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Dear River Advocates,
All the Riverways Programs are based on the belief that local action and partnerships are key to river protection and restoration. As part of our planning for the upcoming year, we reviewed our work in 2003 and once again realized the intrinsic nature of our partnerships with all of you. This version of News Notes provides a brief narrative synopsis of Riverways work in 2003 and indicates where our programs are heading in the current year. The full Executive Summary (2003) of our programs Adopt-A-Stream, RIFLS, River Restore, Urban Rivers, Small Grants, and the Technical Assistance Team, with photos and quotes can be found in .pdf format on our web page at http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/river/pdf/riverways2003summary.pdf. I do hope you get a chance to look at the Summary on-line to see Riverways staff describe their work. Amy Singler of our staff did an excellent job of formatting it into a highly attractive and colorful document. For those of you that are short on time and/or are not able to read .pdf files, we have provided a stripped-down version of the Summary below.
A variety of private-public partnerships -called gcross sector h partnerships \were highlighted at a recent Rappaport Institute workshop atHarvardsKennedy School of Government. Participants discussed the gthe joint efforts among the public, nonprofit and private sectors to address economic and social issues that have become a major part of the public policy landscape in recent years. h Riverways fAdopt-A-Stream Program was mentioned as one of the examples of a public agency working on cross-sector partnerships. Cross-sector partnerships fall into three basic categories:public-private partnerships (collaborations between one or more public agencies and private businesses), public-nonprofit partnerships (public agencies, nonprofit organizations or community groups) and Tri-sector partnerships (all three sectors). Hearing representatives from corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations from other fields (housing, culture/art) talk about the positive features, the challenges and opportunities is stimulating. Riverways \as well as most of you--have participated in partnerships \most often the public-nonprofit ones and the public-private partnerships. Throughour work with the Watershed Initiative andKaren Pelto fs participation on the Corporate Wetlands Partnership, Riverways has experience with the Tri-sector partnership approach that has brought corporations,consulting firms,nonprofits and state government together.
On Saturday, March 6, Riverways attended theMass. Assoc. of Conservation Commissions (MACC) annual meeting in Worcester,andpartnered with other presenters for two workshop sessions: Karen speaking on the impacts and environmental hazards of dams and removing barriers to fish and wildlife movement in and along rivers (with Scott Jackson of UMass Extension) and Russspeaking on the science of vegetated buffers along waterways (with LaurenGaherty from the Berkshire County RegionalPlanning Commission). We were also there as an exhibiter. I was once again struck by all the possibilities of partnering with the private sector -finding ways to expand some of our public-nonprofit partnerships into tri-sector partnerships. I talked with consultants both at their booths and as they visited us at Riverways f. In some cases, they are trying to solve the same river problems as we are: protecting instream flow, riparian restoration, restoring water quality, creating sub-watershed plans. I have known some of these consultants in their former lives, as Stream Team members, as presidents of Watershed Associations, as state agency staff. As they work on projects, they may call some of us to discuss solutions, others of us may share local knowledge as these consultants go before Conservation Commissions. At the Mass. Land Trust Conference earlier this month, one of thesessions,organized andled by Russ Cohen, illustrated the possibilities ofproductive workingpartnershipsfor source water land protectionbetween land trusts (TPL and TNC were presenters), water suppliers, watershed associations and stream teams. A futureNewsNoteswill highlight thatissue. We welcome your ideas and experiences with partnerships as well as suggestions about futureNewsNotesarticles.
Riverways Programs has seen some staff changes recently. We all want to thankPatricia Sheppardfor her work at Riverways for the past four years. Pat, in her many roles \Small Grants Administrator (1999), Program Manager (2000-1) and Assistant Director (2001-3) \brought fiscal brilliance, strategic thinking and her ability to create partnerships with all people in and out of agencies. Pat has been an outstanding colleague and friend to us all. Pat has joined the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as their Chief Fiscal Officer. Because Pat is just down the hall at DFW, we will be able to work together as partners.
Riverways is delighted to announce thatEileen Goldberg, our former Small Grants Administrator for the past two years, is now our Programs Administrator. Eileen brings an amazing fiscal astuteness, an outstanding ability to work on a variety of projects, and amazing people skills. Eileen helps all the programs with fiscal planning as well as serving as a mainstay here. We are so happy to have Eileen in this position.
Following the lead article hhighlighting the Riverways Programs at work over the past and present years, this issue of News Notes includes the popular Resources and Grants section.
See you atone of the spring RiversConferences, aRivers Monthevent (see notice below)and soon, in our kayaks, canoes, boats, with fishing poles, hiking boots and/or binoculars...on the Rivers!
Joan Kimball, Director
P.S. If these e-mailNewsNoteswere forwarded to you by someone else and you would like to receive them directly, please let us know. Additionally (or alternatively), if the format of the e-mail version of theseNewsNotesis in an incompatible format to your computer fs e-mail program, we encourage you to read the on-line version of RiverwaysNewsNotesposted (soon if not already) on our web page (www.massriverways.org). All previousNewsNotesare also available on-line. Highlighted topics of pastNewsNotesinclude:Living Waters,Assessing Dams for Environmental Risks, River Continuity, River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS), Fishway Stewardship, Nonpoint Source projects,Adopt-A-Stream Technical Service Awards,and River Restore fs Neponset Project.
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Riverways fHighlights of 2003 and beyond include:
Establishing the (first in the nation) River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS) Program
Our streams are drying up, impacting critical aquatic habitats. For many years concerned citizens and decision makers have reported frustration in their attempts to prevent further degradation of stream flow due to a lack of comprehensive stream flow data. Riverways f Margaret Kearns responded by researching possibilities for volunteer flow monitoring, and finding no models nationally, created River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS)-- with the support of Riverways staff and a statewide Technical Advisory Committee (USGS, state agency and local representatives). RIFLS provides the technical assistance necessary for volunteer groups to collect high quality stream flow data, and establishes a process for groups to use the data in cooperation with local and state officials to make more informed management decisions. By the end of 2003, Margaret established pilots on three streams in the Housatonic River Watershed and on eight streams in the South Coastal Watershed. In each watershed RIFLS established local steering committees, installed staff gages in each of the streams, trained volunteers with data collection protocols and provided field work and technical assistance to ensure the high quality of the data.
Thanks to our partners on the TAC, the local steering committees and planners and to the volunteers in these watersheds who make daily measurements! Without the work of these partners, instream flow data cannot inform smart growth decisions.
For 2004, with support from MET, Margaret plans to establish a certification program so that the existing groups can train new volunteers, expand their sites, and make discharge measurements. RIFLS groups need to have concerns about low instream flow, a suitable site on the stream and a committed volunteer base. RIFLS has received requests from new groups in the Parker, Saugus, South CoastalandBlackstonewaterhedsfor 2004. To discuss RIFLS and prospects for working together, call Margaret at (617) 626-1533.
Developing and piloting theRiver Continuity Program(identifying and removing barriers to fish and wildlife movement in and along stream corridors)
As long and linear ecosystems, rivers and streams are particularly vulnerable to fragmentation. In addition to natural barriers, a number of human activities can, to varying degrees, disrupt the continuity of river and stream ecosystems. The most familiar human-caused barriers are dams. However, there is growing evidence that road and railroad crossings of streams can disrupt aquatic habitats. So far, the most commonly observed problem at roadway culverts recorded by volunteers in pilot subwatersheds has been the outlet drop, where the culvert is gperched h above the streambed, preventing the movement of fish and other aquatic life. The pilot surveys clearly show that at least one out of five stream crossings disrupt river continuity and that local groups are eager to follow up to promote and implement restorative action.
Collaborating with UMASS Extension and other state and local partners, River Restore has created River Continuity, an opportunity for volunteers and local communities to participate in the inventory and assessment of culverts and other road crossings of streams and implement on-the-ground demonstration projects to retrofit, replace, or modify culverts that create barriers to fish and wildlife movement. Using data sheets prepared by Riverways and its partners, Adopt-A-Stream staff has been working with MA Waterwatch Partners on pilot volunteer surveys.
In 2004, Adopt-A-Stream and River Restore staff plan to work with existing Stream Teams, TU and other angler groups, watershed associations and new groups to identify problematic culverts and recommend mediation \either retrofits or replacement. We will support local groups as they work with local and state highway departments on implementation. We welcome inquiries about working together \in western MA, call Carrie Banks [(413)773-5031)], in the rest of the state call Amy Singler [(617)626-1548].
Developing a (first in the nation) watershed-scale assessment of theEnvironmental Risk of Dams
Thanks to funding from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, River Restore has drafted a proposed GIS-based analytical framework, the Index of Environmental Risk, to (1) assess the environmental impact of dams on aquatic resources from their contributions to environmental degradation, and (2) characterize the environmental hazard toaquatic and other public resources from the uncontrolled breach or catastrophic failure of dams. This process will focus scarce public dollars on necessary and environmentally appropriate dam repair and dam removal projects and will provide the baseline information necessary for dam owners, municipalities, and grassroots conservation organizations to address dams in their watershed communities. After hearing Karen Pelto give a presentation in the Northeast on the Index of Environmental Risk, EPA has invited (and is flying) Karen to Kansas City, MO to make a presentation there. In addition, Brian Graber will present information on the Index to the U.S. Society on Dams at their annual conference.
In 2004 we will be exploring ways to query natural resource data in the GIS to assist in subwatershed management of dams as well as working with the USGS to calibrate and validate a predictive model to rank the relative toxicity of impounded sediment behind dams.
Restoring Yokum Brook through the removal of Silk Mill Dam in Becket
Restoring habitat for coldwater fisheries in Yokum Brook is well underway with the removal of Silk Mill Dam in Becket in February 2003. The Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited is leading an effort to provide ongoing community stewardship of the fishery by implementing the Atlantic Salmon Egg Rearing Program in the Becket-Washington Elementary School with support from a Massachusetts Outdoor Classroom and EPA Environmental Education grant.
In 2004, we need to secure funding for an alternative source of water for fire protection at Ballou Dam. Then we will be ready to breach the dam and install a "nature-like fishway" in the brook downstream.
Producing renderings of the Neponset River restoration and conducting sediment analyses
In response to public questions about the aesthetics of various fish passage alternatives on the Neponset River, River Restore led a process to develop several conceptual renderings (landscape illustrations and retouched photographs) that reflect community interests and ecological goals. River Restore managed a study by the USGS that provides comprehensive data on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the water column and sediment in the lower Neponset. http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/RIVER/NeponsetFish/Neponset_toc.htm
In 2004, we look forward to engaging community, state, and federal decision-makers in a discussion about options to cleanup contaminated sediment in the lower Neponset so that anadromous fish and ecological restoration can move forward.
Providing new approaches to providing Adopt-A-Stream Technical Assistance statewide
To support existing Stream Teams with project implementation, Adopt-A-Stream provided two new innovative technical assistance programs as well as grant writing, public access development and followup survey support to active Stream Teams. With the new Implementation Awards, provided on-the ground assistance to three groups in the Ipswich and Parker River Watersheds, four groups in the SuAsCo Rivers Watershed and one group in the Housatonic. These projects have and will lead to water conservation efforts, new canoe launches, increased public access and buffer enhancement, stormwater awareness, increased river stewardship and protection of biodiversity. Partnering with Riverways Technical Assistance staff, developed a new service for Stream Teams that would ggrant h Riverways technical assistance staff time to Stream Team implementation projects selected through a competitive process. This service will help to supplement the Adopt-A-Stream staff fs continued services to Stream Teams.
In 2003, Adopt-A-Stream worked with 38 communities in 17 watersheds, involving hundreds of volunteers and leveraging thousands of hours of work on behalf of rivers and communities.
For 2004, in addition to continued work with new Stream Teams and with River Continuity groups, Adopt-A-Stream staff will support RIFLS groups and continue to emphasize implementation of projects that lead to restoration and protection of our rivers and our communities. To discuss your ideas, call Rachel Calabro at (617)626-1549.
Revitaling urban rivers and neighborhoods. In 2003, theUrban Rivers Programwas able to assist:
¥ Fall River with planning and assessment to secure grants and outreach for the Quequechan River
¥ Lawrence in its efforts to revitalize the Spicket River neighborhoods through community events, clean ups and outreach
¥ Fitchburg in its active renewal plans which include open space acquisition and restoration of the North Nashua River
¥ Gloucester and its efforts to assess and prioritize sites for restoration in order to pursue implementation funds
¥ Chicopee by directing and managing a project to assess degraded streams in and near the city
¥ Quincy and Brockton by providing training and assistance on water resources issues
In 2004, Urban Rivers is planning a charrette to provide a forum for the diverse population of Fitchburg to express their opinions regarding the future of the river corridor and learn more about waterfront revitalization and their own North Nashua River system. The charrette process will create the foundation of ideas and possibilities to be incorporated into a master plan that shows how the North Nashua River can resume its status as a significant resource for the community. The Charrette is scheduled forApril 24th.
Riverways Technical Assistance Teamhelps citizens, municipalities and watershed groups to protect and restore river corridors, ecological systems, and community redevelopment. In 2003, Technical Assistance included:
¥ Explanations and comments on environmental regulations such as MEPA, NPDES, Interbasin Transfer Act, Water Management Act, Rivers Protection Act, etc.on 63 streams in 23 watersheds.
¥ Assistance in riparian restoration, trails, land and easement acquisition on 15 streams in 11 watersheds
¥ Assistance in identifying and securing funding for river-related projects on 11 streams in 8 watersheds
¥ Continued development of aLow Flow Inventoryweb page
¥ Assistance in providing public access on 7 streams in 7 watersheds
¥ Partnering with DFW to achieve better recognition of and protection for cold water fisheries
¥ Partnering with DFW to develop a target fish community for the Housatonic River.
¥ Participation in advisory committees on statewide issues such as instream flow, water assets, and low impact development
¥ Assistance in documenting pollution in rivers including the Concord, Taunton and Blackstone Rivers.
¥ Riverways works in partnership with the National Park Service, state agencies, cities, towns and nonprofits on three National Wild and Scenic Rivers
Completing theLake/Watershed Stewardship Pilot
Under acompetitive EPA Grant through DEP that ran through 2003, Riverways
Created a nonpoint source training for volunteer groups
Wrote survey data sheets for lakes and uplands
Trained 185 volunteers on 22 lakes and ponds and sections of 31 streams in a variety of watersheds; supported surveys, facilitated action planning meetings and oversaw reports
Established a Train-the-Trainer Program in Western MA, Connecticut, Central Mass, North Shore and Cape Cod to continue the program
Wrote a leaders manual to coordinate a volunteer Lake Watershed Survey
Developing and distributing RiverwaysNewsNoteselectronic newsletter
This year, Riverways instituted News Notes, a short, bimonthly newsletter \delivered electronically to provide both more timely information about river issues and to save paper and postage. Each issue ofNewsNoteshighlights a river issue, provides extensive information on Resources and Grants for river protection/restoration and gives a brief update of current Riverways activities.
As always, please feel free to get in touch with Riverways on any of these issues by phone, email or in person. Riverways welcomes your ideas!
YOUR events wanted for the 2004 Massachusetts Rivers Month Calendar
Hi Folks - it fs that time again. As you (may) know, each spring since 1988 the Mass. Riverways Program has put out an annualMassachusetts Rivers Month Calendaras part of the national celebration ofRivers MontheachJune. As many of you also organize great river-related events in May and July as well, we typically expand the gRivers Month h concept a bit to include river-related events frommid-May to the July 4th weekend. So this year we intend to include all river-related events we hear about that will take place from Sat. May 15th to Sun. July4th. If you haven ft already got one or more events planned for that period, there fs still time to organize something. Rivers Month is a great opportunity for river and watershed groups, stream teams and all other river enthusiasts to schedule activities that promote public awareness of the importance of clean, flowing rivers and protected riparian lands to the Commonwealth fs environmental and economic well-being.
In order to list the events in the Calendar we need to know about them, so please send them in (via e-mail, fax, snail mail or the telephone, whichever form is most convenient to you).The information we need is outlined below. For your convenience, aRivers Month Calendar event form ispostedon-line at http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/river/riversmonth.htm.
Unfortunately, due to the current state budget situation, we are only able to post an on-line version of the 2004 Calendar on Riverways f webpage (http://www.massriverways.org) instead of printing and mailing it as we have done in previous years. We will be sending out an e-mail message announcement when the 2004Massachusetts Rivers Month Calendar is posted (probably around Wed. May12th). One way to make sure you or others get this announcement is for you or them to join the MassRiverways listserv (http://www.topica.com/lists/MassRiverways).
To include all river-related events (canoe trips, river festivals, river art exhibitions, etc.) taking place in Massachusetts between 5/15-7/4/04, we are requesting that all event sponsors fill ina rivers Month event form for the Mass. Rivers Month Calendar byFriday, April 23rd, 2004. (NOTE: If you can ft make this deadline, send the info in to us anyway, and we will try to squeeze your event in to the Calendar - no promises, though.) Please feel free to circulate this message to anyone you feel is appropriate. We look forward to learning about and publicizing your events.
Name of Event:
Date and Time of Event:
Location of Event:
Watershed group and/or other sponsor:
Contact Person:
Mailing address:
Phone:
E-mail/Web:
Description of event:
Sendinformation on or beforeFriday April 23rd, to Russ.Cohen@state.ma.us
Mailed forms should be sent to
Mass. Riverways Programs
251 Causeway St., Fourth Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Fax: 617-626-1505
Questions or comments- Please contact Russ Cohen at (617) 626-1543 or Russ.Cohen@state.ma.us.
Resources and Grants
Grants
TheMassachusetts Department of Environmental Protection(DEP) is expected to release its Request for Responses (RFR) for the 2004 round of funding under its ˜319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Competitive Grants Program (http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/mf/files/gguide.pdf) on or around Friday, April 9, 2004, with proposals due onWednesday, June 2, 2004. Two changes to the program for this year fs funding round are a newcategory for development ofwatershed-based plansanddemonstration projects utilizing gin-lake h best management practices (BMPs). Projects inareas covered by NPDES stormwater regulationsmay be eligible, but will be looked at carefully, so applicants should pay attention to the constraints.Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact DEP (Jane Peirce, ˜319Coordinator, (508) 767-2792, jane.peirce@state.ma.us) before the RFR comes out to discuss your project ideas and to help develop a successful proposal.
Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust
http://www.hembar.com/cox
The Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust isinterested in a broad range of environmental issuesthroughout the six-state New England region. Most recently,CoxTrustees have been funding land use and smart growth projects, urban environmental justice activities, coastal issues, water quality and habitat, climate change, open space and environmental health. They are interested in a range of strategies, from state and regional policy activities, to community organizing and implementation, with a keen interest in underserved populations (socio-economic, geographic, ethnic, and more). The average annual grant is about $35,000, with grants generally in the range of $25,000 to $75,000. Although the Trustees occasionally award grants outside this range, the Trust ordinarily does not consider grant requests for less than $20,000. Applicants are asked to approach the Trust either through a telephone call to discuss the appropriateness of a proposed project, followed by a concept paper, or through initial submission of a concept paper. Concept papers are reviewed on a quarterly basis; the next deadline isApril 15. For more information,contact Kathy McHugh, Cox Trust Program Director[(617)227-7940 x775, kmchugh@hembar.com].
Davis Conservation Foundation
The Davis Conservation Foundation wasestablished by H. Halsey and Phyllis Davis of Falmouth, Maine, in the mid-1980sand fundsnonprofit organizations f environmental workthroughout Maine and the rest of New England. Although wildlife habitat restorationprojects innorthern New Englandare preferred, other kinds of conservation projects from other regions will be considered. Grants typically range in size from$1,500-$15,000. Proposals may be considered anytime (there is no application deadline). For more information, contactNancy Winslow,Executive Director,Davis Conservation Foundation,4 Fundy Rd.Falmouth, ME 04105, (207)781-5504.
REI Grants and other Community Programs
http://www.rei.com/aboutrei/gives02.html?stat=side_32
The outdoor equipment retailerREIdonates over $1 million each year to supporttrails, rivers, and wildlandsin thecommunities in whichitdoesbusiness through grants and outreach programs. REI dedicates a portion of its operating profits to help protect and restore the environment, increase access to outdoor activities, and encourage involvement in muscle-powered recreation. REI employees nominate organizations, projects, and programs in which they are personally involved to receive funding or gear donations (i.e., unsolicited proposals arenotaccepted; you need to make friends with a local REI store and/or employee. REI retail stores are located in Boston, Reading and Framingham, MA.) REI alsoparticipatesand coordinateshands-onvolunteerservice projects. Annually each store organizes a local environmental stewardship project dedicated to restoring and improving areas in which we enjoy outdoor recreation.
RiverSmart Grants
http://www.riversmart.org
Using funds provided by theEPA,River Network (http://www.rivernetwork.org) will be making a limited number of small grants (up to $5,000) to help river and watershed organizations implement theRiverSmartcampaign in their local communities. Using mass media tools, the RiverSmart campaign gives audiences some simple things they can do in and around their homes to help protect the health of their local rivers. River and watershed groups can attach their own name and logo to the RiverSmart TV, radio and print ads and use the campaign to raise their organizational profile as well as to educate community members. If you are interested, please review the campaign materials and messages at www.riversmart.org, click on "Newsroom",andthencontact GlinVarco,RiverSmart Coordinator, atgvarco@rivernetwork.org or (503)542-8393.
Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/ej/grants/small-grants-guidance-2004.pdf
TheU.S. EPAis inviting proposals for small grants up to $25,000 to affected local community-based organizations to supportresearchprojects to examine issues related to a community's exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Issues of environmental justice often involve multiple sources ofcontamination, their cumulative impacts on the environment, and their effect on human health. Some of these sources may include multiple industrial facilities and the various contaminants theyemit, environmental hazards at the workplace or home, transportation-related pollution,contamination from drinking water, or contamination resulting from the consumption of fish orother subsistence food. Amore holistic approach to environmental protection goes beyond setting limits for individualpollutants and facilities in isolation. Information must take into account the multiple impacts of allpollutants in the environment. In environmentally overburdened low-income, minority or tribalcommunities, a focus on the impacts from multiple environmental harms and risks can greatlyassist the communities in understanding their environmental issues and developing more effectivesolutions to their environmental and/or public health concerns. Projects may include the following activities: (1) research related to the detection, assessmentand evaluation of the effects on and risks to human health from hazardous substances and thedetection of hazardous substances in the environment; (2) design and demonstrate field methods,practices, and techniques, including assessment of environmental and ecological conditions andanalysis ofenvironmental and public health problems; (3) identification and assessment of multipleenvironmental harms and risks and/or public health concerns in the affected community; (4) casestudies on practices and techniques for detecting and effectively responding to hazardoussubstance contamination; and (5) identification of institutional and public policy barriers to detecting, assessing and evaluating hazardous substance contamination in affected communities. The application deadline isFriday, April30, 2004. For more information, contact Kathy Castagna [(617) 918-1429, castagna.kathleen@epa.gov] or Davina Wysin [(617) 918-1020, wysin.davina@epa.gov].
On-line Resources
American Non-Profit Technology Alliance (ANPTA)
http://www.anpta.com
TheAllianceis a large non-profit technology initiative in the United States, open to 20,000 non-profits, with members receiving a host of technology products and services at no charge. To become a member,the Allianceasksthat you completeashort membership form onits webpage. There are no membership fees.Over time,Alliance memberswill be asked to participate in surveys on your non-profit and its use and experiences with technology. These results will be tabulated and reported to over 4,500 media, government, non-profit, university and corporate contacts. The objective of the survey is to enhance funding and awareness for non-profit's technology needs. All participants will receive a copy of the reports as they are published.There are never any fees paid to the Alliance by its members.Alliance members may receive several or all of the following member benefits:Hardware/Software Donations;Technology Consulting;Free Software Downloads;Funding and Technology Newsletter; Education Programs; and anExtensive Resource Library.
American Rainwater Catchment Harvesting Association
http://www.arcsa-usa.org
ARCSA was founded in Austin, Texas to promote rainwater catchment systems in the United States. Membership consists of professionals working in city, state, and federal government, academia, manufacturers and suppliers of rainwater harvesting equipment, consultants, and other interested individuals.ARCSA fs objectives are to promote rainwater catchment systems through meetings and seminars,to provide networking between people with experience in rainwater catchment systems and those who might need technical or professional assistance in developing or building such systems,to provide a forum for discussion of new methods, techniques, and materials pertaining to rainwater catchment systems,to develop informal publications to assist in the design and use of rainwater catchment systems, andto establish acceptable treatment methods for harvested rainwater. ARCSA publishes a newsletter to keep members informed of developments in this growing field. ARCSA publications and events are free or discounted to members. Membership in ARCSA (only $30/yr, $15 for students) is open to anyone interested in rainwater catchment systems.[Similar info from Texas is available on-line at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/greenbuilder/fs_rainharvest.htm].
Americans for our Heritage and Recreation (AHR)
http://www.ahrinfo.org/whatsnew.html
AHRis a broad and diverse organization representing conservationists, the recreation and sporting goods industries, park and recreation specialists, wildlife enthusiasts, advocates for urban and wilderness areas, preservationists of cultural and historic sites, land trust advocates, the youth sports community, and civic groups seeking to revitalize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR). The web link above takes you to AHR fs gWhat fs New h page, where you can get up-to-date info on the various efforts to secure adequate federal funding for land and water conservation, wildlife habitat protection and similar programs at the local, state and federal level.
Environmental Integrity Project
http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/page27.cfm
The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established in March of 2002 to advocate for more effective enforcement of environmental laws. The organization was founded by Eric Schaeffer, with support from the Rockefeller Family Fund and other foundations. Mr. Schaeffer directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fs Office of Regulatory Enforcement until 2002, when he resigned after publicly expressing his frustration with efforts of the Bush Administration to weaken enforcement of the Clean Air Act and other laws. EIP fsthree objectivesare:to provide objective analysis of how the failure to enforce or implement environmental laws increases pollution and affects the public fs health;to hold federal and state agencies, as well as individual corporations, accountable for failing to enforce or comply with environmental laws;and to help local communities in key states obtain the protection of environmental laws. The link above will take you to theClean Water Actsection of EIP fs web page and a recently-released report entitled gSwimming in Sewage h, whichdescribes an emerging environmental and public health crisis resulting from our nation fs failure to effectively treat sewage. It found that sewage from homes, businesses and factories often never reaches a treatment plant and, when it does, too often it is not treated adequately to protect public health.
Frogwatch USA
http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA
Frogwatch USA is a long-term frog and toad monitoring program managed by theNational Wildlife Federationin partnership with theUnited States Geological Surveytocollect information about frog and toad populations in the U.S., promote an appreciation for the diversity of frog and toad species, foster an understanding of the importance of protecting wetland habitatsand provide anopportunity to learn about and establish a closer relationship with the natural environment.Anyone can volunteer! You do not have to be a frog or toad expert to make a contribution; all you need is an interest in frogs and toads.This web page will teach you thenine easy steps of how to observe and report on frogs.Click on the U.S. map to see which frog species live in your area (links to photos and narrative descriptions are provided for each species) and data collected by local frogwatchers already active in your area.
Guide to Creating Vernal Ponds
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/boone/vernal.pdf
This 36-page on-line guide is designed to help private landowners, teachers and biologists establish vernal ponds (ephemeral wetlands). Learn how to select a suitable location for, design and build a vernal pond that looks and functions like a natural wetland. Find out how to establish a wetland that contains water long enough for aquatic plants, hydric soils and amphibian larvae to develop. Hard copy versions of this document are available [contactmissyeldridge@fs.fed.us or (606) 784-6428]. [NOTE: Vernal Pond creation may be subject to local and/or state environmental permitting or other review; you are strongly advised to contact your local conservation commission beforehand.]
Logical Lasting Launches- Design Guidance for Canoe and Kayak Launches
http://nps.gov/rtca/helpfultools/launchguide.pdf
TheNational Park Service fs Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program(RTCA, http://www.nps.gov/rtca) recently announced the availability of this on-line document, which is intended to help anyone properly site, design, construct and maintain paddler access points to waterways. Facilities ranging in size and complexity from simple flat rocks to elaborate floating and cantilevered docks are presented and illustrated with photographs. (This117pp. on-line documentis a 4.6 MB.pdffile and may take a may a few minutes to load.) For more information, contact authorCaroline Wolf (cwolf1976@yahoo.com)orCorita Jones (corita_jones@nps.gov).
Protect Your Waters - Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers
http://www.protectyourwaters.net
Sponsored by theAquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, (http://www.anstaskforce.gov), this web site explains why nuisance aquatic species are a problem and how to prevent and control their spread. Similar info for Massachusetts is presented athttp://www.mass.gov/lakesandponds(see theWeed Watcher fs Program,http://www.state.ma.us/dem/programs/lakepond/weedwatch.htm). This program is one component of a larger effortcoordinated by theMA Office of Coastal Zone Managementfocused onprotectingmarine and freshwater habitats called theAquatic Invasive Species Management Plan(http://www.mass.gov/czm/invasivemanagementplan.htm). For more information on the Aquatic Invasive Species Program, or to obtain a copy of the fact sheet,Aquatic Invasive Species in Massachusetts, contact Jay Baker atjason.baker@state.ma.us.
The Green Guide-Report on Water-SavingWashing Machines and otherAppliances
http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=59&sec=1
Published byThe Green Guide Institute, an independent media service designed to provide news, information and educational material to consumers and others, the Green Guide fs missionis to bring you the most objective, responsible and accurate environmental and health information you will find in print or on the web, with the goalthatthe Green Guideserve as your most practical, reliable, and trustworthy content source for product choices and daily practices that are better for health and the environment.The Green Guide takesmuch of the work out of behaving responsibly. By doing the research for you - and going to more depth than other information sources -itremovesone of the biggest obstacles to behavior change, not knowing what to do.The web link above will take you to a highly informative and recently-issued report onwater-saving appliances.
Trout Stocking in Massachusetts
http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/Dfwtrout.htm
Bay State anglers can look forward to 505,000 feisty brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout being stocked this spring according to figures released byMassWildlife. gWe fll be putting out more than 238,300 rainbow trout averaging over a foot long, h observes Chief Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons. gThey fll be distributed statewide throughout the stocking season by our five regional Wildlife District offices. h 47,500 brown trout in the 12-inch class will be stocked along with 38,000 browns in the over 9 inch range and 35,000 in the 6-9 inch range. The larger water bodies will receive the larger fish with the smaller brooks and streams receiving the younger fish. Brook trout will be stocked in a similar fashion with 30,400 fish measuring a foot or better, 81,400 greater than 9 inches and 5,000 in the 6 - 9 inch class.Anglers can also anticipate trying to tame some of the 4,800 tiger trout to be released, all topping the 14 inch mark. These handsome fish, a cross between a female brown trout and a male brook trout, have become popular with folks lucky enough to land one. Finally, about 600 brook, brown and rainbow trout will hit the water already measuring more than 18 inches. These trophies, along with the rest of the fish produced at MassWildlife hatcheries, will be stocked beginning when snow and mud conditions abate, allowing the 2-ton District tank trucks access to the waterways. Trout stocking activities will be underway by the end of March with the Southeast District area to be stocked first. Once trout stocking begins, weekly reports will beposted on-line at the web link above.You may also call the nearest District office: Western 413/447-9789; Valley 413/323-7632; Central 508/835-3607; Northeast 978/263-4347 or Southeast 508/759-3406. And don ft forget to Take A Kid Fishing!
World Rivers Review
http://www.irn.org/pubs/wrr/issues/WRR.V18.N2.pdf
A publication of theInternational Rivers Network(IRN,http://www.irn.org), the World Rivers Review newsletter includes extensive and informative articles on grassroots efforts to protect the world fs river systems. The link above is to a newsletter issue that contains (on pp.8-9) an article entitled gConnecting the Drops: Holistic Watershed Approaches Take Some U.S. Cities by Storm h, which highlights several inspiring examples of how communities are recharging aquifers and streamflow in urban areas through tree planting, rainwater harvesting and other innovative techniques.
Calendar
Scenic country roads are a distinguishing characteristic of rural towns, and improvements along them are often a much-debated topic in small towns. OnSaturday, April 3rd, theHighland Communities Initiative(http://www.highlandcommunities.org)is sponsoring aRural Roads Seminarat the Cummington Community House to discuss road classification, improvement, and discontinuance. State, regional, and local experts will present information on topics such as the road improvement process, public involvement in road projects, discontinuance of town and county roads, and programs to preserve the rural character of special roads. State RepresentativeSteve Kulikwill give the opening keynote address. Registration is $10, or $15 including lunch.Registration materials are available on-line or by callingWendy Sweetser at(413) 587-0716ext.13.
TheMystic Watershed Collaborativeis sponsoring a conference entitledMystic 2010: Research Supporting Watershed GoalsonSaturday, April 3rd, 2004from12:30PM - 4:30PMatTufts University, Anderson Hall, 200 College Ave, Medford, MA. Experts will discuss their most recent findings from water quality, restoration, and land-use studies. These research presentations will be followed by a respondent panel and discussion on the future research needs of the Mystic watershed and the integration of research, policy, and actions bringing us closer to the current stated goal of a swimmable,fishable Mystic by 2010.This conferenceisfor community members and organizations, municipal officials, professors, students, and state officials to engage in current and future watershed research through learning about watershed issues, exchanging ideas and building collaborations. The conference is free and open to the public. There will be time for casual networking, poster presentations, and light refreshments. An optional donation of $10 will assist in purchasing supplies for high school water quality monitoring programs.For more info, visithttp://www.mysticriver.org,call(617)627-3076. RSVP tojulie@mysticriver.org. TheMystic Watershed Collaborativeisa partnership between theMystic River Watershed AssociationandTufts University.
TheNew England Water Works Association(NEWWA) is sponsoring an all-day seminar entitled"Growing 'Green' Lawns and Gardens"onTuesday, April 6that NEWWA fs headquarters in Holliston. Samantha Woodsof the North and South Rivers Associationis one ofthe presenters.The morning panelwill be made up ofprofessionals who are preaching and teaching "green" gardening - low/no pesticides,water conservation,native plants, etc. The afternoon panel consistsof utilityprofessionals who are outreaching to their consumers in a variety of ways - xeriscape demo gardens, school programs, etc.Nonprofit groups can attend the conference at the NEWWA members f rate. More info is available by calling the NEWWA office at (508) 893-7979 or by going on-line tohttp://www.newwa.org/training/course_listings.php?course_id=143&page=description.
MassWildlife fs Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programin partnership with theAthol Bird and Nature Club(ABNC) andOde Newsis sponsoring the2004 New England Odonate Conferenceto be held onSaturday,April 17at the Miller fs River Environmental Center,100 Main Street in Athol. Representatives from state government, private non-profit conservation organizations, and universities from across New England and New York will be presenting information about dragonfly and damselfly studies. This is an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of regional status and distribution of odonates as well as learn about exciting research happening in our area. The registration deadline isMarch 31andit is strongly advisedthat people pre-register as soon as possible due to limited space. Registration is available on-line athttp://www.odes.millersriver.netor by mailing a $20.00 check made out to gABNC h to Ode Conference, Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331. For more information, contact Jennifer Loose at(508)792-7270 x313.
TheSoutheastern Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative(SEMEC) is sponsoring a conference entitledSoutheastern Massachusetts: Solutions for a Region at RiskonSaturday, May 8thfrom8:30AM- 3:30PM atBridgewater State College. Local officials, active citizens and others are invited to attend this conferencewhichwill include presentations, workshops and strategy sessions focused on protecting critical environmental resources and improving land use planning and decision-making. For more information,call(toll-free)(888)239-8327 or visit the SEMEC website athttp://www.se-mass-envirosolutions.org/
TheNashua River Watershed Association(NWRA) is hosting aTrail Building,Design and Constructionworkshopat its headquarters in Groton onSaturday, May 15, 2004from 9AMto 3PM. The NRWA and theMA Forest Stewardship Programwill co-sponsor the event to be led by the nationally-recognized expert in this field,Peter Jensenof Openspace Management (PO Box 316,Great Barrington, MA 01230W: 413-298-3162Fax: 413-528-6054opespace@bcn.net). It will belimited to 20 registrantsand will cost just $20 for the day to cover part of the expenses and to assure that those most interested participate. To sign up, contact Al Futterman [(978) 448-0299 oralfutterman@nashuariverwatershed.org].
Publications
Just in time for fishing season,Purgatory Cove Pressand author David Kaplan have reissued updated versions of hisfour fishing guidebookscovering variousfishing opportunities in Massachusetts f Middlesex County. Fishing Guide to Middlesex Stocked Trout Streamscovers all 39 streams that theMass.Division of Fisheries & Wildlife stocks with trout in Middlesex County. As in all David Kaplan fs guide books, it describes the waters, including detailed driving directions and parking tips. A map shows all the roads, bridges, culverts, marshes and other important features. Larger steams have two or three maps to provide adequate detail to plan a trip. The text describes the fishing situation to answer anglers fquestionssuch as:What part of the stream is stocked and where? With what trout species? Are there native brookies here? Is this a freestone stream or does it have a sand or mud bottom? What flies might work here? What other techniques will work? Is this stream big enough to float a canoe?And so on. Fishing Guide to Middlesex Rivers, Second Editioncontains complete angler information on all 10 major rivers that flow through the 54 Middlesex cities and towns. Middlesex Rivers details fishing opportunities on the Charles, Mystic, Assabet, Sudbury, Concord, Nashua, Shawsheen, Merrimack, Squannacook and Nissitissit Rivers. Includes hundreds of public access points, all the boat ramps,and dozens of canoe launch areas. Has advice on fishing for various species from local experts. Read about best spots and techniques, lure and fly selections and seasonal tips to catch large- and smallmouth bass, trout, trophy pike . . . even huge carp and migrating salmon. 260 pages,including dozens of detailed maps. These books, along withFishing Guide to North Middlesex Ponds, andFishing Guide to South Middlesex Ponds,sell for $16.95and every bait and tackle shop in Middlesex County carries them as well asOrvis Stores, outdoor outfitters and several independent bookstores. They may also be ordered directly from the publisherby calling (781) 647-0408. (Add 85 cents per book in Massachusetts for sales tax and $3.00 for shipping on direct orders to cover any quantity of books ordered.) For more information, contact David Kaplan atdsk7@comcast.net.
Nothing concentrates the mind on property law so well as the prospect of your neighbor setting up a 960-acre industrial hog farm next door. It was just that possibility that drove two Iowa couples to court in 1995, and their case serves as a compelling launching point for environmental law professor Eric Freyfogle's examination of the general notion of property rights: the lengths to which government can go in regulating a landowner's rights, the evolution of property law in the United States, and how we might intelligently reshape the law for the benefit of everyone -- and everything -- that lives on the land.InThe Land We Share: Private Property and the Common Good, (Island Press/Shearwater, 324 pp., $25),Freyfogle chronicles the evolution of property law in the United Statesbyintroducingthe theories of John Locke and Henry George; to Aldo Leopold's concept of "the land community," an organic whole of which humans are a part; and to Wendell Berry's call for a vision of private property with a "new mix of landowner rights and responsibilities." In the end, Freyfogle makes a convincing case for an "ecologically and ethically guided attitude toward private land," a welcome idea in an era of unchecked sprawl with vistas of redundant golf courses.The Land We Sharecan be ordered on-line fromhttp://www.IslandPress.orgor by calling (800) 828-1302.
Riverways Staff: Special Funding:
Rachel Calabro,Adopt-A-Stream Coordinator Carrie Banks, Stream Team Organizer, Western MA
Russ Cohen,Rivers Advocate Brian Graber, River Restore Staff Scientist
Cindy Delpapa,Urban Rivers Coordinator Margaret Kearns, Watershed Ecologist
Eileen Goldberg,Programs Administrator Amy Singler, Stream Team Organizer
Joan Kimball,Director
Karen Pelto,RiverRestore Coordinator
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Mitt Romney, Governor
Kerry Healey, Lieutenant Governor
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs; Ellen Roy Herzfelder, Secretary
Department of Fish and Game; David Peters, Commissioner
Mass. Riverways Programs -Riverways News Notes #11 - March 23, 2004
251 Causeway St. Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1540
http://www.massriverways.org
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