Post by Valmore Cloutier on Feb 9, 2007 21:45:09 GMT -5
Did everyone see the Transcript.
Dam removal a priority
By Jennifer Huberdeau, North Adams Transcript
Article Launched: 02/09/2007 11:25:14 AM EST
The Briggsville Dam in Clarksburg has been put on the state priority for removal. Photo by Gillian Jones/North Adams Transcript
Friday, February 9
CLARKSBURG — State officials have agreed to breach the Briggsville Dam and have made it a priority project.
Officials with the Riverways Program, a division of the Department of Fish and Game, confirmed Thursday that they will help restore the North Branch of the Hoosic River to its natural state by pursuing the dam's removal.
"The project just meets all of our criteria," Timothy Purinton, a river restoration planner with the Riverways Program, said. "It has community support, a good habitat and a good river system. It's a very competitive application."
The program selects only two priority projects to work on each year.
The dam, also known as the Hewat Pond Dam, was originally constructed to serve as a natural cooling system for the former Strong-Hewat Mill. The deteriorating structure no longer serves its original purpose and its current owner, Cascade School Supplies, is seeking to remove it — repair costs have been estimated at $700,000.
The Hoosuck Chapter of Trout Unlimited has partnered with Cascade in efforts to restore the river to its original state. The group will be a lead partner in the restoration plans.
"This is a
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once-in-a-lifetime chance to restore the natural beauty of the river while creating tremendous angling opportunities for local residents," said Joseph Overlock, chapter president.
The first phase of the project will be a feasibility study and the creation of a technical advisory council, Purinton said. The cost of the project has not been determined.
"The study will be put out for a bid response to a group of qualified engineers pre-selected through a master-service agreement with the state," Purinton said. "This group is the best of the best. All of these engineers are highly qualified companies with vast experience in bridge removal."
He said there is no set timetable for the project.
"It's hard to put it on a timetable because there are so many variables," he said. "There are issues like sediment management, contracting engineers, community outreach and fund raising, which are all part of the process. It's safe to assume this will be a multiyear process."
Funding for the river restoration will come from a mixed bag of sources, Purinton said.
"We will offer seed money for things like the engineering survey and to help generate other funds," he said. "The funding is usually a mix of grants as well as local support."
The Selectmen voted last month to support the dam breaching, in part because they were concerned that the town would become responsible for its repair if Cascade could not afford it.
The condition of the dam also has raised concerns about the safety of nearby homes on Carson Avenue and down the road in North Adams. At the Jan. 24 Selectmen's meeting, Town Administrator Michael Canales said a state inspection of the dam concluded that silt buildup behind it is likely to cause flooding, as it did last spring. An engineer said the dam serves no purpose.
The project is expected not only to return the North Branch to its natural state in the stretch below the dam but also to improve the migration of fish along the river. The dam currently impedes fish migration and impairs the water quality by trapping sediment and artificially warming the water.
Currently, a dozen restoration projects are on the Riverways' priority project list statewide. Several projects are ongoing in Berkshire County. In Pittsfield, the Mill Street Dam is being considered for removal to restore the impaired West Branch of the Housatonic River. In Adams, Riverways is helping the town restore Hoxie Brook and portions of the South Branch of the Hoosic River. In Becket, Riverways, the town and multiple partners recently completed restoration of Yokum Brook by removing two obsolete dams.
"We love Berkshire County," Purinton said.
Dam removal a priority
By Jennifer Huberdeau, North Adams Transcript
Article Launched: 02/09/2007 11:25:14 AM EST
The Briggsville Dam in Clarksburg has been put on the state priority for removal. Photo by Gillian Jones/North Adams Transcript
Friday, February 9
CLARKSBURG — State officials have agreed to breach the Briggsville Dam and have made it a priority project.
Officials with the Riverways Program, a division of the Department of Fish and Game, confirmed Thursday that they will help restore the North Branch of the Hoosic River to its natural state by pursuing the dam's removal.
"The project just meets all of our criteria," Timothy Purinton, a river restoration planner with the Riverways Program, said. "It has community support, a good habitat and a good river system. It's a very competitive application."
The program selects only two priority projects to work on each year.
The dam, also known as the Hewat Pond Dam, was originally constructed to serve as a natural cooling system for the former Strong-Hewat Mill. The deteriorating structure no longer serves its original purpose and its current owner, Cascade School Supplies, is seeking to remove it — repair costs have been estimated at $700,000.
The Hoosuck Chapter of Trout Unlimited has partnered with Cascade in efforts to restore the river to its original state. The group will be a lead partner in the restoration plans.
"This is a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
once-in-a-lifetime chance to restore the natural beauty of the river while creating tremendous angling opportunities for local residents," said Joseph Overlock, chapter president.
The first phase of the project will be a feasibility study and the creation of a technical advisory council, Purinton said. The cost of the project has not been determined.
"The study will be put out for a bid response to a group of qualified engineers pre-selected through a master-service agreement with the state," Purinton said. "This group is the best of the best. All of these engineers are highly qualified companies with vast experience in bridge removal."
He said there is no set timetable for the project.
"It's hard to put it on a timetable because there are so many variables," he said. "There are issues like sediment management, contracting engineers, community outreach and fund raising, which are all part of the process. It's safe to assume this will be a multiyear process."
Funding for the river restoration will come from a mixed bag of sources, Purinton said.
"We will offer seed money for things like the engineering survey and to help generate other funds," he said. "The funding is usually a mix of grants as well as local support."
The Selectmen voted last month to support the dam breaching, in part because they were concerned that the town would become responsible for its repair if Cascade could not afford it.
The condition of the dam also has raised concerns about the safety of nearby homes on Carson Avenue and down the road in North Adams. At the Jan. 24 Selectmen's meeting, Town Administrator Michael Canales said a state inspection of the dam concluded that silt buildup behind it is likely to cause flooding, as it did last spring. An engineer said the dam serves no purpose.
The project is expected not only to return the North Branch to its natural state in the stretch below the dam but also to improve the migration of fish along the river. The dam currently impedes fish migration and impairs the water quality by trapping sediment and artificially warming the water.
Currently, a dozen restoration projects are on the Riverways' priority project list statewide. Several projects are ongoing in Berkshire County. In Pittsfield, the Mill Street Dam is being considered for removal to restore the impaired West Branch of the Housatonic River. In Adams, Riverways is helping the town restore Hoxie Brook and portions of the South Branch of the Hoosic River. In Becket, Riverways, the town and multiple partners recently completed restoration of Yokum Brook by removing two obsolete dams.
"We love Berkshire County," Purinton said.
