Habitat Restoration Proposal Needs Our Support

Original Letter Copy Below

Sent: Tue, 26 May 2009 2:13 pm
Subject: Request for assistance

To all:

As we discussed at the Council meeting at Indian Hollow last week, there is a proposal to restore Hamant Brook, running through Old Sturbridge Village, made by Todd Richards of the DF&W.

If no other action is taken, the project at this point will not happen. There was a non-binding referendum at Town Meeting on April 27, 2009, that deadlocked 62 to 62.

The Council, along with citizens of Sturbridge in favor of the restoration work, are making efforts to get the town to take action in favor of the project.

There is a Conservation Commission meeting on June 4, 2009, and a Town Meeting Session on June 8, 2009.

We as an organization have the opportunity to make a difference as to whether a worthy restoration project moves forward. I would appreciate it if as many of you as possible can write letters of support, requesting the Selectboard and the Con Comm to vote in favor of moving this project forward. Time is of the essence. The letters need to get out no later than Tuesday, June 2, 2009, to get tot he Con Comm before their June 4, 2009 meeting. I'll also have some e-mail addresses for you for both the Con Comm and the Selectboard.

Thank you very much for your efforts in support of this project.

Peter Schilling
Chairman, MA/RI Council
Trout Unlimited
617-244-5126

Below are 2 letters written in support of this project.

The letters can also be sent by e-mail to:

Erin Jacques of the Con Comm ejacque@town.sturbridge.ma.us (She is the staff person for the Con Com)

and Mary Blanchard mblanch@hotmail.com (She is the head of the Selectboard)

Letter to Board of Selectpersons:

May 26, 2009
Peter M. Schilling
5 Baker Place
Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

Board of Selectpersons
Town of Sturbridge
371 Main Street Sturbridge , MA 01566

Dear Selectboard:

I am writing on behalf of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council of Trout Unlimited, to urge you to go forward with the proposed restoration of Hamant Brook.

Trout Unlimited is a national conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of coldwater species and their habitat. I represent nearly four thousand members in two states. The Council strongly supports the restoration plan proposed by Todd Richards from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The April 27, 2009 non-binding vote by Town Meeting, which deadlocked 62-62, indicates considerable support within the town for this project. I think the fact there was such support, given the lateness of the hour at which the vote was taken, bolsters the argument for going forward with the project.

Likewise, the recent communication to the Conservation Commission from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Office of Dam Safety provides impetus for the Selectboard to act in favor of the proposal. As you know, the Conservation Commission received two Dam Safety Orders on May 3rd, 2009, relating to the Upper Pond Dam and the Middle Pond Dam. The first is rated a “Significant Hazard Potential,” and the second a “Low Hazard Potential.” The town must now complete inspections of these dams by August 28, 2009 and October 28, 2009 at an estimated cost of between $7,000 and $8,000 per inspection.

There is a strong likelihood that in the not too distant future, significant expenditures will have to be made by the town to either repair, or remove one - if not both - of these two dams.

All of the dams would be removed as part of the restoration project, at no cost to the town. Along with saving the town a significant expense at a time when the Legislature has made clear there will be less money in the future for cities and towns, this project will help improve the habitat and numbers of native, wild brook trout in Hamant Brook.

There will be an increase in riffle and pool habitat favored by brook trout for spawning and foraging. The brook will be reconnected to the Quinebaug for the first time in generations. There should be more brook trout throughout the lower section of the brook, and probably bigger fish, because they will have access to the Quinebaug.

In the past five years, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council has been involved in four or five other dam removal projects across the state. Each has provided benefits to native trout and also to the efforts to restore Atlantic salmon to Connecticut River tributaries.

This is an opportunity for the town of Sturbridge to support a project based on sound science, which will help protect the natural history of the Commonwealth and the town of Sturbridge .

At the informational meeting in January, I stated that our organization would provide manpower for this project, and help as needed. I will once again commit to supporting the project with manpower and to support Fish and Wildlife as it moves forward with the Hamant Brook restoration.

Finally, it is my understanding that the Conservation Commission has been given responsibility for the care and custody of the property through which Hamant Brook runs. Ostensibly, the decision-making authority regarding whether the town moves forward with this project potentially can be seen to rest with the Conservation Commission.

However, the delegation of oversight to the Conservation Commission for this property cannot have included a delegation of authority over whether or not the town expends significant amounts to restore, or repair the dams. That power of the purse rightly must rest with either the Selectmen who are elected by the citizenry, or with residents at Town Meeting.

Respectfully,

Peter M. Schilling
Chairman
Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council
Trout Unlimited

Letter To Conservation Comission:

May 26, 2009
Peter M. Schilling
5 Baker Place
Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

Conservation Commission
Town of Sturbridge
371 Main Street Sturbridge , MA 01566

Dear Commission Members:

On behalf of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council of Trout Unlimited, I am writing to request your support in moving forward with the proposed restoration of Hamant Brook.

Trout Unlimited is a national conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of coldwater species and their habitat. I represent nearly four thousand members in two states. The Council strongly supports the restoration plan proposed by Todd Richards from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

During my brief exposure to the Conservation Commission at the January 2009 information meeting and the April 2009 tour of the brook, I came away with an appreciation for the level of commitment and work for the town, on the part of Commission members. It is clear to me that regardless of the stance taken by some commissioners on this project, there is a profound level of caring for the town and its environment amongst those serving on the Commission.

Clearly, there is a depth of sentiment on both sides of the issue regarding whether this restoration project should go forward. I believe it should; and I also believe this Commission has the ability to play a leadership role in doing the right thing for the town, both from an environmental perspective and from a financial perspective.

The April 27, 2009 non-binding vote by Town Meeting, which deadlocked 62-62, indicates considerable support within the town for this project. The fact there was such support given the lateness of the hour at which the vote was taken bolsters the argument for going forward with the project.

Likewise, the recent communication you received from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Office of Dam Safety provides impetus to move forward with the restoration project. The two Dam Safety Orders received on May 3rd, 2009 , declared the Upper Pond Dam a “Significant Hazard Potential,” and the Middle Pond Dam a “Low Hazard Potential. ” As a result, the town must now complete inspections of these dams by August 28, 2009 and October 28, 2009 at an estimated cost of between $7,000 and $8,000 per inspection. There is a strong likelihood that in the not too distant future, significant expenditures will have to be made by the town to either repair, or remove one - if not both - of these two dams.

As you know, all of the dams would be removed as part of the restoration project, at no cost to the town. Along with saving the town a significant expense at a time when the Legislature has made clear there will be less money in the future for cities and towns, this project will help improve the habitat and numbers of native, wild brook trout in Hamant Brook.

There will be an increase in riffle and pool habitat favored by brook trout for spawning and foraging. The brook will be reconnected to the Quinebaug for the first time in generations. There should be more brook trout throughout the lower section of the brook, and probably bigger fish, because they will have access to the Quinebaug.

In the past five years, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council has been involved in four or five other dam removal projects across the state. Each has provided benefits to native trout and also to the efforts to restore Atlantic salmon to Connecticut River tributaries.

This is an opportunity for the Commission and the town of Sturbridge to support a project based on sound science, which will help protect the natural history of the Commonwealth and the town of Sturbridge .

At the informational meeting in January, I stated that our organization would provide manpower for this project, and help as needed. I will once again commit to supporting the project with manpower and to support Fish and Wildlife as it moves forward with the Hamant Brook restoration.
Finally, it is my understanding that the Commission has been given responsibility for the care and custody of the property through which Hamant Brook runs. Ostensibly, the decision-making authority regarding whether the town moves forward with this project potentially can be seen to rest with the Commission.

However, I do not believe the delegation of oversight to the Commission for this property included a delegation of authority over whether or not the town expends significant amounts to restore, or repair the dams. That power of the purse rightly must rest with either the Selectmen who are elected by the citizenry, or with residents at Town Meeting.

Clearly, in a matter of such significance to the town regarding its future financial obligations, the Commission would want to work collaboratively with both the Selectpersons and Town Meeting.

I request that the Commission vote to support the proposed restoration project, and make a recommendation to both Town Meeting and the Selectpersons to go forward.

Respectfully,

Peter M. Schilling
Chairman
Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council
Trout Unlimited

Email webmaster@ma-ri-tu-council.org if you would like a MS Word .doc version of these letters.

View "Dam Removal" pages here if you wish to view or include some examples of the habitat restoration work done by TU Chapter Volunteers across the state.


	For background on this matter, visit: Environmental Economics of Hamant Brook Original Letter Copy Below Sent: Tue, 26 May 2009 2:13 pm Subject: Request for assistance To all: As we discussed at the Council meeting at Indian Hollow last week, there is a proposal to restore Hamant Brook, running through Old Sturbridge Village, made by Todd Richards of the DF&W. If no other action is taken, the project at this point will not happen. There was a non-binding referendum at Town Meeting on April 27, 2009, that deadlocked 62 to 62. The Council, along with citizens of Sturbridge in favor of the restoration work, are making efforts to get the town to take action in favor of the project. There is a Conservation Commission meeting on June 4, 2009, and a Town Meeting Session on June 8, 2009. We as an organization have the opportunity to make a difference as to whether a worthy restoration project moves forward. I would appreciate it if as many of you as possible can write letters of support, requesting the Selectboard and the Con Comm to vote in favor of moving this project forward. Time is of the essence. The letters need to get out no later than Tuesday, June 2, 2009, to get tot he Con Comm before their June 4, 2009 meeting. I'll also have some e-mail addresses for you for both the Con Comm and the Selectboard. Thank you very much for your efforts in support of this project. Peter Schilling Chairman, MA/RI Council Trout Unlimited 617-244-5126 Below are 2 letters written in support of this project. The letters can also be sent by e-mail to: Erin Jacques of the Con Comm ejacque@town.sturbridge.ma.us (She is the staff person for the Con Com) and Mary Blanchard mblanch@hotmail.com (She is the head of the Selectboard) Letter to Board of Selectpersons: May 26, 2009 Peter M. Schilling 5 Baker Place Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462 Board of Selectpersons Town of Sturbridge 371 Main Street Sturbridge , MA 01566 Dear Selectboard: I am writing on behalf of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council of Trout Unlimited, to urge you to go forward with the proposed restoration of Hamant Brook. Trout Unlimited is a national conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of coldwater species and their habitat. I represent nearly four thousand members in two states. The Council strongly supports the restoration plan proposed by Todd Richards from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The April 27, 2009 non-binding vote by Town Meeting, which deadlocked 62-62, indicates considerable support within the town for this project. I think the fact there was such support, given the lateness of the hour at which the vote was taken, bolsters the argument for going forward with the project. Likewise, the recent communication to the Conservation Commission from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Office of Dam Safety provides impetus for the Selectboard to act in favor of the proposal. As you know, the Conservation Commission received two Dam Safety Orders on May 3rd, 2009, relating to the Upper Pond Dam and the Middle Pond Dam. The first is rated a “Significant Hazard Potential,” and the second a “Low Hazard Potential.” The town must now complete inspections of these dams by August 28, 2009 and October 28, 2009 at an estimated cost of between $7,000 and $8,000 per inspection. There is a strong likelihood that in the not too distant future, significant expenditures will have to be made by the town to either repair, or remove one - if not both - of these two dams. All of the dams would be removed as part of the restoration project, at no cost to the town. Along with saving the town a significant expense at a time when the Legislature has made clear there will be less money in the future for cities and towns, this project will help improve the habitat and numbers of native, wild brook trout in Hamant Brook. There will be an increase in riffle and pool habitat favored by brook trout for spawning and foraging. The brook will be reconnected to the Quinebaug for the first time in generations. There should be more brook trout throughout the lower section of the brook, and probably bigger fish, because they will have access to the Quinebaug. In the past five years, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council has been involved in four or five other dam removal projects across the state. Each has provided benefits to native trout and also to the efforts to restore Atlantic salmon to Connecticut River tributaries. This is an opportunity for the town of Sturbridge to support a project based on sound science, which will help protect the natural history of the Commonwealth and the town of Sturbridge . At the informational meeting in January, I stated that our organization would provide manpower for this project, and help as needed. I will once again commit to supporting the project with manpower and to support Fish and Wildlife as it moves forward with the Hamant Brook restoration. Finally, it is my understanding that the Conservation Commission has been given responsibility for the care and custody of the property through which Hamant Brook runs. Ostensibly, the decision-making authority regarding whether the town moves forward with this project potentially can be seen to rest with the Conservation Commission. However, the delegation of oversight to the Conservation Commission for this property cannot have included a delegation of authority over whether or not the town expends significant amounts to restore, or repair the dams. That power of the purse rightly must rest with either the Selectmen who are elected by the citizenry, or with residents at Town Meeting. Respectfully, Peter M. Schilling Chairman Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council Trout Unlimited Letter To Conservation Comission: May 26, 2009 Peter M. Schilling 5 Baker Place Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462 Conservation Commission Town of Sturbridge 371 Main Street Sturbridge , MA 01566 Dear Commission Members: On behalf of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council of Trout Unlimited, I am writing to request your support in moving forward with the proposed restoration of Hamant Brook. Trout Unlimited is a national conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of coldwater species and their habitat. I represent nearly four thousand members in two states. The Council strongly supports the restoration plan proposed by Todd Richards from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. During my brief exposure to the Conservation Commission at the January 2009 information meeting and the April 2009 tour of the brook, I came away with an appreciation for the level of commitment and work for the town, on the part of Commission members. It is clear to me that regardless of the stance taken by some commissioners on this project, there is a profound level of caring for the town and its environment amongst those serving on the Commission. Clearly, there is a depth of sentiment on both sides of the issue regarding whether this restoration project should go forward. I believe it should; and I also believe this Commission has the ability to play a leadership role in doing the right thing for the town, both from an environmental perspective and from a financial perspective. The April 27, 2009 non-binding vote by Town Meeting, which deadlocked 62-62, indicates considerable support within the town for this project. The fact there was such support given the lateness of the hour at which the vote was taken bolsters the argument for going forward with the project. Likewise, the recent communication you received from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Office of Dam Safety provides impetus to move forward with the restoration project. The two Dam Safety Orders received on May 3rd, 2009 , declared the Upper Pond Dam a “Significant Hazard Potential,” and the Middle Pond Dam a “Low Hazard Potential. ” As a result, the town must now complete inspections of these dams by August 28, 2009 and October 28, 2009 at an estimated cost of between $7,000 and $8,000 per inspection. There is a strong likelihood that in the not too distant future, significant expenditures will have to be made by the town to either repair, or remove one - if not both - of these two dams. As you know, all of the dams would be removed as part of the restoration project, at no cost to the town. Along with saving the town a significant expense at a time when the Legislature has made clear there will be less money in the future for cities and towns, this project will help improve the habitat and numbers of native, wild brook trout in Hamant Brook. There will be an increase in riffle and pool habitat favored by brook trout for spawning and foraging. The brook will be reconnected to the Quinebaug for the first time in generations. There should be more brook trout throughout the lower section of the brook, and probably bigger fish, because they will have access to the Quinebaug. In the past five years, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council has been involved in four or five other dam removal projects across the state. Each has provided benefits to native trout and also to the efforts to restore Atlantic salmon to Connecticut River tributaries. This is an opportunity for the Commission and the town of Sturbridge to support a project based on sound science, which will help protect the natural history of the Commonwealth and the town of Sturbridge . At the informational meeting in January, I stated that our organization would provide manpower for this project, and help as needed. I will once again commit to supporting the project with manpower and to support Fish and Wildlife as it moves forward with the Hamant Brook restoration. Finally, it is my understanding that the Commission has been given responsibility for the care and custody of the property through which Hamant Brook runs. Ostensibly, the decision-making authority regarding whether the town moves forward with this project potentially can be seen to rest with the Commission. However, I do not believe the delegation of oversight to the Commission for this property included a delegation of authority over whether or not the town expends significant amounts to restore, or repair the dams. That power of the purse rightly must rest with either the Selectmen who are elected by the citizenry, or with residents at Town Meeting. Clearly, in a matter of such significance to the town regarding its future financial obligations, the Commission would want to work collaboratively with both the Selectpersons and Town Meeting. I request that the Commission vote to support the proposed restoration project, and make a recommendation to both Town Meeting and the Selectpersons to go forward. Respectfully, Peter M. Schilling Chairman Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council Trout Unlimited Email webmaster@ma-ri-tu-council.org if you would like a MS Word .doc version of these letters. View "Dam Removal" pages here if you wish to view or include some examples of the habitat restoration work done by TU Chapter Volunteers across the state.