Housatonic River Basin Natural Resources Restoration Plan
Housatonic River Basin Natural Resources Restoration Plan
In 2009, the Connecticut SubCouncil Trustees released the Housatonic River Basin Final Natural Resources Restoration Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Environmental Impact Evaluation for Connecticut funding 27 projects aimed at restoring, rehabilitating or acquiring the equivalent of the natural resources and recreational uses of the Housatonic River that were injured by the release of PCBs from the GE facility in Pittsfield, Mass. Funding for these projects comes from a 1999 settlement with General Electric that included $7.75 million for projects in Connecticut, and grew to more than $9 million in an interest-bearing account. The Plan provided $7 million to 27 projects, across three restoration categories:
- Aquatic natural resources (approximately $1.7 million),
- Riparian and floodplain natural resources (approximately $2.8 million), and
- Recreational use of natural resources (approximately $2.6 million).
Since the actual cost of the aquatic natural resource projects was substantially less than the riparian and recreational use projects, the Trustee SubCouncil reserved a portion of the settlement to fund future projects in this category, through amendments to the plan, and those remaining settlement funds have grown to more than $2 million in an interest-bearing fund. In June 2013, the Trustees released Final Amendment to the Housatonic River Basin Final Natural Resources Restoration Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Environmental Impact Evaluation for Connecticut, describing 7 additional aquatic restoration projects that will be implemented.
Proposals for the 27 projects awarded funding under the original Housatonic River Basin Final Natural Resources Restoration Plan, as well all proposals submitted for funding under the Final Amendment to the Housatonic River Basin Final Natural Resources Restoration Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Environmental Impact Evaluation for Connecticut are available below.
Original Project Proposals
Project: Audubon Carse Brook Wetlands Restoration
Project Sponsor: Audubon Sharon
Supplemental Information PDF Audubon Carse Brook Wetlands Restoration Project Map PDF Audubon Carse Brook Wetlands Restoration Summary Report PDF Audubon Carse Brook Wetlands Restoration
View photos from this project PDF Audubon Carse Brook Wetlands Restoration
PDF Audubon Carse Brook Wetlands Restoration
Project: Ball Pond and Shortwoods Brooks Water Quality Improvement and Pedestrian Access
Project Sponsor: Town of New Fairfield
Supplemental Information PDF Ball Pond and Shortwoods Brooks 2013 Dunham Pond Invasive Species Management Plan PDF Ball Pond and Shortwoods Brooks
2015 Report PDF Ball Pond and Shortwoods Brooks
View photos from this project PDF Ball Pond and Shortwoods Brooks
PDF Ball Pond and Shortwoods Brooks
Project: Ballantine Park Streambank Restoration/Stabilization
Project Sponsor: Town of Southbury
Supplemental Information PDF Ballantine Park Streambank Restoration/Stabilization Pomperaug River Restoration PDF Ballantine Park Streambank Restoration/Stabilization Final Performance Report PDF Ballantine Park Streambank Restoration/Stabilization
Project: Beacon Falls Riverfront Park System
Project Sponsor: Town of Beacon Falls
Supplemental Information PDF Beacon Falls Riverfront Park System Riverbend Park Concept Plan PDF Beacon Falls Riverfront Park System Riverbend aerial photo PDF Beacon Falls Riverfront Park System
View photos from this project PDF Beacon Falls Riverfront Park System
PDF Beacon Falls Riverfront Park System
Project: Blackberry River Fish Passage Restoration
Project Sponsor: CT DEEP Inland Fisheries
Supplemental Information PDF Blackberry River Fish Passage Restoration
Project: Campville Fishing Access
Project Sponsor: Town of Harwinton
Supplemental Information PDF Campville Fishing Access
View photos from this project PDF Campville Fishing Access
Project: "Car-top" Boat Launches in the Town of Kent
Project Sponsor: Town of Kent
Supplemental Information PDF "Car-top" Boat Launches in the Town of Kent
Project: Conservation of the Frost and CL&P Riverfront Properties in Sharon, CT
Project Sponsor: Housatonic Valley Association
Supplemental Information PDF Conservation of the Frost and CL&P Riverfront Properties County Times News Article-Belter property PDF Conservation of the Frost and CL&P Riverfront Properties
County Times News Article-Frost property PDF Conservation of the Frost and CL&P Riverfront Properties Final Performance Report PDF Conservation of the Frost and CL&P Riverfront Properties
View photos from this project PDF Conservation of the Frost and CL&P Riverfront Properties
PDF Conservation of the Frost and CL&P Riverfront Properties
Project: Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall
Project Sponsor: Housatonic Valley Association
Supplemental Information PDF Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall Register Citizen article PDF Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall
HVA Today article PDF Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall 2015 Report PDF Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall Final Report PDF Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall
View photos from this project PDF Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall
PDF Fish Ladder Repair and Riparian Vegetation Restoration, Cornwall
Project: Habitat Restoration on Housatonic River: Control of Non-native Invasive Plants (Phragmites)
Project Sponsor: CT DEEP Wildlife Division
Supplemental Information PDF Habitat Restoration on Housatonic River: Control of Non-native Invasive Plants (Phragmites) 2012 Report PDF Habitat Restoration on Housatonic River: Control of Non-native Invasive Plants (Phragmites) 2013 Report PDF Habitat Restoration on Housatonic River: Control of Non-native Invasive Plants (Phragmites) 2014 Report PDF Habitat Restoration on Housatonic River: Control of Non-native Invasive Plants (Phragmites) 2015 Report PDF Habitat Restoration on Housatonic River: Control of Non-native Invasive Plants (Phragmites)
Project: Halfway River Fishery Access
Project Sponsor: Town of Newtown
Supplemental Information PDF Halfway River Fishery Access
Project: Housatonic and Naugatuck Watershed Trout Stocking and Stream Improvement
Project Sponsor: Naugatuck/Pomperaug Chapter Trout Unlimited
Supplemental Information PDF Housatonic and Naugatuck Watershed Trout Stocking and Stream Improvement 2015 Report PDF Housatonic and Naugatuck Watershed Trout Stocking and Stream Improvement
PDF Housatonic and Naugatuck Watershed Trout Stocking and Stream Improvement
Project: Housatonic Valley River Trail
Project Sponsor: USDA/NRCS King's Mark
Supplemental Information PDF Housatonic Valley River Trail
Project: Increased Law Enforcement Patrols at Bull's Bridge and Other Problem Areas
Project Sponsor: CT DEEP Inland Fisheries and Law Enforcement
Supplemental Information PDF Increased Law Enforcement Patrols at Bull's Bridge and Other Problem Areas 2011 Report PDF Increased Law Enforcement Patrols at Bull's Bridge and Other Problem Areas 2012 Report PDF Increased Law Enforcement Patrols at Bull's Bridge and Other Problem Areas 2013 Report PDF Increased Law Enforcement Patrols at Bull's Bridge and Other Problem Areas 2014 Report PDF Increased Law Enforcement Patrols at Bull's Bridge and Other Problem Areas
Project: Indian Fields Wildlife Preserve
Project Sponsor: NW Conservation District
Supplemental Information PDF Indian Fields Wildlife Preserve Native Meadows Management Plan (2012) PDF Indian Fields Wildlife Preserve
A 25-acre floodplain along the Housatonic River in New Milford was permanently protected by the Northwest Conservation District. A parking area and trail have been installed to provide access to the public. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Project: O'Sullivan's Island Peninsula Riverbank Restoration and Enhancement
Project Sponsor: Valley Council of Governments
Supplemental Information PDF O'Sullivan's Island Peninsula Riverbank Restoration and Enhancement New Haven Register article PDF O'Sullivan's Island Peninsula Riverbank Restoration and Enhancement CT Post article PDF O'Sullivan's Island Peninsula Riverbank Restoration and Enhancement
Project: Recreational Easements and Riparian Buffer Zones for Housatonic Basin Streams
Project Sponsor: DEEP Land Acquisition and Management
Project: Restoration of Coarse Woody Habitat Housatonic River Main Stem Impoundments
Project Sponsor: CT B.A.S.S. Federation
Project: Salmon Creek/Housatonic River Land Protection
Project Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
Supplemental Information PDF Salmon Creek/Housatonic River Land Protection 2016 Final Report PDF Salmon Creek/Housatonic River Land Protection
View photos from this project PDF Salmon Creek/Housatonic River Land Protection
Project: Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement
Project Sponsor: Trout Unlimited
Supplemental Information PDF Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement Republican American Article PDF Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement
Trout Unlimited Blog PDF Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement Final Report PDF Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement
View photos from this project PDF Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement
PDF Salmon Kill Restoration and Enhancement
Twenty students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School planted more than 140 shrubs and saplings as part of the Trout Unlimited project to restore riparian habitat on the Salmon Kill River. TU hopes to rehabilitate floodplain forest and riparian forested habitat, restore eroded stream banks, and enhance in-stream habitat to benefit native brook trout and wild brown trout populations.
Project: Schaghticoke Indian Reservation Car Top Boat, Canoe, Kayak Access Ramp
Project Sponsor: Schaghticoke Tribal Nation Environmental Committee
Supplemental Information PDF Schaghticoke Indian Reservation Car Top Boat, Canoe, Kayak Access Ramp Withdrawal Letter PDF Schaghticoke Indian Reservation Car Top Boat, Canoe, Kayak Access Ramp
Project: Sega Meadows Park River Enhancement
Project Sponsor: Town of New Milford
Supplemental Information PDF Sega Meadows Park River Enhancement Final Report PDF Sega Meadows Park River Enhancement
View photos from this project PDF Sega Meadows Park River Enhancement
PDF Sega Meadows Park River Enhancement
Project: Transylvania Brook Culvert Crossing at East Flat Hill Road
Project Sponsor: Town of Southbury
Supplemental Information PDF Transylvania Brook Culvert Crossing at East Flat Hill Road
Project: Upper Housatonic Riparian Vegetation, Shoreline and Recreational Access Improvements
Project Sponsor: Housatonic Valley Association
Project: Waterfowl - Woodcock Study for Habitat Creation
Project Sponsor: Schaghticoke Tribal Nation Environmental Committee
Supplemental Information PDF Waterfowl - Woodcock Study for Habitat Creation
Project: Wimisink Preserve Restoration and Access
Project Sponsor: Naromi Land Trust, Inc.
Supplemental Information PDF Wimisink Preserve Restoration and Access Report PDF Wimisink Preserve Restoration and Access Articles PDF Wimisink Preserve Restoration and Access
View photos from this project PDF Wimisink Preserve Restoration and Access
PDF Wimisink Preserve Restoration and Access
Project: Youngsfield Park Riverwalk and Greenway
Project Sponsor: Town of New Milford
Supplemental Information PDF Youngsfield Park Riverwalk and Greenway Youngs Field Final Performance Report PDF Youngsfield Park Riverwalk and Greenway
View photos from this project PDF Youngsfield Park Riverwalk and Greenway
Amendment Project Proposals
Project: Power Line Marsh Housatonic River Habitat Restoration Project
Project Sponsor: CT DEEP
View photos from this project PDF Power Line Marsh Housatonic River Habitat Restoration Project
PDF Power Line Marsh Housatonic River Habitat Restoration Project
Project: Restoration and Research of American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) in the Housatonic River Watershed
Project Sponsor: Housatonic Environmental Action League, Inc.
Project: Housatonic Watershed Habitat Continuity in Northwest Connecticut
Project Sponsor: Housatonic Valley Association
Habitat Continuity Report Final PDF Housatonic Watershed Habitat Continuity in Northwest Connecticut
Project: Heminway Pond Dam Removal, Steele Brook, Aquatic Natural Resources Restoration/Enhancement
Project Sponsor: Town of Watertown
Project: Leetes Island Tidal Marsh Habitat Restoration Project
Project Sponsor: CT DEEP
Project: Long Beach West Tidal Marsh Habitat Restoration Project
Project Sponsor: CT DEEP
Project Withdrawal Letter PDF Long Beach West Tidal Marsh Habitat Restoration Project
Project: McKinney NWR Great Meadows Unit, Stratford, Connecticut Conceptual Marsh Restoration
Project Sponsor: Lordship Point/Raymark Trustee Council
Project: Old Papermill Pond Dam Fish Passage Project
Project Sponsor: Ousatonic Fish and Game Club
Project: Removal of Pin Shop Pond Dam
Project Sponsor: The Old Pin Shop, LLC
Project: Tingue Dam Bypass Channel
Project Sponsor: CT DEEP
(Application for NOAA Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Grants Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) This project is primarily being funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; Housatonic NRD funds will only be applied should there be a budget shortfall.
Project Contacts
| Name | Organization | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Finkelstein Ph.D.(Trustee) | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | 617-918-1499 | ken.finkelstein@noaa.gov PDF Ken Finkelstein email |
| Rick Jacobson (Trustee) | Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection | rick.jacobson@ct.gov PDF Rick Jacobson email | |
| Molly Sperduto (Trustee) | United States Fish and Wildlife Service | 603-223-2541 | molly_sperduto@fws.gov PDF Molly Sperduto email |
| Robin Blum | Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection | 860-424-4137 | robin.blum@ct.gov PDF Robin Blum email |
Fact Sheet PDF Housatonic River Basin Natural Resources Restoration Plan
Related Links
EPA's Housatonic River Site PDF EPA Housatonic River
For additional information, please contact Robin Blum PDF Robin Blum email contact, CT DEEP Eastern District Headquarters, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough, CT 06447.
Content last updated February 14, 2020.