2007 Planned Action
2006 Description Program and project information and photographs can be viewed at: www.westchestergov.com/waterquality, then click on "Aquatic Restoration Program" in left menu. 7.
The USFWS Coastal Program continued work with NYSDEC and other partners to study fish passage opportunities in the Oyster Bay area of Long Island.
Project pending assignment of staff.
8.
The USFWS Coastal Program assisted CTDEP, Coastal America, and corporations in exploring restoration opportunities and incentives to increase corporate participation in the Corporate Wetland Restoration Partnership (CWRP). In 2005, CWRP provided support for the Branford Supply Pond Fishway and for The Nature Conservancy’s Zemko Dam Removal Project. As noted above, the Branford project was completed in May 2006; the Zemko Dam project is awaiting permit approval in 2007 before work can proceed.
Continue to work with the states, Coastal America and the corporate partners to expand the CWRP and implement priority restoration projects.
9.
The Branford Land Trust and federal, state and local partners participated in a dedication ceremony in May 2006 to mark the opening of the Branford Fishway located at the Branford Supply Ponds dam, Branford, CT. The three-year project was completed at a cost of $203,500 and is located on the Queach Brook, a tributary to the Branford River. The new fishway is aimed at restoring anadromous fish passage to upstream spawning habitats for alewife and other species such as blueback herring, sea lamprey, and sea-run brown trout.
The fishway is operational. Over 3,200 fish have swum through the fishway since its opening in April 2006.
L-2. HABITAT PROTECTION AND ACQUISITION (CCMP TABLE 41, P.110) KEY ELEMENTS: MAINTAIN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PERMIT PROGRAMS (E.G. FOR WETLANDS, STORMWATER, DREDGING) TO REGULATE USE AND DEVELOPMENT AFFECTING AQUATIC RESOURCES AND CRITICAL HABITATS. EXPAND ACQUISITION PROGRAMS AND EFFORTS TO PROTECT HABITATS FROM DEVELOPMENT AND ESTABLISH STEWARDSHIP OF AREAS OF LAND AND WATER OF OUTSTANDING OR EXEMPLARY SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL, OR BIOLOGICAL VALUE. MANAGE FEDERAL WILDLIFE REFUGES. 2007 Planned Action
2006 Description 1.
The Policy Committee endorsed 33 inaugural Long Island Sound Stewardship sites at its September 2006 meeting, signing a resolution of support for the stewardship initiative (which is noted on the LISS website). Congress passed and the President signed P.L. 109-359, the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 on October 16, 2007. The Act establishes the Stewardship Initiative and authorizes appropriations up to $25 million annually through 2011.
No funds were appropriated in FY2007.
2.
New York City's CSO facility planning projects for the Hutchinson River, Westchester Creek, the Bronx River, Flushing Creek and Bay, and Alley Creek are continuing at various levels of planning, design, and construction. Once completed, the facilities will minimize CSOs and protect habitats in these tributaries to the East River and Western Long Island Sound.
Update project status as they proceed to and complete construction.
3.
CTDEP and other partners have worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in identifying important criteria for coastal area protection and pursuing funds through NOAA’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP). CTDEP has identified several important parcels located along the Connecticut River in Lyme, as well as an isolated island located in the CT River that would be an ideal candidate for a CELCP grant. It is expected that NOAA will conduct a competitive grant process open to coastal states with approved CELCP Plans beginning in FY2006.
CTDEP will work closely with the Nature Conservancy and local land trusts to negotiate purchase contracts with property owners, contingent upon CTDEP’s success in obtaining matching federal grants under this program.
4.
During 2006 over 2,324 acres of open space were acquired by municipalities and conservation groups assisted with Connecticut Open Space Grants. In 2006 more than $6.9 million was awarded to municipalities and conservation groups to purchase 1,944 acres of permanently protected open space land during 2007. Connecticut’s goal is to preserve 21
CTDEP’s Land Acquisition & Management division will continue collecting data
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