Bennington County Conservation District

The Bennington County Conservation District is Dedicated to protecting the natural resources and promoting rural livelihoods of Bennington County

The Bennington County Conservation District is Dedicated to Promoting rural livelihoods and protecting natural resources in Southwestern Vermont.

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Habitat Restoration

Old timers say fishing on the Batten Kill, one of the most famous brown trout streams in North America, isn't what it used to be. Creel surveys conducted by the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife from 1994 to 1999 confirmed this observation, documenting a decline in the number of catchable size brown trout of 54%. But why?

Batten Kill Habitat Restoration

Habitat Restoration on the Batten Kill
Photo: USFS GMNF

Beginning in 2000, the interagency Batten Kill Study Team looked for answers. Research into several possible stressors concluded in 2005, with the finding: "Of all the possible causes for the brown trout population decline investigated by the Batten Kill Study Team, the most compelling finding is that of there being inadequate fish cover in the river." ( Batten Kill Trout Management Plan, 2007-12, by Kenneth Cox, Fisheries Biologist, dated January 8, 2006.)

BCCD has served as project coordinator for several habitat restoration projects on the Batten Kill, beginning in 1994. (None of our work would have been possible without the participation of a number of partners, as noted. Links to several partner websites can be found on the home page.) Early work focused on stabilizing stream banks using natural channel design techniques, and on restoring riparian buffers. In recent years, providing in-stream cover and shelter has become primary. Our projects include:

Batten Kill Habitat Restoration Project Sites

Batten Kill Habitat Restoration Project Sites

  • Hill Farm Inn, Sunderland: with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFS Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, and volunteers.
  • Shepard property, West Arlington: with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Fish & Wildlife, USFS Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife.
  • Strattman property, Arlington: with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Fish & Wildlife, USFS Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, and volunteers from Trout Unlimited and The Orvis Company.

    • Batten Kill Habitat Restoration

    Habitat Restoration on the Batten Kill
    Photo: USFS GMNF

  • Treatment Plant, Manchester: with Batten Kill Watershed Alliance, The Orvis Company, Town of Manchester, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFS Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, and volunteers from The Orvis Company.
  • Twin Rivers, West Arlington: a project of the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance, with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFS Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, and volunteers.
  • Wilburs Bridge (Riverbend Homeowners Association), Manchester with Central Vermont Public Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Fish & Wildlife, USFS Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, and volunteers from the Orvis Company.