VT’s River Program Work to Meet Multiple Goals of Flood Resiliency, Water Quality and Habitat Improvement in our River Systems
Staci Pomeroy
VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Rivers Program
Westford, Vermont
Vermont, like many states, is experiencing more significant flooding. The Vermont Rivers Program took the first steps after the floods in the 1990’s to strengthen the resilience of Vermont’s rivers, floodplains, communities, and infrastructure to better withstand and recover from the impacts associated with flooding. In addition to building flood resiliency there is a need to meet other water quality standards and habitat resource needs. These needs are not independent of each other; by working to restore river dynamic equilibrium, floodplain connection and creating habitat connectivity there is an ability to achieve multiple goals. Vermont has taken significant steps to encourage and recognize the benefits of thinking more holistically about river resource management, planning, and projects as we work across multiple state, federal, NGO, watershed groups and landowners continue to meet the challenges of increased flooding risks and improving the water quality and habitat of our rivers and streams. Using recent July 2023 flooding, VT’s River Program looks to demonstrate areas of success where projects, training efforts, state legislation, funding resources and partner connections came together before the storm and continued to carry through benefits during and after the storm; and for recovery from the storm for new areas of opportunity to build on lessons learned, project strategies, funding needs, better messaging and further making connections and understanding across the various groups doing work on the rivers.
About Staci Pomeroy
Staci Pomeroy is the lead river scientist for the Physical Science, Mapping and Restoration section of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) Rivers Program. Staci started with DEC through a University of Vermont (UVM) internship in 1995. While continuing her schooling, Staci worked part time in the Watershed Management Division’s Lay Monitoring Program, Biomonitoring and Aquatic Studies Program, and Rivers Program. She graduated from UVM in 1999 with a Batchelor of Science in Environmental Conservation. Staci became a River Scientist with the Vermont’s Rivers Program in 2000. Her work with the Rivers Program involves working with communities for flood resiliency efforts, collecting stream geomorphic assessment data, assisting watershed groups to do river restoration, facilitating long term protection efforts, and providing technical assitance to those looking to do work in and along VT’s rivers. It is the beauty of VT’s rivers, the range in the type of work and the mix of wonderful people she gets to work with that has kept Staci working on VT’s rivers all these years. When she is not out looking at other people’s rivers, she is playing on the river that crosses their land, camping in the woods, canoeing, or knitting on those days when she cannot be outside.