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Connecticut River Conservancy is thrilled to announce that we have been chosen to host an ECO AmeriCorp member this year. This service position would support Connecticut River Conservancy in efforts to assess watershed health, develop and implement stream restoration projects, support water quality testing, support volunteer groups taking part in our annual Source to Sea River Cleanup, support oversight and field work for the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail, and develop and implement public education campaigns to garner active engagement in watershed stewardship. See the full position description here. CRC staff member Kathy Urffer, Director of Policy and Advocacy and Vermont River Steward, will be supervising this position. She serves the Connecticut River and its watershed in the upper river from the MA border to the Canadian border in VT. Kathy is on the ground field staff working with landowners, federal and state agencies, and volunteers to protect the Connecticut River. Applications can be submitted through the AmeriCorp website.

You may have never heard of this little cutie, but the Tessellated Darter (Etheostoma olmstedi) is a pretty neat fish. It’s found in many river systems that drain to the Atlantic Ocean, from the St. Lawrence all the way to Florida. This includes our beloved upper Connecticut River watershed, where it is a native fish that spends its whole life in the river and tributaries. Tessellated Darters are in the same family as perch, but only get about three inches long at their largest. Snack-sized for larger fish like bass and eel, birds, and even turtles. Like their name implies, Tessellated Darters have a repeating pattern of spots which if you squint just right some say look like the letters W or M. Another distinguishing physical feature is a vertical black line running through the eye to the corner of the mouth, paired with another bar running from the eye forward to the tip of the nose. This coloration pattern likely helps them to be better camouflaged on the substrate, as they are benthic (bottom-dwelling) fish that prefer slower moving areas of water with muddy to sandy substrates with some small cobble. They eat benthic invertebrates and dietary studies have reported a preference for midge larvae, with caddisfly larvae becoming a more important food component in the fall. They move in rapid short spurts (ahem… darting!) when they are not sitting on the substrate. Some of these characteristics change temporarily during the spring breeding season. The male darter darkens in color and they seek out rockier areas. Eggs are laid on the underside of smooth rocks or submerged wood that has been cleaned by a male fish. The females may lay eggs in many nests and the males hang around to guard the nest full of fertilized eggs, one fish per nest, defending the eggs and keeping them clean until they hatch. Interestingly, Tessellated Darters have been reported to exhibit alloparental behavior, where the males tend to nests that are full of eggs fertilized by another male. And if I haven’t convinced you yet that these fish are pretty cool, remember back to when I wrote about mussels? And how interesting their life cycle is? Well… the Tessellated Darter is one of the host species for the endangered Dwarf Wedge Mussel, transporting the glochidia around in their gills. Which is why even though larger game fish and the (rightfully) celebrated migratory species get a lot of the spotlight, CRC also pays attention to what’s happening with these smaller species that have an equally important role to play in supporting a healthy ecosystem. They get considered when we are planning restoration projects, advocating for water quality improvements and habitat protection, or commenting on the effects of hydro operations or wetlands permits. So next time you see what looks like a “boring” minnow on the bottom of the river, just think… it might be a Tessellated Darter, guarding a nest or dispersing a mussel glochidia, and show it some appreciation.

At this LiveStream we celebrated Earth Day and the current Acts of Congress that may assist in protecting our great river and watershed. We heard from Kathy Urffer, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Connecticut River Conservancy; Markelle Smith from Connecticut River Watershed Partnership (formerly Friends of Conte); Jeremy Bratt, consultant; and Chris Curtis from the Deerfield River Watershed Association. Recorded 4/17/2024 _____________________ About LiveStream: CRC brings your rivers to you! Join CRC staff and partners for a series of live lunchtime presentations, on select Wednesdays from Noon-1pm. You get to learn more about the rivers you love, ask questions, and interact with a river-loving community all from the comfort and safety of your home (or wherever you may be). LiveStream will be hosted via Zoom. Please register for each presentation to receive meeting information. Check out CRC's Events Calendar to learn about other upcoming events.

The Farmington River originates in southwestern Massachusetts and flows 81 miles until it reaches the Connecticut River in Windsor, CT. It is the longest tributary of the Connecticut River, and was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1994. The Farmington River now faces a significant threat from the harmful and outdated Rainbow Dam. Today, American Rivers announced the inclusion of the Farmington River in its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®. “The Farmington River supports diverse fish and wildlife, is a vital source of clean drinking water for the region, and provides boating and other recreation opportunities, but this dam is an ongoing threat. This is an important moment for the river and an opportunity for Commissioner Dykes to continue her leadership in river restoration and environmental stewardship. We need Stanley Black & Decker to fix the problems it has created,” said Katie Schmidt with American Rivers. Eight miles upstream from where the Farmington River joins the Connecticut River is the Rainbow Dam, owned by Stanley Black & Decker. This small, poorly maintained hydropower dam has been in operation since the early 20th century, but due to a quirk of law, it has no federal oversight which has allowed it to damage the river for decades. “While hydropower contributes to our energy needs, this small and poorly maintained and unreliable dam is not necessary to New England’s energy needs. The insignificant energy it generates causes really big environmental problems,” noted Katie Schmidt. “Protecting the Farmington River is an important investment in our environment, our economy, and our quality of life. I fought for the river’s ‘Wild and Scenic’ designation, which unlocked thousands of federal dollars for conservation efforts, but there’s more we can do to protect and restore the watershed. I will continue to fight to keep our waters clean and healthy for generations to come,” said Senator Chris Murphy. The dam creates conditions in the upstream reservoir that repeatedly cause toxic algae blooms that can be a health hazard to people, and lethal to pets and wildlife, and degrades the water quality. In addition, the lack of federal oversight and limited state jurisdiction has allowed this small and poorly maintained hydropower project, whose inadequate and outdated fishway often led to fish mortality before it was shut down in 2023, to effectively render more than 95% of the watershed’s habitat inaccessible to river herring, shad, eel, and sea lamprey.“The time is now to act for the Farmington River,” urged Aimee Petras, Executive Director of Farmington River Watershed Association who nominated the river for Most Endangered Rivers. “Stanley Black and Decker has ignored Connecticut’s environmental laws and held the Farmington River hostage. The company has had well over a century of largely unrestricted use of the Farmington River’s resources–it is time for them to demonstrate respect for the river they benefited from and ensure future generations can enjoy it too.” American Rivers and partners called on the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and Stanley Black & Decker, to fix these problems for the health of the river as well as public health and safety. The power company has an unprecedented opportunity to tap into federal infrastructure funding to fix Clean Water Act violations, eliminate toxic algae blooms, and allow migratory fish populations to flourish again. "The Farmington River is vital to the environmental landscape of Connecticut and the 5th District in particular,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “I recognize the need to protect it, which is why I helped to secure a Wild and Scenic designation along the Farmington River for the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook during my first term in Congress. Protecting and restoring this fishery and recreation destination is of the utmost importance. I remain committed to working to protect this vital part of the region's environmental ecosystem." The Farmington River watershed covers over 600 square miles in Massachusetts and Connecticut. It holds two national Partnership Wild & Scenic River designations due to its remarkable values, and is a major tributary to the Connecticut River which spans across four states. The Farmington and its tributaries support cold-water resident fish species and habitat for various important migratory fish species. The watershed is a public drinking water supply for hundreds of thousands of people in the Hartford region. The West Branch of the Farmington is a highly regarded trout fishery. The river provides stretches of whitewater, used by individuals including world-class paddlers and outfitters, further adding to its cultural value as a coveted recreation destination. “Children and families rely on the Farmington River watershed for clean drinking water and a healthy, thriving regional ecosystem,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Dam operators — like the Farmington River Power Company — must do better to protect aquatic life, combat toxic algae outbreaks, and ensure clean water for communities across the Commonwealth.” The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution. Other rivers in the region listed as Most Endangered in past years include the Ipswich River (2021), Hudson River (2019) and the Susquehanna River (2016). Within Connecticut, a river hasn’t made the list since 2004, when the Housatonic River was at risk with pollution. American Rivers reviews nominations for America’s Most Endangered Rivers® from local groups and individuals across the country, and selects rivers based on three criteria: 1) The river’s significance to people and wildlife 2) The magnitude of the threat to the river and communities, especially in light of climate change and environmental injustice 3) A decision in the next 12 months that the public can influence Learn more about the Farmington River and why it's Endangered. Take action here: Remove the Rainbow Dam | American Rivers. Local press coverage here. This article was adapted from a press release by American Rivers. American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways.

5 hydroelectric facilities on the Connecticut River are up for relicensing, and the public comment period is currently OPEN until May 22nd (after being extended from the previous April 22nd deadline). We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak up for our rivers and influence licenses that will last for up for 50 years! If you’re new to the issue and looking for background information on the hydropower facilities, what’s at stake, or how Connecticut River Conservancy has focused our advocacy throughout this 12-year process, you can find all the details here. The Public Comments are Coming In Since the public comment period with FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) opened on February 22nd, the comments have been pouring in from individual community members, towns, recreation clubs, and many different types of stakeholders who care about the Connecticut River. We're thrilled to witness an outpouring of engagement from individuals like you who are stepping up to protect our rivers. Here's What Some of You Are Saying: Lisa McLoughlin of Northfield MA O. Ross McIntyre of Lyme NH James Goedkoop of Wilder VT Sharon McDonald of Amherst MA Monica Jane Winters of New Salem MA Mike and Miriam Kurland of Williamsburg MA Thomas Collins of Chester VT The Town of Norwich VT Martha Bartlett of Wilder VT Steven Stocking of Fairlee VT There have been over 100 comments so far, and more are coming in every day. Comments range from being extremely short and to-the-point about issues or concerns, to being several pages long and full of scientific citations. Both are ok and valuable for FERC in this process. The more comments are submitted, the more we can ensure that all voices and perspectives are represented! To Read All Public Comments: All comments are open to the public. If you’d like to read all comments, or read comments based on the facility you are most interested in, here are the steps to access them on the FERC website. Go to the FERC website here Enter the docket number for the comments you’d like to see: 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 Customize the date range or leave it as “all” since comment results will have the most recent comments at the top. This will bring you to a page full of comments. We hope they help show many examples for inspiration on your own comment submission! Next Steps: Writing Your Comments We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken the time to submit their comments and speak up for our rivers. Your dedication and passion are inspiring and remind us of the collective power we hold to effect positive change. If you haven't yet added your voice to the conversation, there's still time! The public comment period remains open until May 22nd. Here’s what you can do: Review CRC’s hydropower details here See our FERC Comment Guide Reach out to our River Stewards for any questions or support with submitting your comments. Kathy Urffer: River Steward, VT 802-258-0413 | kurffer@ctriver.org Nina Gordon-Kirsch: River Steward, MA 413-834-9777 ngordonkirsch@ctriver.org Kate Buckman: River Steward, NH 603-931-2448 kbuckman@ctriver.org Thank you for being a champion of our rivers!

Streamed 3/27/24 Where does your water come from and where does it go? From wells and reservoirs to wastewater treatment plants and stormwater solutions, discover the journey water takes from source to discharge. Nina Gordon-Kirsch, River Steward in MA, and Rhea Drozdenko, River Steward in CT spoke about the impacts of climate change on the Connecticut River Valley’s local water sources and the occurrences of sewage overflows into the River. Nina and Rhea help uncover what municipalities are doing to cope with these issues and invite the public to be part of the solution via individual actions. _____________________ 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. See past, present and future events in our LiveStream series. Check out CRC's Events Calendar to learn about other upcoming events.

With all the flooding this past year, it has been heart-wrenching to see the damage caused to our towns and communities. These floods have also illustrated the importance of our restoration projects in protecting against and reducing the damage caused by these floods. One example of this is the riverbank stabilization and floodplain forest restoration project that we completed in partnership with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust on their Ammonoosuc River Wildlife Management Area in Lisbon, New Hampshire during 2021-2022. In this project, we installed root wads (the roots and bottom 20' of large trees) along the river’s edge and lowered and terraced the riverbank behind the root wads. The root wads and terraces served to slow and divert the river’s flow and to give the river more room to spread out during floods. In addition, we also planted this old hay field with native trees and shrubs (2,182 plants on 6.8 acres). Although still small, these trees and shrubs are already working to hold the soil in place and to trap the sediment, debris (including large trees!), and ice carried by the river during last year’s floods. Although this is only one small project, implementing these types of restoration projects in critical locations not only protect these specific sites but also prevent sediment, debris, and ice from clogging culverts and bridges and damaging roads, houses, and businesses farther downstream. Find out more about Connecticut River Conservancy's restoration projects here.

Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District and project partners are currently surveying farmers throughout the Connecticut River Watershed in New Hampshire and Vermont to learn more about how they manage to prevent Nitrogen loss on their farms and what new management practices they would be willing to implement. Surveys are 100% confidential and will not be used for reporting or regulatory purposes. Help us secure more funding and technical assistance for the most effective practices and earn a $50 gift card for your time – take the survey HERE. For more information about this project, please visit: Watershed Planning Project This program was made possible by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund.

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

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

The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) has been engaged in advocating for the health of the Connecticut River and the communities in the watershed since 1952. As part of our mission, CRC has been a consistent participant in the relicensing of the Wilder, Bellows Falls, Vernon, and Turners Falls hydroelectric dams, and the Northfield Mountain Pump Storage facility for almost twelve years, working for a better deal for our river and its communities. These facilities use a public trust resource – your river – to produce power. In exchange for this privilege and to mitigate for impacts of the dams on recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, migratory and endangered species, water quality, and other resources, FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) requires that hydropower operators provide direct benefits to the public and be protective of the ecological health of the river. These requirements are laid forth in an operating license and the license serves as a public contract that we revisit periodically to examine the facility’s impact on our public trust resource. That time is NOW! On February 22nd, FERC issued a notice indicating that the final license applications have been accepted as complete and ready for environmental analysis. This notice simultaneously initiated a 60-day period to submit comments and interventions for the projects. The comment period will close on April 22nd, 2024. A comment communicates to FERC local concerns, recommendations, and desires. This provides additional information that FERC must consider as they are making decisions for what will be included in the license conditions for the next 40 years. The public is encouraged to submit a comment to FERC if you have concerns about how these dams impact the river, the surrounding communities, or your ability to interact with the river. Public comments can be submitted by anyone or any entity that has an interest.  This includes individual community members, Town committees or commissions, Regional Planning Commission, recreation clubs, etc. CRC staff have been meeting with local town committees to update them on the relicensing and encourage commenting. In addition to supporting the public’s opportunity to comment, and submitting our own comments, Connecticut River Conservancy will be filing a motion to intervene. This allows the intervenor to become a legal party to the proceedings, which grants the ability to request hearings of FERC orders and appeal agency actions. Kathy Urffer, CRC’s River Steward in Vermont, who has been working on this relicensing for almost seven years says, “These three facilities control the water in approximately 126 miles of river in VT and NH, and the license term is expected to be 40 years long. This relicensing is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape how the hydroelectric facilities mitigate for their impact on the river for future generations.  Don’t miss this opportunity to have your concerns heard by the FERC.” Hydropower relicensing information, as well as a FERC Comment Guide, can be found here. The Connecticut River Conservancy will also hold a series of virtual office hours about how to comment on the hydropower relicensing process for the five facilities in VT, NH, and MA that are all simultaneously going through this Federal process. During these office hours, CRC’s Director of Policy and Advocacy/Vermont River Steward (Kathy Urffer), and River Stewards in Massachusetts (Nina Gordon-Kirsch) and New Hampshire (Kate Buckman) will be available to answer any questions and help with your comments. The following will be covered: Issues at stake for fish passage, recreation, erosion, and accountability Instruction on how to submit comments or get involved Questions addressed in Q&A The office hours can be customized based on who attends and what you most want to address. You can also submit a question to the speakers upon registration. The office hours will occur on: Tuesday 3/5 – 1pm Thursday 3/14 – 5:30pm Monday 3/18 – 11am Wednesday 3/27 – 8:30am Wednesday 4/3 – 7pm Thursday 4/11 – 12pm Tuesday 4/16 – 12pm Click here to register for the office hours or contact Kathy, Kate, and Nina with any additional questions you may have. The 60-day period to submit interventions and comments is OPEN NOW through April 22nd. This will be the last opportunity to comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for these facilities and influence a license that will last for 40 years. Contact: Kathy Urffer – Director of Policy and Advocacy/River Steward, VT kurffer@ctriver.org 802-258-0413 Kate Buckman – River Steward, NH kbuckman@ctriver.org 603-931-2448 Nina Gordon-Kirsch – River Steward, MA Ngordonkirsch@ctriver.org 413-834-9777

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.