The Water Way(s) Project and Curriculum is a community arts engagement project connecting children with their local Rivers.  Erin Maile O’Keefe, educator and community activator, leads a collaborative team of teaching artists to bring the Water Way(s) curriculum to local schools. In June, fourth graders at Green Street School in Brattleboro, VT invited community members to attend an Expo showcasing what they learned during a multi-week Water Way(s) residency. Students presented maps, movements, and poetic writing inspired and informed by the Whetstone Brook and restored floodplain a short walk from their school. Erin Maile O’Keefe described the goal as, “understanding the impact of a floodplain on human settlements, animals, water quality, flooding events and the indigenous peoples who live here.” Dear River: Weathergrams “River…I can hear your voice but nobody believes me when I say ‘that river talks.’” On their walking field trip to the Whetstone Brook, students wrote notes to the River on biodegradable paper. They attached the “weathergrams'' to vines hanging from a lofty willow tree. The poems hang there for anyone to read and for students to revisit to discover how they weather over time. Sharing Land Acknowledgements Students launched the Expo by reading aloud from land acknowledgements they composed after visiting the floodplain, learning about its history, and collecting sensory observations. “When I am near the river I feel safe… almost like the river is singing.” Their words resonate with gratitude: “I respect the animals and moss. I honor our indigenous ancestors. I appreciate the life and fish the river brings to us.” How Rivers Move – Fluvial Geomorphology Choreography In a choreographed performance, students moved their bodies and props to illustrate a floodplain in action. With synchronous fluctuations, pairs of students manipulated blue fabric for running water, push sticks for soil, and pull ropes for change. Initially calm, they made the River build in intensity to a flooding event, showing the impact on soil and sediment. “It all ends up in the river!” Two students held the attention of the audience with an interactive Enviroscape demonstration, cheered along by Kathy Urffer, Connecticut River Conservancy’s Vermont River Steward. The students sprinkled point and nonpoint pollution on the model, then sprayed it with water so everyone could see how “it all ends up in the river!” One of the fourth graders explained in her introduction, “this is a model of our actions and how it affects the river and really just… life.” Map-Making Gallery Walk To conclude the Expo, students invited visitors to observe their colorful folded maps and ask questions about the mapmaking process. The maps, created with educator and legislator Mollie Burke, feature local waterways, streets, and buildings, decorated with artistic flourishes and poetic text. The mapmaking project, according to 4th grade teacher Kjersten Cantillo, “pulled together a lot of things they were learning.” She added, “I’m blown away by what they did!” River Reflections Flowing across the wall outside the 4th grade classrooms, a banner of “River Reflections” displays droplets of student writing capturing take-aways from each day of the arts residency. “How will you continue your relationship with Whetstone Brook?” prompts the final panel, anticipating and encouraging childrens’ enduring connections with the river. “I will try to visit the river more often and respect it.” For more information: Water Way(s) — Human Connection Project Collaborations and Gratitude Collaborating educators: Erin Maile O’Keefe, Water Way(s) leader and educator Carol Berner, River of Words Regional Co-Coordinator Mollie Burke, state legislator and educator Kathy Urffer, Connecticut River Conservancy River Steward and educator Special Thanks to Vermont Humanities Connecticut River Conservancy Gedakina Vermont River Conservancy – Hayley Kolding Brattleboro Planning Department - Sue Fillion and Brian Bannon Kelly Shifflette & Kjersten Cantillo - 4th grade teachers All the 4th graders

Among the governance and programmatic updates, brunch and boat rides, and community mingling, Connecticut River Conservancy’s recent Annual Meeting & Riverside Celebration also honored the contributions of Dick Shriver with the Bud Foster award. About the Bud Foster Award: Every year, CRC has the distinct honor of recognizing individuals from our communities with the Bud Foster Award. This award is given to those showing outstanding devotion, service, and accomplishment in the Connecticut River watershed. Bud Foster was the first Executive Director of the Connecticut River Watershed Council, now the Connecticut River Conservancy. In those pre-Clean Water Act days when CRC was first established, the challenge facing our rivers was significant. That meant the dedication of those looking to make a difference was also extraordinary. This award shines a light on those who work hard for the benefit of our rivers. About Dick Shriver: Richard H. Shriver has an esteemed professional history that has taken him all around the world and led him to settle by the Connecticut River we all know and love. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He has held executive positions in government and industry having been assistant secretary of the US Treasury Department and Senior Vice President of Chase Manhattan Bank. He has been professor of Business Finance & Marketing at the International Management Institute in Kiev, Ukraine and Executive-in-Residence at the US Coast Guard Academy. Dick has worked in an advisory role on behalf of Native American communities conducting research for the Department of the Interior, and served as a member of the board of the National Museum of the American Indian, participating in the transition of this museum to the Smithsonian Institute. He is also Provost Emeritus of the European College of Liberal Arts (now Bard College Berlin). These years of experience have led to incredible contributions in international business and education, and national heritage, and ultimately led Dick to focus his attention closer to home. When he retired near the mouth of the Connecticut River in Old Lyme in 2007, Dick began to get friendly with his neighbors and form a deeper connection with the river through recreation, hiking, fishing, sailing, and photography. This resulted in the launch of Estuary Magazine in 2019, an aspiring endeavor of traditional media which was quickly challenged by the economic impacts of the Covid-19 health crisis in 2020. But the magazine survived under Dick’s leadership as Publisher and Editor, highlighting unique bioregional perspectives, history, scientific insights, and storytelling from up and down the watershed. Contributions to Connecticut River Conservancy: Dick has been supportive of Connecticut River Conservancy at every turn since starting the magazine and developing a connection to our organization and many others. He has been an early morning boat captain for the Unified Water Study, has published articles about restoration stories (such as the Fenwick project) with great depth and detail, has hosted murmuration bird paddles for local community members, and offered his home as a celebratory reception for CRC Board of Trustee Kari Kastango’s monumental Connecticut River swim. He has been a convener, connector, and friend who brings others together with open arms to unite our efforts for greater collective impact. Thanks to Dick’s leadership, 1 million dollars was recently granted by the Endeavor Foundation to support conservation priorities throughout the watershed. All this in a relatively short time after a successful career. Dick Shriver is an impressive example of how much one person can accomplish when inspired and committed. And now his efforts inspire more of us to appreciate and steward this amazing resource.

Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is happy to share the continuation of programs dedicated to collaborative community science for a healthier Connecticut River watershed, with a focus on the specific projects outlined in this announcement. Building upon previous progress and tangible outcomes in 2023, programming will expand in 2024 thanks to support from generous funding partners and volunteer engagement. Community Science Objectives: The primary objectives of this collaborative community science effort are to expand and strengthen established community science programs while fostering new collaborative partnerships to increase local participation. The CRC is dedicated to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of the Connecticut River and its watershed. By engaging with local communities, organizations, and volunteers, we aim to address pressing issues, including invasive aquatic plants, river cleanliness, and the need for collaborative partnerships and local citizen action across the watershed. Funding Partners: Funding collaboration has proven essential to growing success, and we’d like to recognize the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for their support of this work for a second year in a row. Additional funding partners include the Town of Glastonbury; Cities of East Hartford and Middletown; Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Sestero Fund; Community Foundation of Middlesex County’s Janvrin Fund; Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Aquatic Invasive Species Grant; Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Grant; Raymond and Pauline Larson Foundation, The Kitchings Family Foundation, and Connecticut River Conservancy’s member support. Program Focus Areas: These projects aim to increase efforts in aquatic invasive plant management, enhance water quality monitoring, and strengthen community engagement through educational and recreational events. Removing and Preventing Aquatic Invasive Plants: Our focus remains on combating the spread of invasive species, particularly European water chestnut and hydrilla. This year we are expanding our Aquatic Invasive Species Field Crew from three to four seasonal staff members. These individuals will remove plant material from waterways, organize volunteer events, and educate community members about ways to prevent the spread. 2. Ensuring River Cleanliness: Through CRC's water quality monitoring programs, we will continue to provide essential data to address public inquiries regarding river cleanliness. Continued funding will support hiring a new Water Quality Monitoring Assistant who will coordinate bacteria monitoring volunteers and our participation in Save the Sound’s Unified Water Study, which looks at ecological health throughout the Long Island Sound watershed. We are also launching a new project funded by CT DEEP – in which we will support the creation of a Watershed Based Plan for the Scantic River. We are partnering with CT DEEP, the Scantic River Watershed Association and the University of Saint Joseph on this several-year long project. This project will help us become better connected with communities in the Scantic River Watershed and will help identify key areas to improve water quality. 3. Community Engagement and Partnerships: Our commitment to collaborative partnerships remains unwavering. By fostering alliances with environmental organizations, municipalities, educational institutions, businesses, and governmental agencies, we aim to broaden collective impact across the watershed. Friends of Whalebone Cove and the Jonah Center for Earth and Art two examples of such partnerships. We are piloting a new seasonal staff position: Environmental Education and Outreach Assistant. This individual will organize environmental education and youth engagement opportunities like the Compass Youth Paddles and school visits, as well as engage community members at farmers markets and environmental fairs. They will also support events and initiatives put on by our watershed partners. Impact and Outcomes from 2023: Previous years efforts have yielded tangible benefits for the Connecticut River and its surrounding communities. We aim to build upon these collaborative foundations in the year ahead: Removal of invasive aquatic plants, resulting in improved habitat quality and biodiversity Increased awareness of river cleanliness and public safety, leading to informed decision-making by recreational users Strengthened community engagement and partnerships, fostering a sense of ownership and stewardship among community members Exposure and enjoyment of the river by new communities In 2023, CRC engaged 98 water chestnut volunteers, logging 419 hours of work. Despite a difficult season due to heavy rain and flooding, CRC staff and volunteers removed over 16,550 pounds of water chestnut, or 1,202 cubic feet. Vinton’s Mill Pond in South Windsor used to be a major infestation – yet last year we found less than one hundred plants. This shows the importance of consistency in our work. Thanks to the foldable kayaks provided by an anonymous donor through Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Express Grants, we were able to engage many new volunteers who do not own their own boats and would not have been able to participate otherwise. The boats also expanded community access to the river by creating on-water experiences that benefitted the volunteers and the river. CRC's community science initiatives also have played a pivotal role in monitoring bacteria levels at eight locations along the Connecticut River in Connecticut. Through the "Is It Clean? / Está Limpio?" online network , high-quality data on river cleanliness has been made accessible to the public, ensuring informed decision-making regarding recreational activities and public safety. With all the rain and flooding the Connecticut River watershed experienced last summer, we had many opportunities to educate communities about water quality issues like combined sewer overflows and dangers of contaminated floodwaters. CRC staff were featured in local news outlets  discussing the flooding and organized a CRC webinar on where our water comes from and where it goes. Collaborative partnerships and community engagement remain central to CRC's mission. This year we met regularly with our River Partners group, which brings together diverse stakeholders to work towards common goals. We engaged a diversity of communities and ages from UConn Adult Learner’s Program to the STEM GEMS Summer Camp to the Compass Youth Collaborative Paddles. We look forward to continuing these collaborative community science programs. Future announcements will share similar initiatives in the upper watershed and celebrate how CRC's watershed-wide collaborations and programs are improving ecology and resiliency across the system. Thanks as always to our incredible funders, dedicated volunteers, and watershed communities for continuing to engage in this important work for healthier rivers.

Our June LiveStream was part how-to and part storytelling, bringing you two seasoned Connecticut River paddlers who shared stories from the trail. Ahead of the summer recreation season, check out this recording to hear how these travelers made their journeys from source to sea. This episode featured Mary “Badass” Anderson, a Vermonter and seasoned hiker, paddler and adventure blogger, who through-paddled in 2022; and Tim Walsh, hailing from Georgia, who solo kayaked his journey down river in two seasons, getting invaluable car shuttle help and new friendships from a couple of River Angels! We also shared the rich resources of the Connecticut River Paddlers' Trail, including available maps, campsites, and safety information, and answer any questions you may have about getting out on the river this summer! For more information on Connecticut River recreation go 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.

Recorded on 5/22/2024 At Connecticut River Conservancy's LiveStream, we dove into the dynamic realm of river ecosystems at a virtual event that brought together migratory fish restoration experts and community scientists. We were joined by William McDavitt, fisheries expert with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Jill Devito, PhD, an enthusiastic community scientist, ecologist and teacher. They helped shed light on the vital role of migratory fish and inspire you to explore how community scientists can contribute to their restoration efforts. As part of this LiveStream, CRC's Ecology Planner, Aliki Fornier, shared a number of interactive opportunities happening in the spring and summer that will allow you to participate in this important work. For more information on how to get involved go 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.

Connecticut River Conservancy recently participated in a Middletown River Day at Macdonough Elementary School in Middletown, CT! We partnered with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bring activities to teach over 200 K-5 students about river health, pollution, and wildlife. CRC's River Steward for CT, Rhea Drozdenko used the Enviroscape to showcase different sources of pollution and how they end up in our waterways. Thanks to Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) for the Enviroscape borrow! Ava Gandhi and Gabby Gulino ran a game of "Runoff Tag," designed by a student from Wesleyan University. The kids learned about different types of wildlife found in the Connecticut River, and how trees protect our waterways from pollution and provide habitat for animals. USFWS staff organized several activities centered around fish - teaching kids how to fish, and how fish ladders work. Many Macdonough students have been learning about the Connecticut River and about pollution lately - so it was great to be able to connect these activities with the things they're learning in the classrooms, as well as teach them about some new things - like Dwarf Wedge Mussels. Our Education and Community Engagement work is supported by the Robert F. Schumann Foundation, the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and the Raymond and Pauline Larson Foundation. Thank you!

On August 16th, 2023, a press conference was held by the Connecticut General Assembly at the Chester Boat Basin to update the public about the threat of Hydrilla in Connecticut and the Connecticut River. A full recording is available here. This press conference was intended to educate the public about testing and remediation of invasive aquatic species in the Connecticut River, focusing on hydrilla (hydrilla verticillata), a highly problematic invasive rapidly spreading throughout the lower River Valley. Experts addressed how these species cause ecological and economic harm, talked about the different research and removal projects being conducted in the Connecticut River, introduced the newly formed Office of Aquatic Invasive Species, and offered methods of prevention. To better understand the dynamics of water flow and exchange in the local waterways, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), will be applying Rhodamine WT (RWT), a red tracer dye to the Chester Boat Basin, along with three other sites. This dye release and study program is preparatory to the eventual release of herbicide treatment for the control of hydrilla at each site. According to the USACE, RWT dye is a fluorescent, xanthene dye that has been used for water tracing since at least the mid-20th century to quantify time of travel in dynamic (in this case, tidal) waters. This dye has no significant effects on aquatic organisms and has been proven to be safe to use for these studies. There will be impacts on the color of the water at the sites and surrounding areas as the dye is bright red in color, but these are expected to be minimal and short-term as the dye will dilute and dissipate with the flow and tides of the river. More information about hydrilla management plans are available from Connecticut River Conservancy here, and the U.S. Corps of Engineers, New England here. Speakers at the press conference: Greg Bugbee, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station/Office of Aquatic Invasive Species Margot Burns, Lower River Council of Governments Senator Richard Blumenthal State Representative Devin Carney Matt Goclowski, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wendy Flynn, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bob Petzold, Petzold’s Marine/Chester Boat Basin Captain Mark Yuknat, Connecticut River Expeditions Rhea Drozdenko, Connecticut River Conservancy State Representative Christine Palm Thank you to all those who attended and are participating in work related to Aquatic Invasive Species, for any questions please feel free to contact Connecticut River Conservancy’s River Steward for Connecticut, Rhea Drozdenko at rdrozdenko@ctriver.org.

Connecticut River Conservancy is happy to announce the receipt of a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for water quality monitoring in the Connecticut River watershed. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded more than $199,000 in grants to three coalitions of non-profit environmental organizations to support the testing of water quality in rivers, lakes and ponds, and coastal resources in eastern Massachusetts, the Connecticut River Watershed, and Cape Cod. The Water Quality Monitoring Grant is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and supports waterbody monitoring efforts across the Commonwealth. The original announcement can be found here. “We are excited that this support from DEP will allow us to expand our own data collection while supporting our partners,” said Ryan O’Donnell, Connecticut River Conservancy’s Monitoring Program Manager. “Together, we are all contributing to a better understanding of water quality in the Connecticut River watershed.” “Local watershed organizations are the eyes and ears of Massachusetts’ lakes and rivers,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple.“We rely on the water quality data collected by our local and regional partners to make important determinations about the condition of our waterbodies. I am pleased that we can support their tireless work.” The grant, which is managed by MassDEP’s Watershed Planning Program, facilitates recipients in their collection of data from a wide range of surface water quality projects and helps them achieve their water quality monitoring goals. The data from these state and local partners helps MassDEP maintain, improve, and protect water quality in accordance with requirements of the federal Clean Water Act. Non-profit organizations – including watershed groups and lake and pond associations, as well as federally recognized Tribal Nations – with expertise in water monitoring are encouraged to apply. The three grant awardees are: Connecticut River Conservancy – $75,000The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is leading a coalition of four watershed organizations (including CRC, Fort River Watershed Association, Deerfield River Watershed Association, and Chicopee 4 Rivers Watershed Council) to conduct a regional monitoring program among coalition partners. The grant will fund staff salaries, laboratory supplies, and travel to monitor for E. coli, nitrogen, and cyanobacteria in the Connecticut River watershed. The goals are to coordinate a regional monitoring program among coalition partners and develop a new collaborative nitrogen monitoring initiative. Mystic River Watershed Association – $73,875Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is leading the Eastern Massachusetts Water Quality Monitoring Coalition consisting of eight member organizations to perform routine water quality monitoring in support of a long-term monitoring collaboration. The funding will be used for water quality monitoring supplies and equipment, laboratory analyses, staff salaries, and to host a training meeting to synchronize sampling methods and explore regional trends in water quality data. The coalition will monitor for bacteria, cyanobacteria, chlorophyll-a, nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), and conductivity. The goals are to assist MassDEP with identifying impairments under criteria set forth in the Clean Water Act by leveraging the coalition’s collective expertise and synchronizing regional data collection and communication to the public. Center for Coastal Studies – $50,267The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) is partnering with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod and the Indian Ponds Association on a project designed to enhance targeted water quality monitoring of priority areas. The project leverages existing monitoring programs among the partner organizations actively involved in the monitoring, conservation, and restoration of freshwater pond water quality throughout Cape Cod. The grant will fund supplies and equipment, staff salary, and laboratory analyses to monitor for Secchi disk depth, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, alkalinity, and cyanobacteria. The goals of the project are to help Cape Cod communities protect and manage ponds, understand the effects of watershed development, and inform pond protection and management strategies. For more information about the Water Quality Monitoring Grant and the Watershed Planning Program, please visit the MassDEP website. MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water and land – to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all people, and a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities served by the agency. Thank you very much to the MassDEP for supporting Connecticut River Conservancy with the funds to continue improving our water quality monitoring capacity.

Great news from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), who have awarded grants for aquatic invasive species management in the Connecticut River watershed - including over 34K for Connecticut River Conservancy to continue our work on water chestnut! Water chestnut is a problem because it takes up space and nutrients. It can crowd out native plants that are food sources for native animals. Not only do they take over our waterways by out-competing other emergent and floating vegetation, but their colonization also negatively impacts the function of the entire aquatic ecosystem. They proliferate profusely on the surface of freshwater. This is the fourth annual round of grants for aquatic invasive species control from CT DEEP. A total of $545,000 was awarded to 13 projects that will help restore Connecticut waterbodies, addressing threats from aquatic invasive species as part of the Biden Administration’s America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge Goals. The press release with further details from CT DEEP is available here. You can also learn more about Connecticut River Conservancy's Aquatic Invasive Species work, or get to to know Water Chestnut.

March 8, 2024 To: Honored Co-Chairs, Sen. Lopes and Rep. Gresko, and distinguished Members of the Environment Committee As the founding members of the Long Island Sound River Restoration Network (RRN), we represent the organizations leading the restoration of migratory fish habitat in the Long Island Sound watershed through advocacy, dam removal, and culvert assessment and modification. The RRN is a community of practitioner NGOs working closely together to accelerate the pace and scale of barrier removal across the region. Collectively, our organizations represent and work across the entire watershed in Connecticut and New York and have leveraged tens of millions of dollars for the removal of barriers to fish passage. As individuals and organizations, we have an intimate understanding of the critical importance of dam safety and, and a vested interest in river restoration for human health and environmental health.  We are writing in support of SB 192, which will help improve the safety of our communities, and we recommend modifications that can help support river health and improve flood resiliency in the long term. Dams pose threats to Connecticut’s ecosystems and communities, and there are over 5,000 of them in the state. Poorly maintained dams or those that have outlived their useful life are at risk of failing. Dam failure can cause flooding and damage to upstream and downstream infrastructure, homes, businesses, and ecosystems. Any polluted sediment trapped behind a dam is also released. With severe and unprecedented storms becoming more common, dam failure is a growing threat to communities in our state. SB 192 provides crucial updates to existing dam safety regulations, empowering the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to take proactive measures to address potential hazards and mitigate risks to public safety and the environment. The bill grants the commissioner authority to issue orders for the repair, or stabilization of unsafe dams, ensuring swift action in response to imminent threats. By strengthening regulatory oversight, enhancing emergency response capabilities, and imposing penalties for non-compliance, this bill will help to prevent disasters, protect ecosystems, and safeguard the health and well-being of our communities. While this bill is absolutely a step in the right direction, the members of the RRN urge you to add the language of dam removal into SB 192. Dam removal means a river restoration and resilience project that removes all or part of a dam. While temporary stabilization or dam repair may help improve safety in the short-term, dam removal has myriad long-term benefits. These include increased flood resilience by lowering the floodstage, passage for migratory fish, and improved water quality. Most often, dam removal is the cheapest option for dam owners compared to repair, inspection, and maintenance costs. By removing a failing dam, dam owners can greatly improve flood resiliency as well as avoid future maintenance costs. The safest dam is one that is not there. Here are our recommended modifications: Line 34:“The commissioner may discontinue, abate or alleviate such condition by means that include, but are not limited to, the temporary or permanent stabilization or repair of the dam, dam removal, or any other actions necessary to place the dam in a safe condition and may retain any contractor or consultant necessary to perform such actions.” Line 77: “The commissioner may discontinue, abate or alleviate such condition by means that include, but are not limited to, the temporary or permanent stabilization or repair of the dam, dam removal, or any other actions necessary to place the dam in a safe condition and may retain any contractor or consultant necessary to perform such actions.” An example of a dam removal success story is the Pond Lily Dam on the West River in New Haven, CT. The dam increased flood risk to nearby homes and businesses. The dam was removed in 2016, supported by the Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund to reduce flooding in this urban watershed. In addition to decreasing localized flooding, the removal has dramatically increased migratory fish passage, and has allowed native plants to flourish. Past dam removals by the members of the RRN show how restored, free-flowing rivers decrease flooding, provide fish passage, and improve water quality. We urgently need to remove vulnerable structures to restore natural river and floodplain functions. Those functions make our communities and ecosystems more resilient to climate change. We urge you to support SB 192 and strengthen it, so we can protect Connecticut’s communities and ecosystems. Sincerely, Rhea Drozdenko River Steward Connecticut River Conservancy Anthony Allen Director of Restoration Strategy Save the Sound Andrew Fisk Northeast Regional Director American Rivers Tracy Brown Restoration Manager Trout Unlimited Holly Drinkuth Director of River and Estuary Conservation The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut Aimee Petras Executive Director Farmington River Watershed Association Michael Jastremski Watershed Conservation Director Housatonic Valley Association

Spring has arrived in the Connecticut River Watershed! And with it, warmer days are becoming more frequent and the last of the snow melt is making its way towards the Long Island Sound. Dust off your boats and get ready for an exciting season on the Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail! 2023 brought significant changes and challenges to the CRPT, as unprecedented levels of flooding plagued the region. Planning is well underway for the 2024 season as partner organizations in all four watershed states open campsites and get ready for stewardship projects! In this SPRING issue you will find a highlight from the 2023 season, a look at what's to come in 2024, tips for cold water paddling, a review of guides/resources and a call to action for volunteers! 2023 Stewardship Highlights 2023 was a busy season of work and improvements on the CRPT, followed by several weeks of high water and flooding. The Paddlers' Trail continues to be one of the region's greatest recreational assets, drawing people from near and far to camp, paddle, swim and adventure. As people continue to flock to popular spots along the river, upkeep and maintenance of CRPT access points and campsites is vital to the stewardship of the trail. Read on below to learn about what was accomplished in 2023 and what's on the docket for 2024 stewardship. C R Farm, owned by Gordon Huntington in Newbury, VT Newly conserved farmland along the CT River at the historic Newbury Oxbow. Protecting Riverside Acreage: Upper Valley Land Trust acquired a new conservation easement along the Connecticut River in Newbury, VT. As part of a larger effort to conserve hundreds of acres of agricultural land in the Upper Valley, UVLT worked with C R Farm, owned by Gordon Huntington, to conserve acreage along the historic CT River Oxbow in Newbury, VT. Learn more about this project and others like it at the Upper Valley Land Trust website. Moore Primitive Campsite: In 2023, through a partnership with Great River Hydro, crews installed a new privy, new cribbed landing steps and created new privy access trails at Moore Primitive Campsite. The site, located at river mile 290 includes 5 tent platforms and fire-rings. Photo Left: Noah Pollock stands with GRH staff near eroded riverbank. New steps were installed here to ease paddler access to tent platforms. Woodsville Access: For years, the access point in at the community ballfield in Woodsville, NH was unimproved and eroding. Stewardship Director, Noah Pollock and NFCT trail crews worked with the town to install new flood resilient stone steps. After years of planning, it took less than a day to install 10 seven-foot-wide granite steps that will last decades! Photo Right: NFCT Stewardship Interns What's in store for Summer 2024? Closing the Gap -- New Campsites in East Hartford, CT: Both thru paddlers and section boaters know the stress of trying to find a campsite after a long day on the river. The largest gap on the CRPT without a campsite is 28 miles, located between Kings Island in Suffield, CT and River Highlands State Park in Cromwell, CT.  For most paddlers on a leisurely trip, 28 miles is too far of a distance. By establishing a campsite at the Goodwin University property in East Hartford, the distance between campsites will be reduced to 12 miles, creating an easier distance for paddlers to reach. This project is being completed through a partnership between the Connecticut River Conservancy, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Great Meadows Conservation Trust and Goodwin University. Wyoming Dam River Access Repair, Guildhall VT: Access trails and signage here, originally developed by the NorthWoods Stewardship Center nearly 20 years ago, have fallen into disrepair. With support from the Vermont Watershed Grant program, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail's stewardship crew will be restoring safe and accessible conditions through the installation of 25 stone steps, 150’ of crushed stone surfacing, and the split rail fencing replacement. Photo Right: Former rails and portage trail when installed 20 years ago. Website Overhaul: The trail is growing and updating and the CRPT website needs to keep up! Paddlers and river users of all sorts look to the CRPT as a resource to plan their river adventures. This year the CRPT Executive Committee hopes to complete updates to the website, including updated campsite pages, partner highlights and easier user interface. Have thoughts about how to make the website better? Email gchevalier@ctriver.org And much much more! The 2024 season will be filled with stewardship and improvement projects from the trail partners in all four states. Keep an eye out for more projects! 2024 Upcoming Events! Paddle the Border May 19th, 2024 Woodsville, NH Hosted by the Cohase Chamber of Commerce, this event invited all paddlers to join for a day of paddling the border of VT and New Hampshire. Shuttle busses provided and music and food at the end! Shad Run Kayak May 18th, 2024 Sunderland, MA Join adventure outfitter, Adventure East for an exciting day on the water! First visit the Silvio O Conte Fish Research Lab, followed by a guided kayak to the Rock Dam to observe migratory fish in action. NEPC July 28th, 2024 Brattleboro, VT Mark your calendars for the 46th annual New England Paddlesports Championships. Canoe, Kayak, SUP and Surf Ski races for all skill levels. There will be a 12 mile and a 5 mile course offered. Competitive races are part of the NEKRA Flatwater Point Series. Spring Paddling Safety Paddling along the Connecticut River can be a delightful and serene experience. For the most part classified as flat water, paddlers on the CRPT can immerse themselves in the tranquility of the river without encountering too many rapids (use the guides listed below to identify rapids and quickwater). However, even when the weather is warm, an unexpected wake or other unbalancing event can land a paddler in the frigid water. Spring air temperatures are climbing, but the water temperatures remain low due to snowmelt, low nighttime temperature and shaded river banks. Below are a few reminders for a safe spring season. Wear your PFD: Personal Flotation Devices can help you stay alive longer in cold water. You can float without using energy and the cover part of your body, thereby providing some protection from the cold water. Leave a Float Plan: A float plan is an integral safety tool and should always be left behind with a responsible party when paddling. A float plan should include trip starting/ending location and time, physical description of boat/persons on boats and emergency contact information. Deceptive Warmth: While the waters might appear tranquil and inviting, they can be deceptively chilly and swift under the surface. The majority of streams only see a change in water temperature of about 0.6 degrees for every increase of 1 degree in air temperature. Remember the 1-10-1 Rule to Avoid the Dangers of Cold Water Immersion! 1 Min: Cold Shock Cold shock produces a sudden loss of breath when the body is suddenly plunged into cold water (temperatures under 70 degrees F). This can cause involuntary gasping which can cause inhalation of water. Cold shock will pass within 1 Minute. 10 Minutes: Cold Incapacitation For water 33-60 degrees F, Cold Incapacitation occurs in the next ten minutes, during which you will lose the effective use of your fingers, arms, and legs for any meaningful movement 1 Hour: Hypothermia Depending on the temperature of the water, loss of consciousness may occur in as little as one hour. This is why it is essential to practice safe cold water paddling tactics. Call for Site Adopters: The CRPT is always looking for people to take care of campsites and access points. The following site needs one for the 2024 season! SCA Campsite: Charlestown, NH Visit the CRPT Website or email noah@northernforestcanoetrail.org to volunteer to steward this site! Are you interested in getting involved with the CRPT but unsure of where to start? Help us scout new campsites, take photos of launches, build new privies, adopt a site, and much more! Finding Your Way on the Paddlers' Trail What's your style? Are paper maps the gold standard? Or do you use a smartphone to get you where you are going? No matter your style, there are ample tools to help get you out on the river! Use the guides below to start planning new adventures for 2024. New in 2023! New Paddlers' Trail Map of CT and MA - A new waterproof map detailing the CT and MA portions of the CT River Paddlers' Trail was released this spring.  The map covers the river from the MA border south for 130 miles to the Long Island Sound and include all access points, campsites, portage trails, and information on natural and cultural history.  $11.95 Available for purchase by emailing mmccaughey@ctriver.org CRPT Map of NH and VT - A waterproof map detailing the Vermont/New Hampshire Section of the river. This map covers the river from its headwaters south for 280 miles to the Massachusetts border, and includes all access points, campsites, portage trails, and information on natural and cultural history. This map makes a great companion to the boating guide or smartphone app! List Price: $9.95 Available at connecticutriverpaddlerstrail.org Smartphone App - 2021 saw the addition of a smartphone app to the suite of CRPT Guides. This guide is GPS enabled so users can geolocate themselves on the trail even without cell phone service! Look for it in the app store under FarOut Guides or purchase the app HERE for $11.99. The Connecticut River Boating Guide: Source to Sea - The much-loved and well-used guide of the Connecticut River, from its source at Fourth Connecticut Lake to Long Island Sound. This boating guide includes maps and mile-by-mile descriptions of what to look for while on the Connecticut River. It makes a great companion to the maps, smartphone app, and other resources. The latest edition of the guide was released in 2007, so any updates to the trail since then will be found on the interactive map at connecticutriverpaddlerstrail.org. $19.95 Available for purchase by emailing mmccaughey@ctriver.org Laminated or Paper Recreation Maps - Six maps spanning the Connecticut River from Bellows Falls, VT to Hartford, CT. These maps are a compilation of useful information for the boater, sportsman, angler, or anyone who recreates along the Connecticut River. It includes information about public launch ramps, canoe and kayak put-ins, main channel with deep water, marinas and boating services, aerial photographs, dam portage and camp sites, and GPS positions. Available for $17.00 each (laminated) or $7.95 each (paper) Purchase by emailing mmccaughey@ctriver.org Thank you for being a part of the Connecticut River Paddlers' Trail community. We couldn't do it without you! - CRPT Executive Committee There is much stewardship work to do along the Paddlers' Trail. You can make this work possible by making a donation today. Thank you for your support! Click here to sign up for future Connecticut River Paddlers' Trail newsletters. As use of the trail is free, we rely on contributions from paddlers like you to keep site infrastructure in good shape and to maintain positive landowner relations.

After a 12-year process in the relicensing of 5 hydroelectric facilities on the Connecticut River, and the past several months of advocacy related to encouraging public comments for FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – the agency charged with issuing new licenses), we have arrived at a new milestone. The public comment period with FERC is now closed, and we want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all those who submitted your stories and experiences with the Connecticut River. There were hundreds of comments submitted and the outpouring of community support has been tremendous! Connecticut River Conservancy’s River Stewards Kathy Urffer, Kate Buckman, and Nina Gordon-Kirsch have submitted detailed comments to FERC to speak on behalf of our rivers. You can download and read our full comments for Great River Hydro (Vernon, Wilder, and Bellows Falls dams) and FirstLight (Turners Falls dam and the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station). In summary, our priorities asked FERC and these facilities to: Take responsibility for the erosion caused by the operation of the facilities Implement erosion control plans to reduce bank erosion, stabilize banks, and compensate landowners for loss of land Undertake long term monitoring and assessment of changes in how sediment moves in the river over the next license Institute comprehensive improvements to recreation access and state of the art ADA compliant recreation amenities along the entire 175 miles of river Adhere to the shortest possible licensing term (30 years is better than 50) Initiate immediate upgrades to fish ladders under a shorter timeline than proposed to protect American shad, American eel, Sea lamprey and Shortnose sturgeon Develop protective land management plans, which include management of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species, and improvements to habitat and riparian buffers Educate about and protect indigenous cultural resources related to the river In addition, CRC filed interventions for both FirstLight and Great River Hydro to have legal standing in the FERC process, so that we can file for rehearing, and appeal the license if it is inadequate. What’s next? This process is not complete until new licenses are in place, which means there is still more to do. We're moving on to the next phase of the relicensing - state level 401 water quality certifications! Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire have all received applications for a water quality certification (WQC) from either FirstLight or Great River Hydro. The state has jurisdiction to ensure the hydro operations comply with state water quality statutes, and this is the process to ensure that they do. The final WQC will be accepted by FERC for inclusion into the license with no modifications. The entire 401 certification process takes about a year, but there are opportunities to comment and various deadlines throughout that time span. For more information, visit Mass DEP's webpage dedicated to the FirstLight 401 WQC process (first open comment period ends June 3rd!), or Vermont DEC’s page and NH DES’s page dedicated to the process for Great River Hydro. CRC will hold informational sessions in VT and NH during the summer to educate the public and encourage further participation, and we will continue to share news and milestones throughout this process. Anyone interested in further updates can sign up for our newsletters related to hydro and the state you are most interested in.