Ayers Brook 101
December 08, 2006
In December 2006, the WRP hosted a kick-off public meeting for the Ayers Brook Corridor Planning Project (Project). Funded by a grant from the UVCF’s Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund, the Project goal is to work with the communities of Brookfield, Braintree, and Randolph to develop a comprehensive management plan that will effectively restore Ayers Brook.
Ayers Brook is the focus of a corridor planning effort because 4 years of water quality monitoring data show elevated E.coli, temperature, and sediment. In addition, stream geomorphic assessments show that Ayers Brook is in the process of widening, which results in severely eroding banks. Potential solutions to these problems include restoring streamside vegetation; replacing undersized culverts and bridges; and conserving the river corridor – the river, its banks, and the flood plain on each side – to reduce future conflicts.
The public meeting was designed to educate the community about the Project and to encourage local involvement. Since December, the WRP and its partners have been meeting with individual landowners to identify opportunities to improve the stability of Ayers Brook on their properties. The projects identified will be the basis of a comprehensive management plan, which the WRP and its partners, including the VT Water Quality Division, the VT Agency of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission, and Bear Creek Environmental, will work together to implement.
The WRP is pursuing similar projects in the Upper River and Tweed River sub-watersheds. For more information, please contact Mary Russ at (802) 767-4600.
News
Posted: February 9, 2007 by wrp_admin
Mongolia Watershed Presentation
Mongolia Watershed Presentation
February 09, 2007
On January 25 at the Montshire Museum of Science, Randolph residents Jenna Guarino, a watershed educator, and Ed Delhagen, a sustainable development specialist, spoke about their travels to Mongolia to help launch an ambitious project called Securing Our Future. Jenna and Ed’s beautiful slideshow highlighted their experiences helping the citizens of Mongolia create watershed protection policies and a nationwide river monitoring program in 2006. This presentation was the first event in the WRP’s 2007 Education Series, which is designed to raise awareness about watershed issues and to promote local stewardship. Thanks to Jenna and Ed for an inspiring presentation and to the Montshire Museum and the Upper Valley Food Cooperative for co-hosting this event!
Posted: December 14, 2006 by wrp_admin
2006 Sami Izzo Award
2006 Sami Izzo Award
December 14, 2006
In 2006, the WRP presented the Sami Izzo Award to Dan McKinley. The award is given to individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to the WRP and our community. Sami Izzo was a tireless, committed, and enthusiastic supporter of the WRP. She was the first chair of the Down Stream Team and served on the Executive, Steering, and Outreach committees of the WRP Board of Directors. She not only contributed her thoughts, but also energized us with her can-do attitude that helped us see that doing more was possible.
Dan’s contributions to the WRP are significant. A fisheries biologist with the Green Mountain National Forest in Rochester, Dan has been involved with the WRP since its inception. Dan served on the first Board of Directors and from 2000 through 2005 was the WRP Projects Manager. Since 2005, Dan has continued this work on a volunteer basis – making site visits; designing restoration projects; writing permits; and overseeing project implementation. In addition, Dan is an active volunteer with the Upper River Stream Team.
According to Board member Geo Honigford, Dan’s energy and enthusiasm exemplify Sami’s example: “I can think of no one better that fits into Sami’s example and has enhanced the health of the White River as much as our honoree Dan McKinley. Dan is all of what Sami was: full of energy, lively, dependable, and fun. He is a pure joy to work with and his energy for and love of the White River help motivate others to try a little harder. Dan has taught the Partnership members and citizens of the White River valley more about how rivers work than any other person on the planet. He truly is Mister White River.” Thank you, Dan, and congratulations!
Posted: December 8, 2006 by wrp_admin
Ayers Brook 101
Ayers Brook 101
December 08, 2006
In December 2006, the WRP hosted a kick-off public meeting for the Ayers Brook Corridor Planning Project (Project). Funded by a grant from the UVCF’s Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund, the Project goal is to work with the communities of Brookfield, Braintree, and Randolph to develop a comprehensive management plan that will effectively restore Ayers Brook.
Ayers Brook is the focus of a corridor planning effort because 4 years of water quality monitoring data show elevated E.coli, temperature, and sediment. In addition, stream geomorphic assessments show that Ayers Brook is in the process of widening, which results in severely eroding banks. Potential solutions to these problems include restoring streamside vegetation; replacing undersized culverts and bridges; and conserving the river corridor – the river, its banks, and the flood plain on each side – to reduce future conflicts.
The public meeting was designed to educate the community about the Project and to encourage local involvement. Since December, the WRP and its partners have been meeting with individual landowners to identify opportunities to improve the stability of Ayers Brook on their properties. The projects identified will be the basis of a comprehensive management plan, which the WRP and its partners, including the VT Water Quality Division, the VT Agency of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission, and Bear Creek Environmental, will work together to implement.
The WRP is pursuing similar projects in the Upper River and Tweed River sub-watersheds. For more information, please contact Mary Russ at (802) 767-4600.