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Assessing Dams for Environmental Risks
Dear River Advocates,
As Riverways’River Restore Programexplores ways to restore river systems, fish passage and aquatic habitats,itsstaff continually find unexpected problem areas and devise creative solutions. Often these solutions have statewide and nation-wide application. Because Massachusetts has jurisdiction over approximately 3000 dams, one for every three miles of river, River Restore has made selective dam removal one of its major tools in restoring and reconnecting natural and cultural river communities. Because River Restore is not a campaign to remove all dams, staff learn aboutspecificdamsthrough responding torequests from dam owners, municipalities, watershed and fishing groups and others. Although every dam alters river flow, each one has a distinctive history and a place in their communities. In determining which ones are suitable for removal, River Restore works with the community, state and federal agencies, dam owners tocarefullyevaluate fish passage, social, historical, environmental and human health issues. As they work on this evaluation, they must determine the risks to the environment of leaving the dam in place, breaching it or removing it entirely. InRiver Restore CoordinatorKaren Pelto’s words, “we found that impending trouble at a dam is not so obvious.”
In her quest to find criteria for when a dam should be removed, Karen learned thatconventionalinspections of dams look at risks to public safetyonly, not to public or environmental health. Believing strongly that there should be an objective manner of evaluating environmental risk, Karen and Riverways applied for--and received-- aMass. Environmental TrustGrant to develop a GIS-basedIndex of Environmental Risk. This issue ofRiverways NewsNoteshighlights the work of Karen andMike Merrill, River Restore Staff Scientist, in developing and applying this index.
Riverways Programs has seen some staff changesrecently. After working successfully for the past two years with Karen in establishing several River Restore Programs, Mike Merrill has taken a position with the Rhode Island Natural Resources Conservation Services. Under Karen’s direction, Mike researched and developed the Index of Environmental Risk Assessment, Impounded Sediment and Dam Removal in Massachusetts, and co-authored with USGSa report entitledSediment Quality and PCBs in the Lower Neponset River. Mike brought many skills to Riverways,including his analytical GIS skills, his interpretive abilities and his strong interpersonal skills. We will miss him.
As with every door that closes, another opens. Riverways is delighted to announce the hiring ofBrian Graber, replacing MikeasRiver Restore’sStaff Scientist. Formerly withTrout Unlimited’s National officeand a founder of his own consulting firm, Brian has had extensive experience with dam removal, fish passage, watershed assessment and has co-authored and co-edited several works on dam removal, includingSmall Dam Removal: A Review of Potential Economic BenefitsandDam Removal Success Stories. Brian, a fluvial geomorphologist and civil engineer, brings a tremendous background with him, as well as ability to work well with all of us. We look forward to your meeting him and know that you will enjoy working with him as we do.
We also want to thankChris Carney, Lake Watershed Stewardship Coordinator, for his outstanding work on a§319 grant from DEP that resulted in training 185 volunteers on 22 lakes and ponds and sections of streams, action plans and reports for the groups and a Final Report of theLake Watershed Stewardship Program. Working with Chris was a great joy for me and all the Riverways Staff. Together we created a program for lakes based on the successfulAdopt-A-Stream Shoreline Survey/Action Planning Processand updated it to focus on nonpoint source pollution. Chris brought many skills, insights, innovations and hard work to the program, exceeded the scope we wrote for him and helped many lake groups. Thanks to Chris for establishing aTrain-the-Trainer Programto continue this work statewide. We wish him well in Washington D.C. and appreciate all his contributions to Riverways.
As Thanksgiving nears, we arethankful for everything thatrivers give us as well asforthe opportunities to know all of you. We appreciate all that you do and all we learn from you as we work together for the rivers. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Joan Kimball
P.S.:As usual, following the lead articlebelow,this edition ofNewsNotescontainsa largeResources and Grantssection to support your excellent river work. As some of theapplicationdeadlinesfor upcoming grant rounds are fast approaching you may want to quickly skim that section first so you don’t miss out on any time-sensitive opportunities.
P.P.S.: If these e-mailNews Noteswere 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 theseNews Notesis in an incompatible format to your computer’s e-mail program, we encourage you to read theon-line versionofRiverways NewsNotesposted (soon if not already) on our web page (www.massriverways.org). Also note thatall previous NewsNotes are available on-line as well. Highlight articles of past NewsNotes include: Adopt-A-Stream’s Technical Support, River Continuity, River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS), Fishway Stewardship, Nonpoint Source projects and River Restore’s Neponset Project.
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Protecting the Public, Protecting the Environment: theMassachusetts Index of Environmental Risk at Dams
In September 1999, the torrential rains of Tropical Storm Floyd strained the ability of the J.B. Dunnell Dam to safely pass increasing flows in the Falls Riverin Bernardston. As night fell and the storm raged on, the dam literally broke open, or, in the lingo of dam safety professionals, “catastrophically failed.” Luckily, a campground downstream evacuated safely from the rising waters.
Often impending trouble at a dam is not so obvious. On the French River, the visually stirring granite block spillway of the Perryville Pond Dam(located on the Dudley/Webster line, just above the Connecticut border),with its cascading frothy waters,distracts the casual observer from seeing the dam’s steady decline. Penetration of the dam’s earthen embankment by the roots of trees and shrubs allowed the river to steadily carve a path around the spillway and undermine the structure.
Inspection and evaluation of dams in Massachusetts (and around the country) has traditionally been directed toward determining the risk of their failure to public safety. This entails characterizing the structural condition of the dam (“good”,“poor”,“unsafe” or “failing”), the hydraulic adequacy of the dam (its ability to pass storm flows of various magnitudes), and location of people and structures downstream of the dam (“high”,“significant” or“low”hazard to life and property). The Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety has acknowledged that thecurrent, narrowly-drawndefinition of public safetyfor “loss or damage to life and property” limits their ability to fully protect public resources up and downstream of the approximately 3000 dams in the state inventory, approximately one for every three miles of riverin the Commonwealth.
Unfortunately, ensuring the safety of people and property downstream of dams does not eliminate all risks to the public and public resources. For example, Perryville Pond Dam on the French River is rated as a “significant” hazard as failure “may cause loss of life and/or cause serious damage to homes…or cause the interruption of the use of service of important facilities.”
There’s more to the story, however, as the approximately 71,000 cubic yards of sediment trapped behind the dam are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals such as copper, lead, and cadmium. An uncontrolled breach of this dam would release these contaminated sediments into the river downstream into waters under the State of Connecticut’s jurisdiction. Fortunately, funding through the former Massachusetts Watershed Initiative enabled a temporary repair to be made at the dam in the fall of 2001, in effect “buying time”to enablea long-term solution to be identified and implemented.
Natural resource planning can also be limited in its expectations and treatment of dams. Often, dams are considered permanent features of the landscape for purposes of analysis and prediction for water quantity and quality planning. However, as static man-made structures placed within dynamic natural systems, dams also cause or contribute to impacts to rivers distinct from those resulting from emergency situations.
Two years following the catastrophic breach of the J.B. Dunnell Dam on the Falls River, the Town of Bernardston took title to the remnants of the dam and portions of the abutting property. The free-flowing stream channel is now aquatic habitat that is both accessible and suitable for cold water fisheries, including Atlantic Salmon fry.
Introducing the Massachusetts Index of Environmental Risk at Dams
Thanks to funding from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Riverways’River Restore Programhas developed a draft GIS-based analytical framework, theIndex 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 to aquatic and other public resources from the uncontrolled breach or catastrophic failure of dams.
Developing a viable Index of Environmental Risk will focus scarce public dollars on necessary and environmentally appropriate dam repair and dam removal projects and will provide the baseline information necessary for individual dam owners, municipalities, and grassroots conservation organizations to address the status of dams in their watershed communities.
Regarding the causal and related environmental impacts of dams, we have proposed using three metrics using data that are available and comparable across watersheds:fragmentation(physical barriers),inundation(acreage and length of habitat transformed from riverine to ponded conditions), anddegradation(hydrologic residence time as a surrogate for relative water quality).
Regarding environmental hazard, we have explored two potential sources of natural resource impacts that may result from catastrophic dam failure: release of contaminants from either behind the dam (impounded sediment) or in the inundation zone downstream (land uses), and/or damage to sensitive aquatic species or habitats downstream due to the release of high velocity waters and/or uncontaminated sediment.
Due to the paucity of site-specific sediment quality data, we have adapted a model developed by the University of Massachusetts for the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program called AQUALAND to predict the likelihood that sediment impounded behind dams are to be contaminated. The model integrates current contaminant loading, fine-grained sediment loading, and the sediment-trapping efficiency of dams.
This year, we will be testing how robust the Index acts as a predictive tool for identifying and prioritizing opportunities to restore and protect aquatic habitats. In particular, we will be collaborating with The Nature Conservancy as well as Department of Fish and Game biologists to evaluate the environmental impact metrics. We have also contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey to test the predictive model associated with environmental hazard.
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Resources and Grants
Grants
TheNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) partners withTrout Unlimited(TU) to fund coastal projects benefiting anadromous fish submitted toTU’s Embrace-A-Streamprogram (http://www.tu.org/conservation/eas.asp. The applicant must be a TU local chapter. Embrace-a-Stream projects can and do occur inland as well. People or organizations with fisheries restoration ideas should contact their local TU chapter to discuss forming a partnership to apply for project funds under this RFP. Proposals due December 22, 2003.
TheGreater Worcester Community Foundation's Water and Land Stewardship Fundseeks to improve the region's environmental quality by focusing on water quality and related land use issues and to encourage grassroots efforts that raise awareness about these concerns. Non-profit organizations, grassroots or other community groups working to improve the environmental health of Worcester County are eligible. Grants range from $500-$2500. Submissiondeadlinesare March1, June1, September 1, andDecember 1. Go on-line tohttp://www.greaterworcester.orgfor more info. The application (http://www.greaterworcester.org/grants/WLS-app.pdf is relatively easy and straightforward.
TheBoston Foundation(TBF) recently issued grant guidelines for the upcoming (2004) grant round for theNew England Natural Areas and Wildlife Grants Programof TBF’sFund for the Environment(FFE). This fund, formerly known as the Fund for the Preservation of Wildlife and Natural Areas, has been making grants in New England for nearly four decades. As in the past, the Grants Program priorities include: (1) Land Conservation; (2) Land Stewardship; (3) Education and Outreach; and (4) Preservation of Flora for Wild Birds (e.g., the planting and/or upkeep of trees, shrubs and other plants that protect and encourage wild bird life on land owned or controlled by the applicant - the FFE is particularly interested in receiving applications in this last category). The Fund’s focus is New England and the most serious consideration will be give where a small grant will significantly increase the project’s likelihood of success. Grant awards average $5,000 but can go up to $20,000 for category (4) projects. The proposal submission deadline isFriday, December 5th. For more information, contact Dulcea Morgan [(617) 338-1700,dlm@tbf.orgor go on-line tohttp://www.tbf.org/fund/fund-L2.asp?id=771.
TheV. Kann Rasmussen Foundation(http://www.vkrf.org/about.html) was established in 1991 with funds derived from the VELUX group of companies, which were founded by Villum Kann Rasmussen (1909-1993) in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1941. The Foundation has chosen the environment as the principal focus of its grantmaking. The foundation also believes strongly in the power of collaboration among people, among institutions and across disciplines, and it reflects this in its grantmaking whenever possible. The foundation also believes that the public deserves to be as well informed as possible on environmental issues, and that corporations and institutions should address environmental issues in a responsible way. The Foundation considers funding proposals twice each year, at meetings held in March-April and October-November. The Foundation requires aletter of inquiry, prior to the grant applicant receiving an invitation to submit a full proposal. Letters of inquiry must be received no later thanDecember 20, 2003in order to be considered for the next grant review meeting in April 2004. Invitations to submit full proposals will be sent byJanuary 20, 2004, with proposals due no later thanFebruary 23, 2004. The letter of inquiry should describe, in no more than three pages, the organization and its goals, the proposed project, its purpose, likely impact, timeline, budget, other sources of funds, and amount requested. Letters of inquiry should be submitted by e-mail if possible. For more information, visit the foundation’s website or contact Martin S. Kaplan, Trustee, at Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, (617) 526-6610, (617) 526-5000 (fax), ormartin.kaplan@haledorr.com.
TheCaptain Planet Foundationprovides grants ranging from $250 - $2,500 for projects that: promote understanding of environmental issues; focus on hands-on involvement; involve children and young adults 6-18 (elementary through high school); promote interaction and cooperation within the group; help young people develop planning and problem solving skills; include adult supervision and commit to follow-up communication with the Foundation (specific requirements are explained once the grant has been awarded). Submission deadline December 31, 2003. For more info go on-line to:http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/aboutUs.html#policies_grant_guidelines.
TheAcorn Foundationsupports projects dedicated to building a sustainable future for the planet and to restoring a healthy global environment. The foundation is particularly interested in small and innovative community-based projects which: preserve and restore habitats supporting biological diversity and wildlife; advocate for environmental justice, particularly in low-income and indigenous communities; and prevent or remedy toxic pollution. The Acorn Foundation makes grants in the $5,000 to $10,000 range to grassroots organizations. Applicationdeadlines for proposals are January 15thand June 15th (postmarked by these dates) for Spring and Fall grantmaking meetings. Decisions usually take at least 6 months from date of submittal. More info is available on-line at
http://www.commoncounsel.org/pages/foundation.html#acorn.
TheJessie B. Cox Charitable Trust(http://www.hembar.com/selectsrv/jbcox/cox.html) funds projects in New England in the areas of health, education and the environment and is particularly interested in projects that primarily benefit underserved populations and disadvantaged communities in New England, as well as projects that focus on prevention rather than remediation. The Trust is interested in supporting environmental projects which will have a positive impact on: protection of critical natural resources; energy conservation; public awareness of the critical environmental issues facing the region; protection of the public’s health, especially in low income or minority communities. The trust is also interested in fostering collaborations among nonprofit organizations. Grant awards range from $25,000 - $ 75,000 (average award = $ 35,000). The deadline for submittingconcept papersisJanuary 15, 2004,April 15, 2004,July 15, 2004, October 15, 2004. For more information, contact: The Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust, Select Client Services, Hemenway & Barnes, 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109-1899, (617) 227-7940, x 775,scs@hembar.com.
TheAmelia Peabody Charitable Fund’sEnvironment Programsupports open space land acquisition. The Fund will consider projects throughout New England but has a preference for those in Massachusetts, particularly in the Boston area. Submission deadlines for proposals are:February 1, June 1,and October 1. For more information and copy of grant guidelines, contact Jo Anne Borek, Executive Director, Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund, 10 Post Office Square, Suite 995, Boston, MA 02109-4603 or call (617) 451-6178.
TheCommunity Foundation of Western Massachusetts(CFWM,http://www.communityfoundation.org/content/grants/index.htm) will be hosting its next Grants Information Training Session, entitled "Introduction to Community Foundation Discretionary Grants", onTuesday, January 6, 2004, from 3 p.m. to 4 PMat CFWM’s Stebbins Board Room, 1500 Main St, 23rdFloor in Springfield. This session is open to organizations who have not previously applied for grants at the Community Foundation, and also new staff of previously-funded organizations. Although there is no cost to attend this session, space is limited and pre-registration is recommended. You can register on-line athttp://www.communityfoundation.org/content/grants/Grants_Workshop_form1_9-03.htmor by calling CFWM at 413.732.2858.
The NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund,sponsored in New England byBay State GasandNorthern Utilities, provides grants of up to $5,000 for projects that directly enhance, protect or preserve the environment AND produce a tangible result. They require 20% cash or in-kind match of total project costs and do not fund property acquisition, landscaping and beautification projects, full-time/regular in-house/staff positions or schools where the project falls within the educational curriculum. Note that your project must be in a Bay State Gas or Northern Utilities service community. In Mass. this includes: Agawam, Andover, Attleboro, Avon, Bellingham, Berkley, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Chicopee, Dighton, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Easton, Florence, Foxboro, Franklin, Granby, Halifax, Hampden, Hanover, Hanson, Holbrook, Indian Orchard, Lakeville, Lawrence, Leeds, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Mansfield, Marshfield, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Methuen, Millis, Monson, Norfolk, North Andover, Northampton, Norton, Norwell, Palmer, Pembroke, Plympton, Randolph, Raynham, Rehoboth, Scituate, Seekonk, Sharon, South Hadley, Southwick, Springfield, Stoughton, Taunton, Walpole, West Bridgewater, West Springfield, WilbrahamandWrentham. Emphasis for this funder is "on-the-ground protection or restoration." The cost of buying plants for the construction phase of a wetland restoration project is would clearly be eligible, for example. Education projects can also work, but they should be targeted education activities needed to accomplish some sort of short term, tangible, protection and restoration goal. Applications accepted November 1stthrough February 1stfor funding decision in April.Seehttp://www.nisource.com/enviro/ecf.aspfor more info.
To encourage innovative thinking and “can do” approaches about environmental challenges throughout theU.S. EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER)programs, OSWER established the Innovations Work Group (IWG) and an Innovation Pilot Initiative. The IWG’s primary goals are to pilot and test new ideas and integrate innovation into everyday worklife to make OSWER programs more efficient, effective, and user-friendly.
The IWG anticipates providing at least $500,000 to fund creative proposals testing innovative approaches to one or more of the following priority areas:
· environmental protection through community revitalization;
· energy recovery, recycling, waste minimization;
· retail initiative/building public support for environmental stewardship;
· homeland security related to chemical emergency prevention preparedness and response
Up to $75,000 can be requested per pilot, however, it is strongly suggested that you be as realistic as possible in your request. The average funding per pilot is $35,000. The anticipated period of performance for the pilots is one to two years.
Proposals for funding under this program generally can be submitted by EPA employees in OSWER headquarters or regional offices; public authorities (Federal, State, interstate, intrastate, and local); public agencies and institutions; nonprofit private organizations, agencies, and institutions; academia; and federally recognized Tribes. The IWG anticipates having two review rounds in Fiscal Year 2004 - one in the Winter and one in the Spring. Proposals for the Fall are due December 5, 2003and proposals for the Spring are due April 16, 2004. All proposals must be received electronically by 6:00 p.m. local time on the due date. For more info go tohttp://www.epa.gov/oswer/iwg/announcement.htm.
To further preserve and restore the country’s waterways, the Bush Administration is calling on the nation’s governors and tribal leaders to apply for the second round ofEPA’s Watershed Initiative(WI) grants. In May 2003, EPA announced the first round of nearly $15 million in grants to 20 watershed organizations selected as part of this new Watershed Initiative. The president has asked Congress for a$21 millionappropriation for grants in 2004 to support community-based approaches and activities to help local water resources.
Last year, EPA selected 20 watershed organizations (including theCharles River Watershed Associationand thePartnership for Narragansett Bay) to receive grants averaging$700,000 each. The selected organizations were chosen to receive the awards because their work plans were the most likely to achieve environmental results in a relatively short-time period. For example: over 70 percent of the selected projects address agricultural pollution; 50 percent address urban and industrial runoff; 50 percent address the relationship between water quality and habitat restoration for wildlife and endangered or threatened species and 30 percent have projects aimed at the homeowner. Several projects will study a more innovative, market-based approach to attaining water quality and will test possibilities such as pollutant trading and crop insurance.
For 2004, the EPA is continuing its focus on approaches aimed to provide quick, measurable environmental results (esp. re water quality improvement), partnerships, innovation, and program integration. In addition, this year more emphasis will be placed on market-based approaches and other socio-economic strategies. Also in 2004, the EPA is proposing that about $500,000 of the WI money be made available for assistance agreements to organizations offeringcapacity building programs for all watershed organizations. This latter effort will entail enhancing national tools, training, and technical assistance that will help local partnerships be more effective at improving watershed health, so that all watershed organizations, from fledgling groups to sophisticated coalitions, will benefit from the Initiative.
WI Nominations must be submitted by Governors or Tribal Leaders. Therefore, watershed organizations interested in pursuing a WI grant are required to obtain the support and approval of their Governors or Tribal Leaders. Karl Honkonen of MA EOEA[(617) 626-1138,Karl.Honkonen@state.ma.us] is coordinating WI submissions to Governor Romney, so it is strongly recommended that you contact Karl ASAP after reading a memo on this subject posted to EOEA’s Web page (http://www.state.ma.us/envir/eoea/watershedInitiativeGrants.htm) if you may be interested in going for a WI grant. Governors or Tribal Leaders are limited to two watershed nominations within their jurisdiction, yet may nominate an unlimited number of watersheds that cross state, tribal, or national boundaries. Interjurisdictional nominations only need to be nominated by one Governor or Tribal Leader, however, the appropriate water agency of the adjacent jurisdiction must be a partner and supporter of the project.
Nominations by the country’s governors and tribal leaders for the second year of grants competition will be due to EPA on or beforeJan. 15, 2004(but nominations to the Governor must be submitted to EOEA considerablybeforethat date (by3:00 PM on Wed. December 3rdto be precise). For more information, go tohttp://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/initiative/2004nominations.html, which contains a link to detailed info posted in the Federal Register, or contact William Walsh-Rogalski [(617) 918-1035,walshrogalski.william@epa.gov].
TheMass.Office ofCoastal Zone Management(MCZM) will soon be issuing a Request for Responses RFR) for itsCoastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants(formerlyCPR Plus) program. Grants are provided to public and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts coastal watersheds for the following types of projects: assessment, identification, and characterization of nonpoint sources; development of transferable tools (nonstructural best management practices), such as guidance documents, model by-laws, and land use planning strategies; and the implementation of innovative and unique demonstration projects. These grants complement the CPR grants, which fund municipal projects that deal with stormwater discharges from roads, highways, or parking areas or for municipal boat sewage management efforts. CZM held a pre-RFR informational meeting on 10/30; CZM can only offer general information to respondents after the RFR is posted. For details, seehttp://www.state.ma.us/czm/coastalnpsgrants.htmor contact Julie Keane, Coastal NPS Grants Coordinator, at (617) 626-1235, orjulie.keane@state.ma.us.
Last but not least,Restore America’s Estuaries(http://www.estuaries.org) recently released a study entitled “Funding for Habitat Restoration Projects: A Citizen’s Guide”, detailing around eighty different sources of federal funding for estuary-related restoration projects. (Some of these funding sources are also available for inland projects.) These range in size from the Estuary Habitat Restoration Act, which provides $1 million to restore degraded estuary habitats, to the Surface Transportation Program, a $5.9 billion program which may be used for habitat restoration in conjunction with transportation enhancements projects within the National Highway System.
The 80 programs fall under seven federal agencies: the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Transportation, and Health and Human Services. The funding guide provides a quick, comprehensive and accessible review of the often hidden federal funds that may be used to implement on-the-ground habitat restoration projects. Its design and layout provides users with easy access to critical information about funding sources, eligibility and contact. The guide is available online as a printable PDF document and as an interactive database athttp://www.estuaries.org/policyandfunding.php.
On-line Resources
Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow(AHT)
http://www.healthytomorrow.org
AHT is a coalition of Massachusetts citizens, scientists, health professionals, workers, and educators seeking preventive action on toxic hazards. Its goal is to correct fundamental flaws in government policies that allow harm to our health and environment. AHT members will create proactive policies to prevent harm before the damage is done, and to choose the safest alternatives. We believe protection of our health must become the first priority of government policy. TheCampaign to Protect Child Healthis AHT’s first project and is described in more detail on this web page.
Audubon Magazine
http://audubon.org
We are featuringNational Audubon Society’sAudubon Magazine again inNewsNotes (seehttp://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/river/newsnotesapril7.htmfor the previous time) as it continues to publish well-written and highly useful articles and makes them easily available on-line to anyone. The September 2003 issue included a great feature article (entitled “Good to the Last Drop”, http://magazine.audubon.org/backyard/backyard0309.html) on setting up arain garden, a BMP (best management practice) for locally-based stormwater management, and, in the same issue, had a short piece ongreen roofs(http://magazine.audubon.org/fieldnotes/fieldnotes0309.html#4).(Related info is posted on-line athttp://www.raingardens.organdhttp://www.greenroofs.com).
Charity Channel(CC)
http://charitychannel.com
Not a cable TV program (despite the confusing name), CharityChannel is an on-line resource that connects you to your nonprofit colleagues across town, across the country, and around the world. Founded in 1992, CC’s goal is to create a place where nonprofit professionals can connect, learn from each other, share information and work together to advance the cause of philanthropy. The CC community is comprised of nonprofit sector professionals from around the world who volunteer their time, advice, information, tips and articles for the benefit of the community. The content-laden CC website directs (or "channels") this information through its vast network, approves, edits and/or packages it up, and directs it back out to you by way of: Forum discussion lists, e-newsletters, updated news links, book reviews, interviews, job postings, consultants listings and product/service listings. Although CC charges a modest subscriber fee of $18 for 6 months ($3 per month) or $24 for 1 year ($2 per month), it will not turn away any individual without means to pay the fee. In addition, CC has not created barriers to entry by password protecting the site, forums or articles. The website is open to the public and visitors are invited to become involved.
Coastal and Public Access Guides
http://www.appgeo.com/atlas/project_source/czmat/czmat_fr.htmland
http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/PAB/viewer.htm
TheMassachusetts Coast Guide: Access to Public Open Spaces Along the Shoreline - Volume One: Greater Boston Harbor and the North Shore, a book published byMCZMin 1995, is now on-line. Click on any of the four dozen maps shown on an index map of the Massachusetts coastline from Salisbury to Nantasket Beach to get a blown-up version of that area with all the open spaces (federal, state, local, private non-profit) providing access to the shoreline displayed and briefly described. In the meantime,MassGIShas developed an on-line guide to the more than two hundred access points to coastal and inland waterways included in the statePublic Access Board(http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/pab) system. Simply draw a box around the specific area of the state you’re interested in on the MassGIS PAB viewer index map to zoom in to see (and print if you wish) the location of any PAB sites in that area, superimposed on a USGS topo map. For more information, contact Dennis Ducsik[(617)626-1215,dennis.ducsik@state.ma.us].
Ecologically Sustainable Water Management(ESWM)
http://www.freshwaters.org/eswm
A focus area ofThe Nature Conservancy(TNC)’s burgeoning and much-welcomed interest in protecting/restoring freshwater aquatic ecosystems, ESWM is TNC’s strategy for finding a balance between the fresh water needs of people and ecosystems. The goal of ESWM is to protect the ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems while meeting inter-generational human needs for water and sustaining the full array of other products and services provided by freshwater ecosystems. This web page sets out the key components of an ecologically sustainable water management program, in which human needs for water are met by storing and diverting water in a manner that can sustain or restore the ecological integrity of affected river ecosystems. Although TNC believes that ecologically sustainable water management is attainable in the vast majority of the world’s river basins, this quest will become far less feasible if we wait until water supplies are further over-appropriated. TNC is hosting anESWM workshop on Dec. 4-5in Charlottesville, VA go to
http://www.freshwaters.org/eswm/workshopfor more details.(See theMiscellaneoussection below for two related items.)
Electronic Field Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of Small Streams in Eastern MA
http://efg.cs.umb.edu/streams/streamsKey
Created by entomologist Fred SaintOurs, this interactive Electronic Field Guide is designed to assist in the identification of some of the many invertebrates found in small streams throughout eastern Massachusetts. This version of the EFG does not cover all freshwater macroinvertebrates found in the region, but does include more than 100 genera found during invertebrate surveys in the major coastal watersheds. Streams ranging in size from tiny headwater springs to third-order tributaries were sampled, and both perennial and intermittent streams were investigated for macroinvertebrate fauna. The aim of this project is to enhance biological inventory and monitoring programs that require identification of stream invertebrates, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these important conservation efforts, and to inspire anyone else who might be deterred by the difficulties in aquatic invertebrate identification.
Field Notes
http://www.wfcr.org/fieldnotes.html
“Field Notes” is the title of a long-running weekly radio segment aired each Monday morning just after 7:30AM on public radio station WFCR-FM 88.5 in Amherst. Field Notes host and naturalistLaurie Sandersexplores significant natural areas, special plants and animals, and "natural happenings" in the Connecticut River watershed and beyond. Reports range from special habitats in state parks and local conservation land, to the communal roosting of crows and the question of why red-tailed hawks "like" Interstate 91. They follow the seasons and are augmented with the natural sounds that evoke particular environments. Fortunately for those of us that live/work outside of WFCR’s range, all current and past Field Notes programs are accessible on-line at the station’s website, as well as links to many of the organizations and people mentioned in the radio stories. Readers of this newsletter might find of particular interest a recent Field Notes segment (http://www.wfcr.org/sounds/fentonriverfish.ram) on assessing the quality and quantity of fisheries habitat at various streamflows of the Fenton River in eastern Connecticut.
Fish Consumption For Subsistence Fishermen
http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=56417
The EPA is currently engaged in at least two studies (another one being “Mercury Concentrations In Fish Consumption Patterns And Major Sources Of Mercury”,http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=56070) looking at the potential human health risks posed by eating fish contaminated by harmful chemicals. A related document available on-line from the EPA is entitled“Fish Consumption andEnvironmental Justice: A Report developed from the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Meeting of December 3-6, 2001”(revised and updated November, 2002), which is available on-line athttp://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/ej/fish_consump_report_1102.pdf.
Gardening for Life Guide
http://www.seattleaudubon.org/Conservation/CampaignsProjects/GardenforLifeGuide.html
Published by the Seattle Audubon Socierty,Gardening for Life - An Inspirational Guide to Creating Healthy Habitat.Is a48-page bookletthat will show you how and make you eager to trytaking very small and simple stepstomake a big difference to the quality of habitat available to wildlifein your neighborhood and community. Although the book is oriented to Seattle-area residents, most of the techniques presented in the case studies are widely applicable elsewhere. The booklet also includes a section entitled “Healthier Yards… Healthier Neighborhoods … Healthier Habitats,"whereyou can learn about the risks of traditional ways of gardening, especiallyissuesrelated to water problems and the hazards posed by many common pesticides and herbicides.The guide is downloadable for free from this web page, orask the Nature Shop(info@seattleaudubon.org, (206)523-8243 x10) to send you a copy for $5 (shipping and handling.)
Grassroots.org
http://www.grassroots.org/do/Home
Launched in 2002 by Michael Mann, Grassroots.org is a provider of free Internet and business services, i.e. domain names, hosting, e-mail and consulting, to qualified §501(c)(3) charities. Grassroots.org serves a clearinghouse for the best selection of 600+ domain names to build upon for humanitarian purposes to enable non-profits and everyday citizens to conduct their charitable activities online as efficiently as possible. This website believes that the Internet has the power to make the world a safer, happier, healthier place by using advanced business and communications tools like domain names, to gain leverage in spreading usable social information. This strategy seems to be working as their vast network of associated domain names are attracting loads of traffic and receiving positive visitor comments.
A prime example of this power can be seen athttp://www.EarthCare.org, a domain name that was supplied and co-developed by Grassroots.org. According to Grassroots.org, EarthCare's domain name has been a key contributor to getting the group's message heard: to educate and inspire youth to care for their communities and the Earth. Their web site is helping educate youth to create lifestyles that are beneficial to the natural environment by engaging them in programs that implement innovative environmental solutions. EarthCare.org, with the help of Grassroots.org, demonstrates that a domain name and web site have the power to communicate meaningful messages and information that are contributing towards building a better world.
Grassroots.org provides free Internet business services to charities, including full-featured web hosting and e-ail services. It also provides limited consulting to charities at no charge. In the future Grassroots.org envisions providing free legal services, free financial services, and free computer/technology consulting services.
H2ouse: Water Saver Home
http://www.h2ouse.org
Hosted by the California Urban Water Conservation Council, H2ouse.org is a very user-friendly and interactive web page focused on the many ways homeowners can conserve water, both indoors and outdoors. It includes graphics and information helpful for understanding the issues for each water saving measure and for promoting action. While the “xeriscaping” (landscape plantings tolerant of dry conditions) recommendations may reflect California plantings, most of the other information is directly relevant to Massachusetts residents.
Local Greenprinting for Growth
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=10648&folder_id=175
Publishedby theTrust for Public Landin partnership with the National Association of Counties--and completely revised from the version previously on TPL's Web site--this workbook series is a guide for communities seeking to create a greenprint conservation program.“Greenprinting”is TPL's term for a smart growth strategy that ensures quality of life, clean air and water, recreation, and economic health. The workbooks (Vols. I-IV) can be purchased or downloaded for free from this website.For more information on the Local Greenprinting for Growth series, contact Kathy Blaha[kathy.blaha@tpl.orgor (202) 543-7552].
Losing Ground: At What Cost?
http://www.massaudubon.org/News_&_Action/news.php?id=19&editorial=no
Low density, large lot residential development continues to consume forest and agricultural land in ecologically sensitive areas, according to a newMassachusettsAudubonSociety(MAS)report,Losing Ground: At What Cost?, the latest edition in its Losing Ground series. The report is based on research into changes in land use and their impact on habitat, biodiversity, and ecosystem services in Massachusetts. While the state has seen little or no growth in single-family housing starts, residential development represents a growing proportion of land consumption. The average living area for new homes increased 44 percent between 1970 and 2002, while average lot sizes increased 47 percent in the same period. Average lot sizes more than doubled in Plymouth, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, and Hampshire counties. Particularly inefficient land consumption involving a large number of acres per new housing unit or new permanent resident could be seen in a "sprawl frontier" running through Worcester County and north of the Cape Cod Canal.
"The type of development we are seeing is bad for wildlife habitat and bad for people who want affordable housing,"according to MAS PresidentLaura Johnson. "Much of this development is concentrated in areas with rare species habitat or globally significant natural communities. It is proof that we can’t simply put land protection on the back burner while we wait for an economic recovery." The report also measures the economic impact of habitat loss, and includes the first statewide attempt to measure the economic value of "ecosystem services" provided by undeveloped landsuch as climate control, water filtration, and flood control. It also calls upon citizens in the Commonwealth to work with their state and local representatives to address the problems of sprawl and habitat loss.
Losing Groundis downloadable on-line at the web address above, which you can also use to access the remainder ofMass. Audubon’s spiffy updated website(well worth a look); printedcopiesof the summary report and/or technical notes may also be requested through Mass Audubon’s Advocacy Department(sendan e-mail toadvocacy@massaudubon.orgor call 781-259-2171).
Mass. Office of Commonwealth Development(OCD)
http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/content/ocd.htm
Governor Mitt Romney created theOffice of Commonwealth Development(OCD), headed by SecretaryDouglas Foy, as one of two new development agency structures in his Cabinet. The mission of OCD is to care for the built and natural environment by promoting sustainable development through the integration of energy, environment, housing, and transportation agencies' policies, programs and regulations. OCDwill encourage the coordination and cooperation of all agencies, invest public funds wisely in smart growth and equitable development, give priority to investments that will deliver living wage jobs, transit access, housing, openspace and community-serving enterprises, and be guided by a set ofSustainable Development Principles(http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/publications/SDPrinciples_color.pdf). In brief, the Sustainable Development Principles adopted by OCD are: redevelop first, concentrate development, be fair, restore and enhance the environment, conserve natural resources, expand housing opportunities, provide transportation choice, increase job opportunities, foster sustainable businesses, and plan regionally. For additional information, contact the OCD at (617) 973-7631.
Open Space Residential Design(OSRD)
http://www.greenneighborhoods.org.
Recently launched byThe Massachusetts Audubon Society, in conjunction with theGreen Neighborhoods Alliance, the OSRD website is a method of planning residential development that conserves open space in a new subdivision. Zoning bylaws that require new homes to be built on lots of one or more acres actually encourage poorly designed subdivisions that consume and fragment large tracts of land. Wildlife habitat and other environmental, recreational and aesthetic elements that open space provides are usually subsumed by lawns, driveways and other paved surfaces. OSRD, on the other hand, sets aside open space (a minimum of 50% of the total parcel) based on resource values, not by formula and is written to ease the approval process, making it less cumbersome and on par with the approval process for conventional subdivisions. Flexibility, community and board involvement during the planning process, and a desire to protect the most vital features of Massachusetts' remaining open spaces are key components of OSRD.
Smarter Land Use Project
http://www.landuse.org
Is a proposed land development causing aggravation in your neighborhood or community? (Who among us can answer “no” to that question?) If so, you might find this website of considerable help. The creation of conservation-minded New Jersey developerKarl Keyde, this website helps to resolve land use disputes and shows you how to convert any proposed project in a settled area into an asset for its surrounding neighborhood. The result of twelve years of philanthropically-funded participation in more than 500 contentious meetings between neighbors of proposed projects, planning boards, environmental groups, and developers, the procedures outlined on this website redirect the energy of confrontation and distrust to effective collaboration. Focused on community development and neighborhood enhancement, the research with forty-eight proposed developments has yielded a valuable procedure -- theProject Integration Procedure-- which produces these key advantages: needed community-enhancing features are included in each proposed project; the permitting process is less controversial, faster, easier, and with less litigation; and no outside facilitator is needed.
TheSmarter Land Use Guidebook, which may be downloaded free from this website or purchased, can help you create an effective planning team and upgrade the project with appropriate community-enhancing features. In addition, Karl (who made
several "Smarter Land Use and the Project Integration Procedure" presentations last September hosted by theNorth and South Rivers Watershed Associationand theMass. Bays Program) hasvolunteered to come back to Massachusetts to speak with any group or individual who is interested in learning more about the Project Integration Procedure.There isno chargefor this presentation; simply contact Karl at (908) 625-0638 orkarl@landuse.orgif you’re interested. Whether you are a concerned citizen, planning board member, developer, or environmentalist, this presentation will show you how to help design, finance, and gain approvals for residential and commercial projects that feature public greens, recreational facilities, affordable housing, architecture in the best character of the existing neighborhood, wildlife sanctuaries, and walkways throughout the project from adjacent neighborhoods directly to important destinations. Entertaining and easy to understand, the discussion is packed with real life examples of stakeholders teaming up to create amazing community-enhancing land development plans. A MUST attend for anyone and everyone involved in land development.
Social Web
http://www.socialweb.net
Created by Worcester-area resident Troy Thompson,The Social Webwebsiteprovidesan easy way for peoplein Central Mass. and beyondto find out what's happening in their community as well as promote their own events, and to meet other people with similar interests. Want to know what's going on and don't have time to search through the papers or lots of web sites? The Social Web Things to Do section is all you need. Having an event of your own? The Social Web currently averages 1,700 unique visitors a day and growing. Tell them about it! No more poster boards and markers. No more stuffing mailboxes. No more taking down posters and picking up discarded flyers after the event is over. Events posted to the Social Web reach the people who are looking for things to do, and is a great place to advertise events of any size - fromnature walks, river cleanups, environmental art exhibitions, the meeting times/locationsof your groupand so on. Go for it. It's free, so you have nothing to lose.
Watershed Water Quality Assessments
http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/wm/wqassess.htm
TheMass. Department of Environmental Protection(DEP)’sDivision of Watershed Management (DWM) gathers and assesses credible scientific environmental monitoring data (http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/wm/envmonit.htm) on a watershed basis to support a variety of mandated programs under the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA). The objective of the CWA is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. To meet this goal, the CWA requires states to develop information on the quality of their water resources and report this information to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Congress, and the public. To this end the DWM is charged with collecting data both from its own monitoring program, as well as those of other agencies and institutions, and analyzing that information against the Massachusetts Water Quality Standards or other appropriate guidance and criteria.
Data gathered by DEP staff and other credible sources during Years 1 and 2 of the five-year watershed planning cycle (http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/wm/files/CYCLEMAP6.JPG) are analyzed during Year 3 and these assessments are published in individual watershed reports that serve to answer the following questions. How many waters are actually monitored and assessed? Do these waters support aquatic life? Are they safe for swimming and other recreation? Are fish and shellfish living in these water safe to eat? In addition to these reports, the DWM submits a statewide Section 305(b) Summary of Water Quality Report to EPA every two years.
A major function of these DEP watershed water quality assessment reports was at one time to provide water resources information to the Massachusetts Watershed Initiative's (MWI) watershed teams. The reports frequently contain specific recommendations for how to reduce or eliminate water quality and instream flow impairments, which the teams were expected to follow up on. Now that the EOEA Watershed Initiative has largely been dismantled, it is up to others watershed associations, stream teams, municipal officials and interested citizens to review these reports and act on them, collaborating where possible with DEP and other state resource agencies. All completed reports are posted on-line in MS Word format and, though somewhat long, are chock-full of information on the water quality conditions of all assessed streams in each watershed. The information in each report is largely organized by segment of mainstem or tributary, so you can zero in on the particular area(s) that interest you.
[On a related topic: Riverways’ Low Flow Inventory (http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/river/rivLow_Flow_Inventory/about.html) also contains information sorted by watershed on stream segments with observed unnaturally low flows. Much of this information was gleaned from DEP’s watershed water quality assessment reports. This and other information is helping to shape the workplans for Riverways’ River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS)’ pilot volunteer flow monitoring programs in the Housatonic, South Coastal and Blackstone watersheds (see http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/river/rifls/RIFLS_Home.html).]
WateReuse Association
http://www.watereuse.org
WateReuse is an Alexandria, VA-based non-profit organization whose mission is to help its members (which includes over 130 public water agencies) create new sources of high quality water through water reuse, which is also referred to as water reclamation and water recycling. Across the United States and the world, communities are facing water supply challenges due to increasing demand, drought, depletion and contamination of groundwater, and dependence on a single source of supply. WateReuse helps communities address these challenges by supporting water projects that increase high-quality water supplies, improve reliability, protect public health, and safeguard the environment. WateReuse members employ proven and advanced treatment processes and rigorous monitoring regimes to create reliably high-quality water for a wide variety of uses from treated municipal and industrial effluents, stormwater, agricultural drainage, and sources with high salinity such as seawater and brackish water. WateReuse’s website includes reports, fact sheets and an on-line version of the monthly Water Reuse News that provides the most up-to-date news on water recycling. Call (703) 684-2409 or e-mailh2o@WateReuse.orgfor more information.
Books
Rivers for Lifeisanew book from Island Press, co-authored byThe Nature Conservancy’sBrian Richter. InRivers for Life, Richter andco-author andleading water expert Sandra Postel explain why restoring and preserving more natural river flows are key to sustaining freshwater biodiversity and healthy river systems, and describe innovative policies, scientific approaches, and management reforms for achieving those goals. They offer case studies of river management from the United States (the San Pedro, Green, and Missouri), Australia (the Brisbane), and South Africa (the Sabie), along with numerous examples of new and innovative policy approaches that are being implemented in those and other countries.Rivers for Lifepresents a global perspective on the challenges of managing water for people and nature, with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the relevant science, policy, and management issues. It presents exciting and inspirational information for anyone concerned with water policy, planning and management, river conservation, freshwater biodiversity, or related topics. For more information or to obtain a copy ofRivers for Life, go to the Island Press website atwww.islandpress.org/books/detail.html?SKU=1-55963-444-8. (FYI, an excerpt of this book appears in the latest issue of Nature Conservancy Magazine,http://nature.org/magazine/winter2003/work/index.html).
Also from Island Press,Land Conservation Financing, written by Mike McQueen and Ed McMahon ofThe Conservation Fund(http://www.conservationfund.org), provides state and local government officials, land trusts, foundations, universities and others who are interested in how to finance land conservation with new information on state-of-the-art conservation financing. It showcases eight of the nation’s leading state land conservation programs—California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey. It lays out how the programs work, how they’re funded and what they’ve accomplished —the protection of millions of acres. The book takes a similar look at local land protection efforts by examining model land conservation programs on Cape Cod, Mass., and in DeKalb County, Ga.; Douglas County, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Lake County, Ill.; Lancaster County, Pa.; Marin County, Calif.; and the St. Louis metro area. The authors examine how hundreds of communities across the U.S. have created billions of dollars in funding for land conservation by developing successful campaigns to win land conservation ballot measures.Land Conservation Financing(http://www.islandpress.org/books)also describes how private foundations, such as the Richard King Mellon Foundation, David andLucile Packard Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, have devoted hundreds of millions of dollars to land conservationin the last two decades. In closing, the authors look at the future of land conservation by profiling the emerging concept ofgreen infrastructure. Green infrastructure is a strategically planned and managed network of wilderness, parks, greenways, conservation easements and working lands with conservation value. This network supports native species, maintains natural ecological processes, sustains air and water resources, and contributes to the health and quality of life for America’s communities and people. By taking a more holistic view of natural systems and their contribution to our well-being, proponents of green infrastructure seek to elevate its status to a primary public investment on a par with roads, water and sewer systems and utilities.
Calendar
TheUniversity of Massachusetts’ Water Resources Research Centeris hosting a conference entitled“Water Resources in the Northeast: Science and Policy”onFriday, December 5thfrom 8AM to 4:30PM in Room 163 theUMass Campus Centerin Amherst. Presentation topics include:EPA’s Approach to Water Quality and Watershed Policy-NewDirections and Programs;Developing Massachusetts Water Policy; andWater Resources Modeling: Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction. A complete program can be viewed on-line athttp://www.umass.edu/tei/water2003/program.html. The registration fee is $75 (includes lunch) but scholarshipsareavailable to watershed groups with low or no budget. To register or for more information, contactJane Wrisley[(413)545-2842 orjwrisley@tei.umass.edu],Marie-Françoise Walk, Outreach Coordinator,Mass. Water Watch Partnership[(413)545-5531,mfwalk@tei.umass.edu], or go on-line tohttp://www.umass.edu/tei/water2003/registration.html.
“Building Watershed Community” is the theme for this year’sAnnual Meetingof theMassachusetts Watershed Coalition(MWC,http://www.commonwaters.org/member.html),scheduled forSaturday, December 6th from 9 AM to 1:30 PM intheWoodblock Building conference facility at 14 Monument Square, Leominster (same location as last year). A $5.00 registration fee will be charged. The morning panel will examine lessons learned over the past five years, and next steps to advance the community-based watershed approach in MA. Small group sessions after this plenary discussion will offer opportunities to shape new state water policy, and to develop tools for involving communities in watershed protection and restoration. Contact Ed Himlan [(978) 534-0379, ormwc@commonwaters.org]to pre-register (before 12/3 if you can).
P.S.: For those of you that can’t attend the MWC’s Annual Meeting (or even if you can), a great way to keep on top of river/watershed issues statewide and beyond is to subscribe to theMWC’s listservhttp://www.topica.com/lists/mwc-list@igc.topica.com. Don’t worry about being bombarded with dozens of e-mail messages if you subscribe; there are typically only about 3 postings per week. If even that is too much for you, you can go to the website above and read all recently-posted and archived messages at your convenience without having to subscribe.
“Building & Maintaining Your Organization & Fundraising - Big Gifts for Small Groups” is the title of a workshop co-sponsored by theNew England Grass Roots Environmental Fund, theRhode Island Land Trust Counciland theRhode Island Rivers Council. It will be held onSaturday, December 6from9:00 am - 4:30 pmat theWilliam H. Hall Free Library, 1825 Broad Street in Cranston RI (about 1/2 hour south of Providence).This full day workshop will include a half day on finding new volunteers and developing them into a team of committed leaders, and a half day on building a fundraising program that honors your mission, including identifying prospective donors, raising major gifts through the mail and “The Ask” -- face to face solicitation. The registration fee for this workshop is a very affordable $25. Contact Linn Syz, New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, 802-223-4622 orsyz@grassrootsfund.orgto pre-register or for more information.
Talking to the Wallis the title of ahilarious and disturbing documentary about another side of the bargain offered to American citizens by the world's largest retailer. Filmmaker Steve Alves' flight from sprawl and search for community launches a ten year investigation into the corrosive effects of large chain stores on the American economy and culture. The story examines another side of the bargain offered by large corporate chains--one that paves over open space, obliterates local culture, lowers wages and eliminates manufacturing jobs. A sharp-edged blend of humor and drama that reveals the fundamental conflict between consumerism and democracy, this 60-minute movie will forever alter your shopping experience. The $120,000 film was funded by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's Independent Television Service and a host of local businesses. Talking to the Wall will be shown at theGreenfield Garden Cinemas, Main Street, Greenfield: 6:00 PM daily fromDecember 5th to December 11th, 2003(Adults $6;Seniors &Children $5). For more info go tohttp://www.talkingtothewall.com.
Inspring 2004,UMassBiology ProfessorEd Klekowski will be teaching a course about the Connecticut River via theInternet.Theon-linecourse, entitled "Under the Connecticut" (Biology 290),will cover the geology, history, archaeology, and biology of the Connecticut River from a "what's down there?" perspective. It should be of interest to teachers, students and anyone wantingtolearn more about the river. The details of the course are described at Klekowski's website:http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river.
Miscellaneous
All too frequently, individuals and groups involved with natural resource conservation fail to celebrate their hard-won successes. Too often, important victories are allowed to be overshadowed by the next issue or threat. Challenges always lie ahead, but we need to take time each year to celebrate our achievements and the people who make them possible. To weave a celebratory thread throughout the watershed community, in 2001,River Networkcreated theRiver Heroes Award., a competitive, national awards program seeking to honor and recognize noteworthy heroes of the river and watershed conservation movement. Nominations may be made for any individual (board member, staff or volunteer) who has successfully worked with a river conservation organization to improve a river and its watershed or who over the years has made a consistent and substantial contribution to the growth and sustainability of the organization. Selected nominees will be honored at the River Heroes banquet (Monday, May 24th in Wintergreen, VA - site of River Network’sRiver Rally 2004-http://www.rivernetwork.org/howwecanhelp/index.cfm?doc_id=91). Heroes receive a full scholarship to the River Rally and various other gifts. To nominate yourself or another individual, please return one completed copy of the nomination form along with 3 letters of support byFriday, Feb. 13, 2004. For a nomination form and/or more information, contact Katherine Luscher, River Network, at (800) 423-6747 x384 orkluscher@rivernetwork.org.
The Nature Conservancyrecently announced thattheIndicators of Hydrologic Alteration(IHA) software is now available for free. The IHA is a software package that allows hydrologists and ecologists to create a statistical description of a daily record of stream flow and to measure changes in this description over time. The IHA is used by water resource managers and ecological researchers around the world to examine historical changes in streamflows. It is also widely used as a tool for basic research in stream ecology. For more information about the IHA, go tohttp://www.freshwaters.org/eswm/iha. To request a copy of this free software, send an e-mail to Charles Smythe (csmythe@smythescisoft.com) of Smythe Scientific Software(http://www.smythescisoft.com).
The Nature Conservancyalso recently announced the availability of a new CD entitled“Ecologically Sustainable Water Management: Managing Water for People and Healthy Rivers”.This interactive CD contains a digital version of the videoManaging River Flows for Biodiversity, information about and tools for developing ecosystem flow prescriptions, case studies and papers on ecologically sustainable water management, and links to additional resources. Order your free copy by sending an e-mail, with your name, shipping address, e-mail address and phone number to Nicole Rousmaniere (nrousmaniere@tnc.org).
Riverways Staff:
Joan Kimball, Director Special Funding:
Patricia Sheppard, Assistant Director Amy Singler, Stream Team Organizer
Russ Cohen, Rivers Advocate Carrie Banks, Stream Team Organizer WesternMA
Rachel Calabro, Adopt-A-Stream Coordinator Brian Graber, River RestoreStaff Scientist
Cindy Delpapa, Urban Rivers Coordinator Margaret Kearns, Watershed Ecologist
Karen Pelto, River Restore Coordinator Eileen Goldberg, Small Grants Administrator
********************************************
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 #8 - November 25, 2003
251 Causeway St. Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1540
www.massriverways.org
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