Naugatuck River Revival Group
Column By Kevin Zak
After the recent blizzard of 2013 the state found itself making an unpleasant decision. They allowed towns and cities in the Naugatuck Valley to dump snow directly into the river to clear the streets.
Before I try to answer the question whether we should be dumping snow in the river, let’s put a few things out on the table. The storm is over. The snow is all but gone, and in the river. This is the literal water under the bridge argument. The Mayors of Waterbury and Naugatuck were reacting to an uncommon weather event, their backs were up against the wall and the state bailed them out. However, it will snow again, and it will pile up to levels that will put the cities and towns back in the same situation in the future.
Now is the time to plan for the next event.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: copper, dumping snow in river, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, inceptors, Kevin Zak, Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo, Naugatuck River, Naugatuck River Revival Group, Nor'easter Nemo, pollutants, salt, storm drain filters, storm drains, Waterbury Connecticut, Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary
Kevin Zak and Sondra Harman
The Naugatuck River Revival Group has won an $11,000 grant from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Public Utilities Regulatory Authority that will enable Kevin Zak and Sondra Harman to intensify their astounding effort to document wildlife in and along the Naugatuck River. The NRRG is purchasing a high definition Canon camcorder with lenses, filters and attachments that will better able Zak, Harman, and other group members to capture and share images of Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Osprey, Great Horned Owls, beavers, foxes, coyotes and bears living in the Naugatuck Valley. These two pioneer spirits have accomplished amazing things cleaning and documenting the river on a shoestring budget. The Observer is looking forward to see what Zak and Harman can accomplish now that they have the tools to match their passion.
| 1 comment | Tags: $11, 000 grant, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, Educational and Governmental Programming and Education Technology Investment Account (PEGPETIA) Grant, Kevin Zak, Naugatuck River Revival Group, Public, Sondra Harman, State of Connecticut
A striking image of a pair of nesting Osprey captured by Kevin Zak of the Naugatuck River Revival Group. Zak, and his partner in crime, Sondra Harman, have spent hundreds of hours documenting the wildlife in and along the Naugatuck River. The two have produced a stunning documentary called "The Hidden World", which is playing Thursday, June 7th, at the Naugatuck Historical Society, 195 Water Street, Naugatuck. The movie begins at 6 pm. Check it out!
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“In silence they walk. With lightning speed they strike. Hidden from our view their beauty and behavior exists for almost no person to see…”
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Community Bulletin Board, Naugatuck Historical Society, Naugatuck River Revival Group
After a CL&P crew demolished its nest, an Osprey set out immediately to rebuild.
Column and Photographs By Kevin Zak
Is there a problem within the State of Connecticut with Osprey building nests on utility poles? I believe there is, and man vs. nature is again in conflict, and this problem needs direct and immediate attention from our public utility companies, Northeast Utilities (NU) and United Illuminating (UI) and our State Legislature. A state-wide Osprey policy is needed. Osprey are federally protected and the state is not allowed to give permission for nest deconstruction without gaining a federal permit.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Beacon Falls, CL&P, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Environmental Officer Keith Williams, Kevin Zak, Naugatuck River, Naugatuck River Revival Group, nest deconstruction, Northeast Utilities, Osprey, Osprey eggs destroyed, Sondra Harman, The Hidden World, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, United Illuminating
The Naugatuck River Revival Group is organizing a clean-up in the Naugatauck River Sunday, August 7th, from 9 am to noon. The area targeted for this low-river clean-up is between Platts Mills and Union City. Interested individuals or groups are encouraged to contact Sondra Harman at nrrg_sh@yahoo.com
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Born Again
Story and Photographs
By John Murray
Back in the 1960s Uniroyal launched an international marketing campaign that asserted Naugahyde was obtained from the skin of an animal called a Nauga. The company, based in Naugatuck, proclaimed that a Nauga shed its skin multiple times a year, so it didn’t have to be slaughtered to collect its hide. The ads stated the Nauga was a squat, horned monster from the jungles of Sumatra, and every customer who purchased a Naugahyde couch from Uniroyal received a small Nauga doll.
It was brilliant marketing - fun, humorous and effective.
| Login or register to post comments | Tags: Connecticut Community Foundation, Kevin Zak, Laura Wildman, Nauga, Naugatuck River, Naugatuck River Forum, Naugatuck River Revival Group, Notable Stories, Sondra Harman