Local Projects Seek Funding For Recreation, Restoration Along Housatonic

By Kendra Bobowick

General Electric will be paying the bills for several environmental projects aimed at improvements along the Housatonic River, if the projects pass a coming round of approvals.

“The town and people and the habitat will all benefit greatly…there will be a lot of happy people,” said town Conservation Official Rob Sibley, who submitted several applications on the town’s behalf and one on his own through Sibley Environmental Services. Also aware of the handful of applications outlining preservation and restoration projects is Conservation Commission Chairman Joseph Hovious, who explained that Newtown officials have considered areas in town that met criteria for the grant program.

“We started working to see what beneficial things could be funded and hopefully they will come to pass,” he said. In fact, several local initiatives became clear.

Newtown’s applications are among 92 environmental, conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation programs now sitting with the Department of Environmental Protection. The state department sought projects that restore the Housatonic River’s natural resources and recreational uses that were injured by PCB release from the General Electric (GE) facility in Pittsfield, Mass.

Recently the DEP has deemed 76 proposals — including the few from Newtown — eligible for further consideration for a piece of a roughly $9 million settlement fund for state restoration projects. Mr Sibley is “tentatively happy” that applications have made the first round. He said, “The good news is [the projects] went through the eligibility phase, they went through the first hurdle.”

Applicants must now justify their projects. Mr Sibley explained that the more difficult phase is coming. “Now we have to describe how we are going to accomplish [projects] and then we will be notified if we’re accepted.”

Mr Hovious said, “The first phase was easy and the second will be more complicated.” Projects must now earn points to match thorough criteria. “Hopefully, Newtown will come out ahead,” he said.

Newtown initiatives include acquiring and enhancing land along town waterways, permanently protecting habitat along the Halfway River, rehabilitating more than an acre of open space along the Housatonic near Lake Lillinonah to improve public recreation, and rehabilitate the boat launch, retaining walls and habitat. The largest proposal for Newtown concerns a piece of the river meandering through the Walnut Tree Hill Park area counting for roughly 4,400 feet of riverbank.

The town hopes to restore the banks and improve habitat within a 46-acre parcel of open space at the confluence of the Pootatuck and Housatonic Rivers. Another project comes from the Sibley Environmental Services, and seeks to improve the water quality and riparian corridor restoration along Lakes Zoar and Lillinonah by 2012.

Several other projects focus on or around Lake Lillinonah and involve reducing sediment, Pond Brook boat launch renovations, and improvements to water quality and reestablishing native species.

Trout Unlimited has also pitched a project to stabilize brown trout populations along the Housatonic. The Lake Zoar Authority has also submitted an application for ideas to mark navigational hazards and environmentally sensitive areas on Lake Zoar.

Eichler’s Cove, nestled where the Halfway River meats Lake Zoar on the outskirts of Newtown, prompted another proposal. Officials seek to rehabilitate the roughly 11½ acres of open space and boat launch at the cove. The project’s goals also include improvements to the recreation area, and habitat restoration.

A Conservation-Minded Community

Did the projects exist before the DEP sought proposals?

“It’s a mix,” said Mr Hovious, “But generally, yes.” He refers to the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, which addresses preservation and greenways along waterways. Part of the plan’s stated goals, available at www.newtown-ct.gov, are to maintain the scenic characteristics of Newtown, continue to preserve and protect inland wetlands and watercourses from potential sources of contamination or development, achieve and protect high water quality classifications throughout Newtown, conserve and protect natural systems to maintain wildlife and plant life, and enhance opportunities for passive recreation.

Mr Sibley believes all the projects submitted for funding are a priority. “The best way to describe them is necessary, each talks about critical needs,” he said. “This includes many acres on the river.” Specifically, he eyes the Walnut Tree Hill project saying, “That project is for a large piece of open space…and includes many acres of river.”

Looking at the settlement waiting to be dispersed, he said, “They are going to throw around a lot of money. This is almost going to be found money if we’re approved for any.”

Mr Hovious would like to see the initiatives completed anyway. “But where do they stand in tax dollars?” he asked.

Conservation Commission member Marjorie Cramer is also intent on protecting Newtown’s resources, along the Housatonic corridor and elsewhere. “It’s incredibly beautiful,” she said, also explaining that preservation of wildlife habitat and preservation of parcels along the waterway are important.

Ms Cramer also sees the town expanding.

With a tone of regret she said, “Development is inevitable. I just really believe in the concept of smart growth.” Any land preserved avoids the potential development of impervious surfaces — black top or streets, she said. The Candlewood Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited President James Belden explained the harm created by the impervious surfaces. Essentially, flooding occurs and rushes water along pavement and into the water supply. The water has not been filtered through the soil, and carries contaminants, he said.

Mr Sibley explained that also among those interested in seeing the projects succeed are the Parks and Recreation Commission, Inland Wetlands, and the Board of Selectman.