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Yankee Fisherman Airs Segment on Phase 2 of DRWTU Spawning Survey
Advance video to 4:50 to begin our segment.
Breaking News: Brookfield Power’s FERC Final License Application
Brookfield Power has filed a final license application for the Bear Swamp Pump Storage and Fife Brook Dam facilities. This application details what the history, status of the FERC relicensing process, what Brookfield has done, and what it is proposing to do with this new license. This process will continue for another couple of years. Our Chapter continues to be engaged in this process. We will continue to fight for more ideal operations to not only protect but enhance the Deerfield River wild trout population including spawning efforts. Much more to come.
Link to Final License Application. BSPC will also be adding the FLA to the Bear Swamp Project’s public relicensing website (www.bearswampproject.com) in the coming days.
Spawning Survey Phase 2
Volunteers wanting to help with phase 2 of the spawning study will meet Mike Cole Saturday morning, at 8:45 on March 17 at the Zoar picnic grounds. We can use all the help we can get. Wear waders and warm clothing. Bring water and something to eat. Air temps expected in the 20’s.
Spawning Survey Donation
At the Chapter meeting on 3/15, Mike Didonna of the Deerfield Fly Shop donated $750 to DRWTU for the spawning study. The money was raised through a raffle during the third anniversary celebration of the fly shop in South Deerfield.
Annual Meeting
The DRWTU Annual Meeting and dinner was held at the Warfield House February 24. Keynote speaker, Keith Fritschie, gave a fascinating talk about wild brook trout spawning in New Hampshire.
Breaking News(Updated 3/7/18):
MassLive is covering this story here
In response to the Interim Report on the DRWTU sponsored Spawning Surveys conducted by Mike Cole, the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife submitted comments with a New Study Request to FERC. The US Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, citing the MA Div of Fisheries and Wildlife comments, formally requested that FERC order a comprehensive study of the biological impact of hydropeaking on fish in the Deerfield. They specified that the study be conducted across the full range of daily flows and at times when spawning of trout is likely to occur. On March 5, Brookfield Power Company sent a letter to FERC to respond to complaints raised by DRWTU about high water encountered by the TU volunteer survey team during the spawning study. Brookfield’s letter appears below. A letter from DRWTU president Kevin Parsons is included with links to all the above-mentioned correspondence here:
Brookfield’s Letter to FERC
MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Letter to FERC
Appendix A: MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Request for Study
US Fisheries and Wildlife Letter to FERC
DRWTU President Kevin Parson’s Letter to FERC
Based upon preliminary results published in the Spawning Survey Interim Report, DRWTU is requesting that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) conduct an expanded trout spawning survey before relicensing the operation of Fife Brook Dam. Click below to view the Letter and Interim Report.
Letter to FERC
Spawning Survey Interim Report