One of Cavendish’s most scenic and treasured natural assets is the Black River Corridor. The Cavendish Town plan describes this area as “a significant and essential scenic resource that runs through the town. The Black River Corridor travels east from the intersection of Route 103 to Weatherfield along the Black River and includes Scenic Route 131 which was designated one of three State Scenic Highways in 1998.” The town plan calls for protection of this area and preservation of open space between and surrounding the two village areas. This protection includes working with existing land trusts or creation of a new land trust to purchase significant natural and aesthetic resources. Of particular interest to CCCA is the protection, either through conservation easements or purchase, of the remaining undeveloped parcels of open field between the two villages, some of which have served as areas where flood waters can spread out and thus reduces pressure on developed areas along the river. These areas also have served as important access for recreation use of the river for fishing and other pursuits.
On Friday, May 15, fourteen people gathered in the field below the Stubelek house on route 131 to plant a riparian buffer along the Black River. The project was made possible by the Ecological Restoration Grant that the Town of Cavendish received from the State of Vermont to help with the management of floodplains in Cavendish. Both the CCCA and the Town of Cavendish have been working on this project for a number of years. It was great to see the plantings finally go in! Let us hope the little bushes and trees thrive and prosper, sending down roots to help hold the banks of the River from erosion when next the river rises. Of tremendous assistance in the planting effort was Kelly Stettner of the Black River Action Team (see link to their website below) and Ron Rhodes of the Connecticut River Watershed. Members of the Conservation Committee of the CCCA, Robin Timko, Sara Stowell and Tim O'Donoghue were on hand to help with the planting as well as Margo Caulfield and friends of the Black River Action Team. For photos of the event, see the slide show below. |
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