SALISBURY, CT – All are invited to join the Twin Lakes Association (TLA) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) on Wednesday, August 20th, at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom to discuss the current condition and future management of the Twin Lakes Watershed. This conversation will inform a Watershed Management Planning process for the Twin Lakes that is just getting underway, aimed at long-term protection of this important resource.
The Twin Lakes Watershed Management Planning process began in March 2024 with the convening of a Working Group that includes representatives from the Town of Salisbury, Salisbury Association and Land Trust, Sheffield Land Trust, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT-DEEP), Salisbury School, The Nature Conservancy, TLA, and HVA. The Working Group is responsible for engaging the public and other stakeholders in the planning process; reviewing and summarizing existing research related to Twin Lakes watershed management including water quality, natural communities, ecology, and recreational use; collecting new information to inform the Watershed Management Planning process; and drafting the Watershed Management Plan.
Grant Bogle, the president of the Twin Lakes Association, said this about the need for a Twin Lakes Watershed Management Plan:
“Twin Lakes is an incredible natural resource which provides enjoyment, beauty, and recreation to Salisbury residents and visitors to the area. It is an important economic driver in our community and home to many rare and endangered species. The mission of the TLA is to protect this precious resource and the watershed that surrounds and flows into the lakes. We commissioned this study to provide data and insights that will help us shape future initiatives and investments to protect and preserve Twin Lakes for generations to come. We welcome public input and look forward to incorporating this feedback into the study design.”
Public participation is essential to the success of the Watershed Management Plan and the long-term health of the Twin Lakes. Mike Jastremski, HVA’s Watershed Conservation Director, said this about the importance of public input to the Watershed Management Planning process:
“The Twin Lakes and their watershed are resources that provide benefit to lots of people, including residents, folks that visit for recreation, and downstream communities along Schenob Brook and the Housatonic River. It’s important for this planning process to incorporate the voices of everyone that has an interest in keeping the Twin Lakes healthy in the face of threats like climate change, invasive species, and stormwater pollution. Watershed management only works if we all understand which values related to the Twin Lakes are most important for each other, set management goals that we all agree on, and work together to make those goals happen.”
This meeting will be held over Zoom. Advanced registration is required. Additional information and a link to the registration page can be found at hvatoday.org/twin-lakes-community-meeting-aug-2024 and twinlakesorg.org. Those that cannot attend but would like to be included in future opportunities for public input can use the registration form to share their contact information with TLA and HVA.
Contact: Julia Rogers, Senior Land Protection Manager
JRogers@hvatoday.org | 860-672-6678 ext. 118
