WILD & SCENIC

WESTFIELD RIVERCOMMITTEE

ANNUALREPORT2015

WILD & SCENIC

2015 HighlightsFROM AROUND THE WATERSHED

LETTER FROM

THE CHAIRAs we put together our annual report for 2015 italways seems to be a time of reflection andanticipation. Reflections of the past yearsaccomplishments and appreciations of individualefforts. Dedication and commitment by all ofthe members of the Committee, ongoing, tireless

work by Dave Pierce on behalf of Keystone Arch Bridges designation. Ourdedicated National Park Service Representative Liz Lacy, Carrie Banks ourState Coordinator provided by the Massachusetts Division of EcologicalRestoration, who is the principle driving force behind all of the Committee’sactivities. Special appreciation of Meredyth Babcock and all of the StreamTeam volunteers for their contributions over the past year.

Anticipations and expectations for the coming year are high — plans for our3rd Annual Watershed Blitz, continued monitoring of water quality, controlof invasives within the watershed, and broader collaboration with the otherPartnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. I am excited that the WestfieldCommittee will be hosting the 2017 Partnership Rivers Conference. Therewill be new workspace at Westfield State University to further collaborationwith faculty and students. All giving a sense of excitement and renewedcommitment for the Committee and the Designation.

On behalf of the entire Committee I would like to thank everyone who hascontributed to, or been involved in, any of the activities associated with theCommittee and the Watershed. I would also like to recognize the support ofthe Wild and Scenic Towns through their representatives. It is thecollaboration and commitment of a number of groups and individuals thatcontribute immeasurably to make the Westfield a spectacular River.

Sincerely,

Robert Thompson, Chair

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Town of BecketMercedes Gallagher, TreasurerAlvin Blake, alt.

Town of ChesterRobert Thompson, ChairDave Pierce, alt.

Town of ChesterfieldNancy Rich; Denise Cormier, alt.

Town of CummingtonAmy Pulley

Town of HuntingtonJeff Penn, Vice-Chair

Town of MiddlefieldCarol Waag; Terry Crean, alt.;Don Munger, alt.

Town of SavoyJohn Tynan

Town of WashingtonRoy Bryan

Town of WindsorJim Caffrey, Secretary

Town of WorthingtonRoan Katahdin; Jim Dodge, alt.

Additional Members:

Westfield River Watershed AssociationThe Trustees of ReservationsPioneer Valley Planning CommissionBerkshire Regional Planning CommissionCommonwealth of MassachusettsNational Park Service

Associate Member:

Westfield River Environmental Center —Westfield State University

OUR MISSION

To preserve, protect and enhance the specialqualities and outstanding resources of theWestfield River Watershed in concert with localcommunities.

Front cover: Meadowhawk DragonflyPhoto Credit — John Burns

IN THIS ISSUE

A Year By the Numbers 3

Financial Report 3

Didymo Found in West Branch 3

Wild & Scenic Highlights 4-7

Supporters and Contributors 8

Gators in the Westfield River —creative art installation project byCommunity Access to the Arts.

FINANCIAL REPORTProject funding provided through the National Park Service’sPartnership Wild & Scenic Rivers Program (except as noted*).

Program and technical assistance provided by staff at theMassachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, Department ofFish & Game and the National Park Service.

* A total of $579 of these funds came from other donations.

WATERSHED BLITZ PARTICIPANTS

surveyed 13.5 RIVER MILES and collected morethan 300 PHOTOS and DATAPOINTS.

General Expenses

General Operations $8,404*Outreach & EducationOutreach and Education $5,032Watershed Blitz $818*

Resource StewardshipCulvert Fish Passage Monitoring $8,524River Internships $3,093Stream Team Projects $18,033Community GrantsBecket-Washington Stream Explorers $300FLT Riparian Conservation Project $1,681NEWFS Rare Plants & Invasives Project $8,000TNC Riparian Conservation Project $15,000

TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $68,885Additional Project Funds Under Contract: $23,561

$270,391+ ingrants, donations, in-kind and volunteer

services leveraged bythe Committee.

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ROAD-STREAMCROSSINGS surveyedby interns to prioritizerestoration projectsbased on risks to bothecosystems andinfrastructure.

12 LOCATIONS AND COMMUNITYEVENTS hosted the Wild & Scenic Travel theWatershed Suitcases and distributed OVER 600EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.

A YEAR BY THE NUMBERS137

STREAM TEAMVOLUNTEERS contributedOVER 749 HOURS to monitorthe watershed, removeinvasives and enhancehistorical and recreationalfeatures along the river.

BIRTHDAY celebrated by Mr.Aaron after his wish to conserve70 ACRES of his familyhomestead was granted with thehelp of a Wild & Scenic RiparianConservation Grant.

103rd

DIDYMO FOUND IN WEST BRANCH

CHECK, CLEAN, DRYDidymo, aka Rock Snot, was found along the WestBranch in Becket, Middlefield, Chester and Huntington.Help prevent its spread! After leaving the water:

CHECK – Remove all visible algae and plant materialfrom fishing gear, clothing, waders, sandals, water shoes,floats, boats, and anything else that has been in the water.

CLEAN – Wash boats and gear thoroughly in HOTsoapy water. Soak clothing, felt-soled waders, and otherabsorbent items in HOT soapy water for 30 minutes.

DRY – Dry equipment completely. Complete drying maytake multiple days for some types of gear and equipment,e.g. life jackets, sneakers, clothing, felt-soled waders, etc.

STREAM EXPLORERS: Sponsored a five week after-school Stream Explorer Program for fourth and fifthgraders. The hands on and playful sessions insure a lifelonglove of stream exploring.

“We are a small school of about 100 children and a very small PTO withlimited funds. Thank you for supporting of our Stream Explorers! Theprogram is offered to the delight of our students, increasing their awarenessand appreciation for their local watershed.” – Renee Adams, Becket-Washington PTO Co-President

WILD & SCENIC

2015 HIGHLIGHTSFROM AROUND THE WATERSHED

From stream explorations along the West Branch to a Watershed Blitz alongthe Middle Branch to land conservation along tributaries to the East Branch,the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee has been active throughout thewatershed. Here are just a few highlights from 2015!

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WINDSOR

SAVOY

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R I P A R I A NCONSERVATIONGRANT: In 2008, JimAaron approached theFranklin Land Trust onbehalf of his 96-year-oldfather who wished todonate a conservationrestriction (CR) on the70-acre homesteaddraining to Tower Brook.Because of unresolved due

diligence issues, the CR was never recorded. This past winter, Jimcontacted FLT again. His father, now 102 years old, was anxious toput his affairs in order. Through the Committee’s RiparianConservation Grant program, the FLT was able to resolvethe due diligence issues and fulfill Mr. Aaron’s wishes. The CRwas finally recorded this past July, one month before his 103rdbirthday.

WILDLIFE CAMERAS AND STREAM SURVEYS:Landowners, interns and volunteers surveyed and inventoried features alongthe Little River and Wards and Watts Brooks. The Committee loaned outour wildlife cameras to interested landowners to document who was usingthe river corridor.

“It is very exciting to see what’s on the camera, it almost feels like Christmas when we getto see the critter cams. So far we have seen bobcat, bear and otter.”

– Jennifer and David Parish-Hill

SAVOY

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HISTORIC KEYSTONE ARCH BRIDGES: Withfunding from the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Committee, theChester Railway Foundation and Friends of the KeystoneArches hired the Public Archeology Laboratory (PAL) toresearch and nominate the 2 state-owned Arches for NationalHistoric landmark status, the highest recognition available. Thebridges are located on Massachusetts Division of Fisheries andWildlife’s Walnut Hill Wildlife Management Area. Constructed in the1840s, the railroad was built in the most remote and unwelcomingterritory ever traversed by a railroad at that time. The Westfield News-Letter wrote: “It is the last route in the world where we should everdream of making a railroad.”

For several years, the Committee has helped coordinate climbersand volunteers to assist in the removal of vegetationthreatening to damage the stunning Keystone Arch Bridges.

Great to have such hard working volunteers maintaining these wonderful andhistoric bridges! – Jim Dodge, Volunteer and Worthington Alternate

LITTLEVILLEHISTORY PADDLE:

Just got back from the Littleville Laketrip awhile ago. Beautiful day, Greattrip, Fun no hassle time. Thank you somuch for organizing and doing these trips.It is so cool to enjoy all these wonderfulplaces we might never know about if itweren't for you and 'Wild and Scenic'people. – Marie

The day canoeing on Littleville Lake wasa perfect way to end the season. I am soglad there is a group protectingthe river that also helps youenjoy it. – Joyce Keith

RARE PLANT SURVEY: With funding support fromthe Committee, the New England Wild Flower Society surveyed64 rare plant populations, collected seed from 9 forconservation and restoration purposes, and managed invasivesat two sites in the Westfield River Watershed. NEWFSsurveyed occurrences of rare plant species that have not been foundin over 15 years, verified the existence of others, and documented afew that were not located in previously recorded areas. Informationon the threat of invasive species and the current status of rare plantpopulations will help determine invasive management priorities.

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WATERSHED BLITZ: 67 participants and specialists spentthe day collecting data and building a river community

along the Middle Branch and its tributaries.

“John McDonald was a wonderful leader…He could not only identify tracks, scat, andother signs but he could give us so much information about animal biology and choice ofhabitat, particularly bear and moose. He answered many of my questions, such as thereason I see large trees at some distance from water with beaver chew marks. The beaverare not over-ambitious or miscalculating. They need to keep chewing to keep their teethfrom growing too long.” – Barbara

PIPELINE INTERVENOR: The Wild & Scenic WestfieldRiver Committee submitted comments and a Motion to Intervene onthe Northeast Energy Direct (NED) Project to the Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission. The proposed pipeline project will cross the EastBranch of the Westfield River and approximately 20 of its headwatertributaries. In addition, one of the proposed Compressor Stations is situatedin close proximity to Westfield Brook – one of the important headwatertributaries supporting the state endangered Lake Chub which inMassachusetts is only found in the upper reaches of the Westfield River.

HIKES ALONG THE“HIGHLANDS FOOTPATH”:

The Committee co-sponsored beautiful andstunning hikes to Gobble Mountain andObservation Hill, via Sanderson Falls and NewmanMarch Trail, and along the proposed route of the“Highlands Footpath.” Over the past two years, trailenthusiasts and community members have laid out aproposed footpath connecting trails and communitiesalong the Scenic Byways (Rte 20 & Route 112).Huntington’s Wild & Scenic Representative, Jeff Penn,shared the exciting progress made on the project beingenvisioned, explored, mapped out and proposed withsupport and guidance of the Trustees of Reservations,Pioneer Valley and Berkshire Regional PlanningCommissions.

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WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT and contributions...

Scott AveryJess ApplinBill BabcockLizzie BeanMark BevanAlvin BlakeAlison BowenBarbara BrandChet BrettBen BrownJohn BurnsDan CallBob CarlsonDave ChristensenMatthew ColemanGlenn CorbiereWayne CrouchDebbie DanielsJames DoucetteRegina EganGretchen EliasonMatt FarnhamArt FeltmanSarah Foley

Cindy GaylordColin GilbertJan GwinellMariah HallSteve HamlinBruce & Eileen HartLynn & Kent HicksTom HoffmanRenata HotysovaMike & Andrea HowlettCharlie HunterRichard JablonskiKaren KarlbergJoyce, David and MargaretKeithNed KellyTea KestinghandlyScott KossinkeMichael KramerCharles LandreyGianna LanoneRissa & Neil LarseSteve LevineSally Loomis

Rebecca LordJean & Michael LowinskiMichael MadoleLee ManchesterGayle ManningKristen MartinDr. John E. McDonald, Jr.Galvin MillikanLee & Andy MyersSusan McIntoshGary NewmanRita NodwellJulie OrzolekJen & David Parrish-HillAmy PerlmutterJodi & Eliana PowSarah PrinceMikhala ReedyAmy Lynn ReifsnyderJulie RichburgBill, Linda & Martha RoseLiese SchaffVirginia SowersAnn Sirignano

Maria WallingtonKester Warlow-HarryBill WarrenDavid W. WhitcombShirley WinerMichael WolskiMike Young

Other Contributors:

Alice’s Kitchen at Honey HillHomesteadChester Railway StationFoundationCommunity Access to the ArtsHilltown Artist Michael WolskiLittleville FairgroundsThe Old Creamery Co-OpRosecrans FoundationTown of HuntingtonWestern Massachusetts Climbers’CoalitionWestfield State University —Westfield River EnvironmentalCenterWestfield River Watershed Assn.

We are in the River and on the Web!Visit our website at

www.wildscenicwestfieldriver.org

coordinator@wildscenicwestfieldriver.org413-579-3015

PO Box 393, Huntington, MA 01050