Public Invited to Join Meeting to Discuss Water Quality Plan for the West, Williams, Saxtons and Nearby CT River

6:00 pm

MONTPELIER, Vt. – State planners invite the public to attend one of two meetings in August to hear a presentation and offer their comments and suggestions on the State’s West, Williams, Saxtons Rivers and adjacent Connecticut River Tributaries Tactical Basin Draft Plan. This Plan has been developed to protect and restore rivers, lakes, and wetlands in southeastern Vermont from Weston to Brattleboro.
 
The Tactical Basin Plan identifies actions that will protect or improve rivers, lakes and wetlands through cost-effective projects, including floodplain restorations and dam removals. The plan includes 97 priority strategies focused on water quality and aquatic habitat. One such project is the proposed restoration of the Herricks Cove and Retreat Meadows wetlands which will to improve both flood resiliency and habitat for several rare species.
 
“We want to hear what the public thinks of the Draft Tactical Basin Plan because the plan will guide every water quality project in the region for the next five years,” says Margo Ghia, Natural Resources Planner for Windham Regional Commission.
 
State and regional planners will be offering two similar public meetings where participants can learn more about the actions identified in the draft plan and provide feedback on the plan. More information about the dates and locations of these hybrid in-person & virtual meetings is available at https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/watershed-planning/tactical-basin-planning/basin11 along with the draft plan and an interactive StoryMap on the Plan. Paper copies can be requested, and comments can be submitted via e-mail, by contacting Marie Caduto at [email protected] or 802-490-6142. 
 
The public comment period runs from August 2 - 27, 2021. State officials will respond to each comment in a summary written later this summer.
 
Aug 11, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 
In-Person Location:
Townshend Town Hall, 2006 Route 30, Townshend, VT
Virtual Access:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpceqorTMqGNWIRZVbA17Tg0fajoNyDb4R
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.