Mystic River Water Chestnut Update

What is that weed blanketing the Mystic River? What is that giant orange contraption sucking it up?

What you may have observed on the Mystic River this summer was removal of the invasive plant water chestnut. While water chestnut would literally take over the river from shore to shore, the Mystic River Watershed Association and many partners battled the invasive plant with the help of mechanical harvesters – those large orange contraptions – and by organizing volunteer hand-pulling events. 

Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is native to Asia, Europe and Africa. It was introduced in 1897 by a gardener as an ornamental plant in Fresh Pond in Cambridge. Since then, it has spread to rivers and lakes throughout the Commonwealth. Eradication efforts of water chestnuts in the Mystic River have been ongoing. Beginning in 2010 the Mystic River Watershed Association has aggressively combated water chestnuts by partnering with municipalities, local organizations, boat clubs, corporations and community members.

We are happy to report that in 2014 we had our most successful year yet! We hosted a record number of events this summer – 19 – by partnering with 34 corporations and community groups. All in all, we engaged more than 940 volunteers to hand-pull 6,603 baskets of water chestnuts from Whole Foods in Medford to Mystic Wellington Yacht Club across from Assembly Row. That is, of course, not to mention the 1,000 tons (2,000,000 lbs.) of water chestnuts removed by the mechanical harvester. By working together, we cleared 2.3 miles of the Mystic River of this invasive plant and filled fourteen 30-yard dumpsters with plant material!

As the fifth season of the Water Chestnut Removal Project comes to a close we have been reflecting on the amount of time and energy that goes into this project. Luckily we are not alone in what can seem like an uphill battle. We are fortunate to work with many partners in this effort, including the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, river boat and yacht clubs, Tufts University, Charles River Canoe and Kayak, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Cities of Medford and Somerville. We also enjoy strong support from our corporate partners including Wynn Resorts, Biogen Idec, AIR Worldwide and the many other local companies listed below. This invasive weed wreaks havoc on many rivers throughout New England. With continued efforts we can control water chestnuts in the Mystic…but we do need community support, and will be seeking volunteers at these fun on-the-water events again next summer!

• AIR Worldwide

• Biogen Idec

• Boston Cares

• Boston University

• Boston Volunteers

• Cabot Creamery

• Cerulean Pharma

• Charles River Canoe and Kayak

• Chelsea Collaborative

• City of Medford

• City of Somerville

• Eagle Eye Institute

• FedEx Corporation

• Flatbread Pizza

• Friends of the Mystic River

• Gentle Giant Rowing Club

• Gerson Lehrman Group

• Google

• Grace Church Medford

• Grant Thornton

• Groundwork Somerville

• HubSpot

• IBM

• Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

• Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

• Medford Boat Club

• Millennium/Takeda Pharmaceuticals

• MIT

• Mystic Wellington Yacht Club

• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

• New England Aquarium live blue™ Ambassadors & live blue™ Serve Corps

• Northeastern University Outing Club

• Redemption Hill Church

• Redeemer Church

• Regina’s Pizzeria

• Riverside Yacht Club

• Team GreenSense, City of Cambridge

• Tufts University

• VMware

• Whole Foods Market Medford

• Workers Compensation Research Institute

• Wynn Resorts

For more information see /water-chestnut-removal-project/.

MassBays Green Infrastructure Workshops Offered

MassBays Green Infrastructure Workshops - In October, MassBays will host four Green Infrastructure Workshops, Using Green Infrastructure to Treat and Control Stormwater in Coastal Communities. These workshops will be held across the MassBays planning region to present an upcoming handbook developed in partnership with EPA for MA departments of public works and planning, conservation commissions and agents, and nonprofits concerned about water quality in coastal ecosystems. Each workshop will include a case study and step-by-step process to install infrastructure that utilizes natural processes to treat and manage runoff. The workshops will be held on October 23 in Danvers (North Shore region), October 24 in Milton (MetroBoston region), October 28 in Barnstable (Cape Cod, and October 29 in Pembroke (South Shore).

For more information and to register, see the workshops web page.

Wynn Resorts development on the Mystic River

Please plan on attending a public presentation and discussion forum on environmental issues associated with the proposed Wynn Resort development project on the banks of the Mystic River in Everett.

This major development will prospectively bring many changes to the Mystic River watershed, including the clean-up of a waterfront Brownfield site that has been vacant for decades. Representatives from the Wynn Resorts development team will be available to answer your questions about plans for this project. Come learn more about ways this important proposal may affect the Mystic River watershed.

The event, sponsored by Mystic River Watershed Association and hosted by Tufts University will be held on Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Tufts University, 51 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA.

Mystic River Celebration Oct. 11th!

Spend the afternoon at the Condon at Medford's biggest arts festival on Saturday, October 11 from 12-4 PM - and come stop by the MyRWA table! The event features musical performances by Black Sea Salsa, bluegrass band Chasing Blue, Medford’s own Susan Cattaneo, and Will Dailey, three-time winner of the Boston Music Award for Best Singer/Songwriter. Artisans, local food, dance performances, a public art installation, live art-making, and a variety of programs and activities will fill this beautiful afternoon along the banks of the Mystic River. The Condon Shell is located just off of Route 16. The Mystic River Celebration is produced by the Coalition for Arts, Culture, and a Healthy Economy (CACHE in Medford, Inc.) and is funded in part by Brookline Bank and the Medford Arts Council. www.medfordfestival.org

Mystic River Celebration
Saturday, October 11, 2014
12 – 4 PM
Condon Shell (2501 Mystic Valley Parkway), Medford, MA

www.medfordfestival.org

Climate Change impacts to the Alewife area

The Urban Land Institute is releasing a new report, The Urban Implications of Living with Water, exploring how to mitigate the risk of sea level rise and flooding for some of the most vulnerable areas of the Boston area: Alewife, Back Bay, Innovation District and Revere. Urban Land Institute Boston/New England members have spent the last 6 months developing solutions to the impacts of sea level rise on our community.  These ideas are presented in a report, by the industry and for the industry, that helps illuminate the opportunities that exist in this changing landscape.

“In the low-lying Alewife section, new residences might have to be concentrated into taller buildings with more space between them to make room for water infiltration. The report also suggested that retail shops be concentrated into a raised corridor to keep them above flood waters.”

View the Urban Land Institute website here; read the Boston Globe article here.

Vote Yes on 2: Updating the Bottle Bill

MyRWA, along with more than 100 other organizations and Governor Deval Patrick, has endorsed the Bottle Bill. A YES vote on Question 2 on November 4th will update the 1982 Bottle Bill to include five cent deposits on water bottles and sports drinks. This will increase recycling rates and help prevent plastic bottles from ending up in our parks and waterways. Plastic bottles are the most common item at Mystic River cleanups – please consider voting yes on question 2 to help cleanup the Mystic!

Seeking Graphic Design Intern

The Mystic River Watershed Association seeks an experienced graphic designer to create beautiful and easy to understand educational handouts and displays. The work products will be both printed and electronic and may include some website design depending on the candidate. This is a great opportunity to grow your portfolio and help a small environmental nonprofit!

Qualifications

• Experience working with and access to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign

• Experience with HTML code or Square Space a plus

• Strong typography and layout skills

• Basic knowledge about marketing

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• An interest in data visualization, science and the environment is encouraged

This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule and the ability to work remotely. Exact dates can be flexible depending on the candidate. This is an unpaid position.

Since 1972, the Mystic River Watershed Association 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, cover letter and three samples of your work to internopps@mysticriver.org. No phone calls please.  Position open until filled.

EK takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

EK Khalsa, Executive Director of the Mystic River Watershed Association accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on September 5, 2014 from Tim Purinton of the MA Division of Ecological Restoration. EK fills his bucket with water from the Lower Mystic Lake in Arlington.

Mystic Valley Development Commission Community Outreach Meeting

Please plan on attending a Community Outreach Meeting hosted by the Mystic Valley Development Commission on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. at 200 River’s Edge Drive in the first floor conference room.  Mr. Lawrence Oliver from the Army Corps of Engineers will present the latest plan for the Malden River Ecosystem Restoration Project and Jeff Nangle of Nangle Consulting Associates, Inc. will provide an update on the work done with the MVDC’s EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant.

Seeking Members to the Board of Directors!

Are you interested in getting more involved in improving water quality in the Mystic River Watershed?

MyRWA’s Board of Directors is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join them as members of the Board to steward this very energized voice for the Mystic River Watershed.  Ideally, Board candidates will have a background in non-profit management, finance, or policy and/or will have a strong background in environmental law, science or community service and advocacy.  What is essential is a desire to help protect and restore the Mystic River and to improve environmental conditions in the watershed as a whole.  Board Members represent the interests of all the residents of the watershed from the environmental justice communities of the lower Watershed to the flood-challenged upper watershed to all those affected by the stormwater issues pervading the entire watershed. 

Please contact John Reinhardt, President of the Board at RiverReinhardt@gmail.com for more information.