Almost half of the state's watershed coordinators are at risk for losing their jobs in the next round of state of budget cuts. As stewards of our great state's natural resources, we must speak out against this potentially disastrous decision before this Friday, March 27th. The WRWA has sent letters to Senators John F. Campbell and Peter Shumlin as they are on the Appropriations Committee. Please read the following letter and send one of your own AND/OR just comment here AND send a letter/email to your state representatives. Your rivers and streams and forests and communities around them will thank you!
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It has come to my attention that almost most half of Vermont’s seven Watershed Coordinators employed by the Agency of Natural Resources’ Department of Environmental Conservation are currently threatened with losing their jobs as part of the state’s effort to balance their budget. I am writing to request your deep consideration of how this will affect the future of Vermont’s streams, rivers, forests, farms and communities over the next many decades before casting your vote. On behalf of over 200 friends and members and the Board of Directors for the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA), please KEEP our WATERSHED COORDINATORS!
Marie Levesque Caduto is the Watershed Coordinator for the West, Williams and Saxtons Rivers, also known as Basin 11, the region of the state where I have had the privilege to work as Director of WRWA’s flagship Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP). This program is only one small, very tangible impact Marie and her counterparts have had on the state’s watershed resources. Marie is the guiding light for our organization and others like it throughout our region. She is our connection to the state’s conservation efforts and is instrumental in helping us to obtain funding to continue to engage Vermont’s local citizens in conserving and restoring their watershed resources.
As you know, Vermont’s economy is closely tied to its natural resources. For this reason alone, it makes very little sense to put jobs from the Agency of Natural Resources on the chopping block – these positions are not fluff! During Maries’ three and half year tenure as a Watershed Planner for Basin 11 and Basin 10 and Basin 13 she has brought in over $700,000 in grant funds to support numerous monitoring, planning, and restoration projects throughout southeastern Vermont. In addition to their environmental benefits, these funds help to create jobs doing good work that would not be possible otherwise.
The Watershed Coordinators are an essential part of the “Basin Planning Process” which helps citizens know and understand the current condition of their natural resources as well as the specific projects that need doing to repair, protect, and restore the clean water and healthy forests that support Vermont’s vibrant rural communities. This process took over three years of hard work in Basin 11 and has just been completed. The WRWA has been working closely with Marie on the implementation of many of the projects identified in the Plan and are on the cusp of an opportunity to work with the Trust for Public Land, the Connecticut River Watershed Council and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to begin work on another round of projects that focus on protecting our coldwater fisheries.
Most people I know who have moved to Vermont have done so because it “so beautiful” and want their kids to grow up in a “pristine” environment – PLEASE preserve this right for our children and grandchildren. I come from a place where I was subject to watching my childhood home of northern coastal New Jersey marred by pollution and development. I am so grateful every day that I get to see my boys run down to the stream that runs through our back yard to play. It is the reason I am here, it is the reason many families are here, it is the reason Vermont is one of the greatest states in the Nation.
I know that the budget must be balanced, but cutting funds and jobs from our Agency of Natural Resources does not bring balance. It is impossible to have a healthy economy without healthy ecosystems. Thank you very much for your time and consideration of this urgent matter. I appreciate the hard work that you do and the difficult decisions you make on behalf of the citizens of Vermont. I trust that your final vote will reflect your best judgment and highest values.
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This is a letter by one of our members, Darlene Palola to her State Representatives. Thanks Darlene!
Dear Rick and John
I and many others are outraged at the possible elimination the basin planning coordinator for our region. Our watershed coordinator is indispensable in our efforts to monitor and implement the West River Basin Plan. Without the scientific expertise, funding and communication skills the success of volunteer monitoring, planning and engagement in implementation would not be possible. The public is an integral part of the Basin Planning process (as required by the CWA) and we are dedicated to protecting our recreational treasures and restoring water quality. The last 3 years have been extraordinarily fruitful and to lose it now would be a terrible waste of good will and money.
I regard this budget cut as an attempt to remove citizens from the decisions regarding the values and uses of our waterways. It is a dangerous precedent and will disrupt the progress we have made with over $700,000 investment from organizations and towns in Basins 10, 11 and 13.
The proposed cuts threaten the long term health of our environment and the water quality so necessary to our economy. I urge you restore this position.
Sincerely,
Darlene Palola.
Member, West River Watershed Alliance and Stream monitoring team
Participant in development of West River Basin Plan
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