Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission
Press Release
CONTACT: Christopher Curtis, Pioneer Valley Planning
Commission, (413) 781-6045
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2007
PVPC Connecticut River Project Selected for EPA Watershed Initiative
The Tri-State Connecticut River Watershed Initiative, spearheaded by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), has been selected by the US Environmental Protection Agency to formally apply for a grant to share in $13 million of funds available nationally for state, local, and private agencies to work to restore better health to watersheds across the country. The grant, which totals $953,330, will be shared by five organizations in three states, including PVPC, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, and the Massachusetts Water Watch Partnership. PVPC is one of only 16 grantees funded across the United States, and the only grantee in New England.
The Tri-state Connecticut River Watershed Initiative proposes to enact a diverse group of activities to collectively serve as models to improve an array of environmental conditions along the Connecticut River, such as:
- Extensive bacteria monitoring in historically disadvantaged urban areas to alert recreational river users of health conditions
- Providing data for decision makers to develop and promote ordinances to address sewage overflows, storm water, and other contamination sources
- Applying innovative chemical and bacterial source tracing and tracking to differentiate among the sources of bacteria and contaminants.
- Using novel vegetative streambank stabilization and restoration techniques to repair a section of shoreline damaged by erosion
According to Christopher Curtis, PVPC Chief Planner, the grant proposal has involved three years of collaboration with partners along the Connecticut River, who have been working together for 30 years on river cleanup efforts.
The project involves work in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont to address Connecticut River water quality problems, particularly due to bacteria and organic chemicals from industry, agricultural runoff, combined sewer overflows, and storm water. These impairments prevent the river from achieving state and federal water quality standards for recreation, wildlife habitat, and safe consumption of fish. Additional water quality impairment stemming from erosion and sedimentation occurs in Vermont and New Hampshire.
EPA initiated the Targeted Watersheds Grant Program in 2002 to encourage successful community-based approaches to protect and restore the nation's watersheds and provide clean, safe water where Americans live, work, and play. Since 2003, more than $40 million has been provided through Targeted Watersheds Grants.
For additional information, please contact PVPC’s Christopher Curtis at (413) 781-6045 or visit http://epa.gov/twg/implementation.html.