Herring Monitoring Internship Available for Spring 2012

Herring Monitoring Internship
(Deadline for application: Dec 15, 2011)

The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) seeks a Herring Monitoring Intern to assist in a scientific study on habitat and river herring populations from January 15 through June 1.

The Herring Monitoring Intern will assist in the implementation of a new volunteer Herring Monitoring Program that will gather data on one of the most significant spawning runs for river herring in Massachusetts. The program is designed to collect the presence, absence and temporal data that yields needed information on population size and health. Primary duties include herring monitoring at the Mystic Lakes Dam in Medford, collecting water samples (training provided) from shore and canoe, analysis of samples, data entry and interaction with the volunteer monitors. The intern may also develop education and outreach materials for the program and organize and recruit volunteers to monitor the stream sites.

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. The intern 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.

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. This is an unpaid position.

 Since 1972, MyRWA has played a unique role in the whole of the watershed by its science, advocacy, and outreach efforts. 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 HMInternship@MysticRiver.org. No phone calls please.

For more information about the Mystic River Watershed Association please see www.mysticriver.org.

Somerville's Blueback Herring River Route

Healey School children enjoy the walk to the river in Nov. 2011

Follow these signs along the Blueback Herring River RouteIn 2009, the City of Somerville was awarded funding from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to develop the Blueback Herring River Route. Partnering organizations included the Mystic River Watershed Association, Groundwork Somerville, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and the Somerville Arts Council.

The Blueback Herring River Route serves to link people from the popular public park, Foss Park, and the Mystic River at the DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse. Despite their proximity - about a half mile - few residents take advantage of the Mystic River as a valuable source of recreation and relaxation. The Blueback Herring River Route aims to increase community knowledge and useage of the Mystic River.

The walking route is marked with signage placed on existing light and signage poles as seen to the right. Kiosks at Foss Park and the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse will designate the route as well. This easily recognizable design scheme can be used to further develop River Routes in other parts of the Mystic River Watershed.

The Mystic River Watershed Association is thrilled to be a partnering organization for the Blueback Herring River Route!

2012 Calendars for Sale!

2012 MyRWA Calendars for sale!Give a local gift to enjoy all year long! This spiral-bound full size calendar was created from the winning photographs of the 2011 Photo Contest.

To purchase: $16 (includes shipping and handling). Payable in person at the MyRWA offices with cash or check, by mail or online through Network for Good or PayPal (please add “calendar” to the notes section). Checks are payable to “MyRWA”. Estimated shipping date is December 12th.

List of Supplemental Environmental Projects Now Available

MyRWA is working to assemble a list of Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) that may fulfill needs by corporations, institutions or community organizations required to or who wish to fund projects to restore environmental conditions in the Mystic River Watershed. These projects may serve as SEPs for State or Federal environmental regulations.

Help MyRWA Celebrate!

MyRWA’s turning 40! In anticipation of MyRWA’s 40th anniversary in 2012, MyRWA is planning a series of fun events to celebrate. Event planners, volunteer coordinators, local fans and activists are encouraged to get involved in the planning! We have much to undertake and many great ideas about how to celebrate 40 years of dedication to our local rivers. You can play an important role in the future of MyRWA and we hope you get involved today!

Contact Beth@MysticRiver.org or call Beth at 781-316-3438 for more information.

Additional Green Infrastructure Heads to Chelsea

MyRWA, Charles River Watershed Association, Chelsea Collaborative, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the City of Chelsea hope to begin work soon to reduce stormwater pollution and improve environmental conditions through development of a Green Infrastructure Retrofit Plan in Chelsea. This project Urban Green Infrastructure in Mystic River Communities will study the existing conditions near the Broadway area of Chelsea and identify opportunities at the street level where green infrastructure can be used to treat stormwater.

Design for this Neighborhood Greening Plan will follow principles of proven Blue Cities™ models for making urban landscapes mimic the natural environment. Using this established approach, by capturing rainwater runoff through the introduction of plant life and open spaces, the plan will implement desirable neighborhood improvements while reducing flooding, restoring groundwater supplies, and decreasing polluted run-off into Chelsea Creek. One of the most exciting parts of this project will be the active collaboration between the neighborhood residents and businesses with the technical staff to create an urban space that builds on a shared vision to improve the livability of the neighborhood. The types of green infrastructure that will be considered include vegetated systems such as rain gardens, stormwater tree boxes and stormwater planters, and approaches such as porous concrete and subsurface storage and recharge for rainwater.

This project is part of the work undertaken by the Metro Boston Consortium for Sustainable Communities through MAPC and supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Executive Director to Speak

On Thursday, November 10th MyRWA's Executive Director, EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, will speak at the Friends of Alewife Reservation's Annual Meeting.

Where: Tobin School, 197 Vassal Lane, Cambridge, MA

When: November 10th, 7pm

Speakers:

Mystic River Watershed - Executive Director -  EKOngKar Singh Khalsa

City of Cambridge Storm Water Manager -  Catherine Woodbury

Mystic Photo Contest Winners Announced

Best Overall photo by: George McLean.

MyRWA is pleased to announce that over 200 photos were submitted by 53 photographers during the 2011 Photo Contest! Contest categories included Plants, Wildlife, Landscape, Recreation & Appreciation and Best Overall. Thanks to all who submitted and congratulations to the winning photographers!

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.