USFWS

Mass EOEA
 

Woodlot
Alternatives, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 10-13-05

Update on Housatonic River Natural Resource Damage Fund:  Public Meeting Scheduled

The Massachusetts SubCouncil of the Housatonic River Natural Resource Trustees has scheduled an informational meeting to update the public on the status of the solicitation process for compensatory restoration projects.  The meeting will include a review of the current projected schedule for the evaluation, selection, and funding of restoration projects that will be implemented through the Housatonic River Natural Resource Damage (NRD) Fund.  The Housatonic River NRD Fund was established through a settlement with the General Electric Company for damages related to PCB contamination in the Housatonic River.  The restoration planning process is overseen by state and federal natural resource trustees, ex officio delegates, and private consultants.

The public informational meeting will be held:

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

5:30 – 7:00pm

Lenox Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room

6 Walker Street in Lenox, Massachusetts

The MA SubCouncil finalized the Restoration Project Selection Procedure in June and planned to announce the first solicitation round for restoration projects by September.  The delay in solicitation has been necessary due to the time required to process a document that addresses National Environmental Policy Act requirements.  This document -- the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment – is expected to be released for public review and comment before the end of November 2005, and is expected to coincide with the announcement of the first solicitation round.  The solicitation will be announced through public notice, news releases, and public service announcements.    

More information about the Housatonic River Watershed Restoration Project in Massachusetts is available online at www.ma-housatonicrestoration.org.  Additional information can be obtained by contacting Stephanie Lindloff of Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. at slindloff@woodlotalt.com or (413) 442-9389.

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