2012 project updates
July 10, 2012
WRP staff, partners, and volunteers have been busy in 2012, implementing on-the-ground projects that improve water quality, fish & wildlife habitat, flood resiliency, and public access to the White River:
Tree plantings
This spring, the WRP worked with 8 landowners and 400 volunteers to plant 4,500 native trees along the White River in the towns of Bethel, Granville, Hancock, Hartford, Pomfret, and Royalton to improve water quality and stabilize streambanks. CHECK OUT planting project pictures on our Facebook page.
River cleanups
Since the flood, the WRP has worked with 350.org, Community College of Vermont, Connecticut River Watershed Council, Green Mountain National Forest, Green Up Vermont, Randolph Rotary Club, Rozalia Project, Trout Unlimited, Vermont Department of Labor, Vermont Law School, the towns of Braintree, Hartford, Pittsfield, Pomfret, Randolph, Rochester, Royalton, and Sharon, and almost 500 students and community volunteers to remove over 34,000 pounds of man-made trash along the White River and its tributaries.
The WRP will coordinate river cleanup events through the summer and fall in an attempt to remove as much remaining trash as possible. Keep an eye on our Events page to get involved in upcoming river cleanups and CHECK OUT cleanup project pictures on our Facebook page.
First Branch Phase 2 study
During 2012 and 2013, the WRP will work with Redstart Forestry, of Corinth, and the Vermont River Management Program to conduct a Phase 2 stream geomorphic assessment of the First Branch of the White River, from Washington downstream to Royalton, and seven major tributaries in the towns of Chelsea and Tunbridge. Redstart technicians will be taking stream measurements to identify opportunities to improve water quality, habitat, and flood resiliency.
After field work is complete, the project partners will host 2 public meetings to conduct outreach and seek input on the study findings, and will distribute a final River Corridor Management Plan to Washington, Chelsea, Tunbridge, and Royalton Selectboards and Planning Commissions, and interested residents.
Culvert replacements
The WRP is working with the Town of Rochester, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Green Mountain National Forest, and others to replace flood-damaged stream crossing culverts on 3 tributaries to the Upper White River: Howe, Marsh, and Nason Brooks. Replacement structures are designed to be flood resilient and fish-friendly by allowing passage of flood water, ice, debris, and aquatic organisms.
Monitoring river health
The WRP is monitoring post-flood impacts to watershed health through 3 complementary programs:
-WRP education partners worked with 12 schools to monitor impacts to crayfish, waterbugs, and riparian trees throughout the 2011-2012 school year. Click here to learn more about our school-based monitoring program.
-WRP staff and 24 volunteers are monitoring water quality at 22 swimming holes around the watershed this summer. Click here to see our latest monitoring results.
-WRP staff and partners are surveying and removing non-native invasive plants along roads, trails, and waterways in the Upper White River. Click here to learn more about the Upper White River Cooperative Weed Management Association – coming soon.
News
Posted: October 22, 2012 by wrp_admin
WRP wins national award
WRP wins national award
October 22, 2012
On Saturday, October 20, the White River Partnership received the National Fish Passage Program’s Partner of the Year Award from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Today, the USFWS released the following press release about the award:
Vermont’s White River Partnership Receives National Conservation Award
For Release: October 22, 2012 Contact: Catherine Hibbard 413-531-4276
Vermont’s White River Partnership received the 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Passage Program’s Partner of the Year Award at the partnership’s annual meeting in Rochester, VT.
The partnership, a small community-based non-profit organization, was recognized for its professionalism, dedication, and leadership in response to Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The storm damaged thousands of culverts and caused widespread flooding, stranding residents and isolating towns in the White River basin.
Mary and Greg Russ, Executive Director and Project Manager of the Oartnership respectively, acted quickly following the storm to identify failed road culverts and notify local, state, and federal authorities. Their efforts triggered the deployment of Service fish passage engineers and stream restoration experts to ensure that road crossing repairs promoted fish passage.
Fish-friendly crossings not only protect fish, they protect communities and are more economical in the long run because they can withstand flood events.
“Restoring waterways to reconnect habitats for fish is a priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Northeast. We are honored to work with the White River Partnership to meet our mutual goals in Vermont. The efforts of Mary and Greg Russ will improve conditions for fish and also for people for generations to come,” said Wendi Weber, northeast regional director for the Service.
Based on their experience responding to the 2011 storm, the Russes have continued to advocate for fish-friendly culverts and their environmental, social and economic benefits.
As a result of the on-the-ground response following Irene, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provided nearly $3 million in funding to rebuild storm-damaged infrastructure in the Town of Rochester alone. The funds also supported the purchase of land in floodplains for permanent restoration efforts.
“We are very grateful for all the help provided to us by the White River Partnership and Mary and Greg Russ,” said Rochester Selectman Larry Straus. “This led directly to a partnership between the Town, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Passage Program, U.S. Forest Service, and White River Partnership for funding to build improved, fish friendly projects for at least five damaged structures. They are the catalyst that made this joint project happen.”
The Partnership’s efforts also “helped spur a national discussion on road crossing standards,” said Susan Wells, the Service’s national fish passage program coordinator.
Initiated in 1999, the Service’s national fish passage program works with local communities to restore river systems. More than 700 partners nationwide collaborate with the program to rebuild infrastructure for long term resiliency and health of fisheries. Each year the program recognizes the accomplishments of one of these partners.
Learn more:
USFWS-National Fish Passage Program
USFWS-National Fish Passage Program/Northeast
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit our website, connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.
Posted: July 10, 2012 by wrp_admin
2012 project updates
2012 project updates
July 10, 2012
WRP staff, partners, and volunteers have been busy in 2012, implementing on-the-ground projects that improve water quality, fish & wildlife habitat, flood resiliency, and public access to the White River:
Tree plantings
This spring, the WRP worked with 8 landowners and 400 volunteers to plant 4,500 native trees along the White River in the towns of Bethel, Granville, Hancock, Hartford, Pomfret, and Royalton to improve water quality and stabilize streambanks. CHECK OUT planting project pictures on our Facebook page.
River cleanups
Since the flood, the WRP has worked with 350.org, Community College of Vermont, Connecticut River Watershed Council, Green Mountain National Forest, Green Up Vermont, Randolph Rotary Club, Rozalia Project, Trout Unlimited, Vermont Department of Labor, Vermont Law School, the towns of Braintree, Hartford, Pittsfield, Pomfret, Randolph, Rochester, Royalton, and Sharon, and almost 500 students and community volunteers to remove over 34,000 pounds of man-made trash along the White River and its tributaries.
The WRP will coordinate river cleanup events through the summer and fall in an attempt to remove as much remaining trash as possible. Keep an eye on our Events page to get involved in upcoming river cleanups and CHECK OUT cleanup project pictures on our Facebook page.
First Branch Phase 2 study
During 2012 and 2013, the WRP will work with Redstart Forestry, of Corinth, and the Vermont River Management Program to conduct a Phase 2 stream geomorphic assessment of the First Branch of the White River, from Washington downstream to Royalton, and seven major tributaries in the towns of Chelsea and Tunbridge. Redstart technicians will be taking stream measurements to identify opportunities to improve water quality, habitat, and flood resiliency.
After field work is complete, the project partners will host 2 public meetings to conduct outreach and seek input on the study findings, and will distribute a final River Corridor Management Plan to Washington, Chelsea, Tunbridge, and Royalton Selectboards and Planning Commissions, and interested residents.
Culvert replacements
The WRP is working with the Town of Rochester, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Green Mountain National Forest, and others to replace flood-damaged stream crossing culverts on 3 tributaries to the Upper White River: Howe, Marsh, and Nason Brooks. Replacement structures are designed to be flood resilient and fish-friendly by allowing passage of flood water, ice, debris, and aquatic organisms.
Monitoring river health
The WRP is monitoring post-flood impacts to watershed health through 3 complementary programs:
-WRP education partners worked with 12 schools to monitor impacts to crayfish, waterbugs, and riparian trees throughout the 2011-2012 school year. Click here to learn more about our school-based monitoring program.
-WRP staff and 24 volunteers are monitoring water quality at 22 swimming holes around the watershed this summer. Click here to see our latest monitoring results.
-WRP staff and partners are surveying and removing non-native invasive plants along roads, trails, and waterways in the Upper White River. Click here to learn more about the Upper White River Cooperative Weed Management Association – coming soon.
Posted: May 10, 2012 by wrp_admin
Grants fund WRP flood recovery projects
Grants fund WRP flood recovery projects
May 10, 2012
The White River Partnership (WRP) has received five grants in 2012 to implement flood recovery projects that improve water quality, fish & wildlife habitat, and public access as well as engage people and local communities in watershed stewardship activities.
National Forest Foundation (NFF)
The National Forest Foundation provides matching funds for on-the-ground restoration and citizen-based monitoring projects benefitting America’s National Forests. The WRP received NFF funding to restore a 2.7-acre riparian buffer at the Bagley Farm in Granville; to replace the Nason Brook culvert at Woodlawn Cemetery in Rochester; to conduct non-native invasive plant control and survey projects on high-priority, Green Mountain National Forest and adjoining privately-owned sites; and to engage community volunteers in hands-on project implementation and monitoring activities.
Vermont Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP)
Vermont’s Ecosystem Restoration Program takes action to accelerate the reduction of sediment and nutrient pollution from uncontrolled runoff into our streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands, and lakes. The WRP received ERP funds to improve water quality and flood resiliency through river corridor assessment, mapping, and planning in the First Branch sub-watershed.
Vermont Watershed Grant (VWG)
Vermont Watershed Grant 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 received VWG funds to implement flood recovery projects with volunteers, including planting 3,000 native trees and shrubs along the river and removing man-made trash along 50 miles of the White River.
WaterWheel Foundation
The WaterWheel Foundation was created by Phish in 1997 to oversee the band’s various charitable activities. The WRP received WaterWheel funding to implement on-the-ground projects that restore flood-damaged riverbanks, property, and infrastructure.
Wellborn Ecology Fund (WEF)
The Wellborn Ecology Fund serves to increase knowledge about the environment, ecology, and natural history of the Upper Valley through support of experientially-oriented programs that focus on the region’s people, schools, institutions, and communities. The WRP received WEF funds to work with Verdana Ventures education consultants and 5 watershed schools to use the White River as an outdoor classroom with a focus on monitoring impacts from Tropical Storm Irene flooding.
We want to thank NFF, ERP, VWG, WaterWheel, and WEF for their generous support of our 2012 flood recovery projects!