Northfield Riverwalk leaders cite bat and trout rules as constraints on Cross Brothers dam removal; outreach, funding planned

Northfield — Committee members and outside partners discussed plans for the Cross Brothers dam removal and the town’s Riverwalk project during a recorded Northfield Riverwalk Committee meeting (date not specified), highlighting permitting delays, a multi‑community outreach grant and scheduling limits imposed by wildlife rules.

Michelle Braun, a representative of Friends of the Winooski, told the committee that the group has secured grant support and is “proceeding,” while warning several environmental constraints are shortening the period when in‑river construction can occur. “It reduces the construction window to between August 15 and September 30,” Braun said, citing new U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidance on bats and seasonal restrictions tied to trout spawning.

The grant Braun described covers outreach and staff time across three municipalities. “The grant goes through 2027, and it provides — it’s a $128,000 divided among three communities,” Braun said. She said roughly one‑third of that funding will cover staff time and about two‑thirds will pay a hired consultant to provide community outreach and communications expertise.

Why it matters: The committee heard that federal and state wildlife rules set hard limits that affect when heavy equipment and noisy work can take place. That window must fit between restrictions intended to avoid disturbing maternity bat habitat and state fisheries rules that bar in‑river work after Oct. 1 because of trout spawning. Those constraints mean some construction that had been expected this summer could be delayed, and they shape outreach and public‑access timing for the Riverwalk.

Most important facts - Schedule constraints: Committee members said new U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidance on bat disturbance and Vermont Fish & Wildlife seasonal limits on in‑river activity shorten the feasible construction season. Committee members reported a working construction window of about Aug. 15–Sept. 30 to avoid impacts to bats, and noted Fish & Wildlife does not allow in‑river work after Oct. 1 due to trout spawning. - Permitting and bids: Project staff have been pursuing permits and property transfer needed to place contractors on site. Committee members reported that deeds for a Dollar General land transfer were prepared and that the town expected action on that transfer in June; however, members also relayed that the dam removal contract was not yet out to bid at the time of the meeting, with permitting still in process. - Outreach and funding: The Friends‑led grant will fund a consultant and staff time for outreach across three communities through 2027. The committee was told the award totals $128,000 and is split among the three towns and across three years. - Access, design and accessibility: Designers (identified in the meeting as Pat and Ian) have drawn plans that aim to make the Riverwalk accessible at the top of the bank, with trails down toward the river; the committee discussed limits on placing picnic tables or other amenities in the floodway and emphasized accessible seating near the top of the bank. - Maintenance and stewardship: Committee members discussed the need for a maintenance plan and possible volunteer or “adopt‑a‑site” arrangements; typical town maintenance (for example, trash pickup) currently falls to the highway crew per the discussion.

Details and supporting context Members and guests described several immediate next steps and constraints. Amy Siemel has issued a request for proposals for a consultant to support community outreach and communications. Braun said the grant will be used “to support our time to work with Northfield in whatever your goals are to connect the community with rivers.” Committee volunteers discussed organizing guided walks and small visioning events in July and at community events such as Dog River Day and the Strawberry Festival to collect public input and promote the project.

The group also reviewed how project design and land ownership affect routing. The committee noted that a transportation‑oriented visioning map differs from the wetlands consultants’ route and that the final alignment will need to reflect wetlands, property ownership and railroad right‑of‑way constraints. Committee members emphasized that some segments (notably the section between the railroad and Main Street) look technically difficult and expensive, and that a practical near‑term approach is to complete the “D” section tied to the dam removal first and use that momentum to pursue sections B and C later.

Several committee members raised site management issues for the completed Riverwalk: placement of smaller trash receptacles, dog‑waste bag dispensers near accessible paths, benches and accessible picnic tables (noted as being developed by a volunteer), and how to avoid creating amenities in the active floodway. Speakers noted that making sites attractive and easy to maintain helps reduce vandalism and litter and that an ongoing stewardship group could help manage invasive plants and routine maintenance.

Permits and scheduling Committee members described a backlog in state permitting that slowed the project. They said permitting offices spent last fall concentrating on flood‑response reviews and then reduced in‑office review time again when staff returned to fieldwork this spring, slowing the permitting timeline. The group reported that Karina Daley, the project manager (named in committee discussion), had told them the dam removal was not yet out to bid at the time the committee spoke.

Events and education The committee discussed coordinating the Riverwalk work with education and community events. Members mentioned Dog River Day, Trout Unlimited and local schools’ “Trout in the Classroom” activities as potential partners for public programming tied to the dam removal and river habitat work.

What the committee directed or agreed to - Proceed with outreach planning now that the grant has been cleared through EPA review, while recognizing scheduling constraints driven by wildlife and fisheries rules. - Use consultant RFP responses to support public visioning and communications. - Hold trial guided walks and small visioning events (possible dates in July were discussed) to collect community input and test wayfinding and accessibility plans.

What remained undecided - Final construction schedule for Cross Brothers dam removal pending permits, property transfer and resolution of wildlife timing constraints. - Final Riverwalk alignment for sections beyond the immediate dam removal zone pending wetlands review, property access and railroad restrictions.

Ending: The committee and partner groups agreed to move forward with outreach and visioning while continuing to track permitting and scheduling constraints. Members asked volunteers to help with upcoming displays and events and to coordinate with staff and the consultant once hired. The committee confirmed approval of its prior meeting minutes during the session and adjourned.