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Winter 2013 Newsletter:
Current News and Events
Hydro Relicensing Continues for Five CT River Facilities
Relicensing of five Connecticut River hydropower projects, located in Vermont and Massachusetts, will greatly affect the Connecticut River for years to come. TransCanada and First Light, the two companies who own the dams, have now issued their study plan proposals and will host additional public meetings to discuss the proposed studies in May and June. Comments on these proposals are due by July 15. You can read CRWC’s comments by visiting the companies’ websites or the FERC e-library. To read the full study proposals, get information about the upcoming public meetings, or to submit comments, please visit the company websites:
www.transcanada-relicensing.com
www.northfieldrelicensing.com
This is your chance to voice concerns and insist on improved ecological health & recreational opportunities for over 175 miles of the Connecticut River. Contact us with any questions about these meetings or the five hydroelectric projects. Read more.
For a full list of upcoming public meetings, click here.
Other River News
- State Uses CRWC Reports in VT Yankee Case Bellows Falls dam For over a year CRWC has been working with expert scientists to debunk Entergy’s case for dumping hot water into the CT River. CRWC’s expert reports have been presented to the VT Agency of Natural Resources and the Public Service Board, who will decide later this year whether Entergy should get a new license to operate. Meanwhile, Entergy is fighting tooth and nail to get these reports thrown out. Thanks to the terrific legal support provided by the Vermont Natural Resources Council & VT Law School, the reports have been admitted into the Public Service Board proceeding as sound scientific evidence. Read more & take action.
- CRWC weighs in on University of Connecticut’s request for additional water supply Two of three alternatives in the Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) involve diversions of water from the CT River watershed. Inter-basin transfers should be well scrutinized and those requesting them need to be responsible water users with demonstrated water conservation and efficiency measures in place. However the state does not currently have an adequate process for evaluating such requests. Read the letter.
- The Chickley River will be restored We Did It! It’s been over a year since five miles of the Chickley River in Hawley, Massachusetts were dredged, straightened, and bermed, wrecking the river’s legally designated cold-water fishery. CRWC, representing a group of citizens, has been a party to the enforcement appeal proceedings in this case to ensure the river is properly restored. We had to fight for a place at the table, but we got one. We had to push for more and better restoration, but we got it. Read more.
The Clean Water Project of the Greater Hartford area was overwhelmingly approved on November 6th by the residents of Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. The Project will stop over 1 billion gallons of raw sewage from entering the Connecticut and Park Rivers every year, giving us all healthier rivers and a healthier economy.
Tropcial Storm Irene: Stories of What Went Right Vermonters have come together to rebuild, to cope and to understand the devastation and loss of life caused by the state’s worst natural disaster in more than 80 years. CRWC and The Conservation Law Foundation joined together to produce 2 short films that examine the flooding and why some locations fared better than similar places. The films are narrated by Gov. Howard Dean.
Bacteria Monitoring - New Interactive Website for River Users The new website offers guidance about whether the water is clean enough for swimming and boating relative to the weekly bacteria levels, so that river users can make informed decisions to prevent potential illness. 
River of Words CurriculumROW-CT River is a place-based art and poetry program designed to promote watershed awareness, literacy and the arts. ROW-CT River brings the innovative pedagogy of River of Words to young people and educators in the Connecticut River Valley, through online lessons and resources, school-based programs, professional development, and a growing network of community partners.- More ...
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Image credits above: Mass. DEP; ©Al Braden www.albradenphoto..com; CRWC Staff;
Image Credits at Right - Illustrations: Bill Singleton; Photos: Elisabeth Cianciola, CRWC Staff.
Map: Bill Singleton; ©Al Braden www.albradenphoto.com; Kyla Bennett;
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