...to preserve, protect, develop, and restore coastal resources for all Rhode Islanders
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, Save The Bay, CRMC celebrate Pawcatuck River Fish Passage Restoration Project
KENYON, R.I., June 27, 2014 – On Monday, June 30, 2014, the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association will celebrate the completion of the Pawcatuck River fish passage restoration project.
The projects were funded in part through the RI Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration Trust Fund, administered by the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), and an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) award.
The ARRA grant, governed through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was awarded to the CRMC and allowed the WPWA and its project partners to complete removal of the Lower Shannock Falls dam and design and construction activities at the two remaining upstream dams at Horseshoe Falls and Kenyon Mill Dam.
Beginning with a feasibility study in 2007, also funded through the Trust Fund, the project partners worked to restore diadromous fish passage to the Pawcatuck River through a dam removal at Lower Shannock Falls, the construction of a fish ladder at Horseshoe Falls Dam and a dam removal and construction of a rock ramp at Kenyon Mill. The seven-year project has restored migratory fish access to approximately 1,300 acres of fish spawning and nursery habitat; increased food supply for a number of fish species; restored river connectivity and a more natural habitat; improved recreational use and provided additional flood storage area; and has created jobs.
WHAT: Celebrating the completion of the Pawcatuck River fish passage restoration project. A short speaking program will begin at 11 a.m followed by a tour of all three sites.
WHEN: Monday, June 30, 2014 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE: Kenyon Industries, 36 Sherman Ave, Kenyon, RI
WHY: This event will recognize and thank the many project partners including the RI Congressional Delegation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), state and local organizations, without whom this restoration would not have been possible.
WHO: Senator Jack Reed; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; Representative Jim Langevin; John Bullard, NOAA; Chris Fox, Project Administrator for the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association ; Rachel Calabro, Community Advocate at Save The Bay; Caitlin Chaffee, RI Coastal Resources Management Council