State dredging of Farmington River spill pollution possible, official says

by Gregory B. Hladky, Hartford Courant State officials are considering the possibility of dredging a section of the Farmington River in Windsor contaminated by a spill of firefighting foam containing the hazardous chemical compounds called PFAS.Liz Lacy, a National Park Service official, said Thursday that she’s been told by a Connecticut environmental official there “couldContinue reading “State dredging of Farmington River spill pollution possible, official says”

Environmental advocates applaud conservation fund, river protection laws

By Will Healey, Manchester Journal Inquirer Environmental advocates are cheering the signing into law of a sprawling natural resources bill that permanently re-authorizes the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and furnishes certain local waterways with a national “wild and scenic” designation. With President Donald Trump’s signing of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management,Continue reading “Environmental advocates applaud conservation fund, river protection laws”

House OKs ‘wild and scenic’ designation for lower Farmington River, Salmon Brook

By Will Healey, Manchester Journal Inquirer A sprawling natural resources bill containing designation for the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook as a national “Wild and Scenic River” overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. The roughly 62-mile portion that wouldContinue reading “House OKs ‘wild and scenic’ designation for lower Farmington River, Salmon Brook”

Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook a step closer to federal ‘wild and scenic’ designation

By Will Healey, Manchester Journal Inquirer With the U.S. Senate’s recent passage of a sprawling natural resources bill, the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook are once again in contention to receive federal designation as a national “Wild and Scenic River.” The roughly 62-mile portion that would receive the designation — which carries certain protectionsContinue reading “Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook a step closer to federal ‘wild and scenic’ designation”

Great News! We are now officially Wild and Scenic!

The John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act that was signed into law on Tuesday, March 12, has conferred the status of Wild and Scenic <on the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook, its tributary. Attaining the Wild and Scenic designation was a labor of more than a decade by the Wild andContinue reading “Great News! We are now officially Wild and Scenic!”

Larson, Hayes Vote for Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act

U.S. Representative John Larson, Press Release, February 27, 2019 Yesterday, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05) voted for the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act, which was included in the Natural Resources Management Act. This bill would create a National Park Service protective designation for theContinue reading “Larson, Hayes Vote for Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act”

Senate Passes Murphy’s Bill To Designate Farmington River & Salmon Brook As “Wild & Scenic”

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, Press Release, February 12, 2019 U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), applauded passage of his Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act, which will create a U.S. National Park Service protective designation for the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook, in the U.S. Senate on Thursday. With theContinue reading “Senate Passes Murphy’s Bill To Designate Farmington River & Salmon Brook As “Wild & Scenic””

“Rock Snot” on the West Branch of the Farmington River

From the Connecticut DEEP Attention Anglers – Rock Snot is in full bloom in the West Branch Farmington River from New Hartford to Hartland. Please take extra care to clean anything that has come into contact with the stream bottom. The species is Cymbella janischii, which is native to the Pacific Northwest and not foundContinue reading ““Rock Snot” on the West Branch of the Farmington River”