MYRWA TO WORK WITH MEDFORD ON COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT GRANT

On December 3, 2015 the Baker-Polito Administration announced $400,000 in grants to support local efforts to assess and treat nonpoint source pollution from roadway runoff and boat waste. The grants, provided by the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), were awarded to Fairhaven, Fall River, Kingston, Medford, Milton and Salem. 

“Pollution in Massachusetts waters affects not only the natural resources, but the economy and quality-of-life in our coastal communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants will help local officials assess nonpoint source pollution issues and fund on-the-ground projects to improve coastal water quality.”

The City of Medford will partner with MyRWA to perform an assessment of opportunities for placement of stormwater best management practices (BMPs) in a single catchment area (429-acre drainage) to the Mystic River to address roadway-related pollution. This subwatershed area was identified in a prior Urban Waters project as having an overlap of high phosphorus loads and high feasibility for installation of BMPs. The proposed work will include desktop GIS analysis, field assessment, identification of best opportunities for BMP’s and development of ten conceptual designs. 

The Mystic River is a critical passage and spawning area for migrating Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Blueback (Alosa aestivalis) river herring.  And yet this important diadromous fish habitat is significantly impaired by stormwater pollution, leading to eutrophication and reduced-quality spawning and juvenile habitat. This project aims to address stormwater pollution in order to improve herring habitat conditions.

MyRWA Gift Memberships Available!

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 and the bi-annual Mystic Messengernewsletter. Membership begins at $35. Email contact@mysticriver.org for more information today!

Giving Thanks to YOU!

Thanks to everyone who participated in a day of giving back - #GivingTuesday! We are happy to report that we achieved our $4,000 challenge match from the MyRWA Board of Directors and raised a total of $10,965 on #GivingTuesday!

Special Presentation: How do you value ecosystem restoration?

From 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 1st, MyRWA will be joined by Nick Wildman, Restoration Specialist with the MA Dept. of Fish & Game, Div. of Ecological Restoration. Mr. Wildman will present a synopsis of the Report on the Economic Benefits of Ecological Restoration. We will learn more about the concept of ecosystem service valuation and its application in the context of the state’s restoration activities.

This special presentation is part of the monthly Mystic River Watershed Association Committee Meeting. After the presentation the Committee will break into two groups: the Policy Committee and the Clean Water Campaign Committee. Please join us for this free, informational meeting! 

Mystic River Watershed Association Committee Meeting, 7-9PM
Tufts University, Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room, 10 Upper Campus Road, Medford

#GivingTuesday December 1st

MyRWA has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners – charities, families, businesses and individuals – to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world.

This #GivingTuesday, MyRWA is thankful for our many volunteers, members, and supporters. We are launching the start of our End of Year fundraising in conjunction with #GivingTuesday on Tuesday, December 1st. Please make a special donation on December 1st in support of a healthy Mystic River watershed!

MyRWA Joins Two Coalitions

MyRWA is happy to share that we recently joined two coalitions.

The Massachusetts Climate Change Adaptation Coalition is comprised of engineers, architects, planners, and conservation and environmental organizations working to reduce the Commonwealth’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

Mass Power Forward works to ensure that Massachusetts adopts an energy policy that supports local renewable energy resources, keeps energy dollars in our communities, creates good green jobs and protects our Commonwealth from climate change and life-threatening pollution.

Somerville Climate Action: Tiny House Presentation with Tiny House Northeast

Join Somerville Climate Action, tiny house enthusiasts, and those who want to live smaller (and happier!) on Wednesday, November 11th for an evening tiny house presentation by Tiny House Northeast.

The more sustainable "tiny house" approach to home ownership presented to us through mostly commercial media has set a segment of American culture on fire! We love the idea of a more affordable, greener housing option. Tiny House Northeast's project manager/lead designer, Isa Bauer C., will offer a view into the real world advantages and challenges of a tiny home. It's a lot more complicated than the TV shows make it appear!

The presentation will help you learn whether this lifestyle is for you, and if it is, what ducks you need to get in order to help make your tiny house journey a success. An area will also be marked off in the size of a tiny house floor plan, so you can get a sense of the space you are working with,  how to add "components", etc.

Community Stormwater Solutions (MA Watershed Coalition)

11/18 Community Stormwater Solutions (register online)

Please join the MA Watershed Coalition for Cost-Effective Community Stormwater Solutions on Wednesday, November 18, 5 - 8:30 pm, at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

Polluted runoff is the leading cause for damages to local waters.  Fortunately, there are efficient ways to prevent and fix stormwater problems that impact property, harm aquatic life and spoil uses of streams, lakes and water supplies.

This meeting of the MA Watershed Coalition will feature expert speakers on Low-Impact Development, urban stream renewal, BMP site selection, stormwater assistance programs and the costs of runoff remedies.  Town officials, highway departments, lake associations, watershed groups, home-builders, stormwater committees and concerned citizens will gain practical guidance to help their communities remove more stormwater pollution for less cost.

The $10 registration fee (free for students) includes meeting materials and refreshments.  You can view meeting details and register online at Eventbrite.

For more information, email mwc@commonwaters.org or telephone (978) 534-0379.

Friends of Alewife Reservation Permitting News

MyRWA received this press release from the Friends of Alewife Reservation (FAR).

 Please join us in manual labor and much spirit, as FAR begins its Fall season in its continuing stewardship of Alewife Reservation and its 130 acres of threatened wetland, woodlands and meadow.  Over the summer several community service work parties together have been busy with  watershed studies, youth educational projects, and control over invasive species in the Alewife sub-watershed property.  This summer’s 9th annual student ecology camp sponsored by FAR produced a professional level assessment of Little River adjacent to Alewife Brook which flows into the Mystic River. Youth assessed its water quality (noted by several forums to be the worst in the Commonwealth of D- grade), river contour, flow,  development and flooding threats which come from the Boston Harbor. The 100 year floodplain  is measured as the lowest sea elevation in Cambridge (5 feet above sea level at the Alewife T), noted by the completed official city Vulnerability Assessment Study, and revealed at MIT city presentation last February as our most flood prone area, especially if a ‘Sandy’ occurrence were to happen on our local coastline. Plans for permitting and implementation of the River Restore Project are in process. State and municipal agencies have been sent the report asking for circulation of the report, more official public data and relevant municipal plans for watershed improvement.

The Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Recreation recently renewed a stewardship permit for Lesley University, FAR and its volunteer from Harvard Herbarium to expand its experimental soils restoration and plant cover project  in the Blair Pond meadow, adjacent to the rich birding habitat, and  surrounded by impressive tall canopy tree grove cover,  integral to the 130 acres of rare urban wild which benefits the Mystic River watershed, and the towns of Arlington, Belmont, cities of Cambridge and Somerville not to mention home to the 20 species of mammals and 90 bird species.  The meadow is on the West Cambridge/East Belmont border.

Under this permit volunteers will establish test plots to 1) demonstrate the potential of reseeding with native indigenous species, and 2) to demonstrate effectiveness of permacultural  methods via improving soil health.  In late September visitors to the Blair Pond area will note plot delineation, purpose and goals, for upgrading existing soil conditions which will increase the natural value of the western most part of Alewife Reservation and the watershed it serves as a vital floodplain for Boston metropolis and in general the US east coast. Presently DCR and Commuter Rail plan flood retention protection surrounding Blair Pond along the railroad tracks.

Friends of Alewife Reservation seeks advice and manual assistance from neighbors and others interested in restoration and maintenance of this hidden gem in the heart of North Cambridge.  To offer your suggestions and support please contact FAR office at: 617 415 1884 or info@friendsofalewifereservation.org or Ellen Mass at 617 290-4864.