|
|
|
|
|
|
In This Issue
- 3rd Annual Vermont Paddleboard Festival June 29 to benefit FWR
- Meet the Ranger - an interview with Terry Wendelken
- About our new logo
- Rozalia Project Update
- Waterbury Dam Transfer to Army Corps of Engineers - Update from DEC Deputy Commissioner
- Loons on the Reservoir
- Available Now - Friends of Waterbury Reservoir stickers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stand Up for the Reservoir
Sunday, June 29
3rd Annual Vermont Paddleboard Festival
|
|
|
|
The 3rd Annual Vermont Paddleboard Festival will be held at the Waterbury Center State Park.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir to help us meet our mission.
To sign up to volunteer, click here.
<-- Click on the poster for event details.
|
|
|
Meet the Ranger
An Interview with Terry Wendelken
|
|
|
We sat down this week with Vermont State Parks' Terry Wendelken, the new floating ranger on the Waterbury Reservoir. We asked him a bunch of questions, like:
Tell us about yourself, and what is it about this job that appealed to you? What exactly IS your job on the Waterbury Reservoir? You've been on the job for a few weeks now - so what have you learned? Any challenges and surprises so far? What are the questions that remote campers and boaters asking?
|
|
|
|
At the end of this summer, what would define a successful season for you and give you the greatest satisfaction in what you hope to achieve?
|
|
Check out the Waterbury Record this month for the full Q&A with Terry. And, the next time you see him waving hello from the State Parks' white Boston Whaler, feel free to introduce yourself and let him know how much we appreciate his cheerful presence.
To learn more about VT State Parks' 3-year management plan for the remote campsites around the Reservoir, click here.
|
|
About Our New Logo
Why the Great Blue Heron?
|
|
|
Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias), due to their large size, graceful flight, and interesting feeding behavior, generate much attention among the public. For many people, observing a great blue heron is often a memorable and meaningful wildlife experience. From an ecological perspective, the great blue heron is a top predator in the food chain, and can serve as an indicator of habitat condition and food availability.
-VT Dept of Fish & Wildlife (2002)
|
|
|
|
Thank you to Corinne Goss, a local graphic artist and daughter of one of our FWR members, for creating our beautiful new logo.
|
|
Update on the Rozalia Project
2014 Trash Data Study
|
|
|
The Trash Data Study has been underway for about 6 weeks now, and data is gradually coming in. Our student intern, Charlotte, will soon start compiling the data, so watch our next e-Newsletter for some preliminary insights.
Volunteer participation is essential for this data study to be successful. Even a 1/2 hour at a time is valuable. To learn how you and your family, your co-workers, or community group can participate both on the water and along the shoreline, click here.
|
|
|
|
Now Available - A fillable trash data card that can be completed and submitted online.
|
|
|
In this photo: Gabe helping collect trash over the Memorial Day weekend in Zone 2, East. Today's most unusual item: A complete 10x10' canopy, box and all. Wildlife interacting with trash: Frog sitting atop a 10x12" piece of microfoam and a green garter snake hiding in a broken plastic pail. Total trash weight: 32 pounds.Volume: Nearly full 50-gallon bag. Distance cleaned: about 200 yards.
|
|
Update on potential Waterbury Dam Transfer
to Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
|
|
|
June 2014
Dear Friends of Waterbury Reservoir,
I wanted to reach out as the conversation about Waterbury Dam evolves. Our interest in transferring operation and maintenance of Waterbury Dam continues, though we have not yet been able to get that done in Congress. We will continue working with our Congressional delegation.
In the meantime, we continue to work on the 401 water quality certification. The 401 is a condition on the FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] license for Green Mountain Power, so will continue to apply irrespective of if ACOE [Army Corps of Engineers] has responsibility for the dam’s operation and maintenance.
Under the new 401, our goal will be to eliminate significant fluctuations in the reservoir and downstream flow levels and the associated erosion. The flow regime we hope to develop will also improve habitat up and downstream for fish and wildlife. In sum, the 401 certification governs the power license, not the flood control operations the ACOE would control. That said, the 401 would be contingent on replacing the Tainter gates at the dam.
DEC will hold public information meetings on the 401 certification this summer. We will lay out a set of options for discussion that will shed more light on this topic.
Alyssa Schuren
Deputy Commissioner
VT Department of Environmental Conservation
One National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05620-3901
(p) 802-828-1556
www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/dec.htm
|
|
|
What is a Tainter Gate?
|
|
Loons on the Reservoir
Remember to Report Sightings
|
|
|
This handsome pair was observed on June 21 near Cottonbrook. Rumor has it they may have a chick with them, but this yet to be confirmed.
Please report all loon sightings to:
Eric Hanson, Director
Loon Recovery Program
VT Center for EcoStudies
ehanson@vtecostudies.org
|
|
|
Friends of Waterbury Reservoir Stickers
Available Now for $5
|
|
|
Legislative Update
The Vermont State Legislature has adjourned, so there are no new Legislative Updates for this month. For 2013-2014 Legislative Session information, visit http://www.leg.state.vt.us/ResearchMain.cfm
|
|
|
SUPPORT THE FRIENDS OF WATERBURY RESERVOIR
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
