HOUSATONIC RIVER
On March 31, 2009, the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles designated 12,280 acres of a central portion of the Housatonic River and surrounding landscape as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
Green Berkshires served as the project manager for the nomination of the Upper Housatonic River ACEC. The nomination was sought by a coalition of environmental and sportsmen’s groups, and received the support of numerous elected officials, groups representing thousands of members, and more than 970 people who signed a petition.
The designated area covers the Housatonic River from the confluence of the East and West branches in Pittsfield down to Golden Hill Bridge in Lee, Massachusetts. It also includes land within the city of Pittsfield, and the towns of Lee, Lenox, and Washington.
Now that the Upper Housatonic River ACEC has been designated, a stewardship committee has been formed, composed of town representatives, organizations, and local residents who want to help shape the future management of the river and its surrounding floodplains, wetlands, streams, and steep slopes.
If you would like to be part of the Upper Housatonic River ACEC Stewardship Committee, or to learn more about it, please contact Green Berkshires.
For more information about the nomination and designation of the Upper Housatonic River ACEC, please visit our affiliated website: savethehousatonic.org.