Project Summary

1. Project Identification

Name	Merwin Meadows Dam
Region	North East
State	CT
Location	Norwalk
Date of this update	1/25/02

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project Description (100 words or less. Please include qualitative information, e.g. acres of habitat restored, miles of steam reopened to migration, and legislative authorization, e.g. WRDA, ISTEA, CWA/NEP, CZMA, etc.)

This dam in Norwalk, 10 .5 feet high, 150 feet wide, and the 2-acre pond behind it is a barrier to anadromous cold water fisheries migration. Groups including the CT DEP, NRCS, Save the Sound, Trout Unlimited, and the Norwalk River Watershed Initiative are in support of restoring a natural free-flowing riparian system by removing the dam. NRCS has prescribed 8,000 cubic yards of sediment, roughly 50% needs to be removed from the impoundment for about $280,000 with a possible hike to $1,000,000 if sediments behind the dam are contaminated.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

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5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

• Federal

  Lead:

  Other: NRCS

• Non-Federal

  State government: CT DEP
  Local government: Norwalk River Watreshed Initiative
  Private industry:
  Public interest groups: Save the Sound
  Educational Facility:
  Other partnerships:

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

• Cash

  Federal
  Non Federal	State government
  	Local government
  	Private industry
  	Public interest groups
  Total

• In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)

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• Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

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7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

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8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

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9. Project Status

Initiation date
Completion date
Current stage

10. Contacts

• Project Manager

  Chris Malik
  79 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06106
  (860) 424-3959
  Email: christopher.malik@po.state.ct.us

• Participating Agency/Organization Contacts: (e.g. volunteer groups, conservation groups, state agencies, and other federal agency contacts)

11. Any additional information/comments

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