Naugatuck River Forum
February 24, 2011

 

 

Celebrating the river’s revival and planning a green, prosperous

future for the river and its communities

 

 

Naugatuck Valley—the river flows through it
By Bob Gregorski, Naugatuck River Watershed Association

I was one of the 135 Naugatuck River advocates who attended the first Naugatuck River Forum held recently at the Mattatuck Museum.  It was a project of the Connecticut Community Foundation and co-hosted by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut.  “Celebrating the river’s revival and planning a green, prosperous future for the river and its communities” was the Forum’s title.  The agenda of the Forum’s speakers and panelists was impressive.

It was a successful gathering of people to learn about the past, present and future of the river and its valley communities.  I came away with renewed hope that many of the dreams of greenways and utilization of this natural resource would come to fruition in my lifetime. 

Some Forum attendees did not realize how long and how much work has been done.  In 1984 when the Naugatuck Valley Trout Unlimited began its focus on restoring the river, it was fortunate if 20 people attended a “River Awareness” program.  That’s when some of us Trout Unlimited old timers started working to restore a waterway that was one of the most polluted in the country and its restoration efforts has been ongoing since. 

Back in those early years, people shunned having any thing to do with the polluted rivers and its riverbanks.  Many times I heard  ‘why are you doing this work; it will never happen’.  Our response was and still is—“If we don’t, who will?”

Having 42 species of fish now living in the 39 miles of its main stem and having eagles, osprey, mergansers, mink, muskrat, otter and many other wildlife species using the river and its riparian habitat for housing and food is a testimony for some restoration accomplishments.  Anglers, canoers, kayakers and wildlife observers have been enjoying the river for about the last fifteen years and there is much to be done to improve access to the river and to keep it clean. All are invited to join us.  Contact information will be provided soon.

9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Introduction

Continental Breakfast

Welcomes:  Ann Burton, Connecticut Community Foundation, Chairman, Environment Committee

                M. Catherine Smith, Mattatuck Museum, President

                U.S. Representative Chris Murphy, 5th Congressional District

 

15 min.

 

9:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Overview / History / Vision

 

Presenter:  Laura Wildman, P.E., Princeton Hydro

PPT Presentation

 

9:50 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.

What Is Happening Along the River?

 

Presenter:  Samuel Gold, AICP, Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley

PPT Presentation

 

10:10 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.

The Role of the New Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: What Will Be Different?

 

Presenter:  Daniel Esty, Commissioner Designate of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

 

 

10:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.

Break

 

 

10:40 a.m. – Noon

Panel: Sustainable Development Along the Naugatuck River Valley

Moderator:  Gary O’Connor, Chairman, Waterbury Regional Chamber; Co-Chair, Environment, Gov. Malloy’s Transition Team

 

Sustainable Riverfront Development in Connecticut and Rhode Island 

Presenter:  Alex Conroy, President, The Conroy Development Company

 

 

Panelists:       

  

   State of Connecticut’s Perspective on Sustainable Economic Development:  Joseph McGee,

   Co-Chair, Public Policy, Gov. Malloy’s Transition Team; Vice-President, Public Policy & Programs,

   The Business Council of Fairfield County

 

   Sustainability, Federal Legislation, and Funding:  Louis Mangini, Legislative Aide to Congress-

   woman Rosa DeLauro

 

   Connecticut Department of Transportation and Plans for Sustainable Transit: Tom Maziarz,

   Bureau Chief, Policy and Planning

 

   Redevelopment, Smart Growth, and Brownfields:  Gary O’Connor

 

   Q & A: All Speakers

 

 

 

PPT Presentation

 

 

45 min., 15 min. Q & A

 

Noon – 12:30 p.m.

Lunch

 

 

 

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Ongoing Restoration Efforts in the Naugatuck River Watershed: Recreation/ Conservation/Education Activities

Moderator:  Laura Wildman, P.E., Princeton Hydro

 

Panelists:       

   Communication and River Access Projects: Bob Gregorski, President, Naugatuck River

   Watershed Association

   River Day / Recreational Projects: Kevin Zak, Naugatuck River Revival Group

   Thomaston Clock Walk: Peter Kisselburgh, Chairman, Thomaston Greenway Committee

   Steele Brook Greenway: Chuck Berger, P.E., Town of Watertown

   Fish Bypass and Tingue Dam: James MacBroom, P.E., Milone & MacBroom

   Other Projects (i.e. National Heritage Corridor Project)

 

   Q & A: All Speakers

PPT Presentation

 

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Panel: Where Do We Go from Here?

Moderator:  Robert Mezzo, Mayor, Borough of Naugatuck

 

Panelists:       

   Michael J. Jarjura, Mayor, City of Waterbury

   Frank Chiaramonte, First Selectman, Harwinton

   Susan Cable, First Selectman, Beacon Falls

   Paul Roy, First Selectman, Seymour

   Jim Della Volpe, Mayor, Ansonia

   Anthony Staffieri, Mayor, Derby

 

   Q & A: All Speakers

PPT Presentation

 

2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Wrap-up

   Laura Wildman, P.E., Princeton Hydro