Just weeks after the Environmental Protection Agency released comments critical of Pebble’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the agency today withdrew the 2014 Proposed Determination.

If finalized, the Proposed Determination would have safeguarded the Bristol Bay region – the world’s greatest wild salmon ecosystem – from the proposed Pebble mine and other large-scale industrial development by placing limits on the amount of mine waste that can be disposed of in Bristol Bay’s rivers and wetlands.  

“Sixty million fish can’t be wrong,” Trout Unlimited CEO Chris Wood said. “That’s how many sockeye returned to Bristol Bay last year. That’s the resource that is being put at risk by this unjustified and fundamentally boneheaded decision. We have spent $18 billion on unsuccessful efforts to try and recover salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, meanwhile Alaska’s resource is outstanding and all we have to do to keep it intact is have the good sense to leave it alone. We will look at all options—including litigation—to protect Bristol Bay from large-scale industrial mining.” 

Click here to read more.

TU Chapters from across Connecticut, including Nutmeg TU, are partnering with the Naugatuck Pomperaug chapter to clean the Naugatuck River on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of the Sweetwater and Costa “Kick Plastic” campaign.

Volunteers will meet at Linden Park, then spread out to various river access points along the Naugatuck. Dumpsters will be located at Linden Park for volunteers to dispose of their trash pick up.

There will be a wrap up party immediately after the event at a TBD location. TU National and Sweetwater will be sponsoring the after party complete with Sweetwater’s new“Kick Plastic Pilsner”, which is a joint venture with Costa Sunglasses. Sweetwater is buying the first round to celebrate our volunteer efforts.
This should be a great volunteer opportunity and a chance to meet our neighbors and friends with the Naugatuck Pomperaug chapter.

We need to understand how many members will be participating, so please click here to register.

A bill before Congress would help fishing and hunting land by supporting conservation at the state level.

On Friday, July 12, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), along with 59 members of Congress introduced the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA).

The act is designed to help recover and conserve at-risk species by dedicating $1.3 billion for state-level conservation projects. Specifically, RAWA provides funds for state wildlife agencies to implement their congressionally-mandated State Wildlife Action Plans, which outline specific conservation actions needed to recover and sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations. 

Click here to read an article from TU about the bill.

An area cleaned up Nutmeg TU in April has been closed off by the Town of Trumbull.

Citing the amount of trash and some type of altercation after a large gathering on the Pequonnock River on Quarry Road, the Town of Trumbull cut off access to the water.

Read the Trumbull Times article.

Blue Heart, a Patagonia film about the fight to preserve Europe’s last wild rivers, will shown Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Patagonia of Westport at 87 Post Road East, Westport CT.

With more than 3,000 hydropower dams and river diversions proposed or in the process of being built in the Balkans, communities that depend on these rivers are standing up to investors and developers that are threatening their livelihood, local wildlife, and ecosystems.

Connecticut alone is home to more than 3,000 dams—and CFE/Save the Sound is working hard to tear down those that are outdated and threatening wildlife habitat and communities.

After the screening, the Save the Sound ecological restoration team will discuss our local efforts to tear down dams, build fishways, and restore rivers throughout Connecticut and the Long Island Sound region.

For a $10 donation you can enjoy beer from Black Hog Brewing in your own reusable Patagonia tumblr, and light snacks. Please sign up here to let Save the Sound know you’re attending!

Nutmeg TU members and friends may volunteer for a beach cleanup at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Saturday, July 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. It is sponsored by NGO Sustainability.

Participants should bring a reusable water bottle and gardening gloves.

All are welcome. High school and college students can earn volunteer hours.

 Further information is available at the website unngosustainability.org, by sending an email to ngosustainability@gmail.com, or by calling 203-981-9197.

Striped bass fishing regulations are going to change in 2020, and the Connecticut DEEP is looking for your opinions and comments on this issue.

Please consider clicking the link below to take a brief (2-3 min) survey to share your thoughts on striped bass regulations. The deadline is Monday, July 15.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CTStripedBass2019

Also stay tuned for announcement of a public hearing on striped bass regulations, to be held in August or September.

Nutmeg TU returned to the Limestone Club in Canaan, CT for its annual outing on Wednesday, May 8.

A few members caught fish, but as usual the trip was a good time for those who went.

There are 3 deep (70+ feet) quarry ponds and 3 shallow ponds providing a variety of venues and conditions.

While most members practice catch and release, catch and keep is allowed for one fish 17 inches or smaller per person.

Look for your next chance to fish the private Limestone Club in spring of 2020.

Nutmeg TU will hold its third annual Kayak Fishing Trip Saturday, June 22 from 10am to 3pm.

Bring your kayak or canoe and join us for a fun day on the water. This year we head to the lakes at Hope Lake on Nell’s Rock Road in Shelton. Bring your favorite fresh water fishing gear. Hope Lake hold a huge variety of fish (including salmon!), offering you a thrilling day on the water. Hope Lake has easy access and also offers great shoreline fishing if you don’t have a kayak or canoe and still want to join us.  We’re meeting at 10 am at the main parking lot off Nells Rock Road, where the Park’s trail signs are.

Life vests are required for kayakers and canoeists as per state law.

Trip subject to weather. When RSVPing email to admin@NutmegTrout.org your Contact Information (Name, Telephone Number, & Email Address) so we can contact you in case of weather changes. You can also RSVP via Meet Up.