News

The WRP and Ripple Natural Resources have completed a streambank restoration design project in Sharon. The WRP received funding from the state’s Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP) to develop a design that would address erosion along the White River adjacent to the Schindler gravel pit in Sharon. The gravel pit was used by the towns of Pomfret and Sharon for 50+ years to provide sand and gravel for road maintenance activities.

The River Corridor Plan for the White River and tributaries in the Town of Sharon identified a heightened concern for pit capture at the site, given the proximity of the pit to the river as well as eroding river banks up-and down-stream. Due in part to this finding, the Town of Sharon stopped using the gravel pit in 2011. Flooding during Tropical Storm Irene further undermined the river banks nearest the pit, so the landowner reached out to the town and the WRP for assistance.

With ERP funding, the WRP hired Ripple Natural Resources to complete a project site survey and basemap; prepare draft engineering plans; coordinate an onsite review of the draft plans with project partners; prepare final plans based on input from project partners; and prepare a construction cost estimate and bid form. The final design includes 2 primary elements: buttressing and restoring native vegetation on the narrowest point between the gravel pit and the river, and addressing stormwater runoff from the access road into the gravel pit.

The WRP partnered with the Schindler family, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Town of Sharon to complete the design project. The Schindler family has entered an agreement to sell the 450-acre parcel to The Nature Conservancy, who will conserve it and add it to their adjacent White River Ledges Natural Area. The WRP will work with the Schindler family, TNC, and the Town of Sharon to plan and raise funds for restoration activities at the site to improve water quality and public health and safety.

The WRP has received two grants to implement on-the-ground restoration projects that will improve flood resilience in the Upper White River valley towns of Hancock and Stockbridge.

Vermont’s Ecosystem Restoration Program takes action to reduce sediment and nutrient pollution from uncontrolled runoff into streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands, and lakes. The WRP will use ERP funds to acquire a conservation easement and to restore native vegetation along 2 river-side fields: one along the White River above Hancock village and one along the White River above Gaysville. Allowing the river to access these critical floodplains will reduce the speed and erosive power of floodwaters before they reach the more developed village centers.

Visit this link to learn more about the WRP’s river corridor protection program.