|
|
phone: 518-963-4710
|
fax: 518-963-4710
|
email:info@boquetriver.org
|
The Boquet River Association
(BRASS)
BRASS is a small, 200-member, grass-roots non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of water and life in the Boquet watershed. Formed in 1984, it discusses and acts upon issues related to land uses, point and non-point source pollution, in-stream and riparian species and habitats, recreation, and the economy. Its membership is primarily local landowners, and its Board is composed of appointees from the five watershed towns and elected representatives.
Brass is known for its dedication to river quality and for mitigating conflicting river interests. It also has a reputation for accomplishing projects through education and by coordinating skills and services of volunteers, businesses, county and town governments, and state agencies.
Awards
In 1994, BRASS was recognized by the U.S. Department of Interior's Rivers and Trails Program as one of the seven "success stories" in the nation, and was awarded by NYSDEC the Adirondack Stewardship Award. BRASS received the CF Industries National Watershed Award in 1996, and in 1998 the Park Stewardship Award from The Adirondack Council.
BRASS Projects
Since its inception, BRASS has:
- planted 250,000 seedlings and trees on over 10 streambank miles for erosion control; and worked with farmers to stem erosion and increase buffer zones and wildlife habitat
- pioneered the planting of large, native tree cuttings for streambank erosion control in the Lake Champlain Basin
- built over 1,400 feet of low-cost log cribbing and log terrace structures for erosion control
- produced a stream erosion control booklet titled How To Hold Up Banks: Using All The Assets
- conducted studies in water quality, sediment embeddedness, aquatic insects, native mussels, riparian buffer zones, and stream morphology (the research into sediment embeddedness, with assistance from the Fisheries Department of NYSDEC, is one of the most complete and long term studies in the Northeast)
- conducted teacher training workshops in Vermont, New York, and Canada; produced a watershed board game; and developed curriculum and instituted the raising of trout and salmon in 7 public schools
- helped re-design FEMA flood zones
- designed river-side public access parks totaling over 600 acres; cleared mountain trails for hiking and cross-country skiing
- turned an industrial waste area into an attractive salmon fishing access; helped create a new public park on Lake Champlain; sponsored international volunteers for public trail work
- developed several bicycling and historical tour maps, and initiated natural and historical tours to help the area's economy
- implemented runoff controls with local road departments and produced a 24-minute video titled Looking for Answers: Developing Partnerships for the Control of Sediment Runoff from Rural Roads
- provided project information to members - and to over 100 agencies, schools, libraries, museums, and local governments - through its quarterly newsletter.
STAFF
Cara Eisley, Administrative Manager
Open to any individual or group supporting the goals of the association. (The membership year runs from June 1st to May 31st, and all memberships and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.) Members are entitled to 10% off water samples tested through Life Science Laboratories, free newsletters, volunteer and internship positions, a free interpretative map of the watershed titled "Historic Boquet River Bike Trails," and a vote in BRASS affairs.
|
|
|
|
|
MINNOW-student
|
|
$10.00
|
|
SPECKLED TROUT-individual
|
|
$25.00
|
|
BROWN TROUT- family
|
|
$35.00
|
|
ATLANTIC SALMON-business
|
|
$50.00
|
|
FULL CREEL-sponsor
|
|
over $100.00
|
Please send dues to:
Boquet River Association
Box 782
Willsboro, NY 12996
Thank you for your support!
Collaborators on BRASS Projects:
the five watershed towns:
(Lewis, Essex, Westport, Willsboro, and Elizabethtown)
Essex County
town and county Department of Public Works
NYCO Division of Processed Minerals
International Paper Company
Moriah Shock Facility
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
private landowners
local volunteers
Volunteers for Peace
Americorps
Essex County Soil & Water Conservation District
the Kelsey Trust
Clean Water Act
Rural New York
New York State Council on the Arts
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Fisheries Across America
Lake Champlain Basin Program
Crary Foundation
Finlandia & American Canoe Association
World Wildlife Fund
Honey Bee Community Fund
