2011 State of the Watershed Summit
On September 23, 2011, the Niantic River Watershed Committee hosted a State of the Watershed meeting for local, state and federal stakeholders and partners.
The meeting was held in Nett Hall at Camp Niantic in East Lyme, overlooking the beautiful Niantic River. Approximately 50 stakeholders were in attendance, including municipal partners, Ledge Light Health District, University of Connecticut, Connecticut College, Ct Department of Health, Ct Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the US Geological Survey. East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica welcomed participants to Camp Niantic and East Lyme. The meeting was moderated by Watershed Coordinator Judy Rondeau. Click here for the meeting agenda.
Speakers included MaryBeth Hart of CT DEEP, Chris Tomichek of Kleinschmidt Associates, Scott Gravatt of the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD), and Eric Thomas of CT DEEP. Several watershed partners, including the East Lyme Conservation Commission, the USGS, the Town of East Lyme, the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District and Nature’s Fingerprint, prepared poster and/or short visual presentations for attendees to view.
Presentions included:
- Origins of the Niantic River Watershed Project – Marybeth Hart – CT DEEP – Office of Long Island Sound Programs
- Creation of Niantic River Watershed Protection Plan – Chris Tomichek – Kleinschmidt Associates
- Summary of Niantic River Coordinator Year 1 – Scott Gravatt – Eastern CT Conservation District (ECCD)
- Summary of Niantic River Coordinator Years 2 and 3 – Judy Rondeau – Niantic River Watershed Coordinator (ECCD)
- The Bigger Picture: How watershed protection on local levels benefits water quality protection of Long Island Sound– Eric Thomas– CT DEEP Watershed & LID Program
- Where do we go from here – what is next for the Niantic River? – Panel discussion
This meeting was made possible in part by funding from CT DEEP through a US EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 grant.