Funds OK'd for Survey of Estuaries

Harbor Watch/River Watch (HW/RW), a program of Westport-based Earthplace, has gained approval to extend and expand a shoreline survey of the Saugatuck and Norwalk estuaries.

The water-quality monitoring program is designed to provide data on indicator bacteria levels and identify areas of contamination that presently have an impact on recreational and commercial oyster and clam fisheries.

"There was hardly any competition among municipalities for this grant," said Alicia Mozian, director of conservation, in her presentation before the Board of Selectmen last Wednesday. "We got $80,000."

The official title of the contract approved between the Town of Westport and the State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture as recommended by the town's Conservation Department is a "Farm Viability/Transition Grant."

She referred to down-graded shellfish areas and explained that this has caused a lot of concern in the recreational and commercial sectors.

Mozian attended the meeting with Richard Harris of Earthplace.

He explained that we "go along shorelines and get pipes located and then get samples."

Mozian added, "This way we get more consistent data."

Harris and Mozian also pointed out that a great deal of the activity involves storm drains.

The project will be conducted in the Saugatuck River and Norwalk River estuaries extending from the mouth of each bay to the freshwater sources.

In the case of the Saugatuck estuary, the northern end of the survey will be the Lees Pond dam and for the Norwalk River the upper limit will be Wall Street.

Selectman Shelly Kassen said that she was confused by the timing of the request. The document dealing with the proposal states, "The monitoring work is presently under way, as a pilot program and the entire project . . . is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31, 2008."

"When we identify and report pollution, it is part of a much larger project," said Harris.

Earthplace Trio
The work will be done by three employees of Earthplace: Richard Harris, identified as the HW/RW principal investigator for the project; a part-time employee, Eric Sroka, with assistance from quality control officer Peter Fraboni.

The requested $47,943 will be used for salary ($35,826), boat expenses ($3,075), laboratory supplies ($7,000) and expenses and mileage ($2,042).

Director of Public Works Stephen Edwards, asked to comment by First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, said, "It is one thing to find a remedy; it is another thing to do something about it. But it is all valuable data."
When the subject shifted briefly to Sherwood Mill Pond, Stuart McCarthy, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said, "We continue to monitor it."

Objectives Listed
Copies of the proposal distributed before the meeting listed three objectives.

- Locate by Global Positioning System (GPS) all storm drain outfalls, which are the outlets or place of discharge of a river, drain or sewer.
- Seasonally test water quality of all discharges from pipes for fecal coliform bacteria pollution under a variety of weather conditions.
- Report all "hot spots" to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Agriculture (DA/BA) for review and subsequent report to the Public Works, Health and Conservation Departments of Westport and Norwalk for remedial action.

At the conclusion of the discussion about the grant, after a 3-0 vote approving the contract, Kassen said, "It is all quite enlightening."

The mission of Earthplace is to educate the community about nature and the environment, according to its Web site. Founded in 1958 and accredited by the American Association of Museums, Earthplace maintains a 62-acre wildlife sanctuary with trails, contains an interactive natural history museum, houses live wildlife for public viewing and hosts many public nature programs and events.

In addition to the Harbor Watch/River Watch water-quality testing program, other activities include a state-licensed preschool and summer camp and a wildlife rehabilitation program.