The Streams of Wallace Nutting Revisited

Periodic Report Number 1 September 2007

This is the first in a series of periodic reports concerning the progress of the above titled effort, .Purpose of this PROJECT: To acquire a penetrating photographic record of the rivers and streams as well as other waterways of the confluence of the Pomperaug River Watershed, including its tributaries - in particular the Nonnewaug, The Weekeepeemee, the Pomperaug, and others which may be incidental.

The Pomperaug Watershed supports the life sustaining needs of all living things in a ninety square mile area running South from Morris, Connecticut to Newtown, Connecticut. Its economic value is both priceless, yet taken for granted; yea virtually ignored by its consumers. Because of its unique qualities of purity in a world of contaminated water sources, it has become the focus of intense scientific study. The Towns of Bethlehem, Woodbury and Southbury have joined forces by mutually establishing The POMPERAUG RIVER WATERSHED COALITION (PRWC[1]). Basically this Coalition is engaged in a penetrating pursuit of the Science of Clean Water Conservation and protection.

The broad purpose of this photographic project seeks to inspire more general public interest in the streams. The expectation lies in the hope that this effort will therefore increase and help sustain interested public awareness of this great resource. As the title suggests, I recall the late nineteenth century photographs of these same rivers by Wallace Nutting whose images today take us back to a less complicated time – or so we may think.

Project Scope: the initial goal of this Project is to photograph the waterways of the Watershed as well as the immediate ambience of these streams from the South of Bethlehem to the South of The Bent of the River, Southbury.. This is to be an intimate collection of periodic waterway photographs – to be captured from within and of the waterways. It is my intention to photograph, in Digital Images, virtually the entire North To South ninety square-mile watershed including the Pomperaug itself, and its tributaries. It is my intention to wade, on foot, the courses of these streams while building this archive. This watershed and its aquifer provide life supporting fresh, clean and potable water for the thousands of families, businesses and institutions in its milieu – as well as all other living things in its embrace. We are all no less dependent upon this resource than are the few trout in midstream. We turn on the faucet or flush the “John” – taking for granted a resource that exists nearly no-where else in such a densely populated area in the world. We do not observe its beauty –because it is shielded from our sight. This project is an effort to bring that beauty, in a visual way, into our lives, not only for today but as a series of snap-shots for generations yet to be born.

Process:

First: To make a permanent digital photographic record of periodic images down the length of the watershed from Bethlehem to Newtown. In so far as it may be feasible, I intend to capture images from four seasons.
Second: To develop and maintain a community of interested parties connected by these periodic reports.
Third: It is my intention that this collection of photographic digital images eventually, upon my death or permanent and total disability shall be passed directly to The POMPERAUG RIVER WATERSHED COALITION, Inc (PRWC). While living, if and when, as this project develops, and may achieve evidence of sufficient photographic merit and mutual approval by and between myself, Richard W. Hayward (RWH), and The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, this image collection will come under the direction of the PRWC for use, in its discretion, for the public archival, scientific, artistic, and educational propensities of the PRWC and populations of the communities served by the same.
Third: It is my intention that no individual or corporate profit-making entities, may in anyway benefit directly or indirectly from this archive; accordingly, it is my express wish and desire that the use of this archive by PRWC is to be solely eleemosynary within the Mission of the PRWC, as a non-profit 501-C3 entity.

Preparations - Gear:

I have access to the following equipment and gear in connection with the needs of this project.

· One NIKON D70s DSLR 6MP camera along with a set of four high quality lenses,

· One NIKON COOLPIX 3MP camera with both internal and external Telephoto and wide-angle lens capabilities,

· One NIKON SB24 Electronic Flash(dedicated to Coolpix) with external bracket,

· One Nikon SB800 Electronic dedicated to D200 and D70s)Flash,

· Four Nikkor Lenses (f2.8 Telephoto AF/ZOOM 80MM to 200MM) (f2.8 Wide Angle AF/ZOOM 35MM to 70MM) (f1.8 50MM MF) (f1.2 50MM) – all for the D70s as well as several auxiliary lenses for the M3 Coolpix.

· One Ayay_sir Titanium Clad NIKON Compatible GPS

· One Rust Resistant Tripod,

· Two collapsible rust resistant walking-stick/monopods,

· Two all weather photography back packs,

· One very small, two person rubber inflatable dingy with lines,

· One single piece Lycra Wet Under Suit,

· One four-piece 3/6 mil Neoprene wetsuit, (Farmer Brown bottom, ¾ top, hood, boots and gloves,

· One Chest high, felt soled wader set,

· One installed, in-service Cellular Telephone,

I anticipate retaining ownership of the foregoing. However, I am committing all of this gear to the project for its duration..

Preparations, Physically Incidental:

Beginning in early July of this past summer, I have been walking daily, carrying a load of iron in a back-pack, covering nearly four miles per day. The momentum from this project has repaid me with more robust breathing and circulatory/cardiological function than I could have imagined: a most gratifying serendipity!

Initial Experimental foray – September 29^th. 2007:

On Friday, of the last week this September I made my first exploratory shake-down wade in the Nonnewaug River.

Wearing only swim trunks and wet-suit diving boots, and carrying only my small 3MP Nikon, I entered the river at the bridge on Route Six – near Scratchville Road, at four in the afternoon It was a lovely moderate and dry day with clear blue skies. The river was calm and shallow.

“Notes on Lessons Learned” -:

Wet Suit boots not adequate – virtually barefoot - rocks hurt – have acquired a chest-high set of waders with substantial felt soles – Have affirmed my tactic of towing a small inflatable boat to carry heavier, cumbersome gear, to be a good idea. Have acquired two rust-resistant monopods – double duty as walking sticks, and camera platforms. – Tripod may be too cumbersome and may be too time consuming - Have acquired a Nikon compatible GPS. – Will be paying more attention to scientifically significant sites. Need to engage an owner of an ATV to ferry to sites – such as Nonnewaug Falls within LEEVER property bequest. Have affirmed need for camera GPS yoking.

Incomplete Preparations – Needed Gear:

There are a number of items needed in order to technically capture and accurately archive the natural images in electro/magnetic format. These images will be collected over substantial distances on foot, in rivers, at voluminous intervals – in four seasons – over several years. Since I cannot afford to finance the equipment on my own, I will be filing grant Applications with a number of foundations in order to acquire the items for the Project..

Ed Edleson has agreed, on behalf of the Pomperaug River Watershed, to cooperate with me in filing these grant requests – using the non-profit status of the 501 C-3 status in conjunction with this not-for-profit project. Ed has likewise agreed that the acquired equipment dedicated to this project will remain in the sole and unrestricted custody of the project throughout its duration. I have gratefully accepted the agreement on behalf of the project. This agreement was reached by and between us on 10/23/2007 at the Audubon Center in Southbury.

Here is a detailed summary of the needed items:

· NIKON D200 Camera Body Only: Needed to implement yoking of GPS Fix within each image on site in the rivers,

· Protective Cover: Needed to protect cameras and lenses from elements,

· Hand-held GPS: Redundant of my existing camera dedicated/integrated GPS as back-up and emergency use,

· Laptop – Ruggedized – Military Type weather resistant: Needed for in stream GPS monitoring and on site image archiving,

· Software: MS WINDOWS XPPRO, MS OFFICE, ADOBE PHOTOSHOP,

· PDA: Computer Emergency back-up,

· Dry Suit: Needed for in river protection at frigid temperatures and conditions,

· All Back-Up Batteries: For Cameras, Computer, GPS and Hand-held torch,

· Hand-held Torch, Waterproof and Bright: for emergencies and sundown stream emergence,

· HP Laserjet Printer: For Electronic Hard Copy Usage for any and all not-for-profit image utilization.

Advisory Committee:

If you have received this report, I am hereby asking that you consider adding your name to my ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

This committee:

· will not have any meetings,

· will not require filing an application,

· will not be solicited for financial support,

· will not be asked for work on this project. I expect to work alone.

· Will incur no personal liabilities in connection with this project – such liabilities are all mine.

Members of this Advisory Committee will be expected to

· Agree to accept and read these periodic reports,

· Offer helpful suggestions as they may pertain to this project.

· Think about how each of us may improve River and ground water awareness,

· Directly and/or indirectly support the conservation efforts of the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition,

· To provide a supplemental network (to the broader work of the PRWC) -. of interested parties connected by support of this photographic study.

[1] References to The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition do not express or imply any connection between this Photography project and the PRWC. However it is Implied that the purposes of this project are intended by its author to be not only consistent with, but supportive of the mission of the PRWC.