Are you interested in de-paving part of your property? Removing concrete, asphalt, and other impervious surfaces lowers stormwater runoff and heat absorption while creating new habitat. Somerville Climate Action did just this in October 2010.
Thanks to Somerville Climate Action for sharing their de-paving guide, which was designed by Kathy Gregory.
Please join MyRWA on Saturday, April 9th for a Citizen Scientist Training Workshop. This Workshop allows interested volunteers to learn about water quality monitoring methods and concepts. By completing this workshop, you’ll be prepared to join MyRWA’s Baseline Monitoring Program. The Baseline Monitoring Program requires a monthly commitment between 6am and 8am. No experience is necessary - all are welcome!
When: Saturday, April 9, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Thompson Memorial Library, 33 Elm St., Woburn, MA
Space is limited! Please register today by emailing Beth@Mysticriver.org.
Chelsea High School students enjoy an educational tour of the Mystic.MyRWA has compiled a list of educational resources surrounding water quality, the Mystic River Watershed and environmental topics. Many of these resources are great for teachers. If you have something to add to this list, please contact MyRWA.
The Mystic River Watershed Association is pleased to present
A Civil Action screening and discussion with Jan Schlichtmann, the trial lawyer depicted
in the film by John Travolta.
Thursday March 10that7:00PM
The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington, MA
The 1998 film A Civil Action is based upon a true story that took place in the Mystic River Watershed. This legal thriller details the case surrounding the contamination of the Woburn City water supply. We will be joined by Jan Schlichtmann, the lawyer who stood up to corporate interests in order to protect a community's water supply. Hear about his experience and thoughts on environmental law and why individuals must remain vigilant. This event is sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association, Sustainable Arlington, Friends of the Mystic River, Woburn Residents’ Environmental Network, and Aberjona Study Coalition, Inc.
The event is free but a tax-deductible donation of $10 or more to support the Mystic River Watershed Association would be appreciated. Payments may be made in cash or by check at the door or by mailing to: 20 Academy St., Suite 306, Arlington, MA 02476.
MyRWA's Patrick Herron will be presenting at the The 2nd Annual Sustainability Symposium and Public Conversation; Sustainability: Through the Lens of Water. An exploration of global and local issues that connect business, society, and the environment.
Friday, February 11, 2011
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Boston College - Yawkey Athletic Center, Murray Room
This public conversation will embrace the unique perspectives of business leaders, community members, policy-makers and attendees to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable management.
Guests include:
Elisa Speranza, CH2MHill
Sally Yozell, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
David Brooks, Friends of the Earth, Canada
Patrick Herron, Mystic River Watershed Association
Andrew DeSantis, City of Chelsea, MA
Ted Tye, National Development
Dan Driscoll, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Leadership for Change Facilitators Kenneth Mirvis and Peter Crawley
A $50 seminar fee includes lunch.
Leadership for Change Alumni, Boston College Alumni, Grad Students, and Faculty, and SBN Members fee is $35.
RSVP to lc@bc.edu by February 6th.
Leadership for Change is a program affiliated with the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics at Boston College.
10 Year Water Quality Monitors 2010 was an incredibly exciting and productive year! MyRWA is pleased to present our 2010 Year In Review, which highlights our accomplishments. We could not have accomplished so much last year without our dedicated volunteer team, generous donors and members, collaborative partners, and talented MyRWA team. Our sincere thanks for your support over the last year!
Over the fall semester four students from Emerson College undertook a project to make a documentary film about the Mystic River Watershed as part of a Documentary for Social Action course. These students worked with MyRWA staff and volunteers to develop a beautiful and professional 10 minute film about Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) in the Mystic. MyRWA would like to thank Sarah Ginsburg, Julie Hook, Chris Bianrosa and Kelly Wessel for their hard work throughout this project. Enjoy the film!
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) seeks two Water Quality Interns to assist in a water quality monitoring program from June through early September. Since 1972, MyRWA has played a unique role in the whole of the watershed by its science, advocacy, and outreach efforts. Among these efforts MyRWA characterizes water quality problems in the Mystic River Watershed, informing stakeholder efforts to reduce pollutant inputs and thereby improve water quality.
Water Quality Interns will gather data on Cyanobacteria populations and key water quality parameters from approximately ten water bodies to safeguard the public health of residents who live in the watershed. The data is shared with all interested stakeholders including the public, municipalities, Department of Public Health and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Interns will work both in and out of the office, and must be able to work independently and as a team. This is a part-time position that requires a commitment of two days a week during the Monday through Friday work week that are agreed upon between the two interns. Primary duties include monitoring local water bodies, collecting water samples (training provided), analysis of samples and data entry. Interns will learn about the scientific tools applied to monitor water quality and the efforts that a watershed association undertakes to advocate for water quality improvements based on this information.
An interest in science, the environment and advocacy is encouraged.
Having reliable transportation is preferred and mileage will be reimbursed.
Candidates must be 16 years of age or older.
Exact dates can be flexible depending on the candidate. These are unpaid positions.
The Mystic River Watershed Association is based in Arlington, MA and is accessible via several bus routes. The Mystic River Watershed Association is an equal opportunity employer.
If interested, please send your resume to WQInternship@MysticRiver.org.
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.
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.
TOGETHER FOR THE MYSTIC RIVER Photo Credit: Daria Clark