Benjamin, Stacy2025-07-072025-07-071987https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14394/56992The Connecticut River Valley is recognized for its exceptional natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, encompassing fertile farmland, vital wildlife habitats, Native American artifacts, and diverse recreational opportunities. To preserve these valuable resources, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established the Connecticut Valley Action Program in 1984, with support from the National Park Service. This initiative aims to guide long-term planning and protection efforts across 19 Massachusetts communities bordering the river. Initially funded by a $2 million bond and expanded with an additional $12.5 million in 1987, the program divided the river into four distinct segments—Upper River, Natural/Recreational Section, Oxbow Section, and Urban Riverfront—based on environmental and land-use characteristics. A 33-member Coordinating Committee was formed to develop Action Plans tailored to each reach. Plans for Reach 2 and Reach 4 were completed in 1986 and 1987, respectively. This report focuses on Reach 1, the Upper River, integrating approaches from the prior plans to continue advancing the program’s conservation objectives.en-USConnecticut River Valleynatural beautycultural heritagewildlife habitatsrecreational opportunitiespreservationMassachusettsConnecticut Valley Action ProgramNational Park Servicelong-term planningresource protectionriver segmentsUpper RiverNatural/Recreational SectionOxbow SectionUrban RiverfrontCoordinating CommitteeAction PlansReach 1conservation objectivesMasters Project