[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1835-E1836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FRWA 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) on its 50th 
anniversary of actively protecting one of our state's crown jewels, the 
Farmington River. The Farmington River is the most fished river in 
Connecticut, provides drinking water to over 600,000 residents of the 
Farmington Valley and Greater Hartford region, and was the first river 
in Connecticut and one of the first in New England to have a section 
designated as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. While 
the river's outstanding value to fish, wildlife, and people speaks for 
itself, it would not be so today without the Farmington River Watershed 
Association.
  Since its founding, the FRWA has always focused on substance over 
style, plugged away effectively behind the scenes rather than basked in 
the limelight, and worked locally to arrive at solutions to regional 
conservation issues. FRWA lives by the credo ``Eighty percent of 
success is showing up,'' and show up they do with compelling facts, 
figures, and enthusiasm. FRWA shows up at public hearings, provides 
their Congressional Representatives with great information, presents 
educational programs to the public, initiates research on key issues, 
shares its findings broadly, and unwaveringly focuses on its mission of 
river protection.
  Fifty years ago, John Ellsworth and John Leonard discovered that the 
Farmington River was receiving over 3.4 million gallons of untreated 
industrial wastewater every day. They and other community leaders 
decided to do something about this and together, they founded the FRWA. 
As a result of dedicated, local leadership over many years, and the 
benefits of the Clean Water Act and designation under the Wild and 
Scenic Rivers Act, the Farmington River is today a healthy, vibrant 
river, beloved and protected by its people. Now the challenge for FRWA 
and for all of us is to continue to solve the parade of problems that 
threaten river life and preserve the outstanding quality of life 
enjoyed throughout the watershed.
  On the occasion of this 50th anniversary, let me add a personal note. 
When I was elected 21 years ago, the FRWA had sought recognition of the 
river under our Wild and Scenic River program but had failed to be 
designated for study, the first step. Working together, we introduced a 
new bill and I maneuvered for a hearing. I can attest to the simple, 
plain fact that FRWA at that hearing won our case. Their testimony 
simply mowed down the opposition with solid facts and documentation of 
the river's problems and potential. Their answers to all questions were 
calm, in depth, and substantive. The committee was won over.
  But that was just one battle. Over the next three years there were 
many, many challenges and it was always the steady, knowledgeable 
leadership of the FRWA board members and executive directors that got 
the needed volunteers to serve on the study committee, that helped all 
to lay aside their suspicions and differences and focus on the facts, 
and that helped me win additional funding for the national study when 
the need became clear. I am proud that together, the federal, state, 
and local team developed the best base data and analysis of any river 
in our state.
  It has also been the FRWA that has helped towns learn how to 
implement the Wild and Scenic designation protections and round up 
funds when needed. Rivers run through many towns and river health 
depends on there being a strong river voice, focused, informed, 
dedicated and steady. That voice has been the Farmington River Water 
Association in the form of skilled executive directors and very active 
board members and volunteers.
  I congratulate you all on your fine work over 50 years! We and our 
children are the richer in environment and spirit because you were 
there to fight like heck to reclaim the Farmington River and then to 
husband this outstanding natural resource. May you have many more 
anniversaries and continue to keep our Farmington River the beautiful, 
vital part of our lives it is today.
  Mr. Chairman, I would like to enter a timeline of 50 Years of 
Accomplishment by FRWA into the Record in recognition of their 
outstanding efforts, and wish them well on the next 50 years of 
protecting the Farmington River.

               50 Years of Accomplishment: FRWA Timeline

       1952: Chief Engineer for the State Water Resources 
     Commission informs John Leonard that over 3.4 million gallons 
     of untreated industrial waste is entering the Farmington 
     River daily.
       1953: 70 business leaders, farmers, sportsmen and teachers 
     meet at the Ensign-Bickford Toy Building and form the 
     Farmington River Watershed Association. John Leonard becomes 
     President.
       1957: John E. Ellsworth reactivates FRWA (after John 
     Leonard's death in'55).
       1958: FRWA hires its first Executive Director, Sydney Howe, 
     who begins the newsletter, educational lecture series, and 
     ecological demonstration site.
       1960: FRWA expresses concern over Colebrook Dam design. 
     Army Corps incorporates FRWA comments in final design (1964).
       1962: FRWA convinces Governor of CT to investigate effects 
     of DDT use. DDT banned nationally in 1972.
       1964: FRWA helps secure Talcott Mountain as a State 
     Reservation.
       1967: With the Appalachian Mountain Club, FRWA sponsors the 
     first white-water slalom races at Tariffville Gorge.
       1970: FRWA publishes the first `Farmington River Guide.'
       1970: FRWA initiates negotiations between the Stanley Works 
     and the State for a shad fishway at Rainbow Dam. Fishway is 
     completed in 1976 and shad pass dam for first time in 50 
     years.
       1972: FRWA holds a public meeting to explain the Inland 
     Wetlands and Watercourses Bill.
       1975: FRWA and the Granby Conservation Commission sponsor 
     an educational meeting on cluster housing.
       1980: FRWA becomes first CT conservation organization to 
     receive U.S. Interior Department's highest award.
       1981: FRWA launches a campaign to educate the public about 
     Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) plans to divert the 
     West Branch of the Farmington. Referendum is defeated.
       1983: The FRWA Hazardous Materials Spill Plan is published 
     and over 120 copies distributed to watershed towns.
       1985: Congresswoman Nancy Johnson introduces legislation 
     for Wild and Scenic feasibility study.
       1987: FRWA receives the prestigious ``Outstanding River 
     Advocate'' award from American Rivers.
       1989: FRWA sponsors 1st ``Annual River Clean-up.''
       1990: FRWA hosts 1st ``RiverSplash'' river festival.
       1990: FRWA builds public awareness and support for Wild and 
     Scenic designation.
       1991: FRWA implements land protection program.
       1992: All CT watershed towns show support for Wild and 
     Scenic designation.
       1993: FRWA adopts Watershed Ecosystem approach, expanding 
     mission to include all watershed lands.
       1994: Wild and Scenic legislation passes on August 26, 1994 
     creating protection for the 14 mile segment from Hogback Dam 
     in Hartland to Canton.
       1996: FRWA incorporates GIS mapping technology as a 
     conservation tool.
       1998: FRWA negotiates agreement with the MDC to establish a 
     Farmington River watershed withdrawal limit which would 
     require MDC to develop groundwater resources outside the 
     watershed for additional water.
       1999: Farmington River Resource Center is established to 
     collect, analyze and disseminate scientific information and 
     encourage stakeholders to develop a long-term sustainable 
     watershed management plan.
       2001: FRWA launches the Farmington Valley Biodiversity 
     Project with towns of Avon, Canton, East Granby, Farmington, 
     Granby, Simsbury, and Suffield.
       2002: `State of the Farmington River Watershed' is studied. 
     Report published in 2003.
       2003: FRWA publishes the Farmington Valley BioMap.
       2003: FRWA launches Farmington Watershed Education Project.
       2003: FRWA celebrates 50 years of protecting and preserving 
     the Farmington River

[[Page E1836]]

     and its watershed at Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted.

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