Effective State-Wide Collaboration for Dam Removal in Vermont (Nine Removals in 2025!)
Karina Dailey, Chair, VT Dam Task Force
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Montpelier, VT
Julie Butler, USFWS
Essex Junction, VT
Erin Rodgers
Trout Unlimited, Brattleboro, VT
Michele Braun
Friends of the Winooski River
Montpelier, Vermont
Emily Finnegan
Caledonia County Natural Resources Conservation District
Saint Johnsbury, Vermont
* All presenters are members of the Vermont Dam Task Force.
Target audience: Project managers, water resource engineers, river scientists, nonprofit staff, watershed groups, state and federal agency staff, conservation districts
The Vermont Dam Task Force (VDTF) was formed in 2000 in response to a growing interest in dam removals nationally, the formation of similar groups elsewhere in New England, and an interest by State of Vermont agencies to identify important historic dam sites within Vermont. The Task Force is staffed by the Vermont Natural Resources Council, a statewide nonprofit, and meets bimonthly. It serves as a collaborative forum for local, state, and federal entities to share project progress and challenges, lessons learned, funding opportunities, regulatory hurdles and opportunities, expert presentations, and field visits.
Members of the VDTF representing local, state, and federal entities will share their roles on the Task Force, and the role the Task Force has played in achieving a high rate of successful dam removal projects in Vermont. They will present case studies to highlight how the collaborative approach has been invaluable to moving the needle on stream restoration and connectivity, integrating new in-stream habitat approaches, and implementing a richer suite of practices at any given dam removal site. Collectively, organizations within the VDTF removed 9 dams in 2025.
Learning objectives
Dam removal: building community of practice and benefits, different roles and perspectives, when to engage regulators, river restoration and dam removal process, highlights of recent collaborative dam removals, funding opportunities, project management and how shared experience helps to advance and enhance these important river reconnection projects.
Participant engagement
Make it clear at the start that audience participation is welcome. Ask questions about other models for collaboration in other regions as we move through material. Develop a set of questions to ask the audience to spark conversation.
About Karina Dailey
Coming Soon
About Julie Butler
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About Michele Braun
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About Emily Finnegan
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About Erin Rodgers
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