Housatonic Whitewater

Taking steps in the right direction....

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 04:26:00 +0000

by a mayor of a town, no less. (that's a rare thing)

go here http://www.housatonicrestoration.org
click on "Project Proposals and Ideas"
look at P-32 "Hidden Treasures Park Fish Ladder and kayak Raceway at Bleachery Dam" (have to download it to read it, but it's only a 7 page PDF so it's easy)

this proposal will make a whitewater passageway through a low-head dam that has killed several people. That will bring more attention to the dam so more people know about the hazard. AND, it will create a safer play area for kayakers. Essentially saying, this side is dangerous, stay away, but this side is where you can play.

At the same time, it will clean up a littered island, stabilize the river bank, and make a really nice park for hanging out.

It will provide a nice landing area and path for recreational paddlers to portage around the dam and whitewater area. It will also help lessen the impact of the annual floods on the river that usually mess up a big part of downtown New Milford.

Good news all around.

HACKS has contacted the major of New Milford and offered to help with this project.

you might also want to download and read P-58 (Removal or major breach of North Canaan/Salisbury Dam)

Information Conference 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:48:00 +0000

https://nt1.adventuresports.com/canoe/WhitewaterCoursesandParks/news.htm

The conference in october of 2005 is what motivated me to get this stuff going on the Housatonic. The HACKS sent me out to Colorado for the conference and it was a big help. Lots of questions were answered. AND, it was fun to hang out with lots of cool people.

babies swimming

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:20:00 +0000

http://www.infantswim.com/home.html

low head dam modification info on AW site

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:56:00 +0000

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Forum/read/send/21,358/

some interesting articles. Good to see that people are learning more about the benefits of removal, modification, and redesigns of these horrible structures.

get the information quickly

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 08:50:00 +0000

you can now subscribe to this site and have the posts come to your email inbox.
That way you can keep track of any and all updates about the Housatonic River projects as they happen.

(this is only something to keep you updated if it's something you feel you want. It's NOT a spammer thing, just a way to get the news faster. That's all.)

low head dam engineering mission

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 02:26:00 +0000

engineering student project

a movement is starting in the civil engineering world that recognizes how dangerous low head dams are and that they can be redesigned to serve a purpose beyond their original one.

why low head dams must be modified

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:20:00 +0000

just some links to site about low head dams. These are drowning machines, that COULD be designed or modified to be safer, actually they could be contructed to act as play spots instead of lethal obstacles. But, we must educate ourselves, and teach the public at large about the potential dangers in their rivers.

www.dnr.state.oh.us/water/dsafety/safeowner.htm

About the Binghamton drowning incident:
Binghamton,NY

Drowning incident video (very scary)
video

www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/lowhead.htm

dam removal paper (pdf)
DAMpdf

this site encourages people to go swimming near some places that have low head dams. How dangerous is that?!?
swimming

www.fish.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/lowhd1.htm
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/damhaz.htm

"Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are some of our most precious natural resources and should be enjoyed by all," Gov. Ridge said. "But these man-made dams can at times become killing machines. Until now, there’s been no warning that these dams are hazardous article_here

A great abstract on the subject:
read

scary videos:
video

more

MORE

again

crazy

“Maine
Lawsuit targets contractor in kayaker's death, (AP), 10/12/2005.
Lawsuit contends that a Sept. 20, 2003 drowning at the Sebasticook Lake dam was a result of negligent design, construction and installation of a trash screen installed in 2003. A kayaker became pinned against the grate during the annual drawdown of the lake. No-trespassing signs were posted on the dam, but no signs warned boaters of the open dam. The Cianbro Corp. says it will aggressively defend itself against the allegations.”
From this website: here

http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/983205

bleachery dam can be made like this one in Denver

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:19:00 +0000

These three photos are of the whitewater park in Denver. The flow was below 200cfs that day and the features are still playable. Not great,but it shows what is possible at low flow.
Note the construction of the whitewater section. It is built into a low-head dam, heading upstream of the dam. The bank has been sculpted from a formerly ugly structure into a nice gathering area. All of this acts as a fish ladder too, allowing fish passage around the low head dam.
Think of New Milford bleachery dam looking like this. The pond height is maintained so things don't change upstream. The features are useable at low water. And, I was told that at medium flows there are three GREAT playwaves. At high spring flows there is one world-class playspot!

This is a mid-city location so there is lots of concrete. New Milford could have minimal concrete and be mostly rock, earth, and grass to reflect the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Whitewater Dreams at G'ville

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 05:50:00 +0000

first, let me share the dream with you...

imagine if, 90 minutes north of New York City, where many outdoor enthusiasts, fishermen, boaters, hikers live, there was a nice park, a place along the Housatonic River that has been cared for, been transformed into a healthy environment for both fish and enthusiasts, a place where, during the low water summer months,when the water was warm and both fish and boaters were looking for places to be, a 100 yard stretch of river were transformed into a playspot for boaters,and a refuge for fish.

picture the possibilities here.

Just under the bridge,to river-right could be a beautiful playspot modeled after T'ville.

Off of the concrete pad, an extention could easilty provide handicapped fishing access.

The granite rubble pile that is currently in the center of the river could be clean up, rearranged into eddies and holes, providing a resting place and oxygen for many species of fish.

A place to teach your children how to kayak or fish, helping to teach them the valuable resource that the river is.

whitewater project schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:22:00 +0000

from the meeting tonight, here are the due dates for the proposal process:

December 12 last day for written questions regarding the process (ask members of the sub committe about the process and proposals)

January 5 responses/comments to the questions are due from the sub committee

January 19 PROPOSALS ARE DUE

all proposals and ideas will be determined eligible or not for money by March 27

This will happen fast now.
The subcommittee will accept both full proposals and ideas. If you just have an idea then you can still use the proposal form to submit an idea. It will be considered and the subcommittee will consider if it can fit or help with another proposal that someone other group is suggesting.
Proposals and ideas will be accepted in writing only.
BUT, thoughts and questions can be submitted to

michael.powers@po.state.ct.us

for more informatioin about the available money for development along the Housatonic River visit

www.housatonicrestoration.org

turning dangerous dams into play parks

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:03:00 +0000

http://www.ogdencity.com/awr_rec.kayak_park.html

http://www.eddyflower.com/RunDetail.aspx?RunId=270

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Photo/detail/photoid/16940/

http://paddling.about.com/od/wheretopaddle/tp/playparks.htm

http://www.swwparkalliance.com/
http://www.grandvalleyriverpark.org/
http://www.whitewaterparks.com/
http://www.ripboard.com/community/whitewaterpark.shtml
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/stewardship:whitewater_parks
http://www.djc.com/news/en/11170278.html
http://www.streamteach.org/sister_whitewater_parks.html
http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/plan_your_trip/outdoors/kayak_park/
http://ci.golden.co.us/Page.asp?NavID=203
http://www.whitewaterpark.canoe-kayak.org/
http://www.benscreekcanoeclub.com/wwpark.html
http://www.paddlermagazine.com/issues/2005_3/article_265.shtml
http://oregonstate.edu/~etherine/kayaking/parks.html

low head dam related links

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 22:35:00 +0000

The bleachery dam in New Milford, CT is dangerous and can be removed or modified.
If left in it's current state,this "drowning machine" will surely continue to be a hazard to the increasing numbers of recreational users on the Housatonic River.

what is a low-head dam?
http://www.myccr.com/press/articles/article.php?article_id=17

what can be done about it?
http://www.desmoinesriver.org/retrofit.htm

supporting material:
http://www.fswtlaw.com/articles/numbered/72.htm
http://www.wrightwater.com/wwe/wwepubs/pdfs/Low-Head%20Dams%202-2004.pdf
http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1148282
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=39&id=49523
www.rose-hulman.edu/~sutterer/ EFRI/Low_Head_Dams_Report.pdf
http://www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft/facts/dams.htm

www.ohiodnr.com/enews/pdf/1202.pdf

files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/ safety/boatwater/drowningmachine.pdf

http://www.seakayak.ws/kayak/kayak.nsf/NavigationList/NT00435C8E
http://www.gopaddle.com/html/safety.html
http://www.myccr.com/press/articles/article.php?article_id=17&printer=1
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:VmiKuXCBxOAJ:oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03bump/background/edu/media/03cb_eddies.pdf+low-head+dam+drowning&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=8

New Milford Dam from above

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 03:42:00 +0000

notice how you cannot see the horizon line from the first sequence (about 100ft upstream)
imagine just how dangerous this is to the untrained eyes of recreational kayakers....

this could easily be modifed to have safer passage on either side, and perhaps it could even be a good playspot for mid summer and mid winter whitewater paddling, when the water is low.

illustrated here:
http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/kidsknow/INWATER/drowningmach.htm

Potential of the Bleachery Dam

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 03:34:00 +0000

cash in

have after work fun

big fun

instead of the deadly old broken down dam we have in New Milford.

pssst, hey government people. this kind of stuff brings money into town

and another manufacturer's team makea point to visit the dam in Richmond, VAhere

dreaming of Strike 3

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 06:04:00 +0000

we could build structures that allow us to do this on a regular basis......

a very productive housatonic whitewater meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Sat, 20 May 2006 19:06:00 +0000

May 18, 2006

an informal meeting of several groups who have an interest in the health and future well being of the Housatonic River.

Many groups expressed their desire to remove or modify the old bleachery dam in New Milford. When presented the idea of modifying it, to turn it into a useable whitewater feature(s) they were very receptive, with one person saying that they thought it is a great idea!

I seems that New Milford has alot of interest in expanding their waterfront recreation areas and creating more diverse opportunities on the Housatonic River. They already have powerboating and recreational kayak on the lake. Some recreational kayaks use the river,just upstream of the dam, but are very concerned about it's current state (since a few people have drowned at that old dam in the past).

This is a chance to help New Milford grow in a POSITIVE direction, become a more attractive town to outdoor enthusiasts, and make a nice whitewater kayaking area right here in our own back yard (and barely over an hour away from New York City)

Additional ideas that many groups were interested in were the following:

* handicap fishing access
* phosphate clean up
* river bank stabilization
* fishing & boating access
* the expansion of a riverside "greenway"
* thermal refuge repair and enhancement (Trout Unlimited's agenda)

many of these ideas can be incorporated into any whitewater feature/park proposal.
A whitewater park can help stabilize the river's bank, and create ADDITIONAL thermal refuges.

Handicap fishing access could easily be added to the concrete platform below the route 7 bridge in Gaylordsville. It can be part of a new play feature there (that I'm calling "Gville"). There is ALMOST a play spot there at low water right now. Just a couple of rocks and we'd have another tville!!!

does the Housatonic qualify for money?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 00:28:00 +0000

National Resource Trustee SubCouncil for Connecticut releases their requirements for projects that want to be eligible for money from the lawsuit settlement with General Electric.

They determined that the natural resources and services injured in the Connecticut portion of the Housatonic River were
1. Aquatic macroinvertebrates
2. Fishes
3. Birds (associated aquatic)
4. Mammals (associated aquatic)
5. Surface Waters (this is of special interest to us)
6. Fishing
7. Water Based Recreation (boating, swimming....)
8. Other River Based Recreation

A summary of the eligibility requirements...

1. Does the proposal contain the information identified by the CT Subcouncil as set out in the "Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Restoration Project Proposals?
(a "NO" response may render the proposed project ineligible for consideration)

2. Does the Proposed Project restore, rehabilitate, replace, and/or aquire natural resources or natural resource services equivalent to those that were injured by the release of PCBs or other hazardous substances from the GE facility at Pittlsfield, MA?
(a "NO" response renders the proposed project ineligible)

3. Is the Proposed Project, or any portion of the Proposed Project, an action that is presently required under other federal, state, or local law, including, but not limited to, enforcement actions?
(a "YES" response reders the proposed project ineligible)

4. Is the Proposed Project inconsistent with any federal, state, or local law or policy?
(a "YES" response renders the proposed project ineligible)

5. Will the proposed project, or any portion of the proposed project, be inconsistent with any ongoing or antiipated remedial actions in the Housatonic River watershed?
(a "YES" response renders the proposed project ineligible)

Happy Fish

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 05:54:00 +0000

Things change. Evolution or Revolution. Things change. With effort, things often change for the better. They improve, and continue to improve. time and time again. Our boats have changed and pushed us to new realms of fun and excitement. We like happy Fish. (see below)

*****************************************************************************************Remember the thrill of being a beginner? when any equipment will be sufficient, the excitement was just learning, being in an entirely new place, figuring out the things that your friends make look so simple.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Experts enjoy the same old places. But, we are running out of options unless we keep moving forward, dreaming, working.

Swift's is a great spot to play in June. But the water releases that we are all accustomed to are gone. We will take what we can get, but it's not much at this point. Waves like this can be built easily, with good eddies, and very little impact on the river during construction. Features like this are great for the fish. the inevitable eddy is a refuge in which they can hide from the mid day sun, and rest while swimming upstrem. That little break on top of the wave is actually enriching the water with oxygen. Good for fish because its' bad for algae.

Remember the mosquitos last summer? the fewer pools of calm water we have, the less this disasterous new flow regime will turn the Housatonic into a mosquito breeding ground.

Build more waves like at Swift's Bridge and we can manage the mosquito population, make the fish happy, and have some place to play.

riverhouse wave?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 03:54:00 +0000

This is the state of the Housatonic at low water. There are a few gates to run at the riverhouse in Falls Village. It's fun, but it could be better.

I encourage everyone to come visit the Riverhouse and see what it is about. When you are there, think of the potential. It's an ok slalom practice course. It could be so much more with only a small amount of easy work on our part. Shore up some eddies (the fish would like this too). Help keep the water from slamming into the curved bank so we can prevent erosion and keep the road in place.

Just a little tweak here and there, and we could have a wave at the top of the course, and another one about 2/3 the way down the course that would be better than the Swift's Bridge wave at the same flow.

Just picture a hot July day, when the water is running a low, warm 600 cfs. Instead of heading down to Swift's, you might be able to go to the Riverhouse, surf for an hour, hang out on the porch, watching the river, enjoying a moment in the shade, away from the hot sun. When you are all rested, you could just cross the street and jump back into the river for another surf session......

fun fun fund raiser for future fun fun fun

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 04:56:00 +0000

Housatonic Area Canoe & Kayak Squad (HACKS) is currently developing a plan for the creation of low-water river environment improvements that will provide a sheltered environment for the native species of fish, as well as make summer time boating a reality.
The next step in this process is raising enough money to get a whitewater park engineering company involved to help us further develop this comprehensive plan. This is where we can all pitch in and want to help. (scott@lozer.com)

Nicely framed with a durable metal gallery frame and plexiglas. This one is "Loop". It is the fourth and final generation (or "state" from this plate. 20 are in black and white only,but five were colored by hand.

All profits from the sale of these prints (until April 15) will go towards HACKS. The price of the prints includes shipping, framing, and basic HACKS membership for the year 2006.

With one already taken, only four of these will be for sale at a price of only $125. (shipping within continental U.S. is free)
The image size is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2", and the framed size is 9' x 12'

This one is called "To Be Run". It is a view from atop a large, technical waterfall. It is a scouting view as one decides how to negotiate this chaotic beauty. It, too, will show up at your doorstep in a quality gallery frame with plexiglas, that measures 9" x 12". The image size is 4" x 8". The price is $125 as your reminder of your contribution to the fun cause of making playwaves and better summer habitat. (shipping is free within continental U.S.A.)

Only available until April 15, 2006!

This is the second edition from this etching plate. (3 editions were made). All of this edition have been colored by hand (10). Since the color choices varied, they'll be listed with the number below them. (#3 of 10 is already spoken for)

"To Be Run" (second state) #9 of 10 (hand colored) $125

"To Be Run" (second state) #10 of 10 (hand colored) $125

"To Be Run" (second state) #8 of 10 (hand colored) $125

"To Be Run" (second state) #6 of 10, #2 of 10, #1 of 10 (hand colored) $125

"To Be Run" (second state) #7 of 10 (hand colored) $125

"To Be Run" (second stated) #4 of 10, #5 of 10 (hand colored) $125

Mail check to:
HACKS WWPark Fund
247 Bulls Bridge Road
South Kent, CT 06785

just look how great these will be hanging on your wall, a proud reminder that you are a part of this whole thing

Only available unti April 15, 2006!

Below you will find the larger print that is for benefit of this summer time plan. It is called "Over the Edge: double impression" There are only four of these prints; each one a different color. Therefore, every print is unique.

"Over the Edge: double impression" #1 of 4 $250
image size: 6" x 12" framed size 11" x 14"

"Over the Edge: double impression" #2 of 4 $250
image size: 6" x 12" framed size 11" x 14"

"Over the Edge: double impression" #3 of 4 $250
image size: 6" x 12" framed size 11" x 14"

"Over the Edge: double impression" #4 of 4 $250
image size: 6" x 12" framed size 11" x 14"

Just drop me an email to arrange shipping before they are all gone.
scott@lozer.com

Cohoes site visit

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:37:00 +0000

visited the proposed project site,and it was super exciting! The canal, which is one of the possible places that they'd put a ww park, is 1/2 mile long. Wow. that's long. The ww park section would be 1/4 mile! pretty long for a ww park.

currently the canal is 100' across, and the proposal is to lower the water level and remove alot of the berm to expose the original canal that is 50' across. This would add 25' of park space on either side of the ww section. Imagine a nice 1/2 long park surrounding a stretch of whitewater. Also, the original canal is super super old, so it's a piece of history.

the FALLS, which the canal bypasses, is 1000' across, and is a single drop of 80'. It's hard to see that kind of enormous scale in the photo, but just try to imagine that! 80' high!!!! 1000' across!!!! The rallying cry for this whole thing is to rewater the falls. Normally, the falls is dry; just a huge chunk of rock. What a crime! The proposed project would provide about 1000cfs to go over the falls all the time. We were lucky to be there on one of those super rare days in which the falls was actually running. It should look like this all the time.

there is a debate whether or not the canal gatehouse will stay or be removed. But, if you look into the photo, you'll see a couple of brick buildings. one is the gatehouse and the larger one is a block of row houses/condos that overlook the dry falls. Just imagine the view that they'll have when the project is finished! A huge 80' falls out the back window. A brand new park to replace the mounds of dirt and jersey barriers that currently sit there. A 50' wide whitewater course.
The whitewater course (in the canal) would hang onto the side of the gorge walls. It would be the first time that paddlers are heading to the TOP of the gorge to go paddling. Get done throwing ends, and you'll be on top of an enormous cliff, with a spectacular view of a beautiful waterfall, and the other side of the river, the beauty over there, where there is very very little development,the spot where the Great Law of Peace became a reality as it was constructed by native American tribes at the falls. The Great Law of Peace that was the basis for the U.S. Constitution (this was recognized by Congress in 1987, on the 200th anniversary of the Constiution)

Wouldn't it be wonderful, if we all made our voices heard, and water were to fall over the falls again, as it did when George Washington and Benjamin Franklin (and other founding fathers) were using the model of the Great Law of Peace to draft the Constitution of the United States.....

Housatonic Meeting summary

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 04:39:00 +0000

I got there at the end, but here is the Agenda and some discussion points that they sent out to accompany the meeting......

Housatonic Basin Natural Resources Restoration Project

Natural Resources Trustee SubCouncil for Connecticut

Public Informational Meeting

AGENDA

Tuesday, March 28, 2006
7:00 PM
Kent Town Hall

Public Informational Session:

• Project Updates:

 Status of Contract Review

• Presentation and discussion of the proposed Restoration Project Eligibility Criteria

• Questions/Comments

Connecticut SubCouncil Meeting:

• Because there are no items requiring formal action by the SubCouncil, it is anticipated that a formal meeting will not be convened.

Housatonic River Basin
Natural Resources Restoration Project
Natural Resource Trustee SubCouncil for Connecticut

The Trustee SubCouncil for the Geographic Area of Connecticut (“SubCouncil”) seeks comments from the public on proposed Eligibility Criteria. The Eligibility Criteria will be used in the future to screen all restoration proposals submitted to the SubCouncil.

The SubCouncil will present and discuss the proposed Eligibility Criteria at the March 28, 2006 SubCouncil public meeting. Approval of the “Eligibility Criteria,” if appropriate, will be an action item for the SubCouncil at it’s April 25, 2006 meeting. The development of restoration project Evaluation Criteria will commence, and include public input, after the finalization of the Eligibility Criteria.

Proposed Eligibility Criteria for Restoration Projects in Connecticut:

1. Does the [preliminary] proposal contain the information identified by the CT SubCouncil as set out in the “Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Restoration Proposals”?

A “NO” response may render the proposed project ineligible for further consideration.

The CT SubCouncil is planning to review the various funding mechanisms available to it for implementation of selected projects. Depending on the mechanism selected, it may be possible to refer incomplete proposals back to the proposer for additional information. If this proves to be the case, the CTSC reserves the right to either reject the [preliminary] proposal as incomplete or to return it to the proposer with a description of the additional information required. If the preliminary proposal is returned for additional information, the CT SubCouncil may set a deadline for resubmission.
2. Does the Proposed Project restore, rehabilitate, replace, and/or acquire natural resources or natural resource services equivalent to those that were injured by the release of PCBs or other hazardous substances from the GE facility at Pittsfield, MA?

A “NO” response renders the proposed project ineligible for further consideration.

The CT SubCouncil will only fund a restoration project if the primary purpose of the project is to restore, rehabilitate, replace, or acquire the equivalent of natural resources and/or their services that were injured by the release of PCBs and/or other hazardous substances into the Housatonic River watershed. The CT SubCouncil may not select a proposed project for funding if, in the opinion of the Trustee Representatives, the restoration benefit to the injured natural resource and/or its related services is incidental to the objective of the project. This criterion addresses the requirements of NRDA regulations 43C.F.R. § 11.81-82 and 11.93.

3. Is the Proposed Project, or any portion of the Proposed Project, an action that is presently required under other federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to, enforcement actions?

A “YES” response renders the Proposed Project ineligible for further consideration.

In the Trustee Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) , Part VII, Section D, the Trustees state that:

“The Trustees agree that all selected Restoration projects or alternatives, whether funded or undertaken directly by the Trustees or otherwise, must not…be otherwise required by an independent legal obligation to perform the project pursuant to statute, regulation, ordinance, consent decree (excluding the consent decree that is the subject of this MOA), judgement, court order, permit condition or contract or if otherwise required by federal, state, or local law. Regardless of whether a governmental body or agency has elected to exercise its discretion to enforce a provision of law, if any governmental body or agency has the authority to order a party to commence certain work or activities subject to enforcement actions then the Trustee Council or relevant SubCouncil will consider the project “otherwise required” and not appropriate to be considered for funding.”

4. Is the Proposed Project inconsistent with any federal, state, or local law or policy?

A “YES” response renders the Proposed Project ineligible for further consideration.

The CT SubCouncil will determine whether a proposed project is consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. The CT SubCouncil will not fund a restoration project that is inconsistent with any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or policy. This criterion addresses the direction provided to the Trustees in NRDA regulations, 43 C.F.R. § 11.82(d)(9) and (10).

5. Will the proposed project, or any portion of the proposed project, be inconsistent with any ongoing or anticipated remedial actions in the Housatonic River watershed?

A “YES” response renders the Proposed Project ineligible for further consideration.

In the MOA, Part VII, Section D, the Trustees state that:

“The Trustees agree that all selected Restoration projects or alternatives, whether funded or undertaken directly by the Trustees or otherwise, must not …be inconsistent with any ongoing or anticipated remedial action.”

The CT SubCouncil will not fund a restoration project that will be undone or negatively impacted by, or that will interfere with, any remediation work, including completed, ongoing, and future actions. The CT SubCouncil will consult with the USEPA for additional information relevant to the likelihood that the proposed project will or may be inconsistent with future remediation activities.

The CT SubCouncil recognizes that this Eligibility Criterion may be difficult to apply to some proposed projects; particularly those located in areas where remediation plans have not been completed. The CT SubCouncil may, at its sole discretion, retain for further consideration any project for which such determination is not yet possible. The CT SubCouncil may also retain sufficient funding in the restoration account to allow the future implementation of one or more such projects. The foregoing notwithstanding, no retention of a proposed project or any restoration funds shall be interpreted to be a commitment to implement such project.

Table 1: Proposed Eligibility Criteria.

Criterion Response Response Result
1. Does the [preliminary] proposal contain the information identified by the CT SubCouncil as set out in the “Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Restoration Proposals”? YES or NO A “NO” response may render the proposed project ineligible for further consideration.

2. Does the Proposed Project restore, rehabilitate, replace, and/or acquire natural resources or natural resource services equivalent to those that were injured by the release of PCBs or other hazardous substances from the GE facility at Pittsfield, MA?
YES or NO A “NO” response renders the Proposed Project ineligible for further consideration.
3. Is the Proposed Project, or any portion of the Proposed Project, an action that is presently required under other federal, state, or local law, including, but not limited to, enforcement actions?
YES or NO A “YES” response renders the Proposed Project ineligible for further consideration.
4. Is the Proposed Project inconsistent with any federal, state, or local law or policy? YES or NO A “YES” response renders the Proposed Project ineligible for further consideration.
5. Will the proposed project, or any portion of the proposed project, be inconsistent with any ongoing or anticipated remedial actions in the Housatonic River watershed? YES or NO A “YES” response renders the Proposed Project ineligible for further consideration.

low head dams

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 07:14:00 +0000

super low water is playable

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 04:45:00 +0000

FUNd raiser for summer time FUN!

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Barnes) — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 06:54:00 +0000