In November, 2010 the MyRWA Hot-Spot Monitoring Program visited Belle Isle Inlet in Revere to investigate the sources of contamination that was causing the elevated bacteria results at the monthly Baseline Monitoring Site BEI093. With the help of local resident Jack Markley, staff were able to locate a 36 inch pipe with extremely high levels of Enterococcus bacteria that was releasing significant levels of untreated sewage into the inlet. MyRWA contacted the city of Revere within 24 hours and alerted them to the problem. Revere initiated an investigation the following morning and within five days had begun work to remove the sewer overflow connection to the stormwater outfall at the location. The event highlights the best of the Hot-Spot Monitoring Program in that it helped identify a serious problem that a municipality in turn was able to quickly respond to and initiate repairs. Levels of bacteria contamination at Belle Isle Inlet were measured at 22,000 Enterococcus/100 ml in October 2010 before the repairs were made and at 1,700 Enterococcus/100 ml in December 2010 after the repairs. While the site still fails to meet swimming and boating standards, a significant source of pollution has been removed.
EPA joins suit against city sewer commission
Good news for the Mystic River:
"The United States, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has filed a Motion to Intervene in U.S. District Court in a case against the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) for violations of the Clean Water Act. The United States is seeking to join a case filed earlier this year by the Conservation Law Foundation," according to the official Press Release. The lawsuit against the Boston Water and Sewer Commission alleges that the City is violating the Clean Water Act by failing to prevent raw sewage and pollutants from entering MA waterways, including the Mystic River. These discharges have allegedly occurred through both Illegal sewer connections to the BWSC storm drain system and Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs). (Read about MyRWA's SSO program here.) This case brings further attention to the Mystic River and strengthens cleanup efforts.
15th Annual Herring Run and Paddle
Save the Date: Sunday, May 15th, 2011
River herring make their way up the Mystic River in the spring to spawn, or lay their eggs. MyRWA is busy planning the 15th Annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle. This is MyRWA's largest annual fundraiser and is a wonderful event to bring folks to the river, promote access and recreation of the Mystic, and get the word out about this valuable resource that connects our communities.
There is much planning to be done to make this day a success, and we need your help! There will be a series of planning meetings leading up to the big event, with the first planning meeting occurring on Thursday, January 13th at 6:30pm. Location to be determined. Volunteers are needed to be team leaders, solicit donations and prizes, help with logistics, promote the event and more! To get involved (even if you can't attend the monthly planning meetings) contact: Beth Meserve at 781-316-3438 or Beth@MysticRiver.org.
Join MyRWA and fellow volunteers:
Planning Meeting #1
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
6:30PM - 7:30PM
West Branch of the Somerville Public Library, located right near Davis Square at 40 College Ave.
Planning Meeting #2
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
6:30PM - 7:30PM
West Branch of the Somerville Public Library, located right near Davis Square at 40 College Ave.
NEWS ON NAWCA
On Dec. 7 and 8th MyRWA’s Executive Director, EK Khalsa, attended a meeting of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCA) in Spanish Fort, Alabama. EK attended as a representative of the Mystic River Watershed Association and more than one dozen established environmental advocacy and grassroots community organizations from the Mystic River Watershed. Several of these organizations are part of the Mystic River Collaborative, including Chelsea Collaborative, Charles River Watershed Association, Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH), Conservation Law Foundation, La Comunidad, Inc., Alternatives for Community and Environment, Tri-CAP and Groundwork Somerville.
At the meeting, EK was given an opportunity to address the council regarding the disposition of funds transferred to NAWCA from a Community Service Payment made by Exxon/Mobil Pipeline Terminal as settlement of a case involving the release of more than 15,000 gallons of fuel oil to the Mystic River. Funds from the Exxon/Mobil plea agreement were directed by the Federal Court to be spent with a preference to restore the environment of the Mystic River where the release occurred. The court allowed that these funds could also be spent on coastal projects within Massachusetts especially if no suitable projects could be located in the Mystic River. EK made a strong appeal that the Council make arrangements to return to the Court any funds that NAWCA was not able to spend in the Mystic River region.
In many ways, NAWCA's strict grant criteria and focus on preservation and restoration of large areas of wetland migratory bird habitat made it difficult for NAWCA to recruit and fund applications from the Mystic River region. EK made an appeal to the NAWCA Council that it give further thought as to how these funds could be transferred to another agency that could more easily provide grants compatible with current environmental conditions in the Mystic.
In the end, NAWCA Council members voted to approve four project applications and provided funding of more than $4,500,000 from this Mystic River settlement. One project which received a grant of $1,600,000 to complete salt marsh and tidal lands restoration in Chelsea Creek was located in the Mystic River Watershed. The other three projects that received the balance of $2,900,000 from the settlement were located either in Buzzards Bay or the Great Marsh area near Rowley, MA.
NAWCA was selected by the Court because it is a reliable and well established grantor of environmental funding. Certainly NAWCA did all it could to see that these funds were spent where the release occurred. Unfortunately, NAWCA's mission is difficult to fulfill in a densely developed and much impaired urban watershed such as the Mystic.
As a result of this experience, MyRWA and its collaborative partners successfully established the Mystic River Environmental Fund. This fund will provide a local alternative for the courts and regulators when fines, fees, and penalties are assessed in the Mystic River and when Mystic River related Community Service Payments are made. This field of interest fund will be managed by The Boston Foundation with an independent Board of Advisors to focus exclusively on projects that help restore the natural environment of the Mystic River Watershed. Mystic River advocates including MyRWA are now working diligently to direct applicable financial settlements and support to this new Mystic River fund.
Top Foods for attracting birds
Thanks to Mass Audubon for compiling this information.Black capped chickadee
Are you a backyard birder?
If so, we suggest using these recommended attractants for our feathered friends:
Sunflower seeds are a favorite of songbirds
Millet is best used on the ground or a low feeder, and attracts doves and cardinals, among others
Niger seed, a favorite of finches
Suet - this fatty food helps birds get the calories they need to stay warm during the winter months
Fresh fruit, such as sliced apples and oranges
MyRWA Wishlist
These items and services will help MyRWA with our work:
Filemaker Pro consultation
Used laptop with 32 bit operating system
Large cooler with wheels
Boxes of latex or nitrile gloves
CHEMetrics detergent kit
Copier
Call 781-316-3438 for more information. Send donated items to 20 Academy Street, Suite 306, Arlington, MA 02476. MyRWA is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
'TIS THE SEASON...FOR MyRWA GIFT MEMBERSHIPS!
MyRWA is happy to offer gift memberships as a meaningful, year long gift for your friends and family. The recipient will receive a customized membership certificate. Membership begins at $35. Email contact@mysticriver.org for more information.
American urban lake pollution linked traced to parking lot seal coat
According to a U.S. Geological Survey study, a black sealant sprayed on parking lots, driveways and playgrounds turns out to be the largest contributor to the rise of a toxic pollutant in urban lakes and reservoirs across America.
Scientists tested for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a probable human carcinogen and toxin to fish, throughout urban areas. High PAH levels were found in the Upper Mystic Lake at 79 ppm.
MyRWA's Patrick Herron, Water Quality Monitoring Director, comments on pollution in the Mystic Lakes.
View the Arlington Advocate article here.
Celebrating Ten Years of Monitoring on the Mystic
MyRWA COMPLETES TEN YEARS OF MONITORING!
Volunteers receive 10 Year Monitoring Award
Since 2000, MyRWA’s Baseline Monitoring Program has consistently provided reliable scientific data on the health of our local waterbodies. This data has been relied upon by the EPA, MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), municipalities, environmental advocates and the general public to provide critical scientific information about the quality of the water in the river system that surrounds us all. The Baseline Monitoring Program is completed largely through volunteer efforts – giving us reason to celebrate the hard work of this corps of volunteers. MyRWA's Board of Directors recently recognized seven volunteer monitors at the 2010 Annual Meeting to honor their ten years of service - collectively having taken over 850 Baseline samples.
Will you support another ten years of water quality monitoring? Your donation is tax deductible. Donate $100 or more and receive a special recycled cotton MyRWA tote bag.
Enjoy Pizza and Bowling for a Cause!
On Tuesday, January 11th head to Flatbread Pizza at Sacco's Bowl Haven in Somerville for a MyRWA fundraiser. That’s right, the more flatbread you eat the more money will be raised to support the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and our efforts to protect and restore the Mystic River Watershed!
Eat at or get take-out from Flatbread Pizza, 45 Day Street, Somerville, between 5pm and 11pm and $3.50 for each large flatbread and $1.75 for each small flatbread will be automatically donated by the Flatbread Company to MyRWA.
Can you help MyRWA spread the word about this tasty fundraiser? Please let your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers know about this unique pizza experience!
RSVP to this event on Facebook.
