Current News from the Buzzards Bay Coalition
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VOL. 24 FALL 2013 CURRENT NEWS FROM THE BUZZARDS BAY COALITION Together We Are Saving Buzzards Bay Inside: Learn how your support is… Making Creating a Opening the our coastal legacy for doors to Bay waters cleaner future discovery and safer generations page 2-3 page 4-5 page 6-7 630BBC.indd 1 11/7/13 2:48 PM Because of your determination: Progress toward cleaning up Cape Cod’s coastal waters he first signs of nitrogen T pollution started creeping into Cape Cod’s coves and harbors in the 1970s. Plants and animals, like The 208 plan will provide the iconic bay scallop, began to Cape Cod with solutions disappear, leaving large mats of slimy for nitrogen pollution seaweed in their place. but there is more to be done. With your continued This growing nitrogen pollution support, future generations problem was identified in Cape Cod’s will enjoy clean water. 208 Water QualityManagement Plan, released in 1978. That plan, As the Coalition fought for clean a requirement of the Clean Water This year, with your water in Bourne and Falmouth, Act, should have been updated support, our message got it became clear that all Cape Cod each year and approved by the U.S. through. The state provided communities needed to work together Environmental Protection $3.35 million to update the to find a cost-effective solution. With Agency (EPA). plan and chart a course for the support of members like you, we clean water on Cape Cod. A But it never was. For 35 years, Cape pushed, through litigation, for an new plan will be completed Cod’s nitrogen pollution has only updated regional plan to clean up the gotten worse. Cape’s coastal waters. by next summer. Help us continue fighting for a clean New Bedford Harbor With the backing of 8,500 members, over 2,000 petition signers, and local elected officials, the Coalition went to federal court in September to battle for the best The Coalition argued cleanup of New Bedford Harbor’s toxic PCB pollution. in federal court that The Coalition argued that a proposed $366 million New Bedford Harbor settlement between the EPA and AVX wasn’t enough to deserves a full cleanup. fully clean up the harbor, and would allow polluters to We need your help to walk away forever without being held responsible for continue fighting for a future cleanup costs. clean harbor. Although the judge approved the settlement, the Coalition is determined to continue fighting for New Visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/NewBedfordHarbor Bedford Harbor’s future. for the latest on this developing issue. 2 BUZZARDS BAY CURRENT FALL 2013 630BBC.indd 2 11/7/13 2:48 PM Wareham sets an Westport Rivers to example for all receive nitrogen Bay communities target this winter. to tackle nitrogen But how long will pollution from other polluted septic systems waterways wait? Responding to appeals from the Coalition and the Westport Fishermen’s Association, the state has committed to establishing a target this winter to reduce nitrogen pollution and restore the Westport Rivers. But other harbors and coves Through a multi-year community still lag behind. The Coalition is effort spearheaded by the continuing to push for nitrogen Coalition, the Wareham Board targets, or TMDLs, for polluted of Health recently passed waterways in Dartmouth, New regulations to limit nitrogen Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, pollution from new septic Wareham, Bourne, and Falmouth. systems installed in the town. Learn more about nitrogen pollution at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ But as the past 35 years have proven, With this historic action to StopNitrogen a plan isn’t enough to clean up safeguard clean water, Wareham has set an example for all the Bay. We need your continued communities working to tackle commitment to solve the Cape’s the Bay’s biggest source of nitrogen pollution problem forever. nitrogen pollution. Keep up on the Coalition’s work to clean up Cape Cod’s coastal waters at Learn more at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ www.savebuzzardsbay.org/Wareham CapeCod. Thousands make a We believe in clean water. That was the rallying call of more than 2,500 people like you at the Buzzards Bay Swim and statement for clean water Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. at the Buzzards Bay Swim More than 380 swimmers and cyclists participated, inspiring and Watershed Ride. donations from 2,000 friends and family members and helped Join them next year! by 250 volunteers. Together, these supporters raised nearly $250,000 to help Save Buzzards Bay. Visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/NewBedfordHarbor for the latest on this developing issue. www.savebuzzardsbay.org/Swim www.savebuzzardsbay.org/WatershedRide News from the Buzzards Bay Coalition 3 630BBC.indd 3 11/7/13 2:48 PM With your help, we can preserve 400 acres of coastal land along Nasketucket Bay s you begin down the trail A at Nasketucket Bay State Reservation, it’s easy to imagine you’ve gone back in time. You hike through a coastal forest, listening to the songs of birds and the wind in the trees. When you reach the shore, the clear waters of Nasketucket Bay stretch for miles in front of you. Nasketucket Bay can still be In what is the largest coastal land Few coastal bays in Massachusetts saved before it goes the way conservation project currently have such rich eelgrass meadows, of other coastal waterways: underway in Massachusetts, the shellfish beds, and fish and wildlife polluted, overdeveloped, and Coalition is working to protect 400 populations as Nasketucket Bay. devoid of its unique charm. acres of forest and farmland around Although much of the shoreline Conserving this sensitive Nasketucket Bay at a cost of $6 is now protected through years of land will preserve the scenic million. A significant portion of this Coalition-led efforts, large areas land will be open for you to discover, beauty of Fairhaven and remain vulnerable to development. explore, and enjoy through a bigger Without conservation, this land could Mattapoisett, and protect state reservation and new links to be lost forever. Buzzards Bay’s health. With the protection of 300 acres in Middleborough, everybody wins The Coalition worked together with the Wankinquoah Rod & Gun Club, the town of Middleborough, and the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game to permanently protect over 300 acres of land in the Weweantic River watershed. The project expands the Rocky Gutter Wildlife Management Area, a favorite spot for hunters, mountain bikers, and nature enthusiasts. Learn more about the Coalition’s work to protect Although they are far from the Bay’s shores, these watershed lands at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ 300 acres of protected land will safeguard clean ProtectLand. water in the Weweantic River, the Bay’s largest freshwater tributary. 4 BUZZARDS BAY CURRENT FALL 2013 630BBC.indd 4 11/7/13 2:49 PM Work has begun on a new future for the Acushnet River Help us continue fighting for a clean New Bedford Harbor We need your support to complete the largest land conservation project in Coalition Explore our history. Help us protect 400 conservation area acres of coastal land in Fairhaven As you read this, bulldozers and Mattapoisett forever. at the Mattapoisett and excavators are ripping out River Reserve centuries of industrial use at the Coalition’s Acushnet Sawmill Explore over 300 acres of property and transforming the wetlands, streams, and forests at site into a public park. the Mattapoisett River Reserve, By next fall, you will be able to part of the Coalition’s growing walk along new trails, paddle network of conservation areas. the popular Phoenix/Mattapoisett through the pond, and enjoy this The Acushnet, Weweantic, and Bike Path. To complete the project special place that celebrates the Mattapoisett river reserves within the next year, we are seeking Acushnet River. protect clean water and provide donations from people like you. incredible places for you to Follow this project at discover the Buzzards Bay Together, we can protect these natural www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ watershed. resources for future generations. AcushnetSawmill Find great places to Visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ discover Buzzards Bay at NasketucketBay to learn how you www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ can contribute and make a difference. FindAnAdventure Buzzards Bay Coalition Dedicated to the restoration, protection and sustainable use and enjoyment of our irreplaceable Bay and its watershed. The Coalition You can leave works to improve the health of the legacy the Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research of a healthy and advocacy. Buzzards Bay 114 Front St. New Bedford, MA 02740 508.999.6363 Your support is making a difference today but what kind of Buzzards [email protected] Bay will we leave for the next generation to enjoy? www.savebuzzardsbay.org Please consider remembering the Coalition in your will or estate plans. For more information, or if you have already included the Coalition in your will, please contact Maureen Coleman at (508) Buzzards Bay Coalition is a member of the 999-6363 ext. 202 or [email protected]. Waterkeeper Alliance and the Land Trust Alliance. News from the Buzzards Bay Coalition 5 630BBC.indd 5 11/7/13 2:49 PM Through the Coalition’s first-ever Trail Blazers Camp, Cheyenne, Savannah, and other local girls explored the outdoors. Your support is empowering our next generation to discover Buzzards Bay. Fairhaven sisters discover their Buzzards Bay thanks to your support eet Cheyenne and Savannah. M These energetic sisters from Fairhaven love to play sports outside, but rarely went for a walk in the woods. They had never gone quahogging and didn’t know that cranberries grow in bogs. That all changed this summer. The sisters attended the Coalition’s first-ever Trail Blazers Camp, delivered in partnership with The girls left Trail Blazers Camp YMCA Southcoast and funded by More than 2,000 children with a new fascination for nature.