ExxonMobil Addresses Stormwater at Everett Terminal – Better Water Quality in Mystic and Island End Rivers Will Result

From the EPA Press Release, 10/14/2011:
The Island End and Mystic Rivers in Everett are flowing cleaner this fall as a result of a two-year effort by the U.S. EPA and the Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), working with ExxonMobil to significantly improve the stormwater management system at ExxonMobil’s Everett Terminal facility.

EPA and MassDEP have issued a modification to ExxonMobil’s stormwater discharge permit to the Island End River, a tributary to the Mystic River. The permit modification incorporates the substantial improvements that ExxonMobil has made to the stormwater management system at its Everett Terminal, working in accordance with a 2009 memorandum of understanding between EPA Region 1 and ExxonMobil, which was entered into as part of a settlement to resolve a permit appeal brought by the company before the U.S. Environmental Appeals Board in 2008.  The facility upgrades greatly improve the capacity of the stormwater system to collect, store and treat large storm events and provide advanced treatment for residual contaminated groundwater that infiltrates into the stormwater collection system.

“Cleaning our urban waterways unlocks the potential for these special places as a valuable resource for all our citizens.  It’s a high priority for EPA to help urban waters become revitalized assets for New England communities,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.  “This collaborative action brings measureable results to these local urban rivers and is an important part of EPA’s work in the Mystic River Watershed.”

MyRWA's Executive Director Featured On Radio Show

On October 5, 2011, EK Khalsa, Executive Director of the Mystic River Watershed Association, was featured on Moir's Environmental Dialogues. Listen to the show here!

EK Khalsa talks about the challenges of being a river hearing in the sea and in the river. He spoke on behalf of herring to the New England Fisheries Management Council and offers concrete actions one can take to save herring. The Fisheries Council is offering a short public comment period after years of research and deliberations. The Mystic River is alive with herring thanks to people turning out to lift fish over a dam and then the building of a successful fish ladder. Hardened shorelines and impervious watershed lands are a great problem that is being addressed from “depaving” neighborhood events to remediation of hazardous industrial corridors into green ways with natural filters and no toxins. With roughly 12 million herring lost every year to bycatch at sea, now is the time to speak up for herring – herring for our rivers, our tables, ecosystems both marine and fresh water.

Cambridge candidates to address "green" issues Wednesday

Cambridge City Council candidates' forum about "green" issues is set for Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Cambridge Family YMCA Theatre, 820 Mass. Ave, Central Square.

Hear the candidates on energy and environmental issues, including U.S. climate policy and water quality of the Mystic River. Learn the candidates’ positions on green space, food, flooding and watershed protection.

The forum is organized by Green Cambridge.

Cosponsors are CCEAG, Cambridge Climate Emergency Action Group, TROMP, Friends of Alewife Reservation, HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team), Mystic River Watershed Association, Cambridge Somerville for Change Climate and Energy Team and the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.

Four Mystic Communities to Design Green BMPs for Stormwater Improvements

Woburn, Burlington, Reading and Winchester will collectively improve their efforts to reduce non-point source pollution in the Aberjona River watershed.  The City of Woburn was awarded $49,860 through the 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in June.  Woburn will lead a regional effort to identify opportunities to place “green” stormwater structures, such as raingardens and vegetated swales, in the communities of Woburn, Burlington, Reading and Winchester.

Green Best Management Practices (BMPs) represent an approach to stormwater management that is based on Low Impact Design (LID) principles.  Green BMPs feature small-scale facilities, distributed throughout the watershed, to slow down, cleanse, infiltrate, and reuse rainwater where it falls.  Several local BMP installations, including the Lexington DPW facility, have demonstrated good performance, cost effectiveness, and broad community benefits.

The participating municipalities lie within the Aberjona River watershed, which is a subwatershed of the Mystic River Watershed.  The Aberjona River watershed includes Horn Pond, Wedge Pond, and Winter Pond.  Each of these water bodies have impaired water quality due, in part, to nutrients, bacteria and sediment carried by stormwater runoff from the surrounding urban landscape.

The project will draw on the expertise of a number of key partners.  The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) will provide water quality data and assist with project management.  A Tufts University team led by Professor Richard Vogel will perform Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis to identify optimal sites that yield the largest water quality improvement.  Finally, Bioengineering Group, which has completed a number of high profile projects in the Alewife Brook sub-watershed and at the Lexington DPW, will develop conceptual designs for a BMP in each municipality.  The proposed project ultimately aims to develop conceptual designs of four BMPs – one within each municipality – that will reduce pollutant loading from respective sites to water bodies in the Aberjona River watershed.  While four BMPs will have a limited effect on the total pollutant load, this project will better equip the towns with the information, experience, and tools necessary to move forward with more widespread BMP implementation in the future.

Ripple Award of Recognition: Jack Markley

Photo Credit: David Fitcher

The 2011 Ripple Award was presented at MyRWA's Annual Meeting on Oct. 25th.

The Ripple Award highlights the work of an individual that while seemingly small or localized has far reaching impacts on the larger community - much like ripples that are sent out from throwing a rock in a pond. The 2011 Ripple Award honored Jack Markley, in memoriam, as a tireless advocate for Belle Isle Marsh and the local environment. Jack lived along Belle Isle Marsh and was passionately invested in its cleanup as well as sharing this valuable and beautiful resource with others. Jack was active in many environmental groups, including MyRWA and the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh. He truly served as a testament to one person making a difference. MyRWA is coordinating with other groups to develop a memorial at Belle Isle Marsh.

2011 Volunteer of the Year Awarded at Annual Meeting

Photo Credit: David Mussina

Volunteer of the Year: Olson Family

Andrew, Tom and Tracy Olson.Each year, MyRWA recognizes the outstanding contributions of a single volunteer who has gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to document or help improve the conditions of the Mystic River. This year, MyRWA had the unique opportunity to award the Volunteer of the Year Award to the Olson family: Tracy and Tom and their 3 children, Andrew, Erica and Lydia. Over ten years ago Tracy began sampling the Aberjona River as part of MyRWA's Baseline Monitoring Program.  Through this program, Tracy intended to connect her children with hands-on science. Their 10+ years of collective monitoring efforts include 120 visits to the river and hundreds of hours of volunteering!

Congratulations to the well-deserving Olson family!

Bag It Film Comes to Somerville

As part of a film series with Somerville Climate Action and Rep. Denise Provost, MyRWA is co-sponsoring the film Bag It. The award winning movie investigates the heavy use of plastic and how it impacts our waterways and ourselves. Please join us on Monday, Oct. 17th at SPROUT, 339R Summer St, Davis Sq. Somerville from 7-9pm.

New Wind Turbine Along the Mystic

The new wind turbine you may have seen being erected in the last few weeks belongs to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA - not MyRWA!).

According to the MWRA press release:

"MWRA is installing a new, 1.5 megawatt wind turbine at the DeLauri Sewer Pump Station in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

The turbine will generate 3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year and save MWRA ratepayers $350,000 annually. The power generated will be net-metered to offset MWRA electricity costs.

This $4.7 million project was paid for with stimulus funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The completed turbine structure will measure 364 feet high at blade peak. Installation will be performed by design/build contractor Lumus Construction."

MyRWA is happy to see additional renewable energy sources in the Mystic!

MyRWA testifies to New England Fishery Management Council

On September 29th, MyRWA Executive Director, EK Khalsa testified before the New England Fishery Management Council. This testimony was provided as the Council was reviewing plans to modify the New England Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring to include more extensive measures designed to protect river herring. These amendments to the management plan are intended to minimize river herring by catch and to substantially reduce river herring mortality during Atlantic Herring and other commercial fishing trips in coastal New England waters. 

EK spoke about MyRWA's and others efforts to support the restoration of healthy river herring populations in the Mystic River. EK described the commitment made by communities of the Mystic River Watershed to improve water quality and environmental conditions in the Mystic to enhance herring migration and habitat. EK underlined how this work will compliment the more protective measures being considered by the Council.

He ended by asking the NEFMC approve all the measures being considered to protect river herring so that these amendments to the Fishery Management Plan can move forward and be submitted for public comment. 

We are happy to report that this motion passed unanimously and the Council will now submit these amendments for public comment. There will be an opportunity in the months to come to speak out in favor of these modifications to Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan on behalf of our river herring in the Mystic River.

Mystic Legislative Briefing Held On Septemeber 21

On September 21, 2011 MyRWA's EkOngKar Singh Khalsa and Patrick Herron, along with other members of the Mystic River Collaborative delivered a legislative briefing at the Massachusetts State House. Sponsored by Representative Denise Provost and Senator Pat Jehlen, this presentation engaged legislators in the specific challenges and opportunities in the Mystic. Attendance at the event was standing room only with legislators, legislative assistants, environmentalists, community organizers and the public at large.  

Patrick Herron presents at the briefing.Patrick Herron presented on four aspects of the Mystic River: The Urban Watershed, Natural Resources, Source of Pollution and Resiliency. The presentation drew attention to the considerable beauty and resources of the Mystic River Watershed and highlighted the challenges that face densely urbanized watersheds. Kim Foltz of the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) in East Boston followed with a presentation on what the conditions of the Mystic means for the residents of the watershed and the role that these residents play in bringing improvements.

To conclude the briefing, EkOngKar Singh Khalsa urged members of the audience to keep Shannon Beach (need for new bathhouse) and the Mystic Lakes Dam (herring ladder) in mind as well as consider legislation on phosphorus.  He further asked for collective support of the strong work that the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is performing and green infrastructure projects that improve water quality and the quality of life of residents. The excitement of the event spilled over as participants stayed in the room for an extended period of time to further discuss the issues. MyRWA is happy to have had the opportunity to be part of the legislative briefing and is eager to see further attention brought to the Mystic as we continue our efforts of protecting and restoring this valuable natural resource.