Wild and Scenic River Study

The President signed into law S. 435, the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and
Scenic River Study Act of 2005 which designates a segment of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook
for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Introduced by Senators
Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman in late 2005, the legislation will authorize a study by the National Park
Service to identify the river's cultural, natural and recreational benefits and the various ways to protect
the area from public development that would have a negative impact on the river's water quality. A Wild
and Scenic River Study Committee has been created to oversee and direct the Wild and Scenic River
Study with representatives from each of the ten towns in the rivershed area.

Annual Aquatic Macro-Invertebrate Collection

Every year Salmon Brook Watershed Association joins with
other groups around the state to collect and survey for aquatic
macro-invertebrates. These stream-bottom dwelling insect
nymphs are excellent indicators of stream health due to their
sensitivity to pollution. Two sites are typically used by the SBWA;
one at Bryan's Landing off of Canal Road and one at Salmon Brook
Park. We generally hope for enough volunteers for at least six to
eight people at each site. Each day consists of a couple of stream
kicks, gently disturbing the stream bottom to catch the disturbed
organisms in nets. Volunteers on land then identify and count the
different species. Aquatic macro-invertebrates are the juvenile
forms of such insects as stoneflies, mayflies, dragonflies, caddis
flies, water pennies and water striders. The overall data as well as
some samples are then turned over to the CT Department of
Environmental Protection to be examined. The combined results
from similar collections that were undertaken by other groups
around the state will give the DEP an idea of the overall health of
the Connecticut River System. Past results have indicated very
healthy streams and tributaries throughout Granby and the
Farmington Valley. Some volunteers have participated in years
past and some are usually new to the event, but everyone has a
great time. Plenty of healthy critters were found at both sites last
year in all shapes and sizes including juvenile mayflies, water
pennies, and stoneflies. Check out some pictures from years past
on our PHOTOS page.

Unwanted Pharmaceutical Collection Day

SBWA partnered with the Farmington River Watershed

Association, Clean Harbors Environmental Services,

Metropolitan District, the US Environmental Protection

Agency through a grant to the Northeast Recycling Agency,

Inc. and CVS to bring local residents a free opportunity to

safely dispose of unwanted medication. Almost 50 residents

from Simsbury, Granby, Canton, West Hartford, and other

neighboring towns showed up with bags and boxes full of

pharmaceuticals to be safely disposed of. Flushing unwanted or leftover medication down the drain
can harm wildlife and contaminate drinking water. Keeping expired or unwanted medications around
the home also presents a danger to children and pets that could accidentally ingest the drugs. This
was the first time such an event has taken place in the State of Connecticut and we had hoped the
success could herald a new annual event for us. Unfortunately, the type of disposal required for
such substances, a high temperature incineration, is unavailable locally. The over 40 gallons of
unwanted medications had to be trucked to an incineration facility in Texas. We felt that the carbon
footprint left behind after sending a truck to Connecticut to Texas would be too costly. But we can't
forget those unwanted and expired medications. Please check out the CT Department of
Environmental Protection's recommendations for disposing of prescription medicines and over-the-
counter products.

Salmon Brook Watershed Association

P.O. Box 556

Granby, CT 06035

CT DEP

Salmon Brook Watershed Association

The Green Lawn initiative includes a group of conerned
citizens who have committed to the non-use of pesticides on
their lawns which benefits all people and the safety of the
environment. Pesticides have been linked to a variety of
health problems in adults, children, pets and wildlife including
cancers and birth defects. Click here to learn more about our
program, modeled after the successful pesticide-free program
in Plainville, CT. Join your neighbors and learn more about
organic alternatives for growing your Green Lawn.