrilla? How hydrilla spreads How hydrilla is being managed Hydrilla resources and reports What you can do to reduce the spread Hydrilla in the Connecticut River Watershed What is Hydrilla? Hydrilla (hydrilla verticillata) is an invasive aquatic species that was first identified in the Connecticut River in 2016 in Glastonbury, CT. Three years later, 2019 and 2020, the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station (CAES) surveyed the Connecticut River from Agawam, MA to the Long Island Sound, reporting at least 774 acres of hydrilla. See CAES map of invasive plants here . In 2023, the Connecticut River strain was documented in several lakes and ponds in both Connecticut and Massachusetts, which indicates that it continues to spread. Hydrilla can outcompete native species and, as a result, replace habitat for sensitive species, including migratory fish. In recent years, thick mats of hydrilla have crowded out boaters, anglers and those who come to recreate on the Connecticut River. Marinas and municipalities have reported that they can no longer access boat slips and docks due to the severity of the hydrilla infestations, limiting business opportunity. How Hydrilla Spreads Hydrilla propagates through fragmentation, meaning that when it breaks apart, fragments of the plant may float downriver and re-root, creating another mat of hydrilla at a new location. The hydrilla in the Connecticut River is different than any other species of hydrilla found. It does not have tubers on the roots of the plant, as is usual for hydrilla. Because hydrilla spreads through fragmentation, when paddlers, boaters and wildlife become entangled in hydrilla, they can spread the plant to reaches downriver. Additionally, when boaters move from water body to waterbody, hydrilla fragments can remain in or on the vessel and be introduced to new waterbodies that way. Once in a new location, this invasive species repopulates itself rapidly and with strength. What You Can You Do To Reduce the Spread of Hydrilla The first step to slowing the spread of hydrilla is to share this page with friends, family and neighbors who visit the river. When you see hydrilla in the river, avoid the infestation as much as possible so that it does not further fragment and spread. If you see hydrilla north of Agawam, MA, or in a lake or pond, be sure to report it to CRC at the contact information below, or the appropriate state agency. Finally, as you travel between water bodies, it is imperative that everyone cleans, drains and then dries their boats – this applies to kayaks, canoes, jet skis, power boats and trailers. As the age old saying goes — “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat as it travels between different water bodies Hydrilla spreads by fragmentation, and can easily be moved to new waters by hitching a ride on unsuspecting boats. To reduce the risk of spread, be sure to inspect and clean your boat. How the Spread of Hydrilla is Being Addressed Connecticut River Conservancy has been working with municipalities, nonprofit groups, government agencies, businesses, boaters and individuals to address the threat of hydrilla. A group of stakeholders has collaboratively written a 5 Year Management Plan to be updated on an annual basis with appropriate modifications. To learn more about the collaboration around hydrilla, watch this short documentary. An Executive Summary of the 12-Town Environmental Review Team Report conducted by Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development can be found here . The U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers held a virtual meeting in August, 2025, to update the public about the status of the hydrilla demonstration projects and management plans. The recording is available here. Hydrilla Resources Public Information Statement by Connecticut River Partners 5 Year Hydrilla Management Plan Benthic Mat use for Hydrilla Suppression – Report New York Times article about Hydrilla in the Connecticut River U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Demonstration website Hydrilla Storymap from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Connecticut River Conservancy's Hydrilla History For questions related to CRC’s hydrilla management program, contact Rhea at kbeerman - at- ctriver.org. Hydrilla management is not currently accepting volunteers, but if you're interested in helping to remove aquatic invasive species visit our water chestnut page or contact volunteer - at - ctriver.org .

kurffer at ctriver.org 802-258-0413 She/Her < Back Kathy Urffer Director of Policy and Advocacy Kathy joined CRC in 2017. Prior to moving to Vermont, Kathy was Special Projects Manager and Operations Director for Hackensack Riverkeeper in New Jersey. In addition to managing the staff and day to day finances of the organization, she developed and ran their river cleanup program, assisted with their canoe and pontoon boat eco-cruise programs, managed stream restoration projects, and fish advisory, outreach and education projects. More recently she has served on the Board of the Southeastern Vermont Watershed Association, the Windham Regional Commission, and has worked on education projects related to wastewater treatment. Kathy holds a M.S. in Natural Resource Management from Antioch New England University, a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers, and is a former Vermont Leadership Institute Fellow from the Snelling Center for Government. She is a self-taught amateur botanist and herbalist and enjoys re-learning about the natural world through the eyes of her two children. kurffer at ctriver.org 802-258-0413 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate