Draft Pathogen TMDL for the Concord River Watershed
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The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Conservation Plan
The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Conservation Plan 2019 Update The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Conservation Plan May 2019 Update Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council c/o National Park Service 15 State St Boston, MA 02109 617-223-5049 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ 2 Map of the Watershed ................................................................................................... 3 I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 4 History of the Wild and Scenic River Designation Management Principles of Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Achievements Resulting from Designation Changes in the Region Since 1996 Role of the River Stewardship Council Purpose and Process of the Update How to Use this Update II. The River Management Philosophy ........................................................................ 11 Goals of the Plan A watershed-wide Approach III. Updates to the Administrative Framework ............................................................. 13 IV. Threats to the Outstandingly Remarkable Resource Values .................................... 14 V. Resource Management .......................................................................................... 15 Overview Public and Private Lands Water Resources – Water Quality Water Resources – Water Quantity -
2021 Charles River Cleanup on the Esplanade Saturday, April 24, 2021 10Am to 12Pm
2021 Charles River Cleanup on the Esplanade Saturday, April 24, 2021 10am to 12pm Join us for this year’s Charles River Cleanup on the Esplanade! Promote a sense of camaraderie and teamwork The Charles River Cleanup is annually the biggest amongst your employees while simultaneously volunteer cleanup event for the Esplanade promoting park stewardship and giving back to the Association, usually bringing between 400 local community through this year’s Charles River and 600 volunteers. Due to current volunteer Esplanade Cleanup! The 2021 Charles River Cleanup restrictions and guidelines set by both the CDC and on the Esplanade will take place on Saturday, April Massachusetts Department of Conservation and 24 from 10am to 12pm. Recreation, the number of volunteer participants in this year’s Charles River Earth Day Cleanup on Volunteering on the Esplanade this spring will the Esplanade will be limited to 150 people, further look similar to how we ran our volunteer days on divided into physically distant groups located at the Esplanade in fall 2020. We heard nothing but different volunteer project sites on the Charles River positive feedback from our volunteers last fall, Esplanade. who enjoyed spending time with their co-workers out on the Esplanade in a safe, physically-distant, Corporate group sizes will be limited to 25 people and rewarding setting. We adjusted our volunteer per site, with the option to bring more than one program to adhere to public health guidelines set group of 25 people on the Esplanade. Coordinating by the CDC and state park guidelines set by the the Charles River Cleanup has both operational and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and material costs for the Cleanup’s program partners. -
Concord River Diadromous Fish Restoration FEASIBILITY STUDY
Concord River Diadromous Fish Restoration FEASIBILITY STUDY Concord River, Massachusetts Talbot Mills Dam Centennial Falls Dam Middlesex Falls DRAFT REPORT FEBRUARY 2016 Prepared for: In partnership with: Prepared by: This page intentionally left blank. Executive Summary Concord River Diadromous Fish Restoration FEASIBILITY STUDY – DRAFT REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project Purpose The purpose of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of restoring populations of diadromous fish to the Concord, Sudbury, and Assabet Rivers, collectively known as the SuAsCo Watershed. The primary impediment to fish passage in the Concord River is the Talbot Mills Dam in Billerica, Massachusetts. Prior to reaching the dam, fish must first navigate potential obstacles at the Essex Dam (an active hydro dam with a fish elevator and an eel ladder) on the Merrimack River in Lawrence, Middlesex Falls (a natural bedrock falls and remnants of a breached dam) on the Concord River in Lowell, and Centennial Falls Dam (a hydropower dam with a fish ladder), also on the Concord River in Lowell. Blueback herring Alewife American shad American eel Sea lamprey Species targeted for restoration include both species of river herring (blueback herring and alewife), American shad, American eel, and sea lamprey, all of which are diadromous fish that depend upon passage between marine and freshwater habitats to complete their life cycle. Reasons The impact of diadromous fish species extends for pursuing fish passage restoration in the far beyond the scope of a single restoration Concord River watershed include the importance and historical presence of the project, as they have a broad migratory range target species, the connectivity of and along the Atlantic coast and benefit commercial significant potential habitat within the and recreational fisheries of other species. -
Mystic River: a Quest for Climate Equity
2019 INQUIRY CASE STUDY STUDY CASE INQUIRY Mystic River: A Quest for Climate Equity ANN RAPPAPORT LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY 1 TOPICS Climate Change, Environmental Management, Environmental Planning, Water TIMEFRAME 2000–2019 LEARNING GOALS • Understand the challenges and opportunities associated with bio-regional planning and sub-national climate adaptation and environmental policy • Identify and plan for diversity in vulnerability to climate change and capacity to act • Understand multi-criteria decision making • Use multiple sources of data to reveal landscapes of vulnerability PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE None S U M M A R Y Like many rivers in urban areas, the Mystic River has experienced abuse and neglect. A history of wetlands destruction, pollution-intensive industry, dense development, inadequate infrastructure and disparities in municipal fiscal capacity and physical vulnerability combine to make climate adaptation an urgent priority and monumental challenge for cities in the watershed. Despite progress building climate resilience, the clock is ticking. How can the distinctly different communities in the shared Mystic watershed avoid economic damage and loss of life from flooding and storm surges? And how can risk mitigation projects be funded? The case reveals tensions between community vulnerability and capacity to act, inviting consideration of both community-centric and collective solutions. Exclusive reliance on long term adaptation is insufficient. Case users develop approaches to engage diverse groups in risk management and investment discussions and propose strategies for identifying, developing, funding and, time permitting, implementing and assessing politically palatable and technically feasible solutions. 2 THE VALLEY OF ASHES CASE STUDY Mystic River’s headwaters begin in Reading, MA and form the Aberjona River, then flows into the Upper Mystic Lake in Winchester. -
Section 4 Environmental Inventory & Analysis ` Town of Northborough Open Space and Recreation Plan – 2020
SECTION 4 ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY & ANALYSIS ` TOWN OF NORTHBOROUGH OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN – 2020 A - Geology, Soils, and Topography The US Department of Agriculture, Soil The Paxton-Woodbridge-Canton soils are very Conservation Service, has defined eleven deep, nearly level to steep soils that are drained and moderately well-drained on uplands. general soil types, of these, six can be found in Chatfield-Hollis soils are moderately deep and Northborough. The predominant types are well- shallow, gently sloping to moderately steep soils drained soils on slopes of less than 15%. Others that are well drained or somewhat excessively in order of quantity are poorly drained bog drained on uplands. soils, moderately well drained soils with less than Table 4.1 details each soil area's limitations for 15% slopes, some with greater than 15% slopes development with acreage and percentages of and poorly drained mineral soils. Table 4.1 lists each found in Northborough. Approximately the general types with their respective acreages. 40% of the Town (Soil Area 4) is characterized The Surficial Geology shows three predominant by soils capable of supporting residential, soil groups, sand and gravel, till or bedrock and commercial or industrial land uses without flood plain alluvium. These correspond to the extensive modifications. These soils are generally three types of soil, which are predominant in capable of supporting on-site septic systems for town. disposal of sanitary waste. Where public sewers The Soil Conservation Service has mapped three are available, lands falling within other soil dominant soil types in the Town of Northborough. types become somewhat more suitable for commercial, industrial and high-density The Hinckley-Merrimac-Windsor soils are very deep, nearly level to steep soils that are residential use. -
Here Is No Visitor Center Located on Winterberry Hunting on Sundays
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge 680 Hudson Road Sudbury, MA 01776 978/562 3527 978/562 3627 fax Assabet River http://www.fws.gov/refuge/assabet_river Federal Relay Service National Wildlife for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1 800/877 8339 Refuge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov Trail and Recreation For Refuge Information Guide 1 800/344 WILD July 2015 NT OF E TH TM E R I A N P T E E R D I . O S R . U M A 49 RC H 3, 18 Welcome! Located along a portion of the which is headquartered out of Great Assabet River, Assabet River Meadows NWR and located at 73 National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is Weir Hill Road in Sudbury. one of more than 562 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. For more information about Assabet This blue goose, The refuge is approximately 20 miles River NWR go on-line to http://www. designed by J.N. west of Boston in portions of the fws.gov/refuge/assabet_river, or visit “Ding” Darling, has towns of Hudson, Maynard, Stow the Friends of Assabet River NWR at become the symbol of www.farnwr.org. the National Wildlife and Sudbury. It consists of several Refuge System separate pieces of land: a 1,900-acre northern section, a 300-acre southern The refuge is open from sunrise section, and 91 acres scattered along to sunset. Wildlife-dependent the Assabet River in Stow. The main recreation opportunities, including entrance to the refuge and the refuge wildlife observation, photography, visitor center is at 680 Hudson Road interpretation, and environmental in Sudbury. -
Memorandum To
The City of Lowell • Department of Planning and Development JFK Civic Center • 50 Arcand Drive • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674-4252 • F: 978.970.4262 www.LowellMA.gov Diane Nichols Tradd Assistant City Manager/DPD Director MEMORANDUM Craig Thomas Deputy Director TO: Eileen M. Donoghue, City Manager FROM: Diane N. Tradd, Assistant City Manager/DPD Director DATE: February 23, 2021 SUBJECT: MOTION OF 1/26/21 BY COUNCILOR DRINKWATER REQUEST CITY MANAGER PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE RIVERWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is pleased to provide an update on many exciting projects to build or enhance trails along the Merrimack and Concord Rivers. Merrimack Riverwalk Phase II This $4.8 million project is a partnership between the City of Lowell and Lowell National Historical Park, with funding from a Federal Highway Administration Program and city capital funds. The project will extend the “Mile of Mills” Merrimack Riverwalk, also known as the Yankee Division Walkway, from its current terminus behind Boott Mills to a new, highly visible entry point in front of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium (LMA). The project will include an overlook at the confluence of the Concord and Merrimack Rivers and a dramatic new footbridge over the Concord River. A primary goal is to connect attractions such as the LMA, the Tsongas Center, UMass Lowell, and the Concord River Greenway, and the regional 230-mile Bay Circuit trail. Construction on this project began May 2020. MAS Building and Bridge has cleaned and scored the sewer interceptor box culvert that carries the path, installed lamps along the interceptor, installed abutments and micropiles that will support the bridge, and has begun installing the cantilevered overlook and fabricating the bridge. -
Elevation of the March–April 2010 Flood High Water in Selected River Reaches in Central and Eastern Massachusetts
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Elevation of the March–April 2010 Flood High Water in Selected River Reaches in Central and Eastern Massachusetts Open-File Report 2010–1315 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Elevation of the March–April 2010 Flood High Water in Selected River Reaches in Central and Eastern Massachusetts By Phillip J. Zarriello and Gardner C. Bent Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Open-File Report 2010–1315 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior KEN SALAZAR, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Marcia K. McNutt, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2011 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment, visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod To order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Suggested citation: Zarriello, P.J., and Bent, G.C., 2011, Elevation of the March–April 2010 flood high water in selected river reaches in central and eastern Massachusetts: U.S. -
The Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers Developing a Report Card Stakeholder Workshop Newsletter Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge February - March 2018
The Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers Developing a Report Card Stakeholder Workshop Newsletter Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge February - March 2018 Watersheds As part of the landscape that saw the start of both Assabet River Watershed LOWELL the American revolution and the industrial revolution, Concord River Watershed TEWKSBURY Sudbury River Watershed the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers in Streams CHELMSFORD Massachusetts have a long history of use and abuse. Designated Wild & Scenic Restoring the health of these three interconnected Massachusetts BILLERICA WESTFORD r rivers has been the mission of OARS, the watershed e CARLISLE Riv d organization for the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord or c n LITTLETON o Rivers, for 31 years. Restoration takes many years of C BOXBOROUGH BEDFORD committed work by local communities and support ACTON from many sources. Effective actions depend on HARVARD a sound understanding of the science and the local context, which must be broadly understood STOW CONCORD and communicated. BOLTON MAYNARD LINCOLN CLINTON BERLIN In 2018, OARS partnered with the Integration and SUDBURY r HUDSON WAYLAND Rive Application Network, University of Maryland Center et ab ss A for Environmental Science to initiate a river report BOYLSTON WESTON card for the region. The report card will provide a MARLBOROUGH snapshot of current river conditions and the historical NORTHBOROUGH FRAMINGHAM trends and context of those conditions. NATICK WESTBOROUGH SOUTHBOROUGH To start the process, two workshops were held at SHREWSBURY Sudbury River HOPKINTON Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on 28 ASHLAND SHERBORN February and 1 March 2018, with key stakeholders GRAFTON from all three river basins. The initial workshop elicited UPTON what stakeholders value about the rivers, and the 10 mi N 10 km subsequent workshop focused on how to measure Location of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord River watersheds those values, and where to find data. -
Mercury Pollution in Massachusetts' Waters
Photo: Supe87, Under license from Shutterstock.com from Supe87, Under license Photo: ToXIC WATERWAYS Mercury Pollution in Massachusetts’ Waters Lauren Randall Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center December 2011 Executive Summary Coal-fired power plants are the single larg- Human Services advises that all chil- est source of mercury pollution in the Unit- dren under twelve, pregnant women, ed States. Emissions from these plants even- women who may become pregnant, tually make their way into Massachusetts’ and nursing mothers not consume any waterways, contaminating fish and wildlife. fish from Massachusetts’ waterways. Many of Massachusetts’ waterways are un- der advisory because of mercury contami- Mercury pollution threatens public nation. Eating contaminated fish is the main health source of human exposure to mercury. • Eating contaminated fish is the main Mercury pollution poses enormous public source of human exposure to mercury. health threats. Mercury exposure during • Mercury is a potent neurotoxicant. In critical periods of brain development can the first two years of a child’s life, mer- contribute to irreversible deficits in verbal cury exposure can lead to irreversible skills, damage to attention and motor con- deficits in attention and motor control, trol, and reduced IQ. damage to verbal skills, and reduced IQ. • While adults are at lower risk of neu- In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection rological impairment than children, Agency (EPA) developed and proposed the evidence shows that a low-level dose first national standards limiting mercury and of mercury from fish consumption in other toxic air pollution from existing coal- adults can lead to defects similar to and oil-fired power plants. -
Outdoor Recreation Recreation Outdoor Massachusetts the Wildlife
Photos by MassWildlife by Photos Photo © Kindra Clineff massvacation.com mass.gov/massgrown Office of Fishing & Boating Access * = Access to coastal waters A = General Access: Boats and trailer parking B = Fisherman Access: Smaller boats and trailers C = Cartop Access: Small boats, canoes, kayaks D = River Access: Canoes and kayaks Other Massachusetts Outdoor Information Outdoor Massachusetts Other E = Sportfishing Pier: Barrier free fishing area F = Shorefishing Area: Onshore fishing access mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/fba/ Western Massachusetts boundaries and access points. mass.gov/dfw/pond-maps points. access and boundaries BOAT ACCESS SITE TOWN SITE ACCESS then head outdoors with your friends and family! and friends your with outdoors head then publicly accessible ponds providing approximate depths, depths, approximate providing ponds accessible publicly ID# TYPE Conservation & Recreation websites. Make a plan and and plan a Make websites. Recreation & Conservation Ashmere Lake Hinsdale 202 B Pond Maps – Suitable for printing, this is a list of maps to to maps of list a is this printing, for Suitable – Maps Pond Benedict Pond Monterey 15 B Department of Fish & Game and the Department of of Department the and Game & Fish of Department Big Pond Otis 125 B properties and recreational activities, visit the the visit activities, recreational and properties customize and print maps. mass.gov/dfw/wildlife-lands maps. print and customize Center Pond Becket 147 C For interactive maps and information on other other on information and maps interactive For Cheshire Lake Cheshire 210 B displays all MassWildlife properties and allows you to to you allows and properties MassWildlife all displays Cheshire Lake-Farnams Causeway Cheshire 273 F Wildlife Lands Maps – The MassWildlife Lands Viewer Viewer Lands MassWildlife The – Maps Lands Wildlife Cranberry Pond West Stockbridge 233 C Commonwealth’s properties and recreation activities. -
Flood Risk Report Concord River Watershed
Flood Risk Report Concord River Watershed Middlesex and Worcester Counties, Massachusetts: Report Number 001 2/27/2013 CONCORD FLOOD RISK REPORT i This page left intentionally blank. CONCORD RIVER WATERSHED FLOOD RISK REPORT Project Area Community List Community Name Community Name Town Of Acton Town Of Tewksbury Town Of Ashland Town Of Upton Town Of Bedford Town Of Wayland Town Of Berlin Town Of Westborough Town Of Billerica Town Of Westford Town Of Bolton Town Of Weston Town Of Boxborough Town Of Boylston Town Of Carlisle Town Of Chelmsford Town Of Clinton Town Of Concord Town Of Framingham Town Of Grafton Town Of Harvard Town Of Holliston* Town Of Hopkinton Town Of Hudson Town Of Lincoln Town Of Littleton City Of Lowell City Of Marlborough Town Of Maynard Town Of Natick Town Of Northborough Town Of Sherborn Town Of Shrewsbury Town Of Southborough Town Of Stow Town Of Sudbury CONCORD RIVER WATERSHED FLOOD RISK REPORT i This page left intentionally blank. CONCORD RIVER WATERSHED FLOOD RISK REPORT Preface The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program provides states, tribes, and local communities with flood risk information and tools that they can use to increase their resilience to flooding and better protect their citizens. By pairing accurate floodplain maps with risk assessment tools and planning and outreach support, Risk MAP has transformed traditional flood mapping efforts into an integrated process of identifying, assessing, communicating, planning for, and mitigating flood‐related risks. This Flood Risk Report (FRR) provides non‐regulatory information to help local or tribal officials, floodplain managers, planners, emergency managers, and others better understand their flood risk, take steps to mitigate those risks, and communicate those risks to their citizens and local businesses.