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W I L D & S C E N I C

Inside this issue… Issue # 4 Summer 2009 Focus on: Native Americans of the Farmington Valley Archaeological record and oral history reveal settlement patterns Page 2

Kayak Races Return to the Tariffville Gorge Serious competitive kayaking returned to the Tariffville Gorge area of the Farmington River this spring!! The New England Whitewater Triple Crown Championship, sanctioned by USA Canoe/Kayak, and took place the last weekend

in April. It was titled “Triple Crown” because the competition was divided into three distinct events. The Championship drew quite a few top notch competitors, including former and current Olympians and some of the world’s top play boaters. While Connecticut boaters had good representation, competitors came from as far away as Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Canada. The weather and water level were superb for a fun filled happening. The Gorge first saw serious slalom-racing back in the 1960’s, including hosting the U.S. Team Trials and an Olympic Trials qualifier race. Spectators of the Triple Crown were able to get up close, with the river banks crowded down near the beach.

What were the three racing events? The wild water event was a flat out race from a starting point in Tariffville to just below the Spoonville dam. The racers were ranked on their times to complete the course. Next was a slalom race from a starting point in Tariffville to the beach area just past the play hole, a spot where kayakers practice rolls and other moves. Slalom racing is an Olympic

sport in which the competitors pass through “gates” (or two poles spaced about 3 feet apart suspended from wires strung across the river) along the length of the course. Most of the 21 strategically placed gates had to be passed through going downriver, but a few required the kayaker to pass through the gate going upstream. Racers were timed, but points were subtracted for missing gates. The course was tough, with many expert boaters missing some well-placed gates. The third event was freestyle. In this case, the kayakers were required to perform tricks or maneuvers within a given amount of time while on a designated wave or “hydraulic”. Points were assigned based on difficulty for spins, cartwheels, or flips/loops, with the requirement that competitors remain in the “hole” following the trick. A knowledgeable emcee kept spectators informed of event progress throughout.

The Saturday events were open to all registered competitors. Competition on Sunday was limited to competitors with top point totals. The overall point leader on Sunday, after combining the scores from each event, won a $1000 prize in each of the men’s and women’s categories. Eric “EJ” Jackson, four time World Freestyle Kayak Champion, 1992 Olympian, and co-founder of Jackson Kayak, won the men’s prize. Katrina Van Wijk, a Canadian Slalom Champion in 2007, won the woman’s prize. The kayaking community is pretty close, and while the competition was stiff, camaraderie

ruled the day and spilled over to attendees.

The Triple Crown was organized largely by Jamie McEwan with lots of help from Frank Haviland, Andy Kuhlberg, Keech Leclair and Pete Cassebeer. Jamie won a bronze medal in the 1972 Olympics, was a World Cup Champion in 1988, and competed in the 1992 Olympics. Community support was quite evident at the events. The Tariffville Gorge provides an invaluable combination of convenient access and first-class whitewater. And don’t worry—if you missed out on this year’s excitement, the 2010 Triple Crown is already being planned! For more information, visit:www.tvilletriplecrown.com Story by: Mike Krammen

Photos: Bill Duncan & Mike Krammen

Fourth in a series of newsletters to keep the community informed about Wild & Scenic Study process

Competitors get ready to ride the rapids as spectators take in the thrills from the shore.

Economic Study Studies measure economic impact of the Farmington River Page 3

Meet the Committee Members Committee members from Granby and East Granby share their stories Page 5

http://www.tvilletriplecrown.com/�


Focus on: Native Americans & the Farmington River


Thousands of years ago, ancient hunters and gatherers followed herds of animals along the fast flowing and winding little river that we call the Farmington. These ancient people were led by the rhythms of nature, and were spiritually connected to earth, sky and water. Information about their lives is based on archaeological evidence and oral histories carried from generation to generation.

Many artifacts have been found along the Farmington River and its tributaries. Campsites and rock shelters have been located on glacial terraces above the river, in upland areas and near soapstone quarries. Near the junction of the Pequabuck River and the Farmington River in Farmington was a major camping and trading center. Archaeological digs there have yielded over 100 fire hearths and piles of stone materials.

The site was visited repeatedly by ancient people over thousands of years. It was most frequented in the Middle Archaic Period (6000 TO 4000 B.C.). Three major Indian trails met here. Native people traveled long distances on trails which usually followed rivers and streams. The North West Path, which approximately follows Route 44, was a north / south trading route, connecting with trails that went up into New York State.

During the Woodland Period (1000 B.C. to Contact with Europeans) agriculture was introduced and people planted gardens of corn, squash and beans (called “the three sisters), as well as other crops. Corn replaced acorns and hickory nuts as diet staples. Bows and arrows replaced spears for hunting. Wigwams were constructed in a village setting. English Colonists encountered large

villages in Windsor, Farmington, and Simsbury.

The Pequot War (1636-1638) not only ended the power and culture of the Pequots, but also affected Indians throughout Connecticut, including the Farmington Valley, bringing increasing Colonial control. King Philip’s War (1675-1676) became the final attempt of the Indians to fight for the land and identity lost to Colonial advancement. During this war the English Massacoe Plantation by the Farmington River in Simsbury was burned and destroyed by King Philip and his warriors. At this time most of the Massacoe Indians, who were friendly to the Colonists, moved to the Housatonic River area and later many moved to the Indian town in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

As Indian life changed irreversibly, Indians from many tribes removed from their original lands, came to the Farmington Valley. The local Tunxis Tribe became part of a larger group called “Farmington Indians”. Many educated Farmington Indians were involved in planning an Indian emigration movement to New York under the leadership of the Mohegan Indian Minister, Samson Occom, and Joseph Johnson, a Mohegan teacher at the Farmington Indian School. The Farmington River Valley had a very important role in the emigration of New

England Indians to land given by the Oneidas of New York. In 1773 Farmington Indians signed letters urging other tribes to join the move. Four of them petitioned the House of Representatives, asking for a Colony Law Book to use as a guide in the new land.

In 1785 the new tribe, “Brothertown” was formed in New York, uniting educated, Christianized Indians from 7 tribes, Farmington Indians, Mohegans, Narragansetts, Niantics, Groton Pequots, Stonington Pequots, and Montauks. Soon after, Stockbridge Mohicans (which also included Indians from the Farmington River Valley) settled on land adjacent to the Brothertown.

Both the Brothertown and Stockbridge people were forced off their New York lands, and after long journeys and many hardships, found land in Wisconsin. The Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans was federally recognized many years ago and have a large reservation in Wisconsin. The Brothertown Indian Nation which was the first Indian tribe in the country to receive U.S. citizenship is finally on the Active List for Federal Acknowledgement. They know of their Farmington Valley heritage. It is also our cultural heritage.

Cynthia Griggs is a Canton representative to the Wild & Scenic Study Committee and is the Eastern Historian to the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans and the Brothertown Indian Nation. The Brothertown recently honored her with a gift of the "Circle of Life" blanket, and a special award as a "Friend of the Brothertown".

Photo contributed by Wanda Colman

Professor Emeritus Jelle Zeilinga de Boer from Wesleyan University, who spoke to the Wild and Scenic Study Committee about the bedrock geology of the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook, has a new book, Stories in Stone, which relates the history and culture of Connecticut to the state’s geology.

The University Press of New England website offers the following description of the book: In a series of entertaining essays, geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut’s natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state’s history. For example, the Statue of Liberty, a quintessential symbol of America, rests on Connecticut’s Stony Creek granite. Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut’s geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home. It is available from University of New England Press, www.upne.com.

Connecticut’s Rich Geologic Past Detailed in New Book

http://www.upne.com/�


River Recreation Enhances Local Economy, Real Estate Market, Quality of Life

A recently completed study in ten towns of the lower Farmington watershed shows very strong support for a Wild and Scenic River designation for the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook. The study targeted residents, recreational river users and businesses. The study also showed that these river corridors are heavily used by local residents, adding to local quality of life and to real estate values.

The study was conducted by Dr. Ben Tyson, Dr. James Thorson and graduate student David Maliar, through the Center for Public Policy and Social Research at Central Connecticut State University, and was funded by the National Park Service. It is part of a larger, comprehensive study coordinated by the Lower Farmington River/Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study Committee, as a step in the 3- to 5-year process of obtaining National Wild and Scenic River status for these waterways. Its specific purpose was to investigate the “Use and Economic Importance of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook”.

Conducted from May through October 2008, the project involved personal interviews, counts of people engaged in recreation at 30 locations along the river and brook, and

mailed surveys. Based on the information obtained, the researchers estimate over 124,000 recreational visits to the watercourses or their corridors per year. This estimate was described as “very conservative” because it excludes early morning and evening hours and the months of November through April. Walking or jogging is apparently the most common pursuit along the river. Biking, dog walking, and paddling sports are also common.

About 73% of recreational users who responded strongly agree that the river or brook contributes a lot of beauty to the area, as do about 62% of the residents surveyed. Both groups look to a Wild and Scenic river designation as an “important” or “very important” way to preserve the beauty of the river/brook, to preserve open space and to improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Economic Impact

Not surprisingly, the study showed that the amount of money that river recreation brings into the local economy is smaller than that of the upper Farmington River (which was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1994). Study Committee Chair Sally Rieger explains, “We know the Upper Farmington draws out-of-state fishermen as well as locals, and they spend on overnight accommodations, food, and fishing-related items. This has an economic significance of about 3.6 million dollars a year, according to a study similar to ours that was released in 2003. The corresponding figure for the lower Farmington and Salmon Brook is between 1.2 and 1.6 million. But,” she added, “we need to look more closely at the local economic effect of the kayakers who

come to Tariffville Gorge, which is a regional white-water kayaking destination. Study committee members familiar with the Gorge feel its economic impact was underestimated.”

Although the economic impact of the river is not as large as the Study Committee had hoped, it still has substantial economic importance. Local proprietor Sue Warner commented, “The vitality of the Farmington River is critical to Collinsville. The Farmington River attracts visitors from all over the state as well as New York and Massachusetts. Collinsville Canoe & Kayak depends on the clean waterway for hundreds of lessons and rentals every season. The town and our business would not thrive without the river.”

Studying the relationship of real estate values to the presence of the river suggests that home buyers are willing to pay approximately $14,000 extra to be a mile closer to the Farmington River/Salmon Brook. The watercourses are clearly amenities for which home buyers are willing to pay.

To Right: David Maliar interviews sunbathers along the Salmon Brook Photos contributed by Wanda Colman


Wild & Scenic: Economic Impact

The Wild & Scenic Study Committee continues to actively seek the opinions and input of landowners, river users, and town and state officials. Please plan to attend one of the three Community Forums scheduled for this fall to learn more about the study process. This will also be an opportunity to provide input to the development of the advisory Management Plan. The Management Plan will serve as a guidance document for effective protection of the Outstanding Resource Values (Geology, Water Quality, Biological Diversity, Cultural Landscape and Recreation).

For more information on the study, please contact Sally Rieger, Study Chair, at 860-658-7317 or at [email protected] or Joyce Kennedy Raymes, Study Coordinator at 860-658-4222 x203 or at [email protected].

Stay Informed about the Wild & Scenic Process 2009 Community Forum

Dates and Locations: October 15: 5 to 8:30 pm—Canton Community Center October 29: 5 to 8:30 pm—East Granby Community Center November 5: 5 to 8:30 pm—Farmington Public Library

Stop by for a visit!

Featured Towns: Granby & East Granby


LULA Training – “Building Communities One Conversation at a Time”

A series of four Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA) training workshops were recently conducted for about 35 town leaders including town staff , members of boards and commissions and representatives from other organizations of the ten Wild & Scenic Study towns. The program was developed by the Pace University Land Use Law Center and was locally sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund, the Town

of Simsbury, the Hartford Foundation, the Farmington River Watershed Association, and the Wild & Scenic Study Committee. The program is designed to fit local needs and concerns of the communities attending. LULA trainers demonstrate how Connecticut’s enabling legislation can be used to strengthen regulations that protect natural resources. They also teach the use of collaborative techniques in the community to achieve low impact development. The workshops are designed to empower participants to return to their communities better equipped to deal with change and use consensus in reaching land use decisions.

During town breakout sessions participants were tasked with: 1.)identifying threats to local resources and 2.)suggesting tools for resource management within the Wild & Scenic study area. The input provided by participants will be used to help develop the Management Plan, the advisory document that will guide river conservation work if the

streams gain the Wild & Scenic designation.

To Left: Participants listen to one of many speakers at the 2009 LULA Training workshop

GRANBY—Glacial eras have been kind to Connecticut in carving remarkably diverse and beautiful terrain and none more so than in the northland town of Granby. While residential development has proliferated since Granby's split with Simsbury in 1786, the real essence of the town lies in its vast protected open spaces, western highlands and high quality watersheds.

A centerpiece is the privately managed McLean Game Refuge. The significance of its holding of over 4200 acres is magnified by its conti-nuity with Granby Land Trust property as well as with land managed by DEP to the west, Enders State Forest. If the property were merely faceless land, little more might be said. But the terrain is wonderfully diverse, ranging from the steep sloped northern and western highlands with their granite outcrops, McLean's meandering eskers, occasional kettle ponds and vernal pools, and, lastly the east and west branches of Salmon Brook. Approximately 95 percent of Granby is made up of the Salmon Brook watershed. The west branch tumbles out of forests in East Hartland over Enders cataracts and into West Granby. The cool, richly oxygenated waters provide idyllic fishing opportunities as well as habitat for breeding native brook trout. The east branch descends from Granville and journeys through a similar passage on its flow to the Farmington River in East Granby. Granby's natural heritage is open to all.

EAST GRANBY— In 1645 John Griffin of Windsor gave the land that would later become known as East Granby when it formed as a town in 1858. The area was previously known as the Turkey Hills District, first of Simsbury and later Granby. History of the area is shared with the Agawams, Poquonocks and Massacoes; Native Americans that hunted and had seasonal camps. The basalt ridge that runs from the Farmington River north to Suffield divides the town into east and west sections, giving rise to one of the best vistas along the Metacomet Trail. The trail overlooks Newgate Prison, the first location of copper mining in the U.S. Later the mine became a prison during the Revolu-tionary War. An 18th century smallpox cemetery can also be found on the trail.

The falls between Tariffville and Hatchet Hill was a natural fording place and important industry center. Here businesses developed on both sides of the river. The Case grist and lumber mills operated for much of the 19th century. A spoon manufacturing factory was the location of the first silver plating operation in the U.S. The falls was also a noted location of baptisms.

The Farmington Canal and later the railroads left their mark on the landscape. Today these paths are part of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail system.

Thanks to Dick Caley and Tom Howard


All About: LULA Training Workshops

Carolyn Flint—Granby This coming December will mark Carolyn’s 50th year living in Granby. During all those years, she has enjoyed the benefits of Salmon Brook. As a new teacher, she cooled off in the shallows of Salmon Brook on Canal Street. Later, she

would take her toddlers to the sandy area by the brook in McLean Refuge. In addition, she has been able to live very close to the brook and observe its wildlife daily. While her work life has always centered on education, her after-work life focused on the environment. She is a charter member of the Stream Team, which became the Salmon Brook Watershed Association. She is currently on the Granby Conservation Commission.

David W. Tolli—Granby Dave is a retired nuclear engineer. Dave and his wife Nancy have been married for 43 years and have two married children and two young grandchildren. Dave grew up in Plainville and enjoys a multitude of activities, including hiking, biking, golf, photography, skiing, kayaking and reading, to name just a few! In addition to being Chair of the Granby Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, he is treasurer of the Salmon Brook Watershed Association & Granby Republicans. He does some writing and photography work for The Granby Drummer and been to all 50 states and parts of Asia & Europe.

Ian Clark—East Granby Upon graduating from Missouri University in 1961, Ian joined Combustion Engineering in Windsor, which subsequently became a part of ABB. He retired from ABB in 1998 after a career in engineering, supervisory

and management roles. Ian and his wife Carolyn raised their family in East Granby. His many interests include music, ballroom dancing, photography, hiking, canoeing, cycling, cross country skiing and bird watching. Vitally interested in the natural world and conservation, he is a long time member of the East Granby Land Trust and currently sits on the Board of Directors as Stewardship Chairman. Ian is a Coverts Project Cooperator promoting wildlife habitat protection and sustainable forestry, and is actively involved in habitat improvement projects for the Land Trust and Hartford Audubon Society.

Michael Krammen—East Granby Michael is a member of the Lower Farmington Wild & Scenic River Study Committee. Mike and his wife, Director of the East Granby Library, have resided in East Granby for over 26 years, raising three children near the Tariffville Gorge section of the Farmington River. With a

B.S. degree in Science Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and advanced degrees in Nuclear Engineering from M.I.T., he works as a nuclear engineer at Westinghouse in Windsor, Connecticut. Mike and his family have a very active interest in the Farmington River, on and around which they have enjoyed numerous activities such as tubing, kayaking, fishing and hiking.

Eric Lukingbeal—Granby A Williams College and University of Virginia Law School graduate, Eric now works as a partner in the law firm of Robinson and Cole LLP in Hartford. In addition to his professional contribution to environmental legal issues, Eric has a strongly vested interest in his community and surrounding environment. Currently, Eric serves on the Granby Inland Wetlands and Watercourses

Commission, the Granby Open Space Committee, the Connecticut Tree Protection Examining Board, as well as serving as the Vice President of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association and as President of Holcomb Farm Learning Center Boards.


Community leadership and involvement in the study process are critical for its success. This column highlights the hardworking committee members that have an active role in the process.


Meet the Committee Members

Quick Facts About the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Study Area

•There are a billion years of earth history in a 35.1 square mile area. •Of the 12 possible mussel species found in southern New England, all have populations in the Farmington River. •Salmon Brook is one the last true cold water fisheries in the State of Connecticut supporting thriving, breeding populations of brook and brown trout. •The study area has six distinctly different ecoregions. •The town of Farmington was a significant Underground Railroad Station. •There are well over 124,000 recreational visits to the Farmington River and Salmon Brook each year.


About the Study Committee…

Avon: Diane Field*-Riparian Landowner Harry Spring*-Former Inland Wetlands Commissioner Rob House-Conservationist

Bloomfield: Paula Jones*-Conservationist Kevin Gough*-Conservationist

Burlington: Paul Rochford*-Burlington Land Trust Thomas Small*-Burlington Land Trust

Canton: Cynthia Griggs-Conservationist David Leff*-Author, Former Deputy Commissioner of DEP

East Granby: Ian Clark*-East Granby Land Trust Mike Krammen*-Engineer

Farmington: Walter Sargent*-Executive Director, Farmington Land Trust Larry Schlegel*-Angler Josef Treggor-Ecologist/Educator, MERA

Granby: Carolyn Flint*-Conservation Commission Eric Lukingbeal*-Land-use attorney, Wetlands Commission member

Hartland: Sue Murray*-Hartland Plan of C&D Committee, Hartland Land Trust Kathy Dunn*-Hartland Land Trust

Simsbury: Sally Rieger*-Simsbury Land Trust, FRWA Volunteer Margery Winters*-Simsbury Inland Wetlands & Conservation Commission Suzanne Battos-Conservationist

Windsor: Frank Davis*-Chair, Conservation Commission, Riparian Landowner Betsy Conger-Loomis Chafee School Science Dept. Terry Langevin-Friends of Northwest Park Board Member Melissa Vanek-Environmental/Science Educator

The Stanley Works: Kurt Link*-Lean, Productivity & Facilities Mgr., TSW

FRWA: Sarah Hinks*-FRWA Board, Volunteer Eileen Fielding*-FRWA Executive Director Aimee Petras-FRWA Staff

CFPA: Eric Hammerling*-Executive Director

TVA: Wanda Colman-Member, Photographer

SBWA: David Tolli*-SBWA Board

PRWA: Mary Moulton-PRWA President

CT DEP: Susan Peterson* Maryann Nusom Haverstock*

National Park Service: Jamie Fosburgh-Rivers Program Manager Joyce Kennedy Raymes-Study Coordinator

* Officially Appointed

The Study Committee’s membership includes locally appointed representatives from each town in the study area, and representatives from The Stanley Works, CT Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP), National Park Service, the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA), the Tariffville Village Association (TVA), Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA), Pequabuck River

Watershed Association (PRWA) and the Salmon Brook Watershed Association (SBWA).

Lower Farmington River & Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic Study Issue # 4 Summer 2009

Wild & Scenic Study / FRWA 749 Hopmeadow Street Simsbury, CT 06070

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