. Protecting the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River .

VOL. 33, NO. 4

SUMMER 2003

.A PUBLICATION OF THE CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION.

FEATURED ARTICLES
A Place For Our Parks
Senior environmental scientist page
Kate Bowditch examines how
the proposed reorganization of
Massachusetts state govern-
3
ment will affect the Metropolitan
Parks System
Defending a River
CRWA takes on the Dept. of page
Environmental Protection in an
effort to save the Ipswich
River
6
Here Comes The Rain
What’s new with SmartStorm® page
Rainwater Recovery System:
beating the harsh winter, pub-
lic appearances and more!
11
Deposits vs. Trash
New bill to increase the num- page
ber of containers with
deposits could keep more
beverage containers out of
13
our waterways. A report from the
4th Annual Charles River Cleanup

IN EVERY ISSUE
Letter From The President
CRWA Board President Kelly page
McClintock discusses the
future of our parkland system 2
CRWA News and Notes
Annual Charles report card page
released; EPA pledges a 400K
grant; new volunteer opportu-
nities abound; CRWA wins
5
leadership award

Run of the River

What’s happening on and page
around the Charles? Run of
the River profiles the projects
that are making waves
8
Watchdog for the River
A listing of the quarter’s com- page
ment letters sent to state leg-
islators by CRWA 15
Cover photos: Moments from the
2003 Run of the Charles race
INSIDE: Parks and more parks, river
runs, EPA, MDC, Ipswich, trash and less
trash, and what to do with all this rain!
 2 STREAMER

PARK REORGANIZATION: Streamer

A New Opportunity Charles River Watershed Association
48 Woerd Avenue | Waltham, MA | 02453
If we had been assigned the task phone: 781-788-0007 | fax: 781-788-0057
of planning for a Massachusetts state crwa@crwa.org | www.charlesriver.org
park system back in the 1890’s,
Board of Directors
knowing what we know today, MESSAGE
Executive Committee Lucy Caldwell-Stair
most of us never would have FROM THE
Kelly McClintock, President John P. DeVillars
come up with a Metropolitan
District Commission (MDC).
PRESIDENT Philip L. Hillman, Edward Englander
Vice President/ Environment Elizabeth C. Gilmore
With an MDC responsible for Jane Sender, Clerk Richard G. Gönci
Boston area state parks, and a William Tedoldi, Treasurer James Healy
Department of Environmental Jonathan D. Katz
Edward E. Watts, III,
Management in charge of all other Virginia M. Lawrence
Assistant Treasurer
Elizabeth Levin
state parks, our parks system is need- Ralph W. Abele, Mindy Lubber
lessly divided. This structure was created because of unique Past President Charles D. McCrea
historical and functional reasons, few of which are still valid Brian O’Donovan
today. Lee Breckenridge John G. Palfrey, Jr.
As Chairman of Massachusetts’ Green Ribbon Commission David Burmaster William D. Rieders
in the early 1990s, planning for the future of the Metropolitan Stephen H. Burrington Robert F. Sproull
Park System, I studied many state park systems. None sepa- Streamer is published in January, June and September.
rated one region, like our Boston area, into a different state
agency. All organized their parks into geographic management Moving? Send a change of address form to 48 Woerd
Avenue, Waltham, MA, 02453.
areas with centralized common support functions. This struc-
ture is efficient and effective. CRWA is a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation established in
1965 to protect and enhance the health, beauty and accessi-
CRWA and our partners believe the time is right to create a
bility of the Charles River and its tributaries. CRWA is a mem-
new Department of Conservation and Recreation, as described ber of Earth Share and the Massachusetts Environmental
in this Streamer’s lead article, Saving the Metropolitan Parks Collaborative.
System, by senior environmental scientist and policy analyst
Streamer is printed on recycled paper.
Kate Bowditch (page 3).
For years, park advocates have fought against park CRWA Staff
‘reforms’ that eliminated the MDC and consolidated park agen- Robert L. Zimmerman, Jr., Executive Director
cies. We feared that these reorganizations were intended pri- Margaret Van Deusen, Deputy Director and General Counsel
marily to score political points by eliminating an unpopular Kathleen Baskin, Project Manager
agency, expanding the state’s public works empire by giving it Kate Bowditch, Senior Environmental Scientist
control of parkways, and perhaps saving a few dollars. The end Denise Trapani Hall, Development Director
result would have been a dismantled park system, not a Dudley Bonsal, Environmental Scientist
stronger one. John Carney, Environmental Scientist
Why is this reorganization effort different? What’s different Ariel Dekovic, Office and Publications Manager
is that the drafters of this reorganization care about parks. Kenneth Dews, Finance Administrator
Doug Foy, formerly president of Conservation Law Foundation Anna Eleria, Environmental Engineer
James Fitzgerald, Laboratory Manager
(CLF), is Chief of Commonwealth Development and the driving
Nigel Pickering, Senior Engineer
force behind this new legislation. He and his Deputy, Stephen
Peggy Savage, Environmental Scientist
Burrington, also from CLF, and an 11-year member of CRWA’s
Louise Taylor, Membership Manager
Board, care deeply about the Metropolitan Parks System.
What’s different is that CRWA and other park advocates, includ- Interns: Robin Curtis, Billie Gould, Maura Kelly, Rebeca
Monje Perez, Lisa Montesi, Maria Taverna
ing concerned legislators, are able to review drafts and
Streamer logo: Lou Mucci
strengthen park protections. And what’s different is that it Streamer design: Ariel Dekovic
looks like the end result will be something we can build on to Photography: Bud Burgess, Bruce Conrad (cover photo 1
make a better park system. and page 14 photo), Eric Endlich, Bill Smith
Much work remains, and many details need to be filled in, Printed by: Charles River Publishing
but CRWA is optimistic about the future of our park system and About some of the cover photographers:
is pushing hard for the passage of this very important legisla- Bill Smith (on the key, photos 3, 5, 8) has hundreds of photos
tion. of the 2003 Run of the Charles. To inquire
about purchasing prints, send an e-mail to
rotc@longwharf.com or call 617-325-3780.
Please mention the number of your boat.
2 3
5
Eric Endlich (photos 2, 4, 6, 7) is an award-
winning nature and landscape photographer. 1 4
Kelly McClintock 7
For more information, visit his website at
President www.endlichphoto.com or contact Eric at 6 8
(781) 444-9762 or info@endlichphoto.com.
 STREAMER 3

After years of trying, change vision was to create a new, coordinated

appears to be on the horizon for the agency, the Executive Office of
Metropolitan District Commission Commonwealth Development (EOCD),
(MDC). As we go to press, it is still which would coordinate the work of the
unclear which of the possible outcomes transportation, environment, housing
will ultimately prevail, but more than at and energy departments. It is only by
any time in the past, it seems the MDC having these departments work togeth-
we all know will soon be different. For er that realistic progress can be made to
people who have been working to tackle sprawl, unplanned development,
improve management of the and unsustainable resource use. The
Metropolitan Parks System for years, vision is ambitious and exciting for those
the pace and scope of activity on park- of us who are used to seeing the envi-
land issues in the past six months ronment always considered last, and
seems amazing. The combination of the having no voice in decisions about high-
state's fiscal crisis, the election of Mitt ways, development and infrastructure.
Romney as Governor, and his subse- Part of the proposal to form EOCD
quent appointment was a reorganization
of Doug Foy to reor- “Our goals are ambitious: of the state agen-
ganize environmen-
tal administration in
M a s s a ch u s e tt s ,
rational, cies that manage
parks and forests.
The current system
SAVING THE
have all led to an transparent has the
METROPOLITAN
unprecedented Metropolitan Parks
opportunity to management System managed by
redesign the man- the MDC, operating
agement of this unri- of the entire park system; on their own, with
PARKS SYSTEM
valed park system.
CRWA began
public obscure financial
planning and virtual-
After years of debate, change
appears to be on the
working actively on
an effort to improve
participation ly no oversight.
State parks and horizon for the
stewardship of the in decision-making; and forests are managed Metropolitan District
park system last by the Department
summer. We have
been pursuing sev-
keeping the of Environmental
Management, oper-
Commission. Charles River
Watershed Association has
eral parallel efforts:
first, using specific park system ating as a complete-
ly independent state
been in the thick of lobbying
for a reorganization of state
park projects within parks agency. This
the watershed to
examine aspects of
intact . has long been rec-
ognized as an ineffi-
government that will ensure
an efficient, transparent and
new park manage-
ment ideas; second, It looks as if cient structure, but
none of the many
locally-managed parkland
agency. CRWA senior environ-
building a coalition attempts to fix it --
of partners to advo-
cate as one voice for
we may until now -- pre-
served intact the
mental scientist and policy
analyst Kate Bowditch discuss-
shared goals for
change and improve- succeed.” metropolitan parks
system, and were
es the options.
ment; and finally, therefore loudly
working directly with members of the opposed.
legislature and administration to build One option for reorganization is the
support for the type of change we need. creation of a new state park and forest
Our goals are ambitious: rational, management body: the Division of
transparent management of the entire Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
park system; public participation in deci- This division would be organized by geo-
sion-making; and, perhaps most impor- graphic region, with the Metropolitan
tant, keeping the park system, including Parks System comprising one entire
its integral parkways, intact. It looks as region. Management and maintenance
if we may succeed in many of these. of the whole system, including recre-
When Doug Foy agreed to work ational facilities like rinks and pools, as
with Governor Romney to tackle sprawl, well as the parkways, would be under
he realized that a radical restructuring of the control of this regional office.
state government was needed. Foy's One of the most important aspects
continued on page 14
 4 STREAMER

RUN OF THE CHARLES CELEBRATES 21st YEAR;

Corbin Wins Pro Race for 8th time
SignArt Inc., The Weekly Dig, Bending
by Janice Halpern, special to Streamer
Branches, Polynesian Racing Craft,
A perfect spring day brought roughly Patagonia, Nantahala Outdoor Center, SR
1500 paddlers and thousands of spectators Weiner/WS Development, the Parrot Head
to the Charles River for the 21st annual Run Club of Eastern Massachusetts, and the
of the Charles Canoe & Charles River Boat Company.
Kayak Race on April 27, A FEW OF THE American Red Cross of
2003. WINNERS Eastern Massachusetts pro-
Serge Corbin of vided medical assistance,
Quebec and Jeff Kolka of Pro Flatwater Canoe Boston Bruins defenseman
Michigan, teamed up for Hal Gill served as Honorary
Marathon
their third consecutive Chairman, and the Amateur
Corbin and Kolka
championship in the 26- Radio Relay League provided
3:18:57
mile Professional Flatwater emergency communication.
Canoe Marathon, finishing Volunteers came from
in 3:18:57. Corbin, with var- 24-Mile Relay Race
throughout the area, includ-
ious partners, has now won Quinobequin Canoe Club ing CRWA's Stream Team,
the Pro Marathon all eight 3:36:00. Parrot Head Club members,
years the Pro race has been BostonCares volunteers, and
held. Corporate Relay Race NewtonServes volunteers.
In the 24-Mile Relay Lantern Films The volunteers did it all, blow-
Race, the Quinobequin 3:56:36 ing up balloons, directing
Canoe Club posted the canoe and kayak traffic, pro-
fastest time, finishing the 5-leg, 10-person cessing registrations, handing out water,
relay in 3:36:00. The Corporate Relay Race and cheering on the racers.
saw Lantern Films' team beat 67 other In addition to watching the day-long rac-
company boats with a winning time of ing competitions, spectators at the Finish
3:56:36. Line Festival enjoyed live music from the
MDC Commissioner William McKinney rock band Johnny Park, refreshments,
was on-hand to congratulate CRWA and the exhibits, award ceremonies, plus barbecues
racers, and to accept a tree for planting as and picnics. Among the crowd-pleasing
part of the Athens Environmental spots at the Finish Line Festival were the
Foundation's Olympian "Global Olive Boston Duck Tours duck boat, captained by
Wreath" project. "Sven the Viking," and the free rides in the
Charles River Canoe & Kayak cleared Dragon Boat Club of Boston's 41' foot long
the river of obstructions, arranged boat blue and white dragon boat.
rentals, monitored safety concerns, and Plan now to attend the 22nd Annual
provided race officials. Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race on
Run of the Charles sponsors included Sunday, April 25, 2004. For information, call
Boston Duck Tours, Community Newspaper 781-788-0007. Sponsorship and other infor-
Company, Nantucket Nectars, Payless Shoe mation can also be obtained by e-mailing
Source, Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), rotc@crwa.org.
Haley & Aldrich, BSC Group, Mirant Kendall,

>>RACE ROUND-UP
(from upper lefthand corner): kayaker
by Eric Endlich; flatwater canoes by
Bud Burgess; portage by Endlich;
Corbin and Kolka pull away by
Burgess; canoers by Burgess; kayaker
by Endlich; and canoes battle by
Burgess. All photographs printed with
the photographer’s permission.
 STREAMER 5

N EWS AND N OTEWORTHY

Charles Earns a "B" on Annual Report Card;
CRWA Wins EPA Grant for “Innovative Solutions”
For the fourth consecutive year, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) announced a report card grade of
"B" for the Charles River. EPA Regional
Administrator Bob Varney announced
that the river was clean enough for boat-
ing 91 percent of the time last year, up
from 39 percent in 1995 when the river
earned a "D", and met swimming stan-
dards 39 percent of the time, compared
to 19 percent in 1995. After several
years of dramatic improvements in water
quality, data collected by CRWA volun-
teers have indicated that improvements
in the Charles continue to stay level.
The EPA also announced a $400,000
grant to help CRWA in cleanup efforts
along the Charles River. Of more than
176 nominations from around the coun-
try, CRWA's project was selected along
with 19 others. "This national competi-
tion for these Watershed Initiative grants
generated a torrent of outstanding pro-
posals," said former EPA Administrator
Christie Whitman, who announced the
winners. "EPA is very excited to commit
significant federal dollars to support
these top watershed efforts, all of which
will serve as national models for other
communities to follow."
"This is fantastic,” enthused CRWA's
Executive Director Bob Zimmerman. “It
allows us to move ahead with some of
the most innovative solutions in the
country for water pollution and in-stream
flow." One initiative to be funded under
this grant includes the boosting of in-
stream flows in the river by capturing
and reusing rooftop rainwater with
SmartStorm®, CRWA's cistern and dry-
well system. Recycling and reusing rain-
water is a high priority for CRWA
because it will boost in-stream flows in
the river and help ensure ample drinking
water supplies for Upper Charles com-
munities. Other initiatives are continua-
tion of CRWA's boathouse flagging pro-
gram for the summer, and incentives for
pollution dischargers to increase flow in
the river.

CRWA Introduces New Fish Monitoring Program

With herring migrating from the Atlantic Ocean and up
the Charles River, CRWA has embarked on a program to
count the fish that move upstream of the Watertown Dam.
The data obtained will be provided to a state fisheries biolo-
gist who is monitoring the long-term population trends of her-
ring in the Charles River.
Typically, alewife and blueback herring, which are indistin-
guishable without dissection, and which are collectively
known as river herring, run from the middle of April to late
June. When temperatures failed to rise to optimum condi-
tions, volunteers saw a delay in the start of the run. During
the height of the run in mid-May, volunteers counted upwards
of six hundred fish, during ten-minute periods, passing
through the fish ladder at the Watertown Dam.
This is a long-term project for CRWA, and we will be
seeking volunteers to count during next year’s run. For more
information, please visit our website, www.charlesriver.org,
or call Ariel Dekovic at 781-788-0007 ext. 200.

CRWA WINS UNITED NATIONS CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

ASSOCIATION ‘03 LEADERSHIP AWARD .Are you a lover of the Charles River?
This past May, the United Nations Association of Greater
Boston awarded CRWA their 2003 Leadership Award for excel- .Want a hands-on role in protecting the
lence in addressing water quality and availability needs. Here’s
what the Association had to say about CRWA:
river?
“Charles River Watershed Association provides highly com- .Looking for an excuse to get out on the
petent technical and scientific services to local communities and Charles once a month?
private entities requiring solutions to water and sanitation prob-
lems impacting on the Charles River Watershed. Of particular
note is a current CRWA initiative in two township areas to help Join over 80 volunteers who participate in
reverse the present declining watershed aquifer water CRWA’s water quality monitoring project!
reserves.... Working with a local power company, township agen-
cies and local communities, CRWA has devised a comprehen- CRWA samples along the entire length of
sive water resource management strategy involving stormwater the river, from Milford to Boston, once a
retention through cleaning and recharging of the groundwater
aquifer; retrofitting of municipal buildings and schools with lower
month at 6 AM. We need your help! If you
volume water fixtures; public education and community outreach are interested in sampling at a site near your
about water conservation and low-flow remediation; leak detec- home or work, please call Peggy Savage at
tion and remediation programs; modeling of groundwater 781-788-0007 ext. 221 for more information.
reserves and identification of the best practices to manage
them; and septic system repair. “
 6 STREAMER
CRWA Files Suit Against DEP For Failure to C
DEFENDING THE IP
by Bob Zimmerman, Executive Director
RWA has teamed up with the
C
Ipswich River Watershed
Association (IRWA), Essex County
Greenbelt Association, a land trust, and
12 concerned citizens to sue the
Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) for its
permitting of water withdrawals in the
Ipswich River basin. The complaint, filed
in Salem Superior Court on April 11,
2003, alleges that DEP has failed to com-
ply with the state Water Management
Act (WMA) and its own rules which reg-
ulate water withdrawals greater than
100,000 gallons per day. CRWA's gener-
al counsel, Margaret Van Deusen, is rep-
resenting the plaintiffs in this lawsuit.
The Ipswich was recently named
one of the ten most endangered rivers in
the country by American Rivers, a nation-
al environmental organization, and the
Ipswich basin is classified by the state as
one of the most highly stressed basins in
Massachusetts. The Ipswich suffers
from a severe lack of water, or flow, par-
>>Parts of the Ipswich riverbed
are completely exposed during
the late summer and early fall
“Last summer, record low flows were
dried up completely, causing massive
ticularly during the summer and
early fall months. Last summer,
record low flows were set, and large
reaches of the river dried up completely,
causing massive fish kills and habitat
destruction. Dirt bikes and ATVs were
seen driving on the exposed riverbed,
altering its physical characteristics and
destroying the biota.
Recent government studies have
shown that the primary cause of the
Ipswich's dire condition is water with-
drawals. Streamflow depends on the
groundwater that supplies it. Municipal
water withdrawals in the Ipswich basin
collectively average about 30 million gal-
lons per day. DEP is charged with regu-
lating these withdrawals to ensure a bal-
ance among water uses and protection
of the water resource itself. However,
DEP's WMA permitting decisions have
failed to achieve these goals, and it has
given resource protection, habitat and
recreational uses short shrift. A broad
Ipswich stakeholder group has recom-
mended a number of measures that
would result in better river protection.
Because water permits are issued
for an extraordinarily long 20-year period,
the WMA requires DEP to review the
permits every five years, and, if permit
conditions are not adequate or the "safe
yield" of the basin is being exceeded, to
modify the permits. While DEP has
known about the impact of water with-
drawals on the Ipswich River for some
time, it was reluctant to take definitive
action to address the low flow issues.
Last fall, we notified DEP of our intent to
sue for its failure to conduct the five-year
reviews of the Ipswich permits and mod-
ify them. While DEP is now conducting
those reviews, we are not convinced
that DEP will issue strong and effective
modified permits without a lawsuit.
CRWA believes that the Ipswich per-
mits are critical to establishing a sustain-
able water management program and to
developing a comprehensive water poli-
cy for Massachusetts. The science on
streamflows for fish and habitat that has
been developed for the Ipswich must
now be incorporated into the permits
themselves.

Comply With the Water Management Act
SWICH The future health of the Charles River
is closely linked to the Ipswich WMA out-
comes. The upper Charles watershed is
becoming highly stressed, and the Ipswich
water permits will set the bar for permits in
the Charles basin. Dwindling water sup-
plies already require upper watershed com-
munities to impose water use restrictions
and bans in the summer months. Greater
water demand, coupled with development
and increased impervious surfaces, which
lessen the ability of rainwater to recharge
groundwater, are impacting stream flows
and species diversity in the Charles River.
This is one of the most important
issues we face and CRWA will continue to
fight for a balance between competing
water uses and for protection and preserva-
tion of the river itself.
<<www>> Interested in reviewing CRWA’s
complaint? The complete complaint is avail-
able on our website:
http://www.crwa.org/ipswich/complaint.html.
Ipswich river
set and large reaches of the
e fish kills and habitat destruction.”
STREAMER 7
“...to restore the health of the river and its tributaries...”
Excerpts of CRWA’s Complaint Against DEP
1. This is an action against the Department of Environmental
Protection ("the Department") for failing to carry out its
duties to protect the Ipswich River. The Ipswich River was
named one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the United
States today. The river is in crisis because it suffers from
a severe lack of water, or flow. Instead of fishing and
canoeing on the river, last summer the dry riverbed was used
for dirt biking. Water withdrawals have drastically reduced
stream flows in the Ipswich River resulting in fish kills,
habitat destruction, and severe ecosystem impairment. The
Department's administration and mismanagement of its water
withdrawal permitting program is a primary cause of the
river's condition. The Department has repeatedly violated
the Water Management Act, G.L. c. 21G ("the WMA"), and its
own regulations at 310 CMR 36.00, in issuing and administer-
ing permits for water withdrawals in the Ipswich River basin.
The Ipswich River Watershed Association, Essex County
Greenbelt Association, and twelve citizens bring this action
to require the Department to comply with the WMA and its reg-
ulations in the Ipswich River basin ("the Ipswich basin") and
to restore the health of the river and its tributaries.
2. In violation of the WMA and its regulations, the
Department issued water withdrawal permits ("permits") in the
Ipswich basin that exceeded the "safe yield" of the basin and
violated state water quality standards, failed to modify
these permits despite clear evidence that the water with-
drawals were drying up the river, failed to conduct timely
mandatory reviews of the permits, failed to lower the
100,000-gallon per day permit threshold withdrawal volume
(threshold volume) in the Ipswich basin, and failed to con-
duct rulemaking as required to review and reassess the ade-
quacy of the general threshold volume. The plaintiffs seek
declarations that the safe yield of the Ipswich basin has
been exceeded and that the basin is in need of special pro-
tection, and a permanent injunction requiring the Department
to modify the Ipswich basin permits to comply with the WMA
and its regulations, to lower the threshold volume in the
Ipswich basin, and to conduct rulemaking to review and
reassess the necessity and adequacy of the WMA's general
threshold volume.
 BY DUDLEY BONSAL AND ANNA ELERIA

R UN O F T HE R IVER CRWA’S REPORT OF WHAT’S HAPPENING ON (AND AROUND) THE CHARLES

U PPER W ATERSHED Impacts to the

. From Echo Lake to South Natick Dam .
River mile 0 to mile 38
Second Change to Proposed Residential
manhole was overflowing near Godfrey Brook, a trib-
Headwaters Development
utary to the Charles River, in Milford. CRWA
Quarry Place, the proposed Developers of Dynasty Estates in Milford have
Laboratory Manager Jim Fitzgerald collected and
retail development situated requested a second project change to their original
analyzed a sample of the discharge, as well as sam-
approximately 500 feet from proposal submitted for MEPA review in 1996. Under
ples upstream and downstream of the discharge in
the Charles River near the the proposed changes, additional impacts could
Godfrey Brook. The fecal coliform bacteria concen-
headwaters in Milford, would tration of the discharge occur near Huckleberry Brook
include 17.3 acres of impervious was over five hundred and Louisa Lake and include two
area, create over 1,000 parking times higher than the fecal
“The additional acres of impervious
spaces, and generate at least 10,000 State water quality stan- area, intrusion into the riverfront
vehicle trips per day. CRWA believes that the proj- dard for primary contact coliform bacteria area, additional wetland
ect proposal does not adequately address stormwa- (greater than 200 resource area alteration, and
ter management on the site with no discussion of
best management practices (BMPs). CRWA recom-
colonies/100 milliliters),
such as wading, while
concentration of more housing units and vehicle
trips. CRWA requested a sup-
mends that the project proponents implement infil-
tration measures to minimize the loss of annual
concentrations
Godfrey Brook were
in
over
the discharge was plemental EIR for this project to
sufficiently address the out-
recharge of groundwater to the maximum extent
practicable. CRWA also believes that the project
lower than the discharge
but still much greater 500 times standing water resource issues.
Because groundwater supplies
does not represent smart growth as it pertains to than the standard.
transportation concerns. It would create greater According to the Milford
higher than the State water and streamflow in the Charles
River are currently stressed,
automobile dependency and use by building at a Sewer Department, quality standard.” CRWA recommended that the
scale that is inappropriate for bicycles and pedestri- runoff from snowmelt proponent implement best man-
ans, and building far from areas presently accessible agement practices that maximize recharge of treat-
exceeded the capacity of the local wastewater treat-
by or suitable for mass transit. CRWA has called on ed stormwater runoff. Finally, CRWA supports the
ment plant, causing the manhole overflow. To stop
Quarry Place to discuss the measures it will take to project proponent's decision to either deed 11.9
the overflow and minimize its adverse effects, the
mitigate the adverse impacts in its Environmental acres to the Town of Milford or maintain it as open
department pumped the excess flow from the man-
Impact Report (EIR). space, however, CRWA suggests that this open
hole and treated the discharge with lime. CRWA
notified the Department of Environmental space be protected by conservation restrictions.
'Hotspot' Near Godfrey Brook Protection (DEP) of the problem and is working with
In early March, a citizen complained that a sewer Milford to develop a long-term solution.

M IDDLE WATERSHED .From South Natick Dam to Watertown Dam.

River mile 38 to mile 69
Residential Development Attempts to Offset to the MBTA commuter rail station at the Dedham the intersection of Saw Mill Parkway and Spiers
Impact Corporate Center. The EOEA secretary has ruled Road in Newton. The site plan shows a Wetland
Project developers propose to build a 365,000 that the project will not require an Environmental Restriction Order boundary set in 1977 that is offset
square-foot development in Dedham and offset its Impact Report. by about 50 feet from the delineat-
environmental impact by reducing runoff volumes, ed wetland boundaries shown in
r e ch a r g i n g Large Traffic Impacts with New the same plan. CRWA has
s t o r m wa t e r, “Project developers propose to Development requested that the State
and replicating offset environmental impact by The proposed Chestnut Hill Square project, Department of Environmental
over 8,000 located on Route 9 in Newton, includes a Protection review the Wetland
square feet of reducing runoff 10.3-acre site for 330 apartments, a hotel, a Restriction Order boundary,
wetlands as general office building, and retail space. which would help determine
mitigation for
volumes, recharging CRWA has urged the developers to imple- where copper-coated ground-
the filling in of
almost 3,000
stormwater, and ment a rainwater recovery system that will
put water back in the ground. Because the
ing wires could be laid in the
soil. CRWA has also
square feet of
wetlands.
replicating over project would also generate an additional
9,600 vehicle trips per day, CRWA has
requested
more thor-
a

CRWA sup-
ports the
8,000 square feet of called for a review of increased mass transit
availability and a traffic study of the roads
ough analy-
sis of the
stormwater
recharge plans
wetlands...” and intersections impacted by the potential
development. The State has ruled that the
effects of
copper on
of the project. CRWA has proposed that the project project will require an EIR. salamanders
include a monitoring plan to ensure the proper func- and frogs at the
tioning of the replicated wetlands. CRWA has also Replacement of Radio Towers site.
called for the project developers to create, in associ- Clear Channel Radio is seeking to replace two 350-
ation with the town, pedestrian and bicycle access foot radio towers with five 199-foot radio towers at

L OWER W ATERSHED
Cemetery Needs More Water
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Watertown has submit-
ted a Water Management Act (WMA) permit applica-
tion to withdraw up to 250,000 gallons per
day from an existing groundwater well.
CRWA has advocated that water-
related permits should be
linked not only to
demand needs but also to
environmental impacts so
that reduced streamflows
are avoided. Contingent
upon receiving a WMA permit,
CRWA recommended that the
cemetery employ a number of actions to
maximize groundwater recharge including
minimal lawn areas, drip irrigation, and
stormwater recharge structures. CRWA
also recommended a number of additional
restrictions on irrigation during times when
streamflow falls below certain thresholds.
Park Restoration Plan Under Review
.From Watertown Dam to New Charles River Dam.
River mile 69 to mile 78.4
In addition, CRWA believes that the project's
CRWA fully supports efforts to restore the Muddy BMP plan must be developed in full detail and
River, the centerpiece of Olmstead's Emerald include a monitoring program for the in-stream sed-
Necklace Park system, which has imentation basins and meas-
been adversely impacted by “CRWA has advocated urable environmental perform-
urbanization and development in
Brookline and Boston.
water-related
that ance standards or bench-
marks.
Restoration efforts involve dredg- permits should be Finally, CRWA requests a
ing sections of the river and Supplemental Environmental
implementing best management linked to environ- Impact Report for the manage-
practices (BMPs) to reduce flood-
ing and improve water quality
mental impacts so ment structure of this project,
which should recognize the
and habitat conditions, and better reduced
that Muddy River Restoration
management and oversight of Project Maintenance and
the project to ensure both short- streamflows are Management Oversight
term and long-term success of
the project. CRWA recommends
avoided Committee as a vital and inte-
.” gral component of this project,
that the project proponents and outline the management
implement additional silt curtains near the outlet of and financial responsibilities of each of the project
the Muddy River and conduct water quality monitor- partners.
ing during construction.
 10
KIDS EDUCATIONAL FAIR
Over 100 members, friends attend event to inaugurate new CRWA headquarters
by Denise Trapani Hall, Development Director
On April 5th, Charles River
Watershed Association presented its
first annual Take Me to the River Kids Fair
and welcomed over 100 members and
friends to its new headquarters in
Waltham for several hours of fun and
inquiry.
The afternoon featured nine activity
stations, presided over by our environ-
mental scientists and friends. Steven
DiFlorio, Educator at the Habitat
Sanctuary at Mass Audubon joined us to
lead several informative stations, includ-
ing "Scales and Tails", an exhibition that
introduced baby salmon to our partici-
STREAMER
A SUCCESS
pants (like Charles River resi-
dents the alewife, salmon are
migratory fish). Other topics included
"The Ever-Changing River," discussing
the mutability of rivers' courses over
time; "Where Water Goes," a hands-on
exploration of water flow patterns in a
watershed area; "Bugs, Bugs, Bugs,"
starring the smallest critters of the river;
and "H2O Olympics", a blue ribbon exer-
cise in experiments with water.
A party would not be complete with-
out ice cream - and we used the wonder-
ful treat donated by Lizzy's Ice Cream
Parlor in Waltham to create Aquifer
Parfaits. Each edible parfait had a layer of
"rocks" (oreos), “sandstone” (chocolate
ice cream), "clay" (vanilla ice cream),
"grass" (green candy), and other fun top-
pings.
Using recycled materials, children
also made floatable works of art to carry
home. Girl Scouts from Waltham joined
us to work on their Environment badges.
Co-Chairs Sierra Bright, Bonnie
Emmons, and Sara Molyneaux helped
develop the concept of the event and
encouraged friends and members to
attend. The accompanying photographs
attest to the joyful success of this event.
Please plan to attend our next member
event, and become a more active mem-
ber of the CRWA community!
>>A WATERSHED EVENT (clock-
wise from below): Girl scouts find
their watershed address; Steven
DiFlorio demonstrates how rivers
run; intern Maura Kelly shows off
some baby salmon; volunteer Talia
Goodkin (center) cuts it up at the
arts and crafts table with kids fair
participants; and volunteer Pete
Zimmerman and CRWA engineer
Anna Eleria expound on aquifers.
 STREAMER 11

SmartStorm® receives its

A WINTER IN NEW ENGLAND

first true test….
some minor problems with
by John Carney, Environmental Scientist
the first flush device, all sys-
CRWA is proud to announce that tems passed the test with flying col-
its SmartStorm® Rainwater Recovery ors. Prior to the beginning of winter
System will be made available for pur- the drain valve inside the tanks is
chase by the public starting June 1st opened to remove most of the water
this year. The system is used to col- collected. This is done to protect the
lect and store rainwater from a resi- internal plumbing of the tanks from
dential roof. The stored water can damage due to freezing. In early
then be used for such things as water- spring, the drain valve is closed again
ing a lawn, washing a and the tanks can
car, or topping off a “CRWA staff member begin to collect
swimming pool. The rainwater. With
system also has a dry and SmartStorm® the wet spring
well that is designed to owner Jim we've been hav-
collect the overflow
from the storage tanks
Fitzgerald moni- ing, Jim's tanks
are already filled
and allow it to infiltrate tored the progress to capacity, and
back into the ground. of his and several he's ready for the
SmartStorm® helps
the environment in two
other installed upcoming summer months.
dry

ways, by reducing the systems throughout

use of municipal water the winter. Up to SmartStorm®
on lawns and gardens, debuts at the
while helping to six inches of ice New England
restore rainwater infil- was reported inside Home and
tration that is essential the tanks... but all Flower Shows
to maintaining ground- SmartStorm®
water levels. systems passed the has been "on the
A standard two- test with road" during the
tank system, with
pump, dry well, and
flying colors.” past at
few months,
the New
first flush device will England Home
cost $3,000 plus applicable state Show in February, and the New
taxes. Installation will be a separate England Flower Show in March.
cost, which will depend on the home CRWA staff members Ken Dews and
site characteristics. If you are interest- Jim Fitzgerald constructed a working
ed in purchasing SmartStorm® or find- model for the shows, complete with
ing out more information, contact rainfall to demonstrate how
John Carney at CRWA (781-788-0007 SmartStorm® works. The response at
x223) or visit our website at both of the shows was very encourag-
www.charlesriver.org. ing, with over 200 homeowners, con-
tractors, and developers joining the
Harsh winter conditions prove to be growing SmartStorm® mailing list.
no match for System CRWA was also given a chance to
The pilot installations of CRWA's showcase the Charles River in a main
SmartStorm® Rainwater Recovery hall display at the Flower Show.
System underwent the first true test CRWA Board member Richard Gönci
of durability recently: a harsh New developed a beautiful display using
England winter. CRWA Laboratory photographer Stephen Maka’s extraor-
Manager and SmartStorm® owner dinary images of the Charles River
Jim Fitzgerald monitored the progress through the seasons and listing all the
of his and several other installed sys- communities within the watershed.
>>CRWA’s finance administrator, Ken
tems throughout the winter. In some Many thanks to both Richard and Dews, installed a Smartstorm® last year.
cases, up to six inches of ice was Stephen for creating a spectacular dis- The system is easily hidden behind sim-
reported inside the tanks. Aside from play! ple landscaping or fencing.
 12 STREAMER

GOVERNOR ROMNEY JOINS

HUNDREDS IN CHARLES CLEAN UP "After a long, cold winter, it is items including shopping carts, large car
by Anna Eleria, Environmental Engineer
fun to get out on the river and parts, a mattress, bicycle tires, large
Governor Mitt Romney, his staff, make a difference with so many great wooden cable spools, and fencing.
and over 700 dedicated and die-hard vol- people and organizations connected by After picking up trash, volunteers
unteers braved the heavy rains and 40- the Charles," remarked Robert gathered at the Community Rowing
degree temperature to pick up trash Zimmerman, CRWA's Executive Boathouse in Brighton where they were
along the banks and in the waters of the Director. "Even Governor Romney, who treated to lunch
Charles River for the lives on the provided by the
4th annual Charles
River Earth Day
“Volunteers boundary of the
Charles and
Center House
of Pizza in
Cleanup on April 12.
The Governor kicked braved Mystic
watersheds, was
River Brighton and
Bread & Circus
off the event at the out helping to Whole Foods
MDC Hatch Shell in
Boston by thanking
heavy rains keep the Charles
and its parks
Market,
music by the
and

the volunteers for

making a huge differ-
and 40-degree clean."
Vo l u n t e e r s
P a h u d
Kissinger Band.
ence in the health
and beauty of the
temperatures from universities,
businesses, state
Organizers of
the event
river, and by acknowl-
edging the numerous to pick up employees, neigh-
borhood associa-
i n c l u d e d
CRWA, the
organizers and tions, alumnae Massachusetts To deposit or not to depo
donors who work
together on this
trash along groups, boy and
girl scout troops,
Community
Water Watch, a
when you look at our pil
of non-redeemable bottle
on the right is of redeem
event. Although vol-
unteer numbers
the banks and in rowing clubs, and
other civic organi-
project
MASSPIRG,
of

were lower than last

year due to the
the waters of zations filled over
1,500 trash bags
Americorps, the MA Service Alliance,
State Senator Steven Tolman's Office,
inclement weather, the Charles.” with small items, the Charles River Stream Team, the
participants made a such as coffee Charles River Conservancy, the Clean
significant, visible impact on the river by cups, plastic bags, and returnable and Charles Coalition, and MDC. Althea
cleaning up over twenty river sections non-returnable bottles (see the adjacent Chen, a Massachusetts College of Art
that stretched from Bellingham to article about the efforts to expand the student, designed the cleanup posters
Cambridge. State's Bottle Bill), and removed larger and t-shirts.

Many thanks to the volunteer groups listed
below and the countless other individuals
not mentioned here.
1. Bread & Circus Whole Foods Market
2. Milford Women's Club
3. Box Pond Association
4. Friends of Hemlock Gorge
5. Needham Girl Scout Troop - Broadmeadow School
23. Community Rowing, Inc. 50. St. Michael's College Alumni
24. Elisabeth Harper and Friends 51. Community Boating
25. New Balance 52. Hill House
26. Coolidge Avenue Condominium Association 53. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
27. Harvard Law School 54. United States General Accounting Office
28. WUMB 91.9 FM Radio 55. Emerson College
29. Harvard University Environment & Safety Office 56. Suffolk University Environmental Law Society
30. Cambridge Boat Club
31. First Parish Church Also much appreciation goes to our
32. Cambridge Rindge and Latin Crew

SPONSORS
6. Needham Women's Club financial supports and in-kind contributors.
33. Harvard University
7. Needham League of Women Voters
34. Saunders Inc. 1. Althea Chen - t-shirt design
8. Needham Brownie Troop - St. Joseph's School
35. Genzyme Corporation 2. Bread and Circus Whole Foods Market
9. Dexter School Boy Scouts
36. Riverside Boat Club 3. Clean Harbors
10. Dover/Natick Homeschoolers
37. Brookline High Crew 4. Community Rowing
11. Wellesley Natural Resources Commission
38. Friends of Magazine Beach 5. Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel
12. Boston Society of Civil Engineers
39. Triumvirate Environmental, Inc. 6. Finagle-A-Bagel
13. Charles River Stream Team
40. Hyatt Hotel 7. Genzyme Corporation
14. Newton Marriott Hotel
41. Pfizer Corporation 8. Harvard University
15. Island Neighborhood Association
42. Emmanuel College 9. Home Depot
16. Massachusetts Medical Society/New England
43. Boston University 10. Newton Marriott Hotel
Journal of Medicine
44. MASSPIRG 11. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
17. Newton North High School
45. Governor Mitt Romney and his staff 12. Northeastern University
18. Waltham Land Trust
46. Esplanade Association 13. Pfizer Corporation
19. Watertown Police
47. Union Boat Club 14. Roche Bros. Supermarkets
20. Polaroid Corporation
48. City Year 15. Royal Sonesta Hotel
21. Sasaki Associates
49. University of Virginia Alumni 16. Triumvirate Environmental, Inc.
22. Newton Girl Scouts

PUTTING THE MONEY WHERE THE MOUTH IS
BEVERAGE CONTAINER TALLY AT CLEANUP SHOWS
BOTTLES WITH DEPOSITS STAY OUT OF THE TRASH
by Ariel Dekovic, Publications Manager
When the 4th Annual Charles River
Earth Day Cleanup commenced this past
April, some volunteers weren't just clean-
ing up trash. They
were counting it up
as well.
As part of an
informal data-gath-
ering project, volun-
teers focused on
the presence of
non-returnable (non-
redeemable) bever-
age containers
retrieved during the
cleanup. Led by
Russ Cohen of the
osit? There’s no question M a s s a ch u s e tt s
les. The one on the left is Riverways Program,
es (431 bottles); the one the container tally
mable ones (96 bottles). aimed to show that
non-returnable bot-
tles (including bottled water, juice and
sports drinks) significantly exceed the num-
ber of returnable bottles in the make-up of
our litter. MA Governor Mitt Romney, in his
2004 budget, has proposed that the state
Bottle Deposit Law should be expanded to
cover other drink containers, and
the findings at the Earth Day
Cleanup certainly support that
move.
At the cleanup, beverage
containers were sorted out of a
random sample of trash bags
returned by volunteers to the Hatch
Shell and to the MDC's Ice Rink in
Nonantum. Here's what was found:
Number of non-returnable beverage
containers: 431 (81.78%)
Number of returnable (deposit) contain-
ers: 96 (18.22%)
Total number of beverage containers
retrieved in the sample: 527 (100%)
Thus, non-returnable (non-deposit) bev-
erage containers exceeded the number of
redeemable (deposit) beverage containers
by a 4.5 to 1 ratio.
As dramatic as this evidence is, it
STREAMER 13
understates the actual disparity between
the deposit and non-deposit containers in
our litter, because non-deposit containers
still make up much less than 50% of the
actual beverage containers sold. When the
respective market shares for deposit and
non-deposit containers are factored in, the
findings are much more dramatic.
According to Peter Allison at the
Department of Environmental Protection,
the current (2000 data) market share in
Massachusetts for nonalcoholic beverage
containers is 69.56% carbonated (Coke,
Pepsi, etc., covered by the current
Massachusetts "Bottle Bill" law) and
30.44% non-carbonated (bottled water,
juice, sports drink, etc., not covered by the
current bottle deposit law). In other words,
about two nonalcoholic deposit
bottles/cans are sold in this state for every
one non-deposit container sold.
If this market share statistic is factored
in to the results of our cleanup tally, our
findings are even more striking. You will
recall that non-deposit containers made up
81.78% of the beverage containers collect-
ed, whereas deposit containers made up
only 18.22% of the total, an approximately
4.5:1 ratio. Factoring in the market share
data, it means that although non-deposit
containers make up less than 25% of
the beverage market, they made up
over 80% of the beverage contain-
ers found in the cleanup. In con-
trast, although deposit containers
make up at least 75% of the bev-
erage market, they only made up
less than 20% of the bottles/cans
found in the cleanup. Thus, according to
the Charles River Cleanup tally, it is over
thirteen times more likely that a non-
deposit beverage container sold in
Massachusetts will end up littering our
waterways than will a deposit container.
What can you do? The beverage con-
tainer tally conducted at the Charles River
cleanup provides ample evidence of the
value of placing a deposit on beverage con-
tainers to encourage their proper disposal.
Write to your state senator in support of
Governor Romney's state Bottle Deposit
Law.
 14 STREAMER

SAVING THE METROPOLITAN PARKS SYSTEM continued from page 5

of the proposed reorganization, and one CRWA and our coali- committee is working to resolve the differences between their
tion partners worked hard to see included, is the creation of a budgets. Look for updates on the CRWA website,
Stewardship Council. This Council would serve as an inde- www.charlesriver.org, under state reorganization.
pendent oversight body, with citizen representatives, to pro- CRWA sees this as an opportunity not only to improve the
vide critical transparen- Metropolitan Parks System, not only to improve manage-
cy and accountability to “We want better ment of all of the Commonwealth's public lands and
DCR's management. resources, but to actually tackle the large structural prob-
The legislature ulti- management of all the lems that have led so many parts of the state down
mately voted down the unsustainable development paths. The chance we have
Governor’s proposal, as public
Commonwealth's now is the creation of
it was part of a larger an Executive Office, CRWA Metropolitan
package they could not lands and resources . and the support for it Parklands Coalition
support. However, rec- in the legislature, that Partners
ognizing the importance
We want to see the state will strengthen envi-
and timeliness of action sound,
begin to follow ronmental decision- Boston GreenSpace Alliance
on improving park man- making, and make Charles River Conservancy
agement, the legisla- sustainable develop- sustainable develop- Conservation Law
Foundation
ture focused significant ment a possibility in
time and energy on a ment practices , and to our future. Environmental League of
variety of proposals and Where will all of Massachusetts
structures for reorgani- assist local communities in this end up? It is too Mass Audubon
zation. Both the House making that possible... early to know, but the The Island Alliance
and Senate passed status quo is not good The Esplanade Association
some version of envi-
ronmental reorganiza-
Change is never enough. We want a Sierra Club Massachusetts
b e t t e r - m a n a g e d The Trustees of Reservations
tion as outside sections
to their budgets. The
easy, but for our Metropolitan Parks
System, of course.
Senate budget most
closely resembles what beloved parks, it We want better management of all the
Commonwealth's public lands and resources. We want
CRWA had worked for, to see the state begin to follow sound, sustainable
including provisions to
keep the parkways with
is about time.” development practices, and to assist local communities
in making that possible. We will continue to push hard,
the Metropolitan Parks System, and the creation of a first to get the legislation we need, and then to develop the
Stewardship Council. detailed structure to implement badly needed changes.
As we go to press, the House and Senate conference Change is never easy, but for our beloved parks, it is time.

...bringing Boston’s backyard The chase is on...

river to your front door...
THE RIVER CURRENT

CRWA’s NEW, FREE,

mostly monthly email newsletter

Get advocacy alerts, river health

information and event invites
straight to your inbox!
How to subscribe:
send an email to
rivercurrent@crwa.org
from your email address
with “subscribe” as the subject line.
A Run of the Charles 2003 moment; photo by Bruce Conrad
 STREAMER
While the solutions CRWA
THANK YOU finds for watershed chal-
lenges are locally and nationally applicable, and often tech-
nically complicated, the rewards our donors receive are
simple. Simple equates to a good feeling, making a posi-
tive difference in the natural and man-made systems that
affect the Charles River watershed and the environment at
15
Gottesdiener, Belle L. Halpern and Mitch
Rosenberg, Gunst Charitable Trust, Roberta and Bill Schnoor,
Virginia M. Lawrence, Richmond and Nancy Mayo-Smith,
Jeannette McC. Atkinson, Kelly McClintock, Andy and Linda
McLane, Jane and Robert Morse, Geri and Douglas Payne,
Nancy B. Soulette, Lucy Caldwell-Stair, Caroline D. Standley,
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Steiner, Lucy B. Stroock, and Dinah

THANK
large. Through generous donations and memberships,
individuals, corporations, foundations, government agen-
cies, and institutions alike share in the challenges and
goals CRWA faces. We are proud to have such a dedicated
constituency of supporters. Thank you. And welcome to
all members who have recently joined CRWA.
CRWA has received many gifts since the Winter
Streamer went to press in December. Over $200K has
been raised in unrestricted gifts since the beginning of our
Vischer-Buechner. Tim Moore's donation was given in memory
of Kate C. Moore, an ardent CRWA supporter. We are also
grateful for recent contributions from our Corporate Members:
NSTAR, Polaroid Corporation, and Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada.
CRWA received three anonymous donations of $50K and
over for which we are immensely grateful. Thanks are also
extended to The Richard Saltonstall Charitable Foundation
which awarded CRWA with a $12K grant. Many thanks to
Boston Duck Tours for their $13K contribution towards Run of
the Charles and to The Paul and Edith Babson Foundation for

YOU
fiscal year in October 2002. CRWA asks our members to
contribute to the Annual Appeal in the fall and renew
memberships in the spring. The Annual Appeal raised
$48,740. Thanks to all of you who contributed. We're now
in the middle of our spring membership drive. If you
haven't already done so, please renew your membership
as soon as possible. Early renewals help reduce mailing
costs and conserve paper. Thanks to those of you who
have already renewed and to those of you who increased
your gift level.
Donations from Millennium Society members ($2,500 or
more) were received from an anonymous donor, along with the
Blossum Fund, Bea and Woolsey Conover, and Robert D.
Rands. In this same category, restricted gifts were donated by
Mr. and Mrs. Rodrigo Botero for the parklands, and Crossroads
Community Foundation for fish ladder maintenance. Gifts
from our Headwaters Society members ($1,000 to $2,499)
include: William and Constance Bennett, The Honorable and
Mrs. Levin H. Campbell, Anne and Jim Davis, Larry R.
their generous $1,000 grant.
More than thirteen organizations donated financial support
and gifts-in-kind to the 2003 Earth Day Clean up in April. They
include: Community Rowing, Doubletree Suites, Finagle a
Bagel, Genzyme Corporation, Harvard University, Home Depot,
Marriott Hotel, MIT Environmental Management Office,
Northeastern University, Pfizer Global Research, Royal Sonesta
Hotel, Triumvirate and Whole Foods (Bread and Circus). Many
thanks also go to Earth Share for their continuous support of
CRWA.
Thanks to Vince Paratore of Gearon Hoffman for designing
the 2003 Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race T-shirt. We
are also indebted to Charles Riverboat Company for donating
the Henry Longfellow for our V.I.P. reception at the Run of the
Charles. Special thanks go to the New New Orleans Jazz
Band, which made the reception even more fun. Many thanks
to our co-chairs Sierra Bright, Bonnie Emmons, and Sara
Molyneaux for helping to make CRWA’s first Take Me to the
River Kids Fair a great success, and to Lizzy’s of Waltham for
donating the ice cream for the event.
-contributed by Louise Taylor

WATCHDOG FOR THE RIVER

A list of projects on which CRWA commented to the state, town or developer between December 1, 2002 and April
30, 2003. Copies of the comment letters are available at CRWA.
Town Project
Boston Final Environmental Impact Report for Phase I Muddy River Restoration Project
Cambridge Final Environmental Impact Report for North Point Project
Dedham Environmental Notification Form for Jefferson at Dedham
Milford Environmental Notification Form for Quarry Place
Milford Notice of Project Change for Dynasty Estates Subdivision
Newton Environmental Notification Form for Chestnut Hill Square
Newton Notice of Intent Application for Radio Tower Array
Watertown Water Management Act Permit Application for Mt. Auburn Cemetery
Regional Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Modification for the Massachusetts
Water Resources Authority
 FROM THE MAILBAG...
After receiving a CRWA membership renewal notice
that advertised “new benefits for members,” a member
had this to say about the state of the river...

NON PROFIT ORG.

STREAMER U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Charles River Watershed Association NATICK, MA
48 Woerd Avenue PERMIT NO. 61
Waltham, MA 02453