Frequently Asked Questions

1. What comprises the Housatonic Wild and Scenic Watershed?

The Wild and Scenic stretch of the Housatonic River includes the 41 miles of the mainstem, from the Massachusetts border to Boardman Bridge in New Milford, and ¼ mile up its tributaries.  For more questions regarding the Wild and Scenic rivers program, please visit https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1912/faqs.htm

2. What are the benefits of being a designated river in the Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers Program?

Through NPS funding and staff support, resources are available to help the Commission, and its partners, achieve management and resource protection goals, as outlined in this Plan and overseen by HRC.

• Preservation of a clean water supply for residents.
• Protection of the character that defines the local communities.
• Robust and diverse plant and animal populations that reflect a healthy ecosystem.
• Possible funding to help towns achieve their open space conservation goals, including a small grants program.
• Information and technical support that assists local land use commissions and town staff in making decisions.
• National recognition associated with a designation.
• Outreach and education materials and initiatives related to HRC river values.
• NPS is responsible for implementing Section 7 of the WSR Act to ensure federal consistency in preserving the Housatonic’s river values for which it was designated.

3. What is the role of the Housatonic River Commission in managing the Housatonic as a designated Wild and Scenic river? What are the responsibilities of the Housatonic River Commission?

Upon designation, the Housatonic River Commission, with partner Northwest Hills Council of Governments, took on the role of acting as the “coordinating committee” for managing the federal funding associated with Wild and Scenic status.
The Commission holds the following responsibilities:

• Recommend each member town adopt standards for protection of the River Corridors.
  
• Provide inter-town coordination of a regional Housatonic River Management Plan with each of the Towns involved.
  
• Promote and support river enhancement initiatives (e.g., river access sites, scenic values, etc.).
  
• Monitor development in the Corridors and review and comment on development applications.
  
• Support gifts of land and conservation easements to the individual towns and local or regional land trusts to protect critical ecological, archeological, or wildlife habitat areas.
  
• Encourage towns in the River Corridor to actively carry out the goals of this Management Plan.
  
• Promote public involvement and education related to issues that affect the River.
  
• Report to the member towns and organizations on the activities of the Commission.
  
• Review and update the Management Plan.
  
• Disperse funding provided through the cooperative agreement, as appropriate (i.e., relates to this Management Plan) and available.
  
• Address river-related issues, for example:
  
  • Zoning changes for lands along the River or its tributaries that potentially impact river values.
    
  • Development projects or other land use activities that potentially affect river values.
    
  • Applications for state permits (e.g., point source discharges or water withdrawals).
    
  • Changes to state programs or policies (e.g., statewide water quality standards).
    
  • Applications for federal permits (e.g., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permits; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission certification for pipeline crossings).
    

4. What doesn’t a Partnership Wild and Scenic River do?

A partnership wild and scenic river:

• Does not put land under federal control
• Does not require public access to private land
• Does not force any changes in local land-use decision-making
• Does not create new federal permits or regulations
• Does not change any existing land uses
• Does not bar access to or use of the river or watershed lands
• Does not affect hunting and fishing laws

5. What towns are within the Wild and Scenic Housatonic River Watershed?

Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon

6. How can I get involved?

The Housatonic River Commission holds public meetings on the second Tuesday at 7pm at our office (7 Railroad St, West Cornwall, CT).  We welcome all who are interested to attend.  You can also reach us at our contact page with any specific inquiries. ​

7. What are the features of the Housatonic River Wild and Scenic designation? What is the River designated for?

To be eligible, a river segment must be naturally free-flowing and have "outstandingly remarkable” scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other features. Many Outstandingly Remarkable Values are present throughout the watershed’s rivers and streams, including historic resources, scenic qualities, water quality, biodiversity, exemplary natural communities, rare and endangered species, and watershed ecosystem resilience. 
Some specific examples include: Appalachian Trail, whitewater paddling, West Cornwall’s covered bridge, several critical habitat sites, and outstanding scenic views along the river.

8. Are there any current local zoning bylaws that protect the wild & Scenic resources along the housatonic river? 

Please visit each town’s website for specific Planning and Zoning information:

• Planning & Zoning Commission | North Canaan, CT
• Planning & Zoning Commission | Canaan (Falls Village), CT
• Planning & Zoning Commission | Salisbury, CT
• Planning & Zoning Commission | Sharon, CT
• Planning & Zoning Commission | Cornwall, CT
  • Application for Zoning Permit | Cornwall, CT
• Planning & Zoning Commission | Kent, CT
• Planning Department | New Milford, CT
• Zoning Department | New Milford, CT

9. How is HRC involved in town planning and zoning processes?

As the group stewarding the Wild & Scenic designation of the Housatonic River, the Housatonic River Commission is required to be notified for advisory of any zoning projects within the Wild & Scenic corridor.  Please inquire with your town zoning officers about necessary application materials.  For clarification on whether or not your project requires the consultation of HRC, please feel free to contact us at any time.

10. How does a River become Wild & Scenic?

Local communities along the river demonstrate support for the concept of a feasibility study. Congress then passes legislation authorizing a study, the National Park Service funds and conducts the study in close consultation and partnership with property owners, local and state governments, and other organizations with a stake in the future of the river. In some cases within the Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers Program, a steering committee with representatives from local interests is formed to assist with the feasibility study. The river is then studied to determine that it is eligible and feasible for designation, and that it is locally desirable for it to become designated. Wild & Scenic designation is then recommended by the Wild & Scenic Study or Steering Committee. Lastly, legislation authorizing a Wild & Scenic River designation is passed by Congress and signed by the President. For more information, please see the Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers Primer. ​

11. Does the Housatonic River Commission have funding to support community projects?

The Housatonic River Commission provides financial support to local communities via a Community Grants Program. HRC aims to support Connecticut-based projects within the stretch of river from the Massachusetts border to Boardman Bridge in New Milford, CT. For more information or to see if you are eligible for funding, please visit our Community Grants Program page. 

12. What is the management plan?

The Housatonic River Commission was created by the Towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon and held its first meeting in July 1979. In July 1981, the Commission completed a River Management Plan that outlined objectives and duties of the Commission and defined the corridor boundaries. The River Management Plan also included regulatory language that was incorporated into the zoning regulations of all towns except North Canaan. The River Management Plan, and its subsequent 2006 update, have been effective in aiding HRC in monitoring development and environmental impacts along the corridor and in advocating for the scenic, historic, and natural resources of the River. The most recent update to the Management Plan ​reflects the current conditions within the Housatonic River Valley, changes over time, management strategies, and goals within Wild and Scenic context.

13. Does designation affect my property if I own land on the river?

It does not. If you perceive any impacts at all, please contact us right away.

• Local land use and property ownership is unaffected. 
• There are no additional requirements to maintain your land.  
• All rights to keep, sell, donate or transfer your land to family remain.  
• Existing state and local regulations that affect land use and development remain in effect.
• The Management Plan contains suggestions for good stewardship practices for property owners.
• The designation has the potential to increase property values.

14. What are some nearby examples of designated wild & Scenic rivers?

Farmington (Upper and Lower), Eightmile, Westfield (MA), and Wood-Pawcatuck (CT-RI)