U.S. EPA - HOUSATONIC RIVER FACEBOOK PAGE, 08/08/2012 - … · releases-new-blueprint-to-protect-and-restore-long-island-sound/ ... Even if you couldn't attend the meeting this week,

U.S. EPA - Housatonic River

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This page highlights information related to ongoing clean up issues for the Housatonic River in Western Mass. and Conn.

http://www.epa.gov/housatonic Photos

Frank Haggerty U.S. EPA - Housatonic River

September 24 ·

Fairhaven Ma. Residents Demand PCB Poison Questions From US EPA On September 29 https://plus.google.com/110428618913389869063/posts/6a87visvEmp

Fairhaven Board of Selectmen, Kelsey O'Neil, EPA Region 1, Spokesperson …

Fairhaven Board of Selectmen, Kelsey O'Neil, EPA Region 1, Spokesperson Here are more questions... plus.google.com Dirk Elsthout U.S. EPA - Housatonic River I recommend everybody to follow much as possible available relevant information about the phenomena that is popularly called 'chemtrails', which came only recently worldwide to the attention, is highly controversial and causes growing insecurity. So far this would imply the possible clandestine spraying of metal particles and chemicals by aircraft into different layers of the atmosphere, in order ... See More

— in Urbino.

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Rivers Alliance of Connecticut

May 14 at 10:45am

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, NE)

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)

U.S. EPA Mid-Atlantic Region

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October 21 Silver Lake Restoration Work (5 photos) These photos show work done at Silver Lake during September and October, 2014 — at Silver Lake.

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October 17 · Edited Reminder: Oct. 29 Housatonic River Citizens Coordinating Council Meeting Lenox Library (Sedgwick Reading Room), 18 Main Street in Lenox, MA October 29, 2014; 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Meeting Agenda 5:30 Introductions, Agenda Review, May 7, 2014 Meeting Summary Approval (Jim Murphy, Facilitator) 5:40 Rest of River Update, EPA • Formal Comment Period Closed on October 27, 2014 • Next Steps 6:00 Updat...e of GE Cleanup Actions outside of Rest of River, EPA • Overall Update • Unkamet Brook 6:40 2014 Biota Sampling in Connecticut – Brief Update, CT DEEP 6:50 General Updates and Issues from CCC Members 7:10 Public Comment Period 7:30 Adjourn See More Like · Comment

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Gaya Tinmahan I her up very near this river it was my cradle:)

Yesterday at 1:54am

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October 15 Remember, there's still time for you to comment on our proposed Cleanup Plan for the Housatonic River “Rest of River.” Comments due by Oct. 27. More info & details on how to comment at: http://go.usa.gov/prCG Like · Comment


October 9 One of our crew recently spotted this egret sitting on “large woody debris” that we installed in various locations around Silver Lake. This egret seems to enjoy this "habitat enhancement." We're always glad to see the local flora and fauna respond to our work to restore these local environments after cleanup work is completed.

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October 1 Hold the Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29 will be the next Housatonic CCC meeting. As usual, it will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lenox Library, 18 Main St, Lenox, MA 01240. We'll post an agenda soon and hope to see you there. Like · Comment

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September 26 Repairs to the 4th Street outfall channel at Silver Lake will be during the week of 9/29/14. Only a relatively small area will be worked on, but this effort will nevertheless involve heavy construction equipment, lane closures and some truck traffic. We expect this work to be completed within one week.


U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared a link via Long Island Sound Study.

September 24 Now is your chance to comment on the Long Island Sound "Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan" developed by the Long Island Sound Study. Submit comments by November 8, 2014. You can find more info at: http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2014/09/partnership-releases-new-blueprint-to-protect-and-restore-long-island-sound/

Partnership Releases New Blueprint to Protect and Restore Long Island Sound « Long Island Sound... longislandsoundstudy.net

Long Island Sound Study > Media Center > Plan Update > Partnership Releases New Blueprint to Protect and Restore Long Island Sound 11 ShareLike · Comment · Share

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U.S. EPA - Housatonic River changed their cover photo.

September 17

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September 17 Here are a few recent photos that show the Silver Lake shoreline restoration, one year since completion.

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U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared a link.

September 15 If you need more time to review our Proposed Cleanup Plan for the "Rest of River" portion of the Housatonic River, we've now extended the comment period until Oct. 27, 2014. 09/12/2014: EPA Extends Comment Period for Proposed Cleanup Plan for Housatonic River “Rest of... yosemite.epa.gov


U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's photo.

September 9 Please take a few minutes and let us know what you think! Learn how our #saferproducts label is getting a design makeover and help us choose the best new logo. http://go.usa.gov/Vc7Y



August 30 Even if you couldn't attend the meeting this week, here's a way to find out what your neighbors said. http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_26429442/rest-river-truck-traffic-cleanup-methods-focus-at

Rest of River: Truck traffic, cleanup methods in focus at EPA session www.berkshireeagle.com

PITTSFIELD -- Residents who voiced concerns about the planned Rest of River environmental cleanup of Housatonic River sites focused Thursday evening on truck traffic, cleanup methods and other aspects not yet finalized. 11 ShareLike · Comment · Share

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August 25 A recent news story on the upcoming cleanup efforts for the Housatonic River.

Housatonic River cleanup preparations underway

www.berkshireeagle.com

LENOX -- With a sense of urgency, the Select Board and Town Manager Christopher Ketchen are moving to stake out the town's position on a proposed $613 million cleanup of the Housatonic River. 61 ShareLike · Comment · Share

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U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared a link via U.S. EPA - New England Region.

August 1 This week EPA has been holding hearings to get people's input on our Clean Power Plan proposal to limit carbon pollution and #ActonClimate. Here's how you can comment too. How to Comment on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule | Carbon Pollution Standards | US EPA www2.epa.gov

Comments on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule must be received by October 16, 2014. Be sure to reference Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602 Like · Comment · Share

U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared U.S. EPA - New England Region's photo.

August 1 Here's a great photo showing a well-done Green Infrastructure project in Providence, R.I. that will help reduce stormwater runoff and filter pollutants. Check out the construction of an innovative stormwater bio-infiltration system. This "Best Management Practice" (aka BMP) will help clean up Mashapaug Pond at JT Owens Park in Providence, RI when it's completed.



July 14 You can now review and comment on our proposed plan to clean the Housatonic River south of Pittsfield, until Oct. 1. There will also be a public hearing on Sept. 23 in Lenox. 07/10/2014: EPA Extends Comment Period for Proposed Cleanup Plan for Housatonic River “Rest of... yosemite.epa.gov

Newsroom Release Date: 07/10/2014 Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017 View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website. 1 ShareLike · Comment · Share


July 10 Water Plantain, which has broad, oval-shaped leaves, is the dominant species pictured here at a Vernal Pool along the site. This species and other obligate wetland plants have been steadily gaining ground within the pool since it underwent soil removal and restoration in 2006 to the point where today, the emergent vegetation within the pool has developed into a robust plant community.


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June 25 Thank you to everyone who came out to our second public information meeting. Here's what the Springfield Republican American said about this week's meeting in Kent CT.

PCB removal described Republican American www.rep-am.com

KENT — Northwest Corner residents turned out Tuesday evening to hear the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's latest plan for General Electric to remove PCB

contamination from the Housatonic River. The Republican-American Local News, Waterbury, Connecticut 1 ShareLike · Comment · Share


June 25 Today marks the first day of our comment period for the proposed cleanup plan for the Rest of River portion of the Housatonic River! Visit http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/proposedcleanupplan.html to find out more about the information meetings and http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/publiceventsandmeetings.html to find out how to comment on the plan. Proposed Cleanup Plan for the GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River | GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River... www.epa.gov

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader. 1 ShareLike · Comment · Share


June 23 Don't forget: tomorrow night (Tues. 6/24) is our public meeting in Kent, CT to go over our proposed cleanup plan for the Rest of River portion of the Housatonic River. Hope to see you there! Proposed Cleanup Plan for the GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River | GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River... www.epa.gov

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader. 1 ShareLike · Comment · Share Earlier in 2014 HighlightsAll Stories


June 19

Here's a TV news clip, from TW Cable out in Saratoga, on last night's meeting.

EPA Holds Public Information Session On Proposed Housatonic River Cleanup saratoga-north.twcnews.com

The proposed cleanup of the Housatonic River had people gathering in Lenox to hear the details of the project directly from the government. Reporter Jim Vasil has the story. Like · Comment · Share


June 19 You can also check out a news clip (including audio) from WAMC about last night's meeting.

Berkshires Weigh In On U.S. EPA's Cleanup Plan For Housatonic wamc.org

More than 100 people turned out for a public meeting in Lenox, Massachusetts Wednesday night to hear the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to 2 SharesLike · Comment · Share


June 19

We sincerely thank everyone who came out last night, asked good questions and learned more about our proposed clean up plan for the #HousatonicRiver. Here's the story from today's #BerkshireEagle.

Many question EPA's Housatonic River cleanup plan at public forum www.berkshireeagle.com

LENOX -- The impact on homeowners and effectiveness of the planned cleanup for the Housatonic River from southern Pittsfield into Connecticut highlighted the initial public discussion of the recently released federal proposal. Photo Gallery | 'Rest of the River' cleanup proposal public hearing 1Like · Comment · Share

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June 18 Can't make it to tonight's meeting in Lenox? Here's a photo of the poster session. You can still review our proposed Rest of River cleanup plan at: http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/proposedcleanupplan.html



June 17 Don't forget about tomorrow's meeting! Public Information Meeting on Proposed Cleanup Plan for the GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River Wed., June 18: 6 pm poster session; 7 pm presentation Lenox Memorial Middle & High School auditorium, 197 East St., Lenox, MA Like · Comment


June 17 In case you haven't seen today's Eagle yet, check out what EPA New England's Curt Spalding had to say about our proposed cleanup plan for the Rest of River. http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_25976766/objections-don-t-surprise-epa-brass

EPA official urges all to 'embrace the complexity' of PCB cleanup plan www.berkshireeagle.com

PITTSFIELD -- A top U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official urges residents, environmental groups and municipal officials to "embrace the complexity" of its proposed cleanup for the Housatonic River from southern Pittsfield into Connecticut. 1 ShareLike · Comment · Share

U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared a link via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

June 5 Check out what EPA Administrator McCarthy's day was like on Monday.

A Day In The Life of the EPA Administrator | About EPA | US EPA www2.epa.gov

What’s it like to make some of today’s most important environmental and public health decisions? Go behind the scenes with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy for a view of a typical day serving the American people. Like · Comment · Share

U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared Administrator Gina McCarthy's photo.

June 3 Here's a chance to learn more about EPA's Clean Power proposal announced yesterday. Hey everyone, I’m taking questions on the Clean Power Plan on Reddit TODAY @6PM ET. Ask Me Anything! #ActOnClimate



June 2 Visit our website to view the newly posted Proposed Cleanup Plan for the GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River and find out about our public meetings and opportunities to comment on the plan. http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/proposedcleanupplan.html

Proposed Cleanup Plan for the GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River | GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River... www.epa.gov

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader. Like · Comment · Share


May 29 Read, or listen, about the Silver Lake revitalization and event last Friday! http://wamc.org/post/pittsfields-silver-lake-open-recreation

Pittsfield's Silver Lake Open For Recreation wamc.org

The city of Pittsfield recently recognized the revitalization of Silver Lake. The remediation of Silver Lake began in July 2012 with the removal of Like · Comment · Share


May 23 A few clouds can't spoil a great day. Proud to have the Ribbon Cutting event today, celebrating completion of the Silver Lake cleanup!



May 22 Some of our scientists worked with CT Dept. of Agriculture on research to see if oyster production might be boosted in the lower Housatonic River. Check out more info here (it's a PDF): http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/ag%20report/MAY21EMAIL.pdf www.ct.gov www.ct.gov



May 21 SAVE THE DATE! Come find out about EPA’s proposed cleanup plan for the Housatonic River. Informational meetings will start with poster sessions at 6 pm, during which U.S. EPA staff will

be available to address specific topics, followed by a presentation on the proposed cleanup plan at 7:00 pm, and a question and answer period. The proposed plan will be available on-line in early June at www.epa....gov/region1/ge and copies will be available at most town halls in CT & MA along the Housatonic River. 2014 Public Informational Meetings: Wed., June 18: 6 pm poster session; 7 pm presentation Lenox Memorial Middle and High School auditorium 197 East Street Lenox, MA Tues., June 24: 6 pm poster session; 7 pm presentation Kent Town Hall Kent, CT See More 1 ShareLike · Comment


May 5 Did you see this interesting article in the Eagle? http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_25677640/pittsfield-rsquo-s-silver-lake-once-tainted-ready

Pittsfield's Silver Lake, once tainted, ready for recreation www.berkshireeagle.com

PITTSFIELD -- It's been the site of two significant oil spills. It's had garbage, sewage and PCBs dumped into it. But the 26-acre Silver Lake, historically one of the city's most polluted water bodies, is about to enter a new and unexpected chapter as a recreational area that supports activities lik…


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May 1 Meeting Next Wednesday, May 7th EPA Housatonic River Citizens Coordinating Council The Lenox Library Sedgwick Reading Room 18 Main Street Lenox, MA 01240 7 May 2013 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM... Draft Agenda 5:30 Welcome and Brief Business, Patrick Field, Facilitator • Introductions • Agenda Review • January 2014 Meeting Summary Approval and Action Item List • Check-In on New Member Request, Paul Shepardson, Berkshire Bike Council • EPA staffing update 5:45 Brief Updates on On-Going Projects, Dean Tagliaferro, EPA • Silver Lake • Unkamet Brook • Residential FP Properties • Inspections/maintenance. 6:00 Rest of River Update, EPA • Status Report Review • Summary of discussion issues among GE and the agencies • Next steps 6:45 General Updates and Issues from CCC Members 7:00 Public Comment Period 7:15 Adjourn See More

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April 24 After a few spring-like days, the local wood frog population hopped into action, and headed to the vernal pool at the Phase 4C Floodplain Properties for their annual reunion. The wood frogs spent the winter hibernating in the leaf litter o...n the forest floor, aided through the freezing temperatures by large quantities of glucose produced by their livers that acts as a “cryoprotectant” to limit the formation of ice crystals within their bodies. Weston conducted a post-reunion inspection this week with Stantec Consulting Services, and documented wood frog breeding activity (59 egg masses) and the presence of hundreds of fairy shrimp. Both of these are vernal pool obligate species that rely on vernal pools for the successful completion of their life cycles. This picture shows the masses of frog eggs in the Vernal Pool. See More


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April 14


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April 7 If you haven't seen it already, our own Curt Spalding has a blog post today on EPA's "It's Our Environment" free ranging discussion of current interesting topics. Enjoy! http://go.usa.gov/kC3m blog.epa.gov



March 25 Hi Everyone - We've created a new FB page to cover all EPA issues in New England. Come check it out and let us know what you think! https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1

U.S. EPA - New England Region US Environmental Protection Agency Region 1, protecting air, water and land throughout CT, MA, ME, NH, RI & VT and 10 Tribal Nations Government Organization: 289 like this


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January 9 Come one, come all: Our next CCC Meeting will be held on January 22, 2014 from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Lenox Library 18 Main Street, Lenox, MA in the Sedgwick Reading Room. 111 ShareLike · Comment

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2013 HighlightsAll Stories


December 13, 2013


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U.S. EPA - Housatonic River added 3 photos to the album Silver Lake Cleanup.

December 13, 2013


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November 21, 2013 Hi everyone, the seasons have changed! We need your help to show off this beautiful river. Have a current photo? Share it through State of the Environment on Flickr, tag it with #Housatonic and you could be our next cover photo. See Housatonic photos submitted to date at http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?w=1667216%40N23&m=pool&q=housatonic+ feel free to ask questions here.

Flickr: Search State of the Environment Photography Project www.flickr.com


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November 20, 2013 October 30, 2013 - In this photo porous pavement was being installed along the walking path at Silver Lake. Restoration of the site is continuing, and the installation of this specialized pavement will allow rainwater to percolate into the... subsurface. This marks a significant milestone. Hundreds of shrubs have been installed on the lake bank beside the walking path, and finish grading is being conducted. The walking path will have nine benches on which visitors will be able to relax, with each of these having a view shed (with no plantings) that will provide an unobstructed view of the lake. See More — at U.S. EPA - Housatonic River.




November 20, 2013 Here you can see an earlier photo - July 2, 2013 - taken at the western end of the lake where final grading, seeding, and installation of erosion-control mat was completed. In the northeastern

corner of Silver Lake, topsoil and seed were placed upon the riprap around the perimeter of the shrub/scrub island. — at U.S. EPA - Housatonic River.




November 19, 2013 A great sighting in October! In this case does less = more? Two 'Lesser Yellowlegs' spotted in the shallows of Silver Lake. Installation of the sediment cap on the lake bottom was completed in October. The resulting restored habitat will benefit species such as these Lesser Yellowlegs that rely upon this kind of environment. — at U.S. EPA - Housatonic River.




November 19, 2013 A pair of Lesser Yellowlegs, spotted foraging along the edge of Silver Lake. These individuals stopped in for a brief respite in their migration south from their more northern breeding grounds. — at U.S. EPA - Housatonic River.




November 14, 2013 near Cambridge, MA EPA has proposed holding the next Housatonic CCC meeting on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Lenox Library. We will circulate a draft agenda closer to the meeting date. 1Like · Comment

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September 23, 2013

This shot was taken at Unkamet Brook Area-Remainder, where a temporary gravel cover was installed over part of an access road to isolate contaminated material within surface soils until the removal action is implemented.


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September 19, 2013 Silver Lake: walking path construction. This is a view of crushed stone being installed as a subgrade material for the walking path that is being constructed around a portion of Silver Lake. The path will be paved with a porous asphalt material that will allow rainwater to percolate through the walking surface, which will reduce runoff to the lake. — in Pittsfield, MA.


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August 26, 2013 near Norwell, MA Here's a terrific blog post from an EPA research diver, who works in our Boston office: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2013/08/be-it-ever-so-humble-theres-no-place-like-home-2/

Be It Ever So Humble, There’s No Place Like Home | It's Our Environment blog.epa.gov

Wednesday had been a long day in the field, and it was great to be home. It was early evening and I was processing the last seagrass sample. Seagrasses provide habitat for many organisms, so it is not unusual to find small invertebrates crawling around in our eelgrass samples. 11 ShareLike · Comment · Share



August 26, 2013 near Norwell, MA Great page to check out: https://www.facebook.com/EPADivers

U.S. EPA Scientific Diving Program (EPA Divers) Please share your thoughts and ideas. We’ll review comments according to our comment policy: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/commentpolicy.html . For information about your privacy and other policies, please view the "Policies" tab at the top of the page Government Organization: 1,334 like this



U.S. EPA - Housatonic River added 3 photos to the album Housatonic Wildlife Sightings.

July 19, 2013


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July 19, 2013 near Norwell, MA Please welcome EPA's new administrator, Gina McCarthy! https://www.facebook.com/GinaMcCarthyEPA

Administrator Gina McCarthy Gina McCarthy is the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Government Official: 2,198 like this


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July 2, 2013 June 27, 2013 - This shows a view of a vernal pool during high-water conditions that were caused by the recent rainy weather. This vernal pool is located within the Phase 4C Floodplain Properties RAA (Removal Action Areas) http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/floodplain.html. This photo taken from the north end, facing south-southeast. — in Pittsfield, MA.


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July 2, 2013 June 27, 2013 - View of wood frogs from the vernal pool that are developing hind legs. This vernal pool is located within the Phase 4C Floodplain Properties RAA (Removal Action Areas) http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/floodplain.html. — in Pittsfield, MA.


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June 27, 2013 A time-lapsed transformation from the Lyman Street bridge. CW from top left: June, 2003; August, 2009; June, 2012; May, 2013. In September 2002, following the ‘Upper ½-Mile Reach’ cleanup, EPA began work at the '1½ Mile Reach'. Cleanup a...nd native plant restoration was completed by the end of 2006. The average PCB level in the sediment here was 29 ppm. In the riverbanks, the average PCB level in the top three feet was 40 ppm. The 1½ Mile Reach is a section of the East Branch of the Housatonic River between the Lyman Street Bridge and the confluence of the East and West Branches of the river. http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/1andhalfmile.html See More — in Pittsfield, MA.


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June 13, 2013 June 11, 2013 - A Great Blue Heron visits the “Shrub/Scrub Island” in the northeastern corner of Silver Lake. What birds have you seen in the area recently? — in Pittsfield, MA.


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May 31, 2013 From 1999 to today! These photos were each taken from the Newell Street bridge in Pittsfield, MA, starting with the 1999 cleanup of this section of the Upper 1/2 Mile Reach of the Housatonic River. Although they were taken in different months, you can still see the progress of the restoration and regrowth. From top left: November 1999; September 2003; June 2009; May 2013. — at U.S. EPA - Housatonic River.


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May 30, 2013 Capping has begun at Silver Lake! Here you can see just how our capping operations got underway. "Slurried" cap material is fed through a pipe to the barge, where it is then discharged through several nozzles into a sloped, steel box at th...e back of the barge. This material flows down the slope and then drops into the lake just above the surface, where it then settles onto the lake bottom in a 1-inch layer. This process will take place multiple times to ensure that the entire lake bottom is ultimately covered in a 14-inch layer of cap material. *In this photo, there are three nozzles feeding slurry directly into the lake. This is for near-shore areas that are too shallow for the barge. See More — in Pittsfield, MA.



May 21, 2013 Not your average Silver Lake photo! This guy or gal, recently ventured out of the lake to soak up some sunshine. We also suspect he wanted to say thanks for getting rid of the cars. — at Silver Lake, Pittsfield, MA.


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May 21, 2013




May 10, 2013


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May 10, 2013 May 1, 2013 - A close up at one of the restoration plantings. Here a Box Elder blossoms at Fred Garner Park. Tree cages in the background indicate trees that were planted during post-removal restoration. — at Fred Garner Park, Pittsfield, MA.



May 10, 2013 May 6, 2013 - Happy Spring! This shot was taken at the confluences of the East and West Branches of the river facing downstream with some sunlit spring green on the trees. — at Housatonic River .



May 2, 2013 We're proud to be helping out our friends and neighbors in NY and NJ with funding to fix & improve wastewater treatment plants damaged in Hurricane Sandy. 05/02/2013: EPA to Award Over a Half Billion in Funding to Areas... yosemite.epa.gov

Release Date: 05/02/2013Contact Information: Stacy Kika, EPA Headquarters, [email protected], 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355 / John Martin, EPA Region... Like · Comment · Share


April 25, 2013 April 18, 2013 - Three cars and multiple wooden pilings were removed from Silver Lake last week.

Once recovered from the lakebed, these large debris items were placed in a scow adjacent to the barge and transported to a staging pad near the Fourth Street Outfall. There, they were held for dewatering and transportation to the Building 65 stockpile area. This week was full of visible progress towards a cleaner lake. — in Pittsfield, MA.


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April 25, 2013 April 17, 2013 - Missing a set of wheels? Last week, removal of debris from the lake bottom was conducted at several locations using an excavator on a barge. Before debris was removed, each target area was encircled with sorbent boom or flotation boom to control any oily liquids that may be released during removal. Items removed from the lake included multiple wooden pilings and three soggy automobiles. — in Pittsfield, MA.


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April 25, 2013 Upcoming CCC Public Meeting! May 15, 5:30-7:30 PM athe Lenox Library, Lenox, Massachusetts. Previous CCC meeting information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/publiceventsandmeetings.html#CCCMeetingsEvents — at Lenox Library. GE-Housatonic River CCC Meetings and Events - Public Comment, Meetings and Events | GE/Housatonic Ri www.epa.gov



April 22, 2013



U.S. EPA - Housatonic River shared U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's status.

April 16, 2013 If you have information or visual images from the explosions in Boston the FBI asks you to email [email protected]. No detail is too small. 1Like · Comment · Share

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April 5, 2013 We need a new cover photo! Grab your camera this weekend, take some photos of the Housatonic and share it with EPA's State of the Environment project. We'll showcase our favorite submission on this page for the month of April. www.flickr.com/groups/stateoftheenvironment (Be sure to mention the #Housatonic in the photo caption or tags.) Good luck! Happy Friday everyone ~ This weekend, grab your camera for an excuse to slow down. We invite you to share signs of change with us at www.flickr.com/groups/ourenvironment Congratulations to Jim and Nina Pollock for another inspiring photo submitted to State of the

Environment. http://blog.epa.gov/epplocations/2013/04/photo-theme-signs-of-change/ — at The Columbia River Gorge.


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April 2, 2013 Some Tuesday fun ~ take a stab at EPA's Caption Cpntest today! This picture was submitted to State of the Environment. Photos of your surroundings - big or small, sobering or entertaining are welcome through 2013. Caption Time! Take your pick - be the voice of the bug or bird and have some fun! We'll share our favorite. State of the Environment is about what YOU see happening in our world today. What do your surroundings have to say? www.flickr.com/groups/ourenvironment — at Sanibel Island Lighthouse and Beach.



March 28, 2013 March 20, 2013: A field technician uses a GPS rover to check the "floor" of a removal area. The level is compared to Silver Lake Boulevard to verify that the excavation is at the right depth. — in Pittsfield, MA.


U.S. EPA - Housatonic River was in Pittsfield, MA.

March 28, 2013



March 21, 2013 March 13, 2013 - This shot shows the pipe fusion welder that is being used to assemble sections of the pipe that will deliver cap materials to the spreader barge. Approximately 4,000 linear feet of pipe will be used for the capping operation. More about the work at Silver Lake can be read here: http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/silverlake.html — in Pittsfield, MA.



March 21, 2013 March 13, 2013 - Have kids that like big machines? They might like this shot of a front-end loader. Here, a 40-foot-long section of barge is pushed into to the launching area at Silver Lake. These barge sections are being put into place to help support the capping operation. More information about the work at Silver Lake: http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/silverlake.html — in Pittsfield, MA.



March 21, 2013 Mark your calendar: Next Thursday (3/28) at 2 p.m. EDT, EPA acting Assistant Administrator for Water Nancy Stoner will host a live chat on EPA’s water-specific Twitter feed, twitter.com/epawater, about the importance of protecting streams a...nd wetlands in the United States. Individuals or organizations can submit questions before or during the chat through the EPA water Twitter account or by using the hashtag #waterchat, which we will use during the chat so participants can easily follow the conversation. See More U.S. EPA Water (EPAwater) on Twitter twitter.com

The latest from U.S. EPA Water (@EPAwater). The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water- working for clean water for all Americans. USA Like · Comment · Share


March 12, 2013




March 12, 2013 Taken in Leverett, Mass - share the environment around you at www.flickr.com/groups/ourenvironment tag it #Housatonic and we'll show it off here! It's Caption Time with today's State of the Environment photo! We'll share our favorite today. Congratulations to Marina Guitchounts for this photo. State of the Environment is your DOCUMERICA; a modern chance to document our environment and way of life today. — in Leverett, MA.



March 8, 2013



February 19, 2013 It's not a housy toad, but it's adorable nonetheless. Ever wanted to put words in a toad's mouth? Here's your chance! Today's Caption Contest on EPA's main Facebook page. Caption This! Congratulations to 'charlesmonroe98' on Flickr for catching a close up of this guy -- or gal! We suspect he's / she's keeping the golden spot secret... We'll be sharing our our favorite caption here, at www.epa.gov/stateoftheenvironment, and from EPAgov on Twitter. Enjoy! "Found this toad chillin' on the rocks near my gold spot" May 2011 by charlesmonroe98 on Flickr — in Trabuco Canyon, CA.


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February 13, 2013 GE / Housatonic Cleanup Update: At the GE Plant Area, asbestos abatement and demolition activities continued at the 9s Complex within East Street Area 2-North. Demolition of Building 10 began, and asbestos abatement continued at Building 9. More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/thesite/geplantarea.html



February 13, 2013 Happy Valentine's Day eve! Love is all around with this sheet piling shot. Taken on the south side of Silver Lake, February 6, 2013. Last week, sheet piling was completed for another parcel along the south side. Excavation and removal tota...led 104 cubic yards of material. There was no work on Friday, February 8th due to the snow storm. At the lake’s outlet, more sheeting was installed to extend the dam further west to seal off a low spot from excavated areas that have not yet been backfilled. The weekly water column sample was collected on Thursday, February 7th. See More — in Pittsfield, MA.


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February 4, 2013 Work at Silver Lake continues with installation of sheet pile on the south side if the lake to prepare for deeper excavation and removal. High winds prevented work from taking place last Thursday and heavy rains posed additional challenges, raising the level of the lake by about 1 foot. — in Pittsfield, MA.

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February 4, 2013

This shot shows the remediated downstream end of the 1.5-Mile Reach along the East Branch, facing upstream, with the banks covered in a fresh coat of snow. The southern tip of Fred Garner Park is shown at the left. — at U.S. EPA - Housatonic River.


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February 4, 2013 This is a shot taken at the confluence of the West and East Branches of the Housatonic River, facing upstream. The West Branch is shown at the left and the East Branch is at the right. The point in the middle of the photo is the remediate...d southern extent of Fred Garner Park within the Phase 4A Floodplain Properties. Following the removal action in 2006, this peninsula was covered with restoration plantings, many of which have reached 25 to 30 feet in height since being planted (less than 7 years ago). http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/ See More — at U.S. EPA - Housatonic River.



January 28, 2013 May 13, 2012 By Daniel McCarthy on Flickr for State of the Environment. From the photographer: A Great Egret (Ardea alba) along the banks of the Housatonic River in Milford Connecticut. They nest just offshore on Charles Island which is part of Sliver Sands state park. http://www.flickr.com/photos/65426280@N03/7188338208/in/pool-1667216@N23/ — at Housatonic River.


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January 25, 2013 Take a look - take a guess! Tell us what species you think stopped by for a visit to Silver Lake in mid-December. We'll give the answer later today. — in Pittsfield, MA.


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2012 HighlightsAll Stories


December 3, 2012 Welcome to early December. Check out the discussion on EPA's main FB page - tips to green up your holiday season! Stay safe, happy and keep it green https://www.facebook.com/EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Born in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution, EPA was established on December 2, 1970 to ensure environmental protection. Government Organization: 128,044 like this



November 27, 2012 A whole bunch of new documents posted to the site, in case you want to keep up-to-date: http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/whatsnew.html What's New | GE/Housatonic River Site | New England | US EPA www.epa.gov

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader. Like · Comment · Share


November 19, 2012 What's the Housy look like to you? We're happily sharing our photos of work progress to date, but we'd also love to see your pics of the river. Submit current photos of the Housatonic to EPA's State of the Environment project for a chance to be our cover photo of the month right here. Enjoy the community bragging rights to follow... www.flickr.com/groups/ourenvironment

State of the Environment Photography Project www.flickr.com

What is the State of our Environment, our planet, today? Looking back years from now, what will today's photos tell us? Almost 40 years ago, EPA's Documerica project captured thousands of compelling images of environmental problems and the state of American life. Now, we've gone global with the sa... 1Like · Comment · Share

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November 13, 2012




November 13, 2012 October 26, 2012 - This photo shows the installation of the reactive core mat with organoclay (RCM) at the Fourth Street Outfall channel. The RCM is installed beneath the near-shore cap materials in all areas where non-aqueous phase liquid... (NAPL) sheens or free-phase oil could be released to the water surface during excavation of bank soils or near-shore sediment. The organoclay core of the RCM acts as a NAPL barrier, to stop any continued release from the bank soils or sediment to the lake. To date, EPA has required that RCM be placed from along Fourth Street, Silver Lake Blvd., and in the southeastern corner of the lake. See More — in Pittsfield, MA.


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October 31, 2012




October 31, 2012 Wishing everyone a safe and easy recovery following recent weather events. Please share these helpful tips with friends and family.

Recover after a hurricane www.epa.gov

ALERT:Generator exhaust is toxic. Always put generators outside well away from doors, windows, and vents.Never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas. Carbon monoxide (CO) is deadly, can build up quickly, and linger for hours.More information Like · Comment · Share


October 18, 2012 Today is the 40th Anniversary of the the Clean Water Act - one of the great, cornerstone environmental laws in the history of human achievement. "Like" if you are glad for this law! http://water.epa.gov/action/cleanwater40/cwa101.cfm The Clean Water Act: Protecting and Restoring our Nation’s Waters | Clean Water Act 40th Anniversa water.epa.gov

Forty years ago, in the midst of a national concern about untreated sewage, industrial and toxic discharges, destruction of wetlands, and contaminated runoff, the principal law to protect the nation’s waters was passed. Originally enacted in 1948 to control water pollution... Like · Comment · Share


October 5, 2012 Site Update: Cleanup activities continue at Silver Lake with approx 859 cubic yards of contaminated material removed last week. Water and air sampling for PCBs took place in the active work zone. Documents added to the website today include more from EPA and GE’s Discussions on September 20. Follow the latest reports and additions at http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/whatsnew.html What's New | GE/Housatonic River Site | New England | US EPA www.epa.gov



September 27, 2012




September 27, 2012 Are you out and about taking photos of this beautiful river? You could land a spot as our cover photo of the month! As the leaves change and the seasons turn, we want to show it like it is ~ photo credits (name/ date/ location) will appear on our cover image above for proper bragging rights. Enter your current photos at www.flickr.com/groups/ourenvironment.

State of the Environment Photography Project www.flickr.com



September 26, 2012




September 17, 2012 Clean backfill is in place along the north side of Silver Lake! Nearly 1,000 cy3 of contaminated bank soil and sediment was removed during the week of September 3-7. — in Pittsfield, MA.


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September 17, 2012 Ever felt lost? Confused? Hopelessly searching for that thing you almost forgot you were looking for? At last, our website emerges from a makeover! We hope you find yourself less lost. Snags, snafus, problems or suggestions are welcome here; it’s the only way to make it better! www.epa.gov/region01/ge

EPA Cleanups: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site www.epa.gov



September 7, 2012 Interested in the cleanup? Don't forget about next week's PUBLIC meeting! Wednesday, September 12, 5:30-8:00 pm at the Lenox Public Library, Sedwick Reading Room. The meeting agenda can be seen at http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/publiceventsandmeetings.html#cccmeetingsopevents — at Lenox Library. GE-Housatonic River Citizens Coordinating Council (CCC) Meetings and Other Public Events - Meetings www.epa.gov

Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:30 - 8:00 pmLenox Library Sedgwick Reading Room 18 Main Street Lenox, MA 21 ShareLike · Comment · Share

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September 6, 2012 Excavation continues! Last week, an inactive, abandoned outfall pipe was found during work in the northeastern area of the lake. Crews removed about 822 cubic yards of contaminated material including coal ash and misc fill, from the western... and northeastern areas. Sediment removed from below the water table was black stained, coated with oil, and gave off a localized hydrocarbon odor. Air monitoring took place, as well as dust and airborne PCB monitoring. Air readings did not approach the action level that would require work to stop. See More — in Pittsfield, MA.



September 6, 2012 Sheet pile on western side of Silver Lake. — in Pittsfield, MA.



August 10, 2012 How about sharing your photos of the Housatonic?

State of the Environment Photography Project blog.epa.gov



August 8, 2012 Silver Lake Cleanup (36 photos) December 2013 Update - The construction season has run its course for 2013 and a productive year has brought the Silver Lake remediation to near completion. See the year's progress here. Stay updated about EPA's latest site-wide information here on our Facebook page.

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