Zebra Mussels

The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a species of small freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc. This species was originally native to the lakes of southeast Russia. However, it has been accidentally introduced in many other areas, and has become an invasive species in many different countries.

Following the discovery of zebra mussels in Laurel Lake (Lee and Lenox, Massachusetts), Biodrawversity LLC was hired to conduct a Phase I Assessment of 17 Berkshire County lakes and the mainstem Housatonic River for the presence of zebra mussels and the potential of these waterbodies to support zebra mussels based on physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The one waterbody in our watershed included in the assessment, Cheshire Reservoir, is considered at high risk based on water chemistry, although no zebra mussels were found. The full report can be found here

And a report entitled a rapid response plan for the zebra mussel contains excellent background information including species identification, ecology, and potential control measures. It is available here

The following description of the organism and its ecology is from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia.
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Proposed Biomass Facility in Pownal

Proposed Biomass Facility in Pownal

“It’s not easy being green.”

Although most of us can agree that reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is necessary and a good thing, finding good alternatives can be a challenge. A proposal for an electrical generating plant and wood pellet manufacturing facility using biomass for fuel at the former race track site in Pownal, Vt. has placed this issue front and center. HooRWA’s stance on the proposal is as follows.

At the November meeting of the Hoosic River Watershed Association, the directors unanimously approved the following statement:

“At this point in the permitting process, the Hoosic River Watershed Association cannot support the proposed biomass plant in Pownal, Vermont. We are looking, in particular, for acceptable answers to the following questions:

1. Will the racetrack aquifer support sustained withdrawals of up to 470 gallons per minute without affecting wells in the vicinity?
2. Would the proposed withdrawal from the river adversely affect aquatic life and recreational use of the Hoosic River?
3. Can Beaver Wood produce convincing air quality modeling indicating that the proposed plant will comply with both current EPA standards and the more stringent standards slated to go into effect in 2011?
4. Does Beaver Wood have a specific and realistic plan for providing fuel for the plant using sustainable forestry practices and accounting for other proposed plants that will be competing for the same wood supply?

It is likely that other questions will surface during the coming months. HooRWA cannot properly assess the impact on the watershed until we have significantly more information.”

You can find more information on the proposal from the developers on their website.

Two citizen groups in opposition to the proposal, one in Pownal and one in Williamstown, Mass., have joined forces. Information as to their concerns can be found on their website.

And for more general information on biomass and other forms of renewable energy, one starting point can be the National Renewable Energy Laboratory website. Or the Biomass Energy Resource Center headquartered in Montpelier, Vermont