Lower Farmington River & Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic Study

LOWER FARMINGTON RIVER AND SALMON BROOK

WILD AND SCENIC STUDY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Meeting: November 19, 2007

Canton Community Center

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Chairwoman Sally Rieger at 7:05 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sally Rieger, Simsbury; David Tolli, Salmon Brook Watershed Association; Sue Murray, Hartland; Alis Ohlheiser, Canton; Margery Winters, Simsbury; Larry Schlegal, Farmington; Joyce Kennedy Raymes, Community Planner; Kevin Gough, Bloomfield; Paula Jones, Bloomfield; Carolyn Flint, Granby; Diane Field, Avon; Susanne Battos, Simsbury; Mike Krammen, East Granby, Harry Spring, Avon

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of October 15, 2007

Approval was moved, seconded and voted with the following correction. Misspelling of Chairwoman Rieger’s name was corrected from Reiger to Rieger.

Sally announced that a videographer from SCTV had agreed to tape Brian Toal’s address for broadcast on Community TV. She had spoken with the videographer in the morning but he had not yet arrived. Sally asked Brian if he would be willing to delay his presentation briefly, to which he agreed, and the meeting moved on to Committee reports.

NEW BUSINESS

COMMITTEE REPORTS

*1 OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Chairwoman Margery Winters announced that the committee was planning a mailing in January to introduce the Wild and Scenic study process, the make-up of the committee and the newly selected ORVs.

It is planned that the first newsletter will be mailed in January. General committee members were invited to write articles for future newsletters as the intent is for each to cover a different ORV.

She also reported that the group planned to work toward introducing a bill of support in the State Legislature.

The committee requested the appropriation of $ 1500.00 in funding for Outreach and Education activities for items such as a banner, a high quality display board for use at events a postcard type mailer to advertise our website. The group would also like to put together a video. Anyone having photographs they would like to offer for the project are invited to send them on to any of the committee members. Photos will be needed for the website and all outreach activities. Alis Ohlheiser offered a motion for of the appropriation which was seconded and unanimously carried.

Marjorie raised a question as to the content of the photos. The response was that they should pertain to any of the ORVs

Susanne Battos of Simsbury has volunteered to serve on the committee. Sally invited each member to introduce her or himself. Welcome Susanne!

*2 MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

Chairwoman Paula Jones reported that the committee has had extensive discussions on establishing short term objectives as well as longer term goals beginning with outreach to town land use commissions and a review of the Eight Mile plan for a review of State and Federal regulations to build on the work already in place.

This committee discussed a legislative bill describing support of the designation and DEP’s cooperation with the designation and implementation of the management plan. In regard to this, Eric prepared and handed out a compilation of Representatives and Senators representing the Study Area towns. Eric pointed out that some legislators were very strong supporters of the project but that some were less so. If committee members have relationships with their State legislators please let Eric or Joyce know so they can help make the contact with them for future meetings.

In order to get the support into bill form for action in the next session we need to begin work in December/January. Although we expect passage in the upcoming legislative session, a delay to the next session will be well within our time frame.

*3 ORV

Larry Schlegal reported on the October “Marathon Meeting” which moved along to conclusion much more swiftly than anticipated. We agreed on narrowing the large number of individual ORVs to five principal categories which are:

1. GEOLOGY

2. CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

3. RECREATION

4. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

5. WATER QUALITY

Sally commended Larry on a complex job well done.

OTHER BUSINESS

Eric announced that the Town of Farmington has, in its new Comprehensive Plan of Development, included the statement “Support the designation of the Farmington River as a Wild and Scenic River”.

Joyce reported talks with both Outreach and Education and Management and Protection committees regarding strategy for town contact. It is felt that there should be one “point person” for each town to function in communication.

Harry reported that we have already been approached by the Town Manager in Avon regarding a progress report to the Town Council. He and Diane have agreed to do this. They added that, upon further thought, if it would be advantageous to invite other town boards, commissions and other interested groups to participate in the same meeting. This would provide representation from most of the town bodies as well as the public. That question should be resolved in the interest of consistency.

Harry indicated that both Diane and he would be the “point persons” for Avon.

A question was raised in terms of public participation and Harry said that a Town Meeting was anticipated farther into the process as well as public inclusion in meeting with Council.

Discussion centered on the type of presentation and it was generally agreed that the point persons would present via power point and Q & A.

Eric suggested taking an already existing power point version, turning it into a PDF, send it around and get opinions on modifications for specific towns. Sally thought it would be very desirable to include photos of easily identified town specific sites in the presentation tailored to each town.

Eric agreed to update the existing presentation to reflect the now established ORV categories and introduce it at the December meeting.

A question was raised concerning “manila cards” promoting the W & S Study. Eric replied that they had been handed out at a number of sites, Tavern Day in Burlington, Holcomb Farm in Simsbury, Sam Collins Day in Collinsville, and Collinsville Farmers’ Market and a number of assorted events. David Tolli said that he had put some in town offices in Granby and could distribute more if he had them.

GUEST SPEAKER: MR. BRIAN TOAL

Harry introduced Brian Toal who is a resident of Avon, and head of the Conservation Committee of the Hartford Audubon Society. The Conservation Committee has working to raise awareness about the importance of habitat preservation to bird life in Connecticut and in the greater Hartford area. The Hartford Audubon Society is one of the oldest Audubon groups in the world and will hold its 100 year anniversary next year. Brian is an avid birder and a 20 year member of Audubon. He also works as a toxicologist at the CT Department of Public Health where he works on a broad range of environmental topics. He recently co-authored a book titled “What’s Toxic – What’s Not” published by Berkeley Books.

BRIAN

Birds, preservation of bird habitat and birding are interrelated in a number of ways to Wild and Scenic designation of the study area. In the recreational sense, birding is the fastest growing outdoor recreational activity in America. There are more birders in Hartford County than there are hunters. In the management and protection sense, carefully developed plans will enhance survival of rare species and thereby public enjoyment of outdoor areas.

Hartford Audubon is a venerable organization and next year, its Centennial Year, there will be a large number of activities centered on that event. Hartford Audubon has a strong organization of 600+ members and sponsors one or two ornithological walks on most weekends which are led by members with “amazing expertise”. Hartford Audubon owns a few critical habitat properties, one of which is known as “Station 43” which abuts the Connecticut River in Windsor. It is a fresh water marsh which is designated internationally an Important Bird Area (IBA) providing viable habitat for a number of rare species. The Audubon group is aware that its expertise and reputation give it an opportunity to make a difference in habitat preservation, particularly in critical habitat areas, under development pressure where it can function as advocates and in an advisory capacity. Within the Farmington River watershed, Northwest Park in Windsor is a designated IBA. In Avon, the Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area is an Important Bird Area. Members of Audubon conduct a number of bird surveys developing a data base of habitats for different species, population numbers and environmental pressures to give firm factual foundation to their preservation and advisory activities.

A large number of rarely seen birds can be found within the Study aREA. Brian has graciously offered the organization’s advisory expertise to the Study Committee.

Grassland habitats are the most endangered in Connecticut and are critical to the survival of several threatened species including Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, and during migration, Upland Sand pipers can be found in grasslands associated with the Study Area. . Brown Thrashers, Indigo Buntings, White Eyed Vireos and a number of Warblers can be found in shrubby grasslands. A number of Northern bird’s winter here or pass through on their migration routes from farther North. Winter Finches and Redpolls are being seen in abundance for the first time in many years.

Management practices can have beneficial or disastrous effects on bird populations. For example, grassland nesting birds can have successful reproduction or dismal failure depending on when mowing takes place. Early mowing (prior to August first or late July) can destroy nests or fledglings. Mowing delayed until August first or later will enhance reproductive success. Selective mowing, for example, half of a field cut early for immediate forage but the remainder left until after the “critical” date will be a worthwhile compromise. Where the cutting is done is also significant. Birds tend to nest towards the center of a tract so, if early cutting is necessary, a peripheral cutting will have a less severe impact on nesting success. Generally, for successful grassland habitat, a minimum fifty acres is required.

Other birding areas in the Study Area: Northwest Hills and Farmington/ Connecticut River Valley represent a more Northerly New England, power line cuts in Avon, Rattlesnake Mt. in Canton, Winding Trails in Farmington, Fischer Meadows in Avon, Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area in Avon/Simsbury, Talcott Mt. in Simsbury, Pennwood State Forest in Bloomfield, Simsbury Wildlife Management and River Walk, wetland areas along the Simsbury/Granby Rails-to-Trails, Bradley Airport (grassland) in Windsor.

Woodlands and thickets and power line clearings are good habitat for Barred and Great Horned Owls as well as Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers. Ponds, lakes, reservoirs and the river itself, a major flyway, offers home to Bald Eagles, a variety of Hawks, Black and Turkey Vultures, Ospreys

In response to Eric’s question regarding how exceptional the Study Area is for birding, Brian replied, “Northwest Park is exceptional on a national level. People come from all over Connecticut and, indeed, from all over North America for birding there. The Study Area is the best and most varied bird habitat in Connecticut.” In response to Sally’s question about ranges, “Connecticut overlaps the southern edge of Northern species and the Northern boundary of the southern species so our species abundance is unusually high”.

Thanks to Brian for a very informative discussion.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS;

PHOTO SESSION Meeting was adjourned to an informal photo session for member photographs to be used in the January and future newsletters.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, HARRY SPRING

LOWER FARMINGTON AND SALMON BROOK

WILD AND SCENIC STUDY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Meeting: October 15, 2007

Canton Community Center

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Chairwoman Sally Rieger at 7:04

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Sally Rieger, Simsbury; Betsy Conger, Windsor; Jamie Fosburgh, NPS; Lawrence Schlegal, Farmington; Walter Sargent, Farmington; Sarah B. Hincks, FRWA; Sue Murray, Hartland; Paula Jones, Bloomfield; Kevin Gough, Bloomfield; Carolyn Flint, Granby; Joyce Kennedy Raymes, Community Planner; Eric Hammerling, FRWA; Ian Clark, East Granby; Kurt Link, Stanley Works; Sally Snyder, DEP; Paul Rocheford, Burlington; Mike Krammen, East Granby; Diane Field, Avon; Harry Spring, Avon

MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 10:

September 10, 2007 minutes approved as amended. Amendments on Page 2, Para. 2, line ten “…four endangered list species…” changed to “…four listed species and one endangered, the dwarf wedge mussel…”. and Para. 4 “The Farmington/Salmon Brook shows “biodiversity” changed to “mussel diversity” equivalent …”

REMINDER: If you have not already done so, please put together a one or two paragraph biog for Outreach & Education’s newsletter introducing committee members and send it to Paul Rocheford, uefa@comcast.net also, come to the meeting on the 19^th prepared for a photo shoot (not that anybody needs to look any different than usual)

NEW BUSINESS

*GUEST SPEAKER

KIP KOLESINSKAS
Chairwoman Sally Rieger introduced the evening’s speaker, Mr. Kip Kolesinskas who is the State Soil Scientist for Connecticut and Rhode Island, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Kip received his B.S. in Soil Science from Cornell University and completed additional coursework at Texas A & M and Schumacher College. Kip has thirty years of professional experience in a number of Soil Scientist positions in New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island. In addition to State Soil Scientist responsibilities, he is also Program Manager for the Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) and the Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP). He is a recognized regional and national speaker on soils and land use planning, wetlands and farmland protection. Additionally, Kip did a lot of work in developing the Simsbury Land Trust’s conservation easement for Rosedale Farm.

Kip’s opening remark “It’s all about the soil” launched an information laden talk.

The Lower Farmington/Salmon Brook area has the highest soil diversity in the state and Connecticut, because of its geologic/glaciation history has one of the most complex soils systems in the United States. Everything we know of the biodiversity and complex habitats has to do with the soils complexity of the region. Because this area exists essentially at the junction of Connecticut’s Western Highlands and Central Lowlands

The study area consists of acidic soils composed of ground up granites, gneisses and schists and less acidic clays, silts and sands in the Central Lowlands modified by the presence of ancient Lake Hitchcock which was created by damming of the glacial melt water in the area of Rocky Hill and Glastonbury. There are over 200 different soil types in Connecticut of which 50 percent of the soil types are represented in the Farmington River Valley. Along the margins of the Eastern and Western Highlands, deltas of sand and gravel were formed. When Lake Hitchcock broke through and drained to the south, winds worked to resort the vast central valley plains creating deposits of silt and loess. All of this resulted in unique landscapes coming together within the study area.

Soil patterns dictated the early land uses and land cover. To the west, shallow soils on upland rocky substrates were not conducive to agriculture. However, to the East in the Farmington and Connecticut Valleys glacial and alluvial (water borne) soils accumulated and agriculture has been a dominant land use for over a thousand years.

Glacial till has been smeared over the entire Connecticut landscape, in some cases amounting to a thin veneer over bedrock, in other cases huge deposits of stratified drift several hundred feet deep make up important aquifers particularly along the West face of Talcott Ridge. Surficial geology includes glacial features such as kame terraces, isolated kames, drumlins, eskers and kettle holes. In Bloomfield, Windsor and Suffield when the southerly moraine dammed waters in Farmington Valley broke through to the central valley at Tarrifville, deltas of sand, silts and gravel were deposited as current agricultural soils. Wind carried, sorted and deposited sand dunes. Wind and water deposited layers of silts and clays. The relatively impermeable silts and clays form the wetlands soils we have today. An unusual feature found frequently in Bloomfield, Windsor, and Suffield are the Pingos. Freeze/thaw cycles (permafrost remnant) develop frost heaves under layers of silts and clays which, while elevated, accumulate deposits around them and then collapse, leaving depressions without inlets or outlets. Pingos may represent areas of increased biological diversity in the form of vernal pools, and others hold water year-round. Farmers have often tried to drain these features.

Kip presented a soils map in high resolution polygons illustrating the great complexity of the soils of the area

Connecticut soils are relatively well known. This state is in its 4^th generation of soil survey. One the first in the US was done in 1899 in relation to tobacco cultivation here. A discussion of survey methodology followed.

Because of the sandy/gravely characteristics of soils in many parts of the study area and shallow depth to water table, groundwater supplies are very accessible but also very susceptible to damage.

The higher, drier floodplain soils are very suitable for agriculture.

In Simsbury, Granby, E. Granby, greater slope uplands provide good forest soils with strong potential for growing large tree biomass in short periods of time.

Connecticut agriculture is NOT a dying culture. One challenge is to protect the land base to provide options for getting locally produced food.

It is said that Connecticut agriculture kept revolutionary soldiers fed.

Early colonists found the valleys had an extensive history of agriculture.

The cost of energy for transportation is making the economics of locally grown food more and more attractive along with the value placed on freshness and contributions to local economy.

Farm friendly municipal regulations are needed.

Corporate agriculture has a recent history of converting lands to housing developments while a number of family farms attempt to hand the farm enterprise down through generations.

State Forest, watershed lands and agricultural lands need to be maintained. Much of the change in wetlands systems and agricultural soils is produced as “death of a thousand cuts”. The additive effect of small changes accumulating over time can have drastic effects on hydrology, water quality and erosion. Susceptibility of soils to erosion increases with increased runoff volume and velocity

The trap rock ridges are the result of three distinct superimposed lava flows. Talcott (Avon) Mountain is a fault scarp resulting from a series of movements along a north-south fault line with up thrust movement on the eastern side and down thrusting on the western side of the fault. The exposed trap rock faces along the fault were subjected to weathering and the wedgework of ice which results from the penetration of water into joints (cracks in the trap rock formed as the parent lava cooled), the subsequent freezing and expansion of that water prying the rock apart loosening it to produce the common springtime rockslides of New England that produce our talus (loose rock) slopes.

A question was raised about soil depletion and soil contamination by herbicides, etc. in agricultural soils. There is a higher risk of pesticide/fertilizer contamination in suburban soils than in most agricultural lands.

SUBCOMMITEE REPORTS:

MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION:

Paula reported that most member towns had submitted copies of their current Wetlands Regulations and the committee will be evaluating them for a number of factors.

Eric Lukingbeal has met with DEP Bureau of. Water Management, Planning & Standards Division to discuss water quality. He has filed an excellent preliminary report dated September 27, 2007 and will review DEP’s monitoring data for both Salmon Brook and the Lower Farmington.

ORV

Larry reported that the committee is considering additional ORVs. The next meeting will be at 6 pm at the Canton Community Center on October 30. It will be a “marathon” meeting. All General Committee members are invited to attend, especially those members who do not have a town delegate on the ORV Subcommittee.

Status of economic study: Eric reported that we are still waiting a response from CCSU Institute.

There was considerable discussion of Kevin’s Heat Map and how to derive a balance of regional as opposed to unique smaller area ORVs. The committee is seeking to determine what makes sense in presentation. Does lumping a number of items into a few broad categories make better sense than splitting into a large number of smaller items? This will be the focus of the October 30^th meeting.

A strong point made regarding the Wild & Scenic visual character of the river as opposed to the smaller details. That fact should not get lost in the details.

Sally reported on the press conference with John Larson at Holcomb Farm who spoke very favorably about the Wild & Scenic Study and is taking a leadership role in Climatic Change issues.

OUTREACH & EDUCATION:

As pointed out in the reminder, the committee is planning a mailer which will introduce committee members with both a photograph and a bio. Paul is the collector of bios so please send.

There will be a photo session next meeting.

The committee is also looking for individuals who are willing to write up summaries of our previous speakers’ presentations for publication in subsequent issues.

The committee has already sent out an introductory letter to riparian landowners.

OTHER SUBJECTS:

Jamie pointed out that the characterization of ORVs should be carried over into PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT, for example, protection of archaeological sites, historical and agricultural areas.

Jamie also noted the importance of documenting all public outreach education efforts and events including a catalog of attendees.

A question was also raised as to what sorts of Management Tools will we have?

Another question was whether one particular ORV needs to touch upon all towns and the answer was that no – ORV’s can have breaking points within the W&S study area.

Eric raised the question of future meeting topics. Proposed topics were Birds, Wildlife, Forest Types and General Botany, Cultural, (pre-Columbian, Colonial, pre-industrial), Hydrology and Geology. There being no objection to any of the possible topics consensus approval is assumed. We will work on getting speakers.

Discussion of Video recordings of future talks to add to the audio recordings we already have. General consensus was yes. Will attempt to arrange this for our next meeting.

ADDITIONAL NEW BUSINESS– none

Motion to adjourn was duly made, seconded and carried at 9:03

NEXT MEETING: November 19, 2007

Respectfully Submitted,

Harry Spring

LOWER FARMINGTON RIVER AND SALMON BROOK

WILD & SCENIC STUDY COMMITEE MINUTES

Meeting: September 10, 2007

Canton Community Center

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by chairwoman Sally Rieger at 7:05

MEMBERS PRESENT: Kurt Link, Stanley Works; Walter Sargent, Farmington; Joyce Kennedy Raymes, NPS Community Planner ; Sally Rieger, Simsbury; Sue Murray, Hartland; Alis Ohlheiser, Canton; Eric Hammerling, FRWA; Margery Winters, Simsbury; Carolyn Flint, Granby; Larry Schlegel, Farmington; David Leff, Canton; Sarah Hincks, FRWA; Liz Lacy, FRCC; Dave Tolli, SBWA; Eric Lukingbeal, Granby; Kevin Gough, Bloomfield; Paula Jones, Bloomfield; Damon Hearne, FRWA; Sally Snyder, DEP; Mike Krammen, East Granby; Ian Clark, East Granby; Harry Spring, Avon

MINUTES OF MEETING, July 9, 2007

Corrections made to add Sue Murray, Hartland to list of attendees and wording to reflect a motion, second and vote to authorize expenditure of $4,500 by Outreach and Education Subcommittee for initial outreach activities. Motion to approve minutes as corrected was made, seconded and passed.

NEW BUSINESS

• INTRODUCTION OF OUR COMMUNITY PLANNER:

Chairwoman Rieger introduced our Community Planner, Joyce Kennedy Raymes. Joyce serves on the Board of the Salmon Brook Watershed Association and is the former Water Quality Coordinator for FRWA. Joyce brings a wealth of background information and experience to the Study Committee. She will coordinate the activities of the Committee and its subsets and is a most welcome addition to the team. Congratulations Joyce!

• GUEST SPEAKER

ETHAN NEDEAU

Mr. Nedeau is an Invertebrate Zoologist who began work in the Farmington River basin in 2000 as a contractor for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2005, Ethan’s studies showed unparalleled freshwater mussel diversity in Connecticut and a population of Dwarf Wedgemussel (federally endangered) that surpasses populations on all but a few rivers in the world.

Ethan has given special emphasis to studies of freshwater mussels for a number of reasons including their intricate dependence upon migratory fish, eg., shad, alewives, trout, tesselated darters, for distribution of the mussel larvae (glochidia) which are short-term parasites on the gills of specific species of fish. A given species of mussel requires the presence and passage of particular fish during the mussel’s spawning period. Mussel larvae attach to the gills of the fish and grow through developmental stages while the host fish migrates and then drop off to begin their independent lives in the riverbed substrate. Among the eleven species he has discovered in the Farmington River/Salmon Brook system (there are only 12 species found in Connecticut), Ethan has discovered four endangered list species such as the Dwarf wedgemussel (which has no other viable populations in the State and has lost most of its range in North America), the brook floater mussel (threatened) and the tidewater mucket (threatened). The twelfth species that has a likelihood of existing is the yellow lamp mussel previously thought to be extinct in Connecticut for over sixty years (but which was recently found in the Connecticut River in some proximity to the Farmington River). There are also more abundant species such as the Eastern pearl shell throughout the Farmington River system. The Farmington has eleven species, and the closest river in terms of mussel diversity in the state is the Salmon River (a tributary to the Connecticut) which has evidence of ten species shown to date.

The presence of these species is clear testimony to the good water quality in the study area as well as the river flow patterns, water temperature and bottom conditions. This fact coupled with the viability of diverse host fish species makes this study area, in the words of Mr. Nadeau “One of the five best rivers left in the world” for mussels (especially the Dwarf wedgemussel). He also maintains that, ”No other tributary of the Connecticut River has the same level of biodiversity as the Farmington/Salmon Brook complex which is a jewel of New England Rivers and both regionally and globally important”.

The Farmington/Salmon Brook shows biological diversity equivalent to that of the total length of Connecticut River from Long Island Sound to Quebec.

Observations:

Bank erosion is a definite problem in the Farmington Flats. Alluvial soils are easily erodible. This potential for erosion can readily damage habitat for mussels (and, therefore, the ecosystem) which require sandy, gravelly substrate. While 95% of mussels colonize within 5 Meters of river bank on the swift current side, erosion and deposition on the slow side creates siltation which smothers and eliminates populations. Removal of vegetation renders banks vulnerable to erosion with potentially dramatic consequences”

Stabilization of riverbank with riprap would appear to be an obvious preventive maintenance practice but hard-structural stabilization techniques like riprap often have consequences in focusing erosional forces elsewhere. A regional approach to riverbank protection with mussel populations in mind is clearly needed.

Roads close to banks experience undermining and loss of trees and their stabilizing effect as does construction not in conformance with Best Management Practices.

Sedimentation itself can smother mussels, but also where water depth is altered by sedimentation, removal of “protective” layer of water renders isolated populations vulnerable to opportunistic predation. Planning in advance to ensure adequate flow is important.

In Ethan’s best professional judgment, Salmon Brook likely has high populations of Eastern pearlshell mussels, but not the kind of mussel diversity of the Farmington. Also, the Pequabuck may be an important area for mussels and protection of known populations should be a priority.

Management practices to be considered:

• Population size, age distribution, etc. preferred habitat and extent of habitat should be studied for use as monitoring tool

• Habitat stability should be a component of development planning

• Catastrophic events preplanning should also be a component of development planning.

• Review of river projects for best management practices (notably town DPW or CT DoT projects) should become established routine.
• In response to questions from the committee:

The impact of mussel populations on water quality is ecologically important . In good habitat conditions, mussels outweigh all other invertebrate biomass, their filtration feeding effect affects water quality and the food web. They are excellent indicators of water quality. In terms of longevity, Eastern Pearl shell have been shown to live as long as 80 years. Most species have 15 to 20 year life spans.

Re-colonization success? Dependent on habitat quality and proximity of seeding population and host species of fish.

Ideal riverbank ? Ideally the bank would have a gentle slope, the river should have easy access to its floodplains, and there should be a solid, stable root system to hold the bank together.

Comment from committee member: It is incumbent upon us to help the public understand the extraordinary importance of protecting this particular system. We need to discover a “marketing” scheme to help us promote the importance of freshwater mussels so that they would attain recognition that might compare to that of our more charismatic megafauna.

REPORTS FROM SUBCOMMITTEES

• MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION PLANNING

Paula Jones reported that the committee is working on developing inventories of land areas, ownership, etc. and developing plans for working with local organizations

• ORV

- Larry reported that Kevin Gough has developed a spread sheet and we will be working through winter ion refining. Kip Kolesinskas, State Soil Scientist with USDA will be our guest speaker at the next meeting.

- Kevin reported on progress with the ORV spreadsheet categorized for regional resources as opposed to town specific resources. General committee reassembled as town groups to assemble a more “robust” group of ORVs

• OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Margery Winters reported that the subcommittee will be sending a letter to 2,500 land owners introducing the W & S Study. Plans are in the works for a press conference in October.

• EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Damon and Eric reported on negotiations with UConn for study of economic and recreational benefits of the study area.

Respectfully submitted,

Harry Spring

NEXT MEETING

Monday October 15

LOWER FARMINGTON RIVER AND SALMON BROOK

WILD & SCENIC STUDY COMMITEE MINUTES

Meeting: July 9, 2007

Canton Community Center

MEMBERS PRESENT: David Leff, Canton; Paul Rocheford, Burlington; Carolyn Flint, Granby; Eric Lukingbeal, Granby; Joyce Kennedy Raymes, SBWA; Kevin Gough, Bloomfield; Paula Jones, Bloomfield; Liz Lacy, NPS/FRCC; Eric Hammerling, FRWA; Alis Olheiser, Canton; Margery Winters, Simsbury; Sarah Hincks, FRWA; Diane Field, Avon; Harry Spring, Avon; Larry Schlegal, Farmington; Walter Sargent, Farmington; Tom Small, Burlington; Dave Tolli, SBWA; Ian Clark, East Granby

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN SALLY RIEGER AT 7:04

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion to approve minutes of June 11^th Meeting was made and seconded. Minutes approved.

NAME TAGS

Name tags were handed out to facilitate getting acquainted with members of such a large group. Name tags should be available at Full Committee meetings for near-term.

GUEST SPEAKERS

* STEVE GEPHARD

Mr. Steve Gephard of DEP Fisheries Department presented an informational talk on the ecological value as well as economic value of the Farmington/Salmon Brook stream systems validating the fact that we have a substantial ORV in this regard.

Diadromous fishes migrate back and forth for reproductive purposes and include both anadromous (salmon, shad, lamprey, etc.) and catadromous (eel) species.

Anadromous fish are born in fresh water, then migrate to the ocean, and then return to fresh water as reproducing adults to spawn. Their young stages eventually return to the sea to mature and ultimately return as adults to repeat the cycle and then die. Farmington River system anadromous species are salmon, shad, alewives, blueback herring and lamprey.

Catadromous fish do the opposite. They are born in salt water, mature in fresh water, and then return to salt water to reproduce. The classic example of a catadromous species is Anguilla rostrata, the American eel, which spawns in the Sargasso sea and whose larvae (elvers) return to their parents’ home stream to mature and ultimately return to the place of their hatching to breed and die.

Passage up stream through Rainbow Dam for eels’ elvers migrating from spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea has been reduced but current redesign plans should reduce the difficulty in the near future

Anadromous fish can be divided into two groups, the first needing a steeper gradient with a gravel bottom substrate serving as breeding ground for such fish as salmon, trout and lamprey . The second group requires a cobbly, sandy bottom with a gentler gradient, which provides excellent breeding conditions for shad, blueback herring, and alewives. The runs of these fish in April-May are not inhibited by Tariffville Gorge.

Anadromous dependent mussels are such because they broadcast ova and the sperm which fertilize them and develop into larvae which attach to fish gills, develop, metamorphose and drop off, growing into mature adult mussels without harming the fish except in heavy infestations of glochidia (the mussel larvae). The coordination of fish migration and mussel spawning along with excellent water quality yields the requisite conditions that create the unique composite populations known to exist in the Farmington. There may be several other sites for these populations in the Farmington as well as in the Salmon Brook system.

Salmon restoration is succeeding. Farmington River/Salmon Brook has wild born salmon . Male salmon mature sexually before going to sea to complete maturation and are capable of breeding with females returning from the sea. Probably collection of wild-born is preventing natural reproduction establishment because the wild-born returnees are taken, stripped of their ova and milt (sperm) and the fry reared through the early stages in hatcheries attempting to increase successful crops of young which are then released after they have passed their stages of greatest mortality. There are not many dams which interfere with fish passage, Rainbow Dam at certain stream flows will inhibit fish migration but, at lesser flows, e.g. 1,000 cfs fish will migrate readily. Tributaries such as the Burlington Brook (now known as Bunnell Brook) provide excellent habitat for salmon.

The Lower Farmington River/Salmon Brook System are in much better condition than most New England stream systems. The Farmington River has great significance in its size and quality and is the single major tributary of the Connecticut River in Conn.

Shad habitat is gauged to be excellent habitat on a national level and that for salmon is judged to be excellent on a global level.

Lamprey return to fresh water and do not feed. They migrate, spawn enormous numbers of fry which form a food base for a number of other organisms. When they die, their flesh is colonized by caddis flies which serve as an important food source for young salmon

Upstream migration can be designed to assist the movement of fish. Downstream passage presents limitations based on whether fish enter the downstream fish passage or hit hydropower turbines. Strategies can be developed based on migratory behavior i.e., surface migration or bottom migration requiring shunting of migrants around turbines and drawing water for generation from specific levels and facilitating passage of fish around turbine intakes.

Collinsville power generation is economically feasible. Generating structures are inoperable and need to be replaced. Longevity of FERC licensing is a question.

* KEN GEISSLER AND DAMON HEARNE

Ken Geissler and Damon Hearne collaborated to outline the process and benefits of GIS products for the study and development of management plans for our project. Ken showed some of the maps produced through the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Study.

GIS - Geographic Information System is a computerized assembly of masses of digital information compiled, overlain on traditional cartographic maps and then used for data interpolation and extraction in answer to specific topics. The process involves a synthesis of enormous amounts of data into cohesive presentations.

Power point presentation outlining process of information compilation including general information of river, towns, roads, extent of watershed, habitat types, etc., derived from on-the-ground survey, aerial survey of land cover, e.g. Grassland, scrub forest, forest. Derivative info extraction eg. Vernal pool identification and verification, development patterns, trends in rapidity, current building , expansion of impervious surfaces and impact on stream profiles , build-out projections referenced against historical, protected space, state, municipal or private organizations such as watershed associations or land trusts, regulatory setbacks converging on development of proposals for protection strategies

Brief discussion on difference of resolution at 40 cm per pixel vs 20 cm per pixel giving much greater detail. This will be useful to all subcommittees as well as towns which can use this data to develop management strategies

SALMON BROOK WATERSHED VS. CORRIDOR

The Salmon Brook watershed vs. corridor discussion was continued, and a hybrid solution was put forward. The limited area of the watershed should lend itself to effective assessment since the major value of Salmon Brook lies in its water quality and scenic values and the association would like the entire watershed to be examined and assessed . Since much of the area is protected, eg. State forest , the synthesized review process can be guided so that significant factors outside of the corridor areas can be examined on an as needed basis as in a watershed study. There was general agreement that a primary ORV for the Salmon Brook would be its water quality and that the Management Plan’s recommendations would incorporate protective measures that would best protect water quality. No vote was taken.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

• MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

Committee has met, reviewed the Upper Farmington Management Plan, and discussed processes for assembling town regulations and articulating existing regulations

• ORV

Committee recommended support for the Archaeological Survey proposed by Ken Feder and Marc Banks.

• OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

The committee is planning a letter to riparian landowners, posters, fliers and raised the issue of the need for a preliminary budget figure before developing and contracting outreach. For various products, the Subcommittee recommended a budget of $4,500.

Moved and seconded that a budget figure of $4,500 be approved

Sally raised the question of the need for an ongoing Executive Committee to deal with organization, development of by laws, oversight of budget and contracts, filling gaps, etc.

Discussion reached a consensus establishing Executive Committee.

Process of budget proposals

A Flow Chart was adopted as the process for reviewing proposals:

Damon reported on updates to websites, www.salmonbrookwildandscenic.com or LowerFarmingtonRiver.org

Meeting adjourned 9:07

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

Harry Spring