Nick Wildman presented an interesting talk last night on major dam removal projects in Massachusetts. Nick is the Priority Projects Coordinator for the MA Division of Ecological Restoration. His talk highlighted some of the major dam removal projects going on in Massachusetts right now. The Division will work with any dam owners that are interested in help with their dam removal project in hopes of returning these sites to their original flows to improve the rivers health and ecosystem. There have been many successful projects of late and most notably to our chapter the Ox Pasture Brook Project. Of current interest to the Nor'East Chapter is the proposed removal of two of the three dams in the Shawsheen River. Here is where we need your help. Earlier this month, the Town of Andover submitted an "Environmental Notification Form" (ENF) to the state's Mass. Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office, regarding removal of Balmoral and Marland Place Dams.

The purpose of the ENF is to inform the MEPA office and the public about the project, and to request the state waive the requirement for a full environmental review (EIR) document. You can see the full ENF (all 275 pages!) on the website, www.ecorestoration.org (last document under "tech resources"). THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW! Please send a letter to Secretary Sullivan, supporting the restoration project and the waiver request. You don't need to be an Andover resident--any Massachusetts organization or individual can weigh in. The letter is due by 25 May. The following is all the information you need for the letter. You can cut-and-paste right into your letter; the rest should be in your own words. If you're writing on behalf of an organization, please use letterhead if you have it.

Address the letter to:
Secretary Richard K. Sullivan, Jr.
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Attention: MEPA Office
100 Cambridge Street Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

At the top of the letter, note the following file number:

MEPA File #: 14889 - Shawsheen River Dam Removals and River Restoration Project

In your own words, make the following points:

• You or your organization supports the Shawsheen River Restoration Project, specifically, removal of Balmoral and Marland Place Dam
• Give your reasons why you support the restoration (for example, fish and wildlife restoration, ecosystem improvement, water quality improvement, paddling, fishing, aesthetics, potential flood reduction, improvement of public safety)
• You or your organization supports the Town's request to waive the full Environmental Impact Review (it's important to use this language)

Please mail your letter directly to Secretary Sullivan by May 18 if possible, to allow for mailing times.

Thank you! This letter is extremely important to the restoration project.

The annual Crane Pond/Parker River paddle and fishing trip was held April 28, 2012 under cold and cloudy skies. Two pickerel were caught and released but not other fish dared emerge from this blustery day. Three canoes and three kayaks were used by participants for over three hours in difficult casting conditions. Rather than our typical cookout we opted for a warm and cozy Irish pub in downtown Georgetown. An enjoyable but chilly start to the early fishing season.

This year's "Dirty Dozen - plus 2.5" beneath the IRWA's Deck House Headquarters

Front Row Left to Right; Sally Mann "the wonder dog," Tim Twombly, Tim Martell, Kevin Correa, Mike O'Neill. Back Row; Chett Walsh, Bill Mann, Matt Keating, Roger Martell, Jim MacDougall, Bob Torkildsen, Jack Monaghan, and Bruce Bromby. Thomas Wooldridge and John LeJeune also participated.

On April 22nd chapter members successfully completed another punch list for the Ipswich River Watershed Association. This year a railing was put in at the dockside stairway to complement the steps the chapter installed last year. The driveway was patched and cleared of all winter brush. Many down trees and limbs were cut and stacked in the meadow. The driveway pavers were moved and restocked for an upcoming driveway repair. Brush was cleared in the parking area. Finally a new Wood Duck box was installed on the river trail. Many hands made light work of it all and the impending rainfall held off until all the work was completed. Thanks to all the members that participated and especially to Jim MacDougall for guiding the chapter in moving the tasks along from the IRWA task list. Our work for the watershed association is meager compensation for the chapters use of the headquarters building for chapter meetings throughout the year.

The chapter will host a presentation by Nick Wildman, of Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration. Following a brief description of the agency’s philosophy and guiding principles, the talk will focus on current coldwater restoration projects on the Shawsheen River in Andover, the Hoosic River in Clarksburg, and the Jones river in Kingston. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. With all of the recent activity regarding the Shawsheen, this will be a great opportunity to learn more about the river and prospects for restoring it.
 
Nick Wildman is the Priority Projects Coordinator for the MA Division of Ecological Restoration. As part of this work, Nick facilitates the progress of 26 river restoration projects across the state. He has over six years experience directing stream and wetland restoration projects in the northeastern US. Nick holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University. He lives in New Bedford with his wife and two young children.

Monday May 7, 2012
6:00 Dinner ($5.00 donation)
7:00 Meeting
Ipswich River Watershed Association
143 County Road
Ipswich, Mass
Click here for directions.

The April Newsletter was sent out and there are lots of dates to put on your calendar. You can download a copy of the calendar here. Events include river clean-ups, fishing, camping, river restoration, cookouts, paddling and fellowship. Here is a summary of what to look forward to.

April 17, 2012
Shawsheen River Restoration
Presentation
Andover Conservation Commission
Hosts a meeting on Shawsheen
River dam removals. (See Newsletter Article)
Andover Town Offices
36 Bartlet St., 3rd Floor
7:00PM

April 22, 2012
IRWA Work Day
Come pitch in on a little spring
cleaning at the Ipswich River Watershed
Assn. (See Newsletter Article)
143 County Road
Ipswich
9:00AM

April 28, 2012
Parker River Paddle
Meet at Thurlow Street Bridge in
Georgetown at 8:30AM. Cookout
to Follow. (See Newsletter Article)
8:30 AM

May 18-20
Indian Hollow Weekend
Mark your calendars for the Mass/RI
Council’s annual camping weekend
at Indian Hollow on the banks of
the Westfield River. More details to
come.

All events are posted to our calendar which you can view by clicking on this link.
You can also view it on the Google Calendar website by clicking here.
If you have a Google Calendar and want to subscribe to our Google Calendar and view our events within your calendar click here.

© 2012 Photography by Michelson, Inc.

This month photographer/videographer Robert Michelson will present “The Life Cycles and Spawning Behavior of Eastern Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon.” Bob will share his photos and short videos during his presentation.

Photography By Michelson, Inc. is based in Braintree, Massachusetts. Bob is an underwater photographer and videographer who has been diving for 31years. His images and articles have appeared in numerous national publications, and his video footage and programming has aired on numerous broadcast and cable networks. Bob is also working with the MA/RI Council of Trout Unlimited to produce a documentary on several river restoration projects that the council is supporting.

Monday April 2, 2012
6:00 Dinner ($5.00 donation)
7:00 Meeting
Ipswich River Watershed Association
143 County Road
Ipswich, Mass
Click here for directions.

More info can be found can be found on the DFW Website. Weighted flies still may be used. Please check the website for all the details. Spread the word about this new law so that people are informed about the right materials to use. There are also suggested alternatives as well as what tackle may still be permitted.

Just a reminder that there will be no March meeting this month since we all attended the Fly Fishing Film Tour. See you again on April 2, 2012

Thanks to Dave Williams who sourced this article for us. The full story can be found here. And below is the accompanying video.

Congratulations to Tim Twombly who is now the new chapter Secretary. Tim will be a great addition to our officer roster.