DEC Approves New Plan to Restore and Protect Waits, Wells, Ompompanoosuc and Stevens Rivers
MONTPELIER – The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) approved a new plan to improve water quality and acquatic habitat in the Stevens, Wells, Waits, and Ompompanoosuc river watersheds, as well as those of several direct tributaries to the middle Connecticut River. The Tactical Water Management Plan was presents the recommendations of ANR in collaboration with other State and Federal resource agencies, watershed partner organizations, regional planning commissions, municipalities, and individual citizens.
Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission said: "We continue to support maintaining and restoring water quality for natural and human health as well as for a healthy economy. This tactical basin plan contains the specificity and targeted actions needed to address areas of concern. TRORC looks forward to working closely with the Agency and our towns in the basin at implementation projects over the next few years".
The Plan provides an overview of the health of the basin and a description of the ongoing and future steps recommended to restore and protect its surface waters. An implementation table prioritizes these actions within geographical segments of the basin.
According to ANR Secretary Markowitz, “The good work of the Watershed Management Division with the communities in the Waits, Wells, Ompompanoosuc and Steven’s River areas has resulted in a comprehensive plan that will allow Vermont to protect and improve the water quality in the area for years to come.”
Copies of the plan and a full list of top priority actions may be obtained on-line at http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov or by contacting:
Jim Ryan
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Watershed Management Division
5 Perry St., Suite 80
Barre, VT 05641-4268
Phone: (802) 490-6140
Email: jim.ryan@vermont.gov