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

Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is thrilled to announce that Board of Trustees member Kari Kastango is the first person to complete a swim of the entire length of the 410-mile Connecticut River! The final stretch of the swim took place on Sunday, October 15th, in Old Lyme, CT, as Kari swam 2.6 miles from the Amtrak railroad bridge towards Long Island Sound. The conditions were just right for the swim finale, starting 1 hour and 33 minutes past high tide, with a north wind gusting upwards of 30 mph to provide a helpful river assist for the takeoff as fans cheered from the boardwalk at Ferry Landing State park. The winds diminished further downriver, but the speed of the tide increased as Kari made her way towards the Sound. The final swim took 47 minutes and 2 seconds. After the final swim, a Riverside Celebration was held at the Great Island Boat Launch where speakers included the following: Tim Lewis – who has provided swim support for Kari for much of the swim journey by following in a boat, helping with logistics and planning, and ensuring safety – spoke of how focused Kari has been in the river during her many swims. Tim relayed how Kari is truly “one with the river” during these outings, noticing incredible details including wildlife, trees, or any unexpected debris. Tim is a fellow member of CRC’s Board of Trustees, President of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust in Connecticut, and someone who’s paddled the entire length the Connecticut River. Kari Kastango spoke about how she became inspired to begin this endeavor after realizing that while the river is swimmable now, that was not always the case. She became more involved in advocacy and conservation for the river throughout her swim and connected with Connecticut River Conservancy and many others whose efforts have helped to make the river cleaner and healthier over the years. Rebecca Todd – Connecticut River Conservancy’s new Executive Director – presented Kari with a Certificate of Appreciation and an award to celebrate Kari as a “Connecticut River Champion.” Rebecca then went on to highlight how the length of the full swim is equivalent to the distance between Boston and Baltimore, and recognized the many individuals who have helped to steward the Connecticut River, including the indigenous people of pre-colonial history and all the volunteers, fellow conservation nonprofits, state and federal agencies, anglers, paddlers, boaters, donors, advocates, and local communities in more recent decades. Markelle Smith – Director of the Friends of Conte (Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge) closed out the speaker portion by sharing the latest updates of the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act, highlighting that regional partnerships are a critical component of how progress for conservation can be made as we look ahead to the future. Kari’s motivation is to raise awareness for the immense significance of the Connecticut River, all the efforts taken to reverse the river’s historic water pollution, and the ongoing collective action to keep the river clean, healthy, and swimmable for future generations. While Kari had swum in the river for a few years prior to starting this ambitious endeavor, it was in early 2019 that she firmly set the goal of swimming the entire Connecticut River. She swam a new section of the river each year between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with the help of her wife, Alison Garvey, a good friend, Julie Paradis, fellow Connecticut River Conservancy Board of Trustees member, Tim Lewis and many others who would follow her in a kayak, canoe or motor boat for safety during each swim. Kari’s story was previously covered by NEPM in 2019 at the start of the swim, with additional details shared in a CRC webinar in 2022 when she had surpassed the half-way point in the journey. The final swim has since received incredible press coverage, including in CT Insider, WWLP, MassLive, 22 News, NEPM’s Fabulous 413, The Day, and Western Mass News among others. Through challenges related to climate, planning logistics, water quality, accessibility and much more, Kari has accomplished this ambitious goal with resilience and dedication. “Kari is what I consider a true adventurer. She was self-funded, took time off work to travel up and down the watershed, providing her own transportation, housing and equipment. She even purchased a used Boston Whaler for safety in the larger sections of the river. It was all on Kari, and she deserves a tremendous amount of credit for completing this monumental task, and for being the first to do so for the Connecticut River!” -Tim Lewis, CRC Board of Trustees member and support for Kari’s swim “The river provided me opportunities to practice letting go of misconceptions of myself, others and of the river, and being in the present moment more fully. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has been involved with Connecticut River Conservancy since its inception. Their persistent efforts and commitment through the years made this swim possible!” –Kari Kastango, CRC Board of Trustees member and first person to swim the entire length of the Connecticut River It was never about “conquering the river” for Kari, but rather about developing a relationship with the river and all the wildlife within and around it. This experience was held with deep appreciation for the living river, and the many individuals who work tirelessly to protect it. Below is a collection of Kari’s photos taken throughout the swim experience, with the top two rows of images being from the day of her final swim. As a unique symbol of connection with her family ancestry, Kari wore 7 Norwegian coins around her neck as she traversed the entirety of the Connecticut River swim journey. The coins hold even greater meaning now as they have also traveled the entire Connecticut River, and Kari is thoughtfully offering them as gifts to loved ones. With a father who was a Sea Caption in the Merchant Marines, and a mother who loved the water and ensured that all of her children learned to swim at a young age, Kari’s roots run deep in water. Kari’s sister, Eve Kinney, also described Kari as “the perfect aunt” for having inspired her nephews to embrace water sports including competing in the Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts race. Through this experience, Kari has become a role model for many more young people who may be drawn to the river in new ways. Kari, a resident of South Hadley, MA, began her career as a research exercise physiologist (UMASS, Amherst ‘89, ‘92) which then led her to pursue a PhD in Biostatistics (PITT ‘06). With 19 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Kari currently works as a director of statistical operations at a clinical research organization in addition to serving on CRC’s Board. Kari balances these professional and personal commitments through physical pursuits that are meditative in nature. In addition to a significant personal achievement, this unique swim journey highlights the importance of ongoing commitment to conservation, restoration, and advocacy of the Connecticut River and tributaries. At the start of Kari’s swim, she was not aware of the history of pollution in the river, and had immense gratitude for the commitment of many organizations including state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and volunteers who have spent decades working on watershed-wide strategies for cleaner and healthier rivers. We have come a long way since the state of polluted local rivers in the 1950’s, which can now be enjoyed for swimming, fishing, and recreation, and yet there is much more still to do in supporting the clean water, healthy habitats, and thriving communities that Connecticut River Conservancy and partners strive for every day. Here is a map summarizing Kari’s swim, with additional stats below: Swim Facts: Total # of swims/outings: 84 Longest distance of any one swim: 11 miles. Turner Falls Dam to Sunderland. That swim only took 2 hours and 8 mins due to a river assist resulting from water released from the dam a few hours prior to the swim start. Longest duration of any one swim: 3 hrs 50 mins; 10.9 mile swim: Bloomfield Access to Maidstone Bridge Access (swimming in a drysuit) Longest duration total of two swims back-to-back: 6 hrs 10 mins. The Bloomfield Access to Maidstone Bridge Access swim (swam in drysuit) on Saturday, followed by Sunday’s swim: Johns River Ramp to Gilman Boat Launch (including a portage, also swam in the drysuit). Coldest swim: ~47.5 F. Route2 Bridge, Lancaster, NH to Mount Orne Covered Bridge, Lunenburg, VT on April 29, 2023. Frequent Questions & Answers: Q: How did you get around the dams? A: Kari followed the safety signs around the dams, swam as far as she could above the dam, and then hiked or biked around the dams until she could safely re-enter the water again below the dams. You can learn more about how hydropower affects the Connecticut River, and the current hydropower relicensing process. Q: What about CSO’s/sewage in the river? Kari used CRC’s water quality database to track water safety in the areas she intended to swim, and avoided certain sections of the river during/shortly after rain events. Kari did not swim during any flood conditions when stormwater runoff would have put her safety at risk, and at which times sewage in the river is of highest concern. Over the last 50 years water quality in the Connecticut River has improved tremendously and the river is very often safe enough for swimming, boating and fishing. However, combined Sewer Overflows (CSO’s) are an issue in some parts of the river during heavy rain or flood events when sewage contaminants are released into the river. This is a result of outdated infrastructure where Connecticut River Conservancy is advocating for funding to make improvements. You can read more about the challenge of stormwaters in Massachusetts. Contact: For interview requests or media inquiries, please contact CRC’s Communications Director, Diana Chaplin, at dchaplin@ctriver.org or (413) 834-0079.

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

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

Connecticut River Conservancy, along with colleagues at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recently held our annual sea lamprey rescue in Turners Falls. Every year the Turners Falls Cabot Station drains their canal for maintenance purposes. Unfortunately, this process leaves thousands of juvenile lampreys stranded and exposed to harsh elements. We only have a few hours to find and rescue as many as we can before they perish. Because of this tight timeline and the size of the canal, we invite volunteers to help in this effort. We are incredibly grateful to the 50+ volunteers who came to join this community science and migratory fish initiative, and while everyone went home caked in mud it was a very successful event with an estimated over 1,000 live sea lamprey rescued, along with a range of other species such as mudpuppies, carp, perch, and mussels. Here are some of our favorite photos: Sea lamprey are an important native migratory fish of the Connecticut River. Unlike the species we find in the North American Great Lakes, our local sea lamprey are not invasive. You will find adults migrating upriver form the ocean every year to spawn (reproduce). Once they’ve reached the ideal habitat for their lamprey babies, their lifecycle comes to an end, leaving a carcass full of rich nutrients our ecosystem thrives on. The lamprey babies, called ammocoetes grow in our freshwater systems and take 4 to 5 years to migrate to the ocean and grow into adults. Some of them inevitably end up in this canal, and that’s where we can lend a hand to help them continue on their life cycle journey. During the rescue, USFWS staff evaluated all collected sea lamprey to ensure that only living lampreys were gathered and placed them in specialized tanks with clean water as the event went on. The majority of lamprey were later released downriver, with some taken to the Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory managed by the U.S. Geological Survey in order to continue studying the species and include living lampreys in evaluation of fish ladder design effectiveness. Connecticut River Conservancy’s ongoing work to support cleaner rivers and healthy habitat for migratory fish includes nest surveys, dam removal, riparian buffer plantings, trash removal, and much more. You can learn more about migratory fish or support this work with a contribution today.

Project update from Connecticut River Conservancy’s Restoration Director, Ron Rhodes, in Wilmington, Vermont. Also on site is Phillip Herzig, Fish Biologist and Maintenance Action Team Coordinator with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is working with a private dam owner, the Town of Wilmington, the State of Vermont, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to remove an old mill dam and upgrade a town owned culvert to a new bridge. This project aims to restore water quality, reconnect native brook trout habitat, and improve flood resiliency in Beaver Brook (a tributary to the Deerfield River in the town of Wilmington). This dam and culvert are at an intersection of well-traveled roads, which were heavily impacted during Tropical Storm Irene. Ecological and community benefits include the following: Increased water flow, water quality, and oxygen levels for aquatic organism health. Increased aquatic organism passage (AOP), including native brook trout which require access to cold water habitats for reproductive spawning. Lower 100-yr flood elevation level by 7 feet. Eliminate the disruption of emergency services during future storm events. With special thanks to our funding partners: Watersheds United Vermont – VT Clean Water Block GrantUS Fish and Wildlife Service Flood Resilient Communities Fund – VT Vermont Watershed Grant Program Deerfield River Enhancement Fund State grant to town for dry hydrant work Video created and edited with sincere thanks to Jill DeVito and Charles Wright, of the Over the River and Through the Woods Youtube Channel. Additional photos showing some of CRC’s staff, the newly constructed bridge, and Beaver Brook downstream of project activity.

The Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act (CRWPA) is an exciting new bill that was recently introduced in the House and Senate and supported by a broad coalition of public and private organizations throughout New England, including the Friends of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, the Connecticut River Conservancy, Mass Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, Kestrel Land Trust, and the Appalachian Mountain Club among others. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), with a companion bill in the House introduced by Jim McGovern (MA-02) and cosponsored by Annie Kuster (NH-02). Additional co-sponsors include Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Becca Balint (D-VT), Jim Himes (D-CT), Richard Neal (D-MA), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT). Legislation Summary: The CRWPA will formalize partnerships between state, local, and private entities (including tribal organizations, nonprofits, and institutions of higher learning) to promote conservation, restoration, education, and recreation efforts in the watershed and establish a voluntary grant program to facilitate these activities. This collaborative effort will benefit fish and wildlife habitats, protect drinking water sources, and enhance access to the watershed’s public spaces, particularly for excluded and marginalized communities. CRWPA is modeled on the Chesapeake WILD Act (2020) and the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (2015), which have successfully established similar partnerships in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Delaware River Basin respectively. Specifically, the CRWPA will: Require the Secretary of Interior to establish a non-regulatory Watershed Partnership Program intended to identify, prioritize and implement restoration and protection activities within the Watershed in consultation with federal, state, local and non-profit stakeholders; Create a voluntary grant and technical assistance program for state and local governments; tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations; institutions of higher education; and other eligible entities for activities in the Watershed; Implement a 75% Federal cost share for the grant program, except where the Secretary determines a larger cost share is appropriate; Authorize such sums as are necessary to carry out the program; and Ensure other activities conducted by the Secretary in the Watershed will supplement, not supplant activities carried out by the partnership program. The Connecticut River, New England’s longest, is a vital watershed that drains 7.2 million acres across five New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Watershed is home to 396 communities and provides multiple environmental and economic benefits to diverse stakeholders and industries, including fisheries, farming, hunting, recreation, boating and tourism. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge encompasses the entire Watershed and is the only refuge of its kind in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Connecticut River is also one of just fourteen Federally recognized American Heritage Rivers in the United States. You can read the Senator’s press release and the full bill text here, and refer to the Friends of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge web page for a full list of supporting representatives and organizations. Image above: Connecticut River Looking North to Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke, South Hadley, MA. Photo by Al Braden.

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.

Overview of Combined Sewer Overflow Following heavy rainstorms, such as those we’ve had in July and September 2023, water running off of roads and lawns makes its way either into a storm drain, where it is conveyed through pipes to a waterbody, or will go to a treatment plant before being discharged into a river.  This water is know as “stormwater,” which refers to the water that runs off of the land into the drainage system or surface waters during precipitation events, instead of soaking into the ground. In many older cities, the pipes that transport stormwater and the pipes that transport sewage from your house are one and the same. When populations were much smaller and water treatment was nonexistent, it was most efficient to have just one pipe for everything, which would ultimately discharge (untreated) into the river. Thankfully, following the passage of the Clean Water Act, these pipes were diverted to treatment plants, where sewage, and sometimes stormwater, are treated before discharging the liquids (also known as effluent) back into the river. However, as populations in cities and towns expanded, so has the demand on this combined stormwater and sewer infrastructure. Today, in areas where sewage and stormwater pipes are combined, intense rainfall or snowmelt can be too great of a volume for the pipes to convey and for the treatment plants to process. As a result, the mixture of stormwater and sewage “bypass” treatment and are discharged directly into the river. This discharge is called a Combined Sewer Overflow, or CSO. The Massachusetts and Connecticut portion of the Connecticut River is impacted by five remaining CSO communities, all of which have been working to reduce CSO discharges for decades. However, the cost of this work is enormous, which presents significant challenges, especially in cities and towns where increasing water and sewer rates (which is how much of this work is paid for) creates issues of affordability for residents. With the increase in intensity and frequency of floods, as we experienced in July and September 2023, it is critical that we support the work of cities and towns to reduce and eliminate CSOs. Below is a brief description of the ongoing work of each CSO community as well as resources for further reading. The Connecticut River Clean-up Committee, hosted by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, has been pivotal in securing funding for CSO abatement in the three largest CSO communities in Massachusetts. Each of us can support the work of wastewater departments and commissions by reducing our own water use at home. When affordable, water efficient appliances lessen the burden on wastewater systems. If you have a lawn or hard surfaces at your home, consider installing ‘green infrastructure’ to help reduce the amount of stormwater entering the system. Resources: MassDEP Map of CSOsCSO Data Portal The Clean Water Project CT DEEP CSO Bypass map Bringing Green Infrastructure to Your Community Hartford The Metropolitan District (MDC) provides water to the greater Hartford area. They maintain a total of 38 active combined sewer overflow locations within their system that discharge in the Park River and the Connecticut River. MDC has been working with the EPA and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection since the 1990’s to reduce overflows. From 2006 to 2022, they achieved a 50% reduction in yearly overflows, 488 million gallons in total. In 2006, MDC entered into a consent order to implement actions that would eliminate all combined sewer overflows by 2029. However, in 2018 they released a Long-Term Control Plan update in which they requested an extension of nearly 30 years, to 2058 to finish the project. Rather than granting a 30 year extension, CT DEEP approved a short term project list with a new consent order in 2022. Instead of the original goal of eliminating all combined sewer overflows by 2029, this new project list will achieve a reduction of 97 million gallons by 2029. Projects that the MDC are required to complete include: Reducing CSOs in the North Branch Park River by 50% by 2027 Completing the South Hartford Conveyance and Storage Tunnel by 2029 which will control South Branch Park River CSO’s and eliminate CSO’s going into Wethersfield Cove Eliminating 13 CSO/SSO regulators Resources: 2022 CT DEEP Consent Order with MDC 2018 Long Term Control Plan The Clean Water Project CT DEEP CSO Bypass map Springfield The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission manages wastewater not only for the City of Springfield, but also for Agawam, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Ludlow, West Springfield and Wilbraham. For these seven towns, wastewater is conveyed to the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility on Bondi’s Island in Agawam, where it is treated. Springfield has nearly 150 miles of combined sewer and stormwater pipes. During heavy precipitation events, the combination of stormwater and sewage is too great for the treatment facility to manage, and sewage is discharged, untreated into the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers. Since the late 1990s, the Commission has been working, under a series of Administrative Order from the EPA, to reduce CSOs. This effort has resulted in a 30% reduction in CSO volume since 1994 and in 2014, the Commission finalized a plan that outlines goals for further reducing CSO discharges. This plan, called the Integrated Wastewater Plan (IWP), outlines CSO reduction goals and steps, as well as steps to maintain and modernize existing wastewater infrastructure, such as the wastewater treatment facility. A primary goal of the IWP is to reduce CSO volume by 87% by 2031 using a 6-phase approach and prioritizing highest-volume, most cost-effective CSO projects. Today the Commission manages 23 CSOs and is in Phase 2 of the IWP. A major project of Phase Two is the York Street Pump Station and Connecticut River Crossing Project. The project includes the construction of a new pump station as well as three new river-crossing pipes which will convey wastewater to Bondi’s Island for treatment. All told, this project will increase pumping capacity to reduce CSOs by 100 million gallons in a typical year and is slated to be completed in the summer of 2023. From July – December of 2021 212 million gallons of untreated sewage were released into the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers from the Springfield facilities. The completion of the York Street Project will mean a 51% reduction in CSO volume and is a major step in protecting the Connecticut River. Resources: SWSC CSO and Stormwater Website2014 Integrated Wastewater Plan Holyoke The City of Holyoke manages 12 active CSO outfalls from July – December of 2022 these outfalls discharged a total of 124 million gallons. The City has many miles of combined sewer lines, with 61% of the collection system combining stormwater and sanitary sewer lines. In 2000, the City of Holyoke completed a Long Term Control Plan (LTCP), which has been superseded by the more up to date LTCP, finalized in 2019. Since 2000, the City has worked to separate sewer lines from stormwater conveyance, reduced inflow to the sewer system, made modifications to a number of CSO outfalls and constructed a treatment facility to address some CSO flows. All told, these projects have reduced annual CSOs by 316 million gallons, or roughly 66% since 2000. Though there has been considerable progress made to reduce CSOs in Holyoke, there remains a significant amount of work over the coming years to work towards reduction and elimination of CSOs. In 2023 Holyoke and the Environmental Protection Agency entered into a consent decree which requires the City of Holyoke to implement the projects in the 2019 LTCP according to a schedule that concludes in 2037. The consent decree also includes requirements for the City to monitor stormwater and continue CSO monitoring. The 2019 LTCP, which was updated in 2022, prioritizes abatement of three CSO outfalls. These outfalls were selected because they represent the lowest cost per gallon of CSO removed and would eliminate 3 out of of 4 highest volume CSOs with an overall anticipated 85% reduction in annual CSO volume. Resources: 2023 Consent Decree2019 LTCP Summary Public Notification Website Chicopee Similarly to Springfield, the City of Chicopee follows an integrated plan, called the Integrated Management Plan (IMP), which seeks to balance CSO abatement with upgrading critical wastewater infrastructure. The City manages roughly 200 miles of stormwater and sewerpipes, 70% of which were originally combined and has 15 CSO outfalls. From July – December 2022, the City discharged 64 million gallons and averages around 100 million gallons annually. In 2006, EPA issued a Consent Decree to the City of Chicopee which mandated a schedule for implementing the LTCP at the time. Since 2006, CSO volume has been reduced from over 480 million gallons per year, representing a 75% decrease in CSO volume. Looking ahead, the City of Chicopee is working to reduce annual CSO volumes by 85% by 2025 and by 99% when the IMP schedule is completed in 2050. Included in the IMP are both capital projects to address aging infrastructure and sewer backups, as well as CSO reduction projects. These projects are prioritized according to their level of “failure risk,” which helps to identify projects that will have the greatest benefit for human health and the environment while meeting regulatory requirements set out by the EPA. Resources: 2018 Integrated Management PlanPublic Notification Website Montague Montague is the smallest of the CSO communities, both in population and also in CSO discharge; in 2022, Montague’s two CSO outfalls released about 0.5 million gallons of sewage. In 2020, the town was issued an Administrative Order from the EPA to minimize its CSOs and meet additional limitations on discharges and to reduce harmful levels of bacteria in the Connecticut River. The Town of Montague created a new LTCP through a 2021 progress update, which is set to be finalized in the summer of 2023. Since 2005, four of the six LTCP recommendations have been implemented and at this point, over 90% of the Town’s sewer system has been separated. Between 2005 and 2010 (when construction was completed on several projects), the Town of Montague reduced the number of discharged from 62 events per year to 14 overflow events per year. This constituted a reduction from 7 million gallons discharged per year, to 0.48 million gallons in 2011 and now averages roughly half of a million gallons of discharge per year. Looking ahead, the 2021 LTCP update includes recommendations for completion by 2026 to reduce CSO discharged by 96%. These recommendations include GIS work to locate stormwater assets, hydraulic modeling to determine flow restrictions of the system and evaluate alternatives and field investigations to address identify sources inflow and infiltration into the system, which contribute to overflows. Resources: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) UpdateMontague CSO Notification Page

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in Sackett v. EPA that the federal protections offered by the Clean Water Act (CWA) will have a narrowed definition of “waters of the United States.” Wetlands, which had previously been covered under the CWA if they are “adjacent to” other waterways, have now been interpreted to only be subject to CWA provisions if the wetlands directly adjoin rivers, lakes, and other bodies of permanent water. A key distinction from previous CWA language involves this new necessity for “continuous surface connection.” Here’s the exact language in the Sackett v. EPA decision written by Justice Alito and joined by Justices Robers, Thomas, Gorsuch, and Barrett: “We hold that the CWA extends to only those wetlands with a continuous surface connection to bodies that are ‘waters of the United States’ in their own right, so that they are ‘indistinguishable’ from those waters.” Wetlands are areas where the land is wet for certain periods of time, or all year round and typically supports a distinct community of plants and animals. They serve a variety of vital ecological functions including: Creating habitats for fish, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife Replenishing groundwater that communities rely on Absorbing floodwaters to reduce flood damage and erosion Supporting diverse food chains important for fishing Creating climate resilience by storing and releasing water Filtering pollution to reduce pollutants in nearby rivers Sequestering carbon Supporting healthier forests and cleaner air Providing ecosystem services that lead to economic benefits such as water treatment cost savings and increased property values How this Decision Will Impact the Connecticut River Watershed Wetlands are an essential component of healthy watersheds regardless of whether there is a “continuous surface connection.” Ecosystems are inherently connected. In the case of watersheds, this connection is not always on the surface. Connectivity – or lack thereof – below the ground also affects overall water quality and ecological integrity. That seemingly random low swampy spot may be critical in helping filter out runoff contaminants before groundwater reaches a spring-fed stream or an aquifer. Wetlands also support animal and plant communities that may not be found in other areas. Vernal pools are a great example of ephemeral, unconnected wetlands that are critical habitat for diverse invertebrate and amphibian species. The decision by the Supreme Court will leave many ecologically significant wetlands vulnerable to alteration or development. In fact, the new language is estimated to exempt over 50% of the wetlands in the USA from CWA protections. Wetland destruction could lead to reduced biodiversity, wider areas of drought (or flooding), more water pollution, and lower climate resilience in the Connecticut River watershed – challenges that already exist without the increased risks this re-definition of the Clean Water Act poses. Additionally, wetlands are located where they are due to the natural movement and accumulation of water from snow melt, precipitation, periodic flooding, and other environmental factors, so developing on wetland areas or altering wetland function could lead to property damage for those living on or around the altered wetland landscape, and increased flood risk to downstream communities. How Connecticut River Conservancy is Moving Forward Much of the work CRC does has been possible thanks to the CWA as it has existed for decades, and this decision reversed years of precedent related to how waters/wetlands are developed or protected. It’s a chip off the CWA in the context of other environment-related Supreme Court decisions that may have a negative impact for rivers. That being said, it also increases the importance of water-based advocacy organizations like CRC in making sure that state laws are more protective of water resources than loose Federal decisions. At this time, the new ruling opens many questions as to how the requirement for wetland surface connectivity will impact federal, state, and local pollutant regulation, permitting processes, water quality certifications, seasonal wetlands, source water protection, and development in sensitive habitats. We are working to understand how this may change both our immediate and long-term work to protect and advocate for the health of the Connecticut River watershed and how state or local policies within our four-state advocacy area can continue to consistently support protection for all wetlands based on sound scientific principles. Stay connected with the latest updates via our newsletter and we welcome your questions or concerns via CRC@ctriver.org. Written by Diana Chaplin, Kate Buckman, Kelsey Wentling, and Kathy Urffer

It was an incredible Earth Day around the Connecticut River, and we’re here to summarize all the activities that CRC was involved in along with many dedicated volunteers and regional conservation partners. The primary areas of work included river cleanups, cyanobacteria mitigation, and tree-planting! Cleanups to Reduce Pollution While CRC’s largest cleanup initiative is the Source to Sea Cleanup in early fall, picking up trash is an incredibly important activity any time of year. Spring reveals lots of debris that may have accumulated over the winter months and helps identify areas where more concerted efforts are needed to protect healthy habitats. In the Meadows area in Northampton, 12 volunteers organized by CRC Volunteer Group Leader Victoria Quill collected a whopping 1,200 lbs. of trash in under 3 hours! Some unique items collected include shotgun shells, bullets, umbrella, bumper, storage container, bathroom tiles, shingles, and a hula hoop. Common items include 9 tires and many beverage/food containers. We would also like to thank the following groups for coordinating independent cleanups: Deep River Sustainable Committee, Westfield River Watershed Association, Spruce it Up Colrain, Leverett Community Builders, and others. The Green Team at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina also included representatives from all departments within the resort for a coastal cleanup. They removed 15 bags of trash from a town beach, the adjacent parking lot, and a marsh next to a causeway close to their property in Old Saybrook. And the staff at Audacy participated as part of their 1 Thing Sustainability Initiative. They had 21 volunteers covering almost 2 miles of the Connecticut River in East Hartford, as well as the Riverwalk near the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, resulting in 17 large and heavy trash bags collected. Strangest items found were single shoes and a boot, a broken sledge hammer, and fake rose petals with tealight candles. Planting Trees and Stems for Hartford Reforesting our cities is one of the best ways to support healthy communities, increase biodiversity, and reduce the impact of climate change. That’s why Connecticut River Conservancy joined On Earth Hartford and Keney Park Sustainability Project in Windsor to transplant stems and saplings for a nursery that will benefit the park and tree canopy in Hartford, CT. Over 30 volunteers came out to transplant 320 saplings, including river birches and silver maples. Transplanting at this stage in the young trees’ growth will provide the right conditions for them to mature and develop strong root networks so that they have the highest possible chance of survival when they’re planted in the ground to support Hartford’s canopy as well as riverbanks in the area. After the planting, our River Steward for Connecticut, Rhea Drozdenko, moderated a panel discussion titled Engaging Community for the Earth, a conversation about the importance of involving community in environmental work, and how folks can advocate and engage others. The panel also included Samuel King from Blue Earth Compost, Jonathan Humphrey from Natural Dividends, Kirsten Martin from the University of St. Joseph, and Ally Gelinas from KNOX. Cyanobacteria Mitigation in Nashawannuck Pond Harmful algae blooms (HAB) such as toxic cyanobacteria blooms are increasing dramatically worldwide, including in the Connecticut River Watershed, due to pollution, chemical saturations in bodies of water such as ponds and lakes, and rising temperatures. HABs are toxic to animals (including fish, birds, livestock, humans, and dogs) and are disruptive of healthy ecosystems. Barley straw is proven to be effective as an algistat against algae blooms by reacting to the water. A group of partners in Western Massachusetts who are concerned about HAB’s came together to introduce barley straw to local ponds. In order for barley straw to be effective against algae blooms, straw bales need to be installed in the ponds in the spring, where they remain until the fall. And that’s exactly what we did on Earth Day in Nashawannuck Pond in Easthampton, MA. Thanks to the help of over 20 volunteers, the Nashawannuck Pond steering committee, US Fish & Wildlife, and the City of Worcester, we packed 132 barley straw bales and installed them across 10 locations around Nashawannuck Pond. From here, we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of this mitigation approach using a CyanoFluor that can detect presence of cyanobacteria in a sample. By gathering water quality data we can understand how to help reduce HAB’s in other parts of the watershed. Earth Day is Just the Beginning of Field Season! While Earth Day may be a fantastic way to get involved with environmental action, it’s only just the start of the field season ahead and all that our programs work has in store for this year. Check out our Events Calendar for upcoming opportunities.

A flurry of activity accompanied the start of April, as FirstLight Power, the owner and operator of Turner’s Falls dam and Northfield Mountain, released a Flows and Fish Passage Settlement Agreement. This agreement is between FirstLight and several agencies and organizations that have been involved in negotiating a new license to determine how the hydropower facilities will be operated for 30-50 years; CRC has been active in these talks but made the decision not to sign the agreement (keep reading to learn why). The Flows and Fish agreement was submitted to the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC), the agency responsible for issuing a final license to FirstLight. At the end of 2022, FirstLight blew by yet another deadline to submit a settlement agreement to address how the license would incorporate issues of fish/flow, erosion, cultural resources and recreation. At the beginning of the new year, FERC gave the company until March 31st to submit an agreement on all these topics. As you can see, FirstLight has only submitted an agreement related to fish passage and flows for habitat and whitewater recreation. It remains to be seen if there will be progress on any more agreements, but in the meantime, FirstLight’s submission to FERC has opened a public comment opportunity and we are asking YOU to write to FERC to weigh in on what you support and don’t support about the Flows and Fish agreement. We’re including some of our thoughts on the agreement below, but we encourage you to incorporate your personal perspective in your comments to FERC to demonstrate how these projects impact you and your community. CRC’s perspective on the Flows & Fish Agreement Some of the good stuff in the agreement: More water in the river during springtime to protect fish during the migration season Timed water releases to ensure whitewater paddlers have an opportunity to enjoy the Connecticut River, while still protecting species of concern Fish passage infrastructure that helps fish migrate up and down the river more quickly and more easily than before More gradual flow releases below the canal to minimize the impact of sudden fluctuations in river levels Some of the bad stuff: In summer months, the river will receive only about half the amount of water needed to provide enough flow for fish and macroinvertebrates That great fish passage infrastructure we mentioned before won’t be installed until nearly a decade after the license in finalized, in total 20 years after this process began The barrier net to protect fish from getting killed in the Northfield Mountain intake (tube that draws water up the mountain) doesn’t do much of anything to protect young fish and eggs from getting killed No mention of FirstLight’s obligation to manage invasive species in the area FirstLight is seeking a 50-year license term. This timeframe cannot account for how our climate and ecosystems will change over the next several decades Over the next few weeks and months, we’ll be keeping you updated on the process and opportunities to weigh in. To stay up to date on what’s coming up next, you can subscribe to our hydropower specific email newsletter here. Oh, and by the way, did you read about the release FirstLight isn’t sending a press release about? *The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing.  Please file comments using the Commission’s eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.  Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp.  You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments.  For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY).  In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy.  Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to:  Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.  Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:  Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.  The first page of any filing should include docket numbers P-1889-085 and P-2485-071.