October 12, 2023 North
2:00 – 3:00 PM •
Analysis & Concept Phase
1. Data Gathering & Review
• Compile GIS mapping
• Inventory public and institutional properties
• Identify existing GI
• Identify planned capital improvements
2. Project Screening & Selection
• Desktop screening
• Property owner interviews
• Field inventories (20 to 40 sites)
• Green infrastructure concepts (up to 15)
• Technical Memo
3. Preliminary Design
• 5 projects
• Field survey
• Test pits & infiltration testing
• Wetland delineation
• Preliminary layout
• Opinion of cost
• Technical Memo
3. Permit Level Design
• 3 projects
• Level of detail to support local/state permitting
• Public & institutional properties, 98 potential parcels identified
• Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)
− 0.5 acre or more of impervious area
− All soil types considered
• Riparian Corridor Green Infrastructure
− Parcels within 300-foot riparian corridor
• Further refinement to target up to 40 sites for field inventories
• Refine GI site screening
− Areas of observed flooding (MDC)
− Ongoing & planned projects and capital improvements
− Property owner coordination
• Plan and start field work (20 to 40 sites) by end of October
• Select up to 15 sites for GI concept development
• Draft update in progress
− Refined watershed mapping
− Reviewed status of 2010 plan recommendations
• New project website
STREAMS & SUBWATERSHEDS
28.6 SQUARE MILES
TOTAL WATERSHED AREA
14 SUBWATERSHEDS
4 MAJOR TRIBUTARIES
5.4 MILES NORTH BRANCH MAINSTEM (ABOVE GROUND)
0.5 MILES NORTH BRANCH MAINSTEM (BURIED)
Community Engagement Update
• September 19th – West End Farmers Market
• September 23rd – North Branch Cleanup/Source to Sea Cleanup
• Upcoming Activities
−
Watershed Plan Survey/Questionnaire
−
October 24th Farmers Market
−
Additional bioretention maintenance projects
−
Writing of the Land (Spring 2024 publication)
September 23rd river cleanup and removal of invasive plants
Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, Interreligious Ecojustice Network, West End & Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association, Park Watershed
Plan Vision, Goals, and Objectives
• 2010 Watershed Management Plan Goals & Objectives
GOAL A: PLAN IMPLEMENTATION (CAPACITY BUILDING)
Establish Watershed Organization
Conduct Additional Field Assessments
GOAL B: WATER QUALITY
Reduce or Eliminate CSO Discharges
Implement LID and Green Infrastructure
Identify and Eliminate Illicit Discharges
Protect and Restore
Riparian Buffers
Implement Water Quality Monitoring Program
GOAL C: HABITAT PROTECTION & RESTORATION
Enhance In-stream and Riparian Habitat
Protect and Enhance Forests and Urban
Tree Canopy and Restore Understory
Vegetation Control Invasive
Species
GOAL D: SUSTAINABLE
GROWTH & LAND USE
Promote Smart Growth
Protect Open Space
Promote Low-Impact, Context-Sensitive
Greenways
Increase Public Access to the River
GOAL E: PUBLIC EDUCATION & STEWARDSHIP
Create Education & Stewardship Network
Campus Facility Managers Outreach
Residential Outreach
Municipal and Business Outreach
• 2024 Watershed Management Plan Update
− Develop clear vision for the plan
− Help inform the plan update (goals, objectives, actions)
− Guide the stakeholders responsible for implementing the plan (municipal leaders, MDC, CT DEEP, other agencies, Park Watershed, etc.)
• Plan Vision Statement
− Should have a water quality focus, by definition (to satisfy EPA watershed planning requirements)
− What else do the watershed stakeholders value and want as outcomes?
− What current priorities (desires/aspirations) might shape the vision for the future of the North Branch Park River watershed and its communities?
• Need your input (Advisory Committee members) and the broader watershed community (residents, municipalities, businesses, etc.)
− Water quality and related issues that should be addressed in the plan update and desires/aspirations for the NBPR and its watershed
• Developing survey/questionnaire for the Advisory Committee members and Project Partners, also for use with upcoming engagement events to help gather feedback from the community
1. What are the problems?
What are the most important issues that should be addressed in the 2024 North Branch Park River Watershed Management Plan Update?
2. What is the big picture vision?
What are outcomes you would most like to see in the 2024 Plan Update?
3. How can you or your organization support this process?
Provide information about your neighborhood/property, host an event, send us photos, share the survey with your network, etc.
• GI Design Development
− Conduct field inventories of potential GI sites (late October)
− Develop GI concept designs (November)
• Watershed Plan Update
− Continue to refine plan vision, goals, objectives
• Stakeholder Engagement
− Watershed Plan Survey/Questionnaire
− October 24th Farmers Market
• Next Advisory Committee Meeting (December 7th)
−
Considering joint Advisory Committee & Project Partners meeting
Contacts:
Joanna Shapiro jshapiro@conservect.org
Erik Mas emas@fando.com
Mary Rickel Pelletier maryp@parkwatershed.org
Brian Martin Brian.Martin@tpl.org
Walker Holmes walker.holmes@tpl.org