On January 13 at 6:30pm at the Bethel Town Hall interested community members are invited to provide feedback on the final design of three proposed river-side parks in Bethel: 251 Marsh Meadow Road, 132 Spring Hollow Road, and 2811 Gilead Brook Road.
The town of Bethel received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to coordinate a community planning and design project at their FEMA buyout properties, and have hired Randolph-based DuBois & King to develop a conceptual design of potential public access improvements at each site.
The January 13 public meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to review the conceptual designs and to provide feedback on final design elements, including parking areas, walking trails, river access, and interpretive signs. DuBois & King will incorporate feedback into final designs in January. The towns have the option to apply for additional CDBG funds to implement the final design components in 2015.
The three properties were privately-owned and severely-damaged during Tropical Storm Irene. The towns applied for FEMA buyout funding to purchase the properties from the private landowners, to remove the damaged structures and infrastructure, and to grade and seed the sites. Permanent deed restrictions will limit future development to reduce flood damages at the sites. The state has set aside $750,000 in CDBG funds to help towns plan and construct buyout site improvements that meet community needs.
Visit our River Access Improvement Project page for more information.
News
Posted: April 1, 2015 by wrp_admin
WRP receives 2 flood recovery grants
The White River Partnership (WRP) has received two grants to implement flood recovery projects that improve water quality, fish & wildlife habitat, and public access as well as engage community members in hands-on stewardship activities in 2015.
The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation supports community-based education and environmental projects in the Upper Valley. The WRP will use Byrne Foundation funds to work with over 500 students and community volunteers, the Green Mountain National Forest, Verdana Ventures, and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to understand impacts to water quality from Irene flooding by monitoring biological, chemical, and recreational parameters at high-priority sites around the watershed.
Vermont Watershed Grant (VWG) funds are granted to support on-the-ground projects that protect or restore water quality and shorelines, enhance recreational use, and educate people about watershed resources. The WRP will use VWG funds to implement Irene recovery projects with volunteers, including planting native trees and shrubs along the river; addressing erosion issues on Class 4 roads; and removing man-made trash from river access sites along the White River and its tributaries.
We want to thank Byrne Foundation and VWG for their generous support of our 2015 flood recovery projects!
Posted: March 16, 2015 by wrp_admin
Tom Warhol joins WRP Board of Directors
The White River Partnership (WRP) welcomes Tom Warhol, who joined the Board of Directors in February. Tom and his wife, Lisa, live in Bethel-Gilead.
“We are grateful to have Tom’s passion for rivers and exceptional skill set working on behalf of the White River watershed,” said Executive Director Mary Russ.
Tom has had extensive experience in the natural resources field, working for The Nature Conservancy, the American Chestnut Foundation, the Massachusetts Riverways Program, and the New England Wildflower Society before moving into nonprofit fundraising with VINS and now as Grants Manager for the Vermont Foodbank. He also earned a master’s degree in forestry from UMass Amherst.
In addition Tom has managed a freelance writing and editing career since 2001; the result has been a dozen books with a focus on environmental education and wildlife conservation. Tom and his wife are active in the Bethel community as well – Tom is a member of the Bethel Conservation Commission and Lisa is the town’s Herald correspondent.
Follow this link for more information about the WRP Board of Directors.
Posted: January 6, 2015 by wrp_admin
Bethel seeks input on proposed river-side parks
On January 13 at 6:30pm at the Bethel Town Hall interested community members are invited to provide feedback on the final design of three proposed river-side parks in Bethel: 251 Marsh Meadow Road, 132 Spring Hollow Road, and 2811 Gilead Brook Road.
The town of Bethel received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to coordinate a community planning and design project at their FEMA buyout properties, and have hired Randolph-based DuBois & King to develop a conceptual design of potential public access improvements at each site.
The January 13 public meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to review the conceptual designs and to provide feedback on final design elements, including parking areas, walking trails, river access, and interpretive signs. DuBois & King will incorporate feedback into final designs in January. The towns have the option to apply for additional CDBG funds to implement the final design components in 2015.
The three properties were privately-owned and severely-damaged during Tropical Storm Irene. The towns applied for FEMA buyout funding to purchase the properties from the private landowners, to remove the damaged structures and infrastructure, and to grade and seed the sites. Permanent deed restrictions will limit future development to reduce flood damages at the sites. The state has set aside $750,000 in CDBG funds to help towns plan and construct buyout site improvements that meet community needs.
Visit our River Access Improvement Project page for more information.