Pomfret, VT — The Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRC) completed several meaningful river restoration projects in 2016 throughout the New Hampshire and Vermont part of the watershed.  Fish and wildlife, local farms and communities, and water quality are already experiencing the benefits these projects.

“A healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand, and these projects provide benefits for all. It really is a win-win,” notes CRC’s North Country River Steward Ron Rhodes.

CRC completed the following projects, together with volunteers and partner organizations, in 2016:

  • Planting 4,076 trees along the Connecticut River, Ammonoosuc River, Winhall River, Bissell Brook and Oliverian Brook improve water quality and habitat;
  • Helping fund the installation of a manure management system to reduce runoff at Gamblin Farm in Haverhill, NH;
  • Bioengineering project in North Stratford, NH on Bissell Brook to repair erosion, create habitat, and protect the recreational trail;
  • Replacing two town culverts in Haverhill, NH with new fish and flood friendly structures, including a 40 foot bridge;
  • Helping fund the installation of a new stream crossing/culvert at Moonstruck Farm in Piermont, NH; and
  • Registered 44 groups who cleaned up tons of trash over miles of rivers in New Hampshire and Vermont as part of CRC’s 20thannual Source to Sea Cleanup (http://ctriver.org/wp-content/uploads/CRC_Chronicle_2016_11.10-smaller.pdf).

“Every year our goal is to make real, on-the-ground improvements throughout the watershed,” says CRC’s Executive Director Andrew Fisk. “Our job is to find environmental problems and help solve them. We do that by bringing money, expertise, and commitment to the table. Thanks to all our funders, partner organizations and volunteers who help make these projects possible.”

CRC works to protect and enhance the Connecticut River and its tributaries in all four states (NH, VT, MA & CT).  Since 1952 CRC has been working on behalf of our rivers, and 2016 marks another successful year of progress. But there is more to do and CRC is already looking forward a busy field season in 2017.

CRC’s anticipated projects in 2017 include:

  • Planting thousands more trees and shrubs along several rivers to improve water quality as well as fish and wildlife habitat;
  • Deadbeat dam removals in both New Hampshire and Vermont, with as many as 4 projects possible;
  • Installing livestock fencing and planting trees at Moonstruck Farm in Piermont, NH;
  • Using new grant funding to design and implement several new conservation projects at local farms in the watershed; and
  • Tons more trash will be removed from in and along rivers during the 21st annual Source to Sea Cleanup on September 22 & 23, 2017.

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Contact:  Ron Rhodes, North Country River Steward, CRC, 802-457-6114 or rrhodes@ctriver.org