park river watershed revitalization initiative

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What is the Park River Watershed Revitalization Initiative ? The Park River Watershed Revitalization Initiative is a diverse ad hoc network of citizen activists, engineers, design professionals, government and non-profit advisors who are working for healthy communities. Our focus, the Park River watershed, represents the challenge of protecting and improving nature within a high-density urban environment. Fortunately, urban areas can be designed, and re-designed, so as to include the functional benefits of beautiful landscapes and waterways.

The Park River Watershed Revitalization Initiative is a project of the The Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA). FRWA, a 501©(3) non-profit environmental organization, which has been the guardian and champion of the Farmington River and its watershed since its inception in 1953. The Park and Farmington River watersheds meet along the Metacomet Ridge. These watersheds overlap the policies and regulations of seven municipalities. In addition, drinking water for residents of the Park River watershed is drawn from the Farmington River watershed.

The parkriver.org website is a collaborative work in progress. This website was originally funded by a grant given in 2004 through the watershed assistance small grants program conducted in association with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.  This small grants program is administered by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut.

What are the goals ? A primary goal is to expand public awareness about the boundaries of the Park River watershed. Educating watershed residents about the relationships between upstream and downstream areas of our watershed exposes the impact of urban development and lifestyle habits on nature. Thus, another goal is to clarify the essential civic value of local landscapes and waterways. Local natural landscapes - especially the stream buffers along waterways - filter non-point source pollution and provide better habitat for migratory songbirds. The policies and practices of state and municipal government, as well as homeowners and commuters will shape the watershed's environmental future.

What next ? An Advisory Council and Steering Committee will begin formal meetings in January 2008. A two year roundtable process will further refine the organizational structure and long term project goals, which have been outlined by the ad hoc network.

What is a watershed ?

Here on earth, watersheds are everywhere. A watershed is a hydrologic system defined by topographic boundaries. Water moves across landscapes and through waterways towards ocean.  Topographic conditions – natural and industrial – shape watershed boundaries along ridges and peaks that rim the drainage basin. The Metacomet Ridge is the western rim of the Park River watershed. Waterways and groundwater flow with gravity from higher elevations into the Park River, which flows to the Long Island Sound's largest source of freshwater - the Connecticut River.

To  learn more about watersheds visit
US EPA watersheds and the Center for Watershed Protection