spring 2007 streamer newsletter, charles river watershed association

8/9/2019 Spring 2007 Streamer Newsletter, Charles River Watershed Association

1/8

Using science, advocacy, and the law to protect, preserve and enhance the Charles River and its watershed

Vol. 37, No. 1

Spring 2007

Massachusetts is a water-rich state, receiving an averageof 45 inches of rain a year, yet our water resources areincreasingly being stressed by urbanization. Urban growth

produces more impervious surfaces, greater water demand,

and more movement of water from its source, thus depleting

the precious groundwater that normally feeds streams during

dry summer months.

CRWA has developed an automated water budget programto assess these multiple, anthropogenic impacts on streams

statewide. The methodology employs a balance-sheet ap-

proach to account for water that enters or leaves an area and

estimates the impact on natural streamflow. A water budget

includes water withdrawals, wastewater discharges, import

and export of water via pipe networks, evaporative losses

from irrigation, and lost recharge from impervious surfaces

(such as roads, parking lots, and buildings). Return flow

from septic tanks and infiltration of groundwater into sewer

pipes are implicitly included. An interactive scenario tool

that allows the user to alter elements of the water budget and

model the effects of mitigation is also being developed.CRWA and ESS Group were selected by the MA Executive

Office of Environmental Affairs to perform water budgets for

small sub-basins (drainage areas of about four square miles)

in every community in Massachusetts. The analysis will iden

tify sub-basins where water debits exceed credits or vise

versa, resulting in statewide, color-coded maps of sub-basin

impacts and

management

suggestions

to help bal-ance the wa-

ter account.

These maps

will under-

score the

most im-

pacted sub-

basins and

will be a statewide roadmap and guide towards fixing the

impacts and balancing the water cycle.

The sub-basin results will be summarized in interrelated

online watershed and community reports that will highlightresults and offer guidance on possible mitigation strategies

on both the watershed and political scales. The mitigation

section includes a comprehensive suite of options that can be

adapted to a specific problem and community. Some options

include optimizing of well withdrawals in terms of amounts

and timing; water conservation efforts to reduce water de-

mand; infiltration and inflow (I/I) reduction; or increasing

stormwater recharge.

CRWA and ESS are putting the finishing touches on the

Stony Brook water budget pilot project, funded by the Unit

ed States Air Force. Through this effort, CRWA and ESShave developed their automated methodology to analyze

water budgets and generate reports statewide. The Stony

Brook is a tributary to the Merrimack River and drains areas

from Tyngsborough, Chelmsford, Westford, Littleton, Box-

borough, Harvard, Ayer, and Groton. This pilot project wil

be completed by the end of February 2007.

- by Dave Kaplan, Watershed Scientist, and Nige

Pickering, Senior Engineer/Watershed Modele

Water Budgets:

Photo: John Wilcox Boston Herald

A Roadmap to Fixing the Water Cycle

Charles River Watershed Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Phone 781-788-0007 Web www.charlesriver.org

Subbasin Water

Budget

Wastewater

DischargePoint

ExportviaWastewater

SystemIncludingI/I

RechargeLossFrom

ImperviousCover

Water

WithdrawalPoint

EvaporativeLoss

FromIrrigation

Inputv

iaWater

Supply

System

Streamflow In Streamflow Out

The newsletter of the Charles River Watershed Association


2/82 STREAMER Spring 2007

Forum on DEPs Water Policy Concludes

In early 2005, water suppliers and municipalities expressed displeasure withconservation and mitigation provisions in the MA Department of Environ-mental Protections (DEP) water withdrawal policyprov-

isions that CRWA believed were long overdue and nec-

essary to protect our watersheds from being overdrawn.

In response to supplier concerns, the legislature created a

blue ribbon panel to study and report back on the policyby the end of 2006. While CRWA was not named to the

panel, we followed the proceedings closely, giving ex-

pert testimony on the impacts of water withdrawals on

low streamflows. We also provided legal opinion on the

requirements of the Water Management Act (which governs the with

drawal policy) particularly the requirement that withdrawals not exceed the

safe yield of a basin, a key provision for protecting streamflow and habita

that until recently DEP had ignored.

The panel provided a forum for the water suppliers to express opinions

about their lack of input into the policy, its legality and scientific bases, and

the potential loss of revenue from meeting conservation standards. Each o

these concerns was addressed and countered by DEP, the U.S. GeologicalSurvey, water conservation expert Amy Vickers, and others during the pan

els meetings. While some points of agreement were identified, in the end

the panel was unable to reach consensus and its interim report, without

recommendations, is merely a recitation of the suppliers concerns, rather

than a fact-finding document.

Fortunately, the report was accompanied by an astute and forthright cover

letter by Andrew Gottlieb, Chief of the Office of Commonwealth Develop-

ment and the panels convener. He concludes that DEPs guidance policy

has it basically right and gives reasonable time periods for implementing

the new requirements. Gottlieb points out that focusing efforts on water

being better managed and returned near its source through stormwater andwastewater recharge would ensure adequate water supply. He encourages

the legislature to avoid the temptation to intervene in DEPs implementation

of the policy, instead centering future discussions around how to structure

and finance meaningful improvements in the way Massachusetts manages

its water resources.

CRWA agrees that the policys provisions are important steps toward

managing our water resources responsibly for their long-term health. We are

supporting two bills in this legislative session that will assist water suppliers

and safeguard our water resources: a yet-to-be-numbered bill authorizing

water banking and water protection districts, and H.833 directing the DEP

to develop environmentally-protective streamflow standards for Massachu-

setts.The Interim Report of the Blue Ribbon Panel and Gottliebs letter are

available on the Sustainable Water Resources page of CRWAs website at

www.charlesriver.org/projects/sustwater.html.

- by Margaret Van Deusen, General Counse

New online mapping resources!

View maps of the watershed, including land use, dam locations, and monthly

water quality, and find personalized information using MassGIS resources.

Visit CRWAs Geographic Information Systems (GIS) website at

www.charlesriver.org/gis/gis.html

Lee P. Breckenridge

Gordon Burnes

John DeVillarsBernard Dreiblatt

Edward Englander

James Healy

Philip L. Hillman

Jonathan Katz

Attila Klein

Virginia M. Lawrence

Elizabeth LevinSharon Malt

John G. Palfrey, Jr.

Stephanie Pollack

William J. Tedoldi

Holyoke Whitney

Alan Aisenberg, M.D.

Deborah E. Babson

Jon Bernstein

John BonifazJohn Brock

Caroline Dixwell Cabot

Eugene Clapp

Martha Fuller Clark

Woolsey Conover

Debra Edelstein

Bonnie Emmons

Marcia Marker Feld

Richard S. Forte

Kim Herman Goslant

Catherine Henn

Susan Jarvi

Elizabeth B. Johnson

Max Kennedy

Carolyn King

George LewisRichmond Mayo-Smith

Kelly McClintock

Judy Neville

Elizabeth Nichols

Jeryl Oristaglio

Louisa Paige

Margot C. Pyle

David Smith

Caroline D. Standley

John Thomas

Edward E. Watts, III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Robert F. Sproull

Vice President

Ralph W. Abele

Treasurer

John Clark

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Co-Chairs:

Beatrice Nessen

Beedee Ladd

STAFF

Executive DirectorRobert L. Zimmerman, Jr.

Deputy Director/General Counsel

Margaret Van Deusen

Senior Environmental Scientist

Kate Bowditch

Finance Manager

Suzanne Carleo

Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator

Rebecca Scibek

Project Manager/Engineer

Anna Eleria

Watershed Scientist

David Kaplan

Urban Restoration Specialist

Pallavi Kalia MandeRita Barron Fellow

Talia Chalew

Senior Environmental Engineer

Nigel Pickering

Director of Development

Peggy Sunshine

Membership/Events Coordinator

Lorraine Burke

Landscape Designer

Stephanie Hurley

CRWA is a 501(c)(3) dependent on philanthropic

support. We welcome your contributions.


3/8STREAMER 3

Spring Cleaning of the Charles

The Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup is a riteof spring for more than 1,500 volunteers from doz-ens of businesses, universities, community organizations,

scout troops, and others. These groups dedicate one Sat-

urday morning each April to bring beauty

and cleanliness to the Charles and its banks.

Seven years ago the Charles River Wa-tershed Association, Massachusetts Commu-

nity Water Watch (a project of MassPIRG,

Americorps, and MA Service Alliance), and

the Charles River Stream Team planned the

2000 cleanup to mark the new millennium

on Earth Day and showcase river health im-

provements

by engaging

w a t e r s h e d

residents in one single-day

cleanup effort. To our sur- prise and satisfaction, over

800 volunteers picked up

trash at numerous sites from

Needham to Boston. The

high volunteer turnout re-

vealed a public desire to par-

ticipate in community service

on behalf of the Charles, and

the annual event was born.

In April 2001, with help

from Senator Steven Tolmans

Office and the Clean Charles Co-

alition (CCC) in organizing the

cleanup, the number of volun-

teers increased to 1,000 and new

sites were added in Milford and

Be l l i n g h am.

Collaboration

on the event

has continued

to increase, in-

cluding addi-

tional organiz-

ers - Charles

River Conser-

vancy, the Esplanade Association, and the

City of Newton - as well as numerous do-

nors with major support provided by Whole

Foods Market, MA Department of Conservation and Recre-

ation, and CCC members.Today, the annual event is one of the largest single-day

cleanups in the country involving volunteers picking up trash

at 50 sites in 17 communities along 60 miles of the 80-mile

river. The cleanups success is a testament to the importance

of collaboration and the publics love of that dirty water

Together with CRWAs work, the annual cleanup is bring-

ing a fresh, clean season of recreation to the river and its

parklands.

- by Anna Eleria, Project Manager/Enginee

CRWA will transform Herter Park into an Epcot-style festival

On Sunday, April 29, join the crowds celebrating the 25th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race atHerter Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton (near the Publick Theatre). CRWAs race will be part of a city-wide Cambridge Science Festival coordinated by MIT and Harvard Universities, the City of Cambridge, Cambridge

Public Schools, the WGBH Educational Foundation and the Boston Museum of Science. CRWA will present exhibits

and activities on a topic that is pertinent to all of our lives - clean and abundant water.

From 10:00am to 3:30pm on April 29, exhibits on the impacts of stormwater, examples of industrial and environ-

mental collaboration, and information about the animals and plants native to healthy rivers in the northeast will kick

off CRWAs Adopt a Shad campaign, celebrating the introduction of 1.5 million juvenile American Shad into the

Charles last July. Displays about our stormwater management and low-impact development work with Harvard, in the

Longwood Medical Area and in Zakim North will introduce blue building techniques that focus on water conserva-tion and describe CRWAs efforts to keep water plentiful. A variety of specialists are assisting us and will be on hand at

the festival, including staff from Conte Anadromous Fish Lab, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

New England Zoos, and MA Division of Fish and Wildlife. CRWA Advisory Board member Dr. Judy Neville, retired

Assistant Superintendent of Newton Schools, is helping coordinate.

An Eco Boat Trip on The Henry Longfellow Riverboat departing every hour will offer hands-on activities about

watersheds and wildlife with specialists from MA Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Audubon Society, and

MA DCR Park Rangers on board. On shore children can play with a model watershed, visit a Boston Duck Boat video

auditorium, attend a fly fishing clinic produced in cooperation with Trout Unlimited and L.L. Bean and receive a Cap-

tain Hydro Water Conservation Comic Book distributed thanks to BISCO and IANE.

- by Peggy Sunshine, Director of Development

Save the Date!8th Annual Cleanup

Saturday, April 21

9am-12pmFor more information or

to sign up, visit

www.charlesriver.org/

cleanup.html

or call 781-788-0007 x303



RUN OF THE RI

Shoppes at BellinghamBellingham, MA

This large proposed project includes an office

park connected via a by-pass road with an area

of restaurants and shops. The development will

create 60 additional acres of impervious surface

and destroy 80,000 square feet of wetlands.

The Charles River in this area currently has low

stream flows during the summer and the proj-

ect will only exacerbate these conditions, thusCRWA believes further environmental analysis

and review is necessary. To offset the projects

impacts developers should include local infiltra-

tion of treated wastewater, low-impact develop-

ment, stormwater BMPs, water conservation

measures and transportation demand manage-

ment planning to reduce the 24,000 single car

trips that the project will generate.

Harvard Universitys New Institutional Master PlanAllston, MA

In January, Harvard unveiled its Master Plan vision to transform a 250-acre swath of

Boston into an expanse of academic facilities, student housing, and a new public square.

The universitys 50-year master plan for Allston, submitted to the Boston Redevelopment

Authority, also calls for building a pedestrian

bridge across the Charles River and burying

a section of Soldiers Field Road. Harvards

ambitious plan, which includes an expanded

park along the banks of the Charles, could

significantly improve the parklands in the area,

stabilizing the crumbling banks, reducing ero-sion, and creating more and better managed

public parkland. However, the design in the

draft plan makes the parkland seem like part of

Harvards own campus, and shows little effort

to link Allstons residential neighborhoods

to this new parkland. To learn more about

CRWAs view on the plan and our work in

Allston, visit www.crwa.org/projects/esud.html

A rendering of the proposed new Allston campus

Credit: http://www.news.harvard.edu/ga-

zette/2007/02.01/IMP_Exec_Summary_010907.pdf


5/8STREAMER 5

ERCHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATIONS

REPORT OF WHATS HAPPENING ON AND

AROUND THE CHARLES

Mirant Kendall Permit Appeal

Cambridge, MACRWA joined

Conservation Law

Foundation in appeal-

ing the permit issued

to Mirant Kendall

power plant allowing

it to release up to 80

million gallons of hot

(up to 105F) water into

the lower Charles per day. To cool its turbines the

plant draws water from the river, which is then re-turned at a significantly higher temperature. This

hot water could cause a dead zone in up to 50%

of the river between the Museum of Science and

Community Boating and will have many negative

consequences - harming fish populations, exac-

erbating toxic algal blooms and decreasing water

clarity.

Westwood StationWestwood, MA

The Westwood Station is a very large mixed use redevelopment

project proposed near the Route 128 train station. It provides an

opportunity to incorporate design features to keep water local by

collecting rooftop rainwater for irrigation, low impact develop-

ment, water conservation and wastewater recharge. CRWA be-

lieves much more can be done with water reuse, conservation and

recharge to improve the project. Increasing stormwater recharge

through bioretention areas such as rain gardens, wetland enhance-

ment, green roofs and increased permeable surfaces and local

wastewater treatment and infiltration will replenish nearby drink-

ing water wells, and improve water quality and quantity in the

Neponset River.

Mirant-Kendall Power Plant

Credit: www.clf.org



Capital Needs at CRWAOur new headquarters is a great place for gatherings and

thoughtful discourse. We extend our thanks to Board of Ad-

visors members Margot Pyle and Susan Jarvi who funded

our new roof. Board of Advisor Co-Chairs Beedee Ladd and

Beatrice Wolfner Nessen are heading up a campaign to raise

money for CRWA signage on the building and near the street.

We invite our loyal members to consider supporting this and

other remaining capital needs which total $58,000. Contact

Peggy Sunshine at 781-788-0007 x235 for more information.

Transfer Your IRA and Save on Taxes

If you are considering making a gift to CRWA, and if youhave reached the age of 70, you may wish to take advan-

tage of the Pension Protection Act. It allows such donors to

transfer up to $100,000 directly to any public charity from

their IRA, tax-free. (Any distribution from an IRA normally

is subject to tax as ordinary income.) Making a charitable

contribution from an IRA may save money when compared

to other methods of giving the same amount. If you are con-

sidering this opportunity, consult your IRA custodian and in-

come tax preparer. This opportunity applies only to lifetime

transfers from IRAs, and only to transfers made in 2007.

Ned Watts Offers Help with

Bequests or Planned Gifts to CRWACRWA Board of Advisor member Ned Watts, an estate and

tax lawyer, is willing to speak with anyone interested in

making a planned gift, bequest, or IRA transfer to CRWA

Testamentary transfers and lifetime planned gifts may allow

donors significant tax savings. Also, if donors with IRAs

desire to transfer funds to children at death while leaving

a bequest to charity, an advantageous method is to transfer

part or all of an IRA to charity and leave non-IRA assets to

the children. Since charities are exempt from income tax, a

charity can receive the entire IRA and the estate will avoid

an income tax liability. For example, a $100,000 IRA maybe transferred to a charity and the charity will receive the

full $100,000. However, if the $100,000 were transferred to

a child in the 35% tax bracket, withdrawing the IRA would

produce a tax of $35,000 and $65,000 would remain. Even if

IRA withdrawals are stretched out over a number

of years, children would eventually pay a

substantial tax on this ordinary income.

Ned Watts can be reached

at 781-326-1045.

CRWA Welcomes New Board Members Bernard Dreiblatt, a real estate project manager who planned Rhowes Wharf while Senior Vice President of BeaconManagement Company, is currently President of Three Leaf Marketing, a real estate consulting firm, and Director of Rea

Estate for Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Bernie serves on the Executive Committees of The Boston Harbor Association

and the Community Resources Initiative, the Advisory Board of Boston Harbor Island Alliance, the Executive Advisory

Board of Greater Boston Catholic Charities and is a member of the Mayors Task Force for the Reuse of the Brookline

Water Pumping Stations. His Industrial Engineering degree is from Columbia University.

Sharon Malt is a marketing and publishing executive who held positions at GK Hall, Eastern Exclusives underMichael Bronner, and the National Fire Protection Association. Her volunteer activities include the Greater Boston Youth

Symphony Orchestras, Buckingham Brown and Nichols, Hill House, the Esplanade Association and the Monadnock Con-

servancy in New Hampshire. Sharon holds a new position on the Board as the liaison between the Board of Advisors and

the Board of Directors. She graduated from Wells College in upstate New York.

Gordon Burnes is a technology industry executive with OpenPages, a software company based in Waltham, MA.As vice president of business development, Gordon manages corporate development activities, technology partnerships

and sales alliances. Prior to OpenPages, he worked with McNamee Lawrence & Co. Gordon has been a long-time advocate

for the environment, volunteering for MassPIRG and The Global Habitat Project, and is an advisor at the Urban Ecology

Institute. He has an MBA from Columbia University and a BA from Harvard University.

Stephanie Pollack, Esq. is a Director of BlueWave Strategies, advising clients in the area of real estate develop-

ment with an emphasis on smart growth and transit-oriented development, corporate environmental strategy and regulatorymatters. A nationally known environmental attorney, Stephanie previously worked at the Conservation Law Foundation

She has served on the Boston Redevelopment Authoritys Municipal Harbor Plan Advisory Committee, the Urban Ring

Citizens Advisory Committee and the Leadership Group of The Boston Foundations Indicators Project. Stephanie holds a

JD from Harvard Law School and BS degrees from MIT in Mechanical Engineering and Public Policy.

Holyoke Whitney Following combat service during the Korean War, Hol attended Harvard University, graduatingwith honors in 1958, and began a business career. Until 1996, Hol served as Chairman of Consolidated Group in Framing-

ham, which he founded in 1971. In semi-retirement, Hol started a kayak and canoe company which grew to production of

20,000 boats. He is active in non-profits that support the blind, as former President and Director Emeritus of the Carroll

Center for the Blind in Newton and member of the Corporation of National Braille Press in Boston.


7/8STREAMER 7

Inspiration for Annual Meeting Attendees

More than 250 river enthusiasts gathered at the Newton Marriott for CRWAs Annual Meeting on November 15th. BilMcKibben, a prolific author and speaker on environmental and social issues, addressed the audience about the seriousenvironmental crisis we are all facing, leaving all inspired with ideas about how local action can make a difference. His

cogent remarks on water management complimented those of CRWA Executive Director Bob Zimmerman. Bob highlighted

the looming global water crisis which is intimately linked with climate change, and discussed how CRWA is working to

solve this imminent problem. He concluded his speech by stating, I will guarantee you these things. First, CRWA wil

continue to fight, and very hard. Second, CRWA will continue to work on the science, the tools, the regulations, and the

initiatives that will allow us to get it rightWe must succeed, because failure, for our environment, and for our children, is

not an option. Your support is central to our success.

Awards were presented to seven individuals and organizations who are outstanding stewards of the river. CRWAs highest

honor, the Anne M. Blackburn Award, was presented to Kathy Baskin of MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.

CRWAs Rita Barron Public Official Award was given to Todd Richards, a Fisheries Biologist with Massachusetts Division

of Fish and Wildlife. Fred Laskey and the Masschusetts Water Resources Authority received CRWAs Clean Charles Award

Bobbi Demers received the 2006 Volunteer Award, Susan Abbott received the CRWA Citizen Activist award, a Special

Recognition Award was given to Community Rowing, Inc., and Jerry and Elaine Ellis of Building 19 were presented with

the Creative Philanthropist Award.

Corporate and Greater Community Rally to Support CRWAs Work

Aveda Selects CRWA as Earth Month Recipient

Aveda, choosing the theme Make Water a Human Right, has selected CRWA as the recipientorganization for their Earth Month campaign. Contact Pyara Salon in Cambridge at 617-497-

9300 for tickets to a fundraising fashion show on April 18th at OM restaurant.

CRWA Celebrated at Benefit Concert at First Parish of WatertownA crowd of CRWA supporters joined together on Saturday, March 24th to hear local bluegrass

band Jaded Mandolin. All proceeds from the evening were donated to CRWA.

Patagonia Donates Outdoor EquipmentThanks to Patagonias Boston store, which provided CRWA with waders, boots and jackets for

use with our water sampling program.

ACT NOW: text WATER to30644.And take home ourEarth Month Candle.

aearthmonth 2007

Photos from CRWAs Annual Meeting, clockwise from top left: Bob Zimmerman, CRWA Executive Director and Betsy Nichols, Board of Advisors; Ralph Abele, Board

of Directors, and Chris Kilian, Conservation Law Foundation; Brandeis students; Alan Aisenberg, Board of Advisors, and Margaret Van Deusen, CRWA Deputy Director

Steve Miller and Dan Driscoll, MA DCR; Bill McKibben; Hol Whitney, Board of Directors; full house at Annual Meeting; Bernie Dreiblatt, Board of Directors.


8/8

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

NATICK, MA

PERMIT NO. 61

Charles River Watershed Association

190 Park Road

Weston, MA 02493

Upcoming CRWA EventsAPRILOngoing Events in Aveda salons throughout New England to benefit CRWA.

Register donation coupons to support CRWA available at all ten Whole Foods Markets

in our watershed.

10 Brown Bag lunch on Blue Cities work in Longwood Medical Area at CRWA office, 12:30pm.

18 Beacon Hill Seminars: Five weekly sessions from 4/18 5/16, 2-4 pm. CRWA Executive

Director Bob Zimmerman presents: Understanding the Charles River: CRWA and the Charles

River as an Urban Environmental Laboratory. Call 617-523-0970 to sign up.

21 8th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup at sites all along the river, 9am-12pm.

29 25th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race and River Front Festival, part of

the Cambridge Science Festival, at Herter Park, 9am-4pm. (See page 3.)

MAY6 CRWA Garden Party at Estate of Mrs. Walter (Luisa) Hunnewell in Wellesley.

8 Brown Bag Lunch on legislative issues at CRWA office, 12:30pm.

20 Canoe and kayak trip from Dedham to Needham hosted by Ned Watts, 1-3pm.

For more information on any of the above events,

call CRWA at 781-788-0007 or visit our website at www.charlesriver.org

After having worked as a reporter and indepen-

dent caterer, Lorraine Burke brings a di-verse background to her role as Membership and

Events Coordinator. She will plan and organize

events, work with donors, and do database man-

agement and reporting

Rita Barron Fellow Talia Chalew has a background in field research on ecosystem restoration and

its effects on water quality, and just completed her

MS in Environmental Science at UNC-Chapel Hill

Talia is working on the MET stormwater program

and assisting with data and model development.

Landscape DesignerStephanie Hurley isa Doctor of Design candidate at Harvard Univer-

sity Graduate School of Design. She works parttime conducting assessments, creating conceptual

designs, and planning, research, and reporting for

CRWAs RUWE and ESUD projects.

A second-year student at McGill University, Lara

Zimmerman is a double major in Anthropologyand Environmental Studies with a minor in Psychol

ogy. She will serve as Finance Intern through the end

of the semester.

CRWA Welcomes New Staff Members

spring 2007 streamer newsletter, charles river watershed association

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