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Blackstone River Watershed Association
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BRWA NEWS
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Cleanup Swat Team takes on Plummers Landing
A handful of dedicated folks worked hard on
Saturday October 25th to clean up the ever-present trash backup at
Plummers Landing on the Blackstone River in Northbridge. With the
assistance of the "great tree strainer" that catches trash moving
downstream, the swat team removed six bags of general litter as well
as lumber, Styrofoam, a pillow, a tire and wheel, and an old tv. Well
done, everyone! See you all at the BRWA's annual Earthday Cleanup on
April 19th!
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Water Quality Monitoring Season Completed
Mike Sperry, Midreach Field Coordinator for the Blackstone River
Coalition's Watershed-wide Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program,
recently wrapped up the 11th season for the 28 testing sites located
between Grafton and Blackstone. The data for these sites, along with
data from the Headwaters and R.I. teams, will be compiled into an
annual report card to be presented at next year's annual WQM Summit.
The date and location of the summit will be announced shortly.
A big round of thanks go out to Mike, and to the field and lab
volunteers who offered up their time and dedication on the second
Saturday of each month from April through November. This tremendous
citizen engagement is what sets the BRC's volunteer monitoring program
apart from so many others! See you next season!
If you are interested in joining the midreach team for 2015 as a
field or lab volunteer, please contact Mike at
mike.sperry@thebrwa.org.
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Winter Hike
Mark your calendar for Sunday, January 25th to
join us for our annual winter hike at Hassanamesit Woods, a property of
the Grafton Land Trust. This 200-acre parcel has a history tied to the
Nipmuc Indians, and archeological studies are underway to uncover and
preserve the land's rich cultural heritage. The ecology of the area is
characterized by both upland and wetland areas, supporting a rich
diversity of plants and animals. The land here drains to the nearby
Quinsigamond River, shortly before emptying into the Blackstone River.
The hike, led by naturalist Susan Thomas, will cover uneven ground,
which may be snow covered or muddy depending on the weather. Wear
appropriate footwear and bring water. Following the hike, we will
return to the parking area for warm drinks and refreshments.
We hope you can join us!
Participants should meet at the gated end of Salisbury Street, which is
located off of Keith Hill Rd in Grafton near Rt 122.
see map/directions.
For more
information, or to RSVP, please e-mail
events@thebrwa.org.
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EarthDay Cleanup 2015
Mark your calendars for Sunday April 19 for our annual EarthDay event!
Once again, we will be asking scouts, church groups, families, and
local businesses to support the BRWA's efforts to clean up the
Blackstone River Watershed. Last year we had over 200 people assisting in seven towns
throughout the watershed! Details will be posted on our website,
www.thebrwa.org, as we approach the date.
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First Annual Fishing Derby
The BRWA is teaming up with Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. to organize a
fishing derby next Spring (tentatively Saturday May 2). The event will
be held at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge. It will be great way to usher
in the spring! Watch our website,
www.thebrwa.org, for future postings.
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A Day on the Blackstone 2015
On Saturday June 6, 2015, the BRWA will host "A Day on the Blackstone",
a leisurely one-day paddle from Stanley Woolen Mill in Uxbridge to the
Blackstone Gorge. Participants will stop at historic sites along the
way, with commentary provided by NPS Ranger Chuck Arning.
Save the date for this
“not be missed" event. Additional details will be posted on our
website, www.thebrwa.org, in the future.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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November is the month for both
"America Recycles Day" and "Buy Nothing Day". It's a good
reminder to all of us that one of the easiest ways to help the environment
is to live simpler. Buy less, reuse what we have, recycle what we are
done using. When you are ready to purchase something, stop and ask
yourself if you can do without it. Take a moment to consider the entire
footprint of the item from resource allocation, to manufacturing and
transport, to disposal.
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11/19
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Blackstone River Watershed Council Monthly Meeting.
6:30pm - 8:30pm. Lincoln RI.
info
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11/20
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BRWA Board Meeting.
6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 271 Oak St., Uxbridge.
This is a change from normal 4th Thursday of the month schedule.
info
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12/1
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Central Mass Chapter Trout Unlimited Monthly Meeting.
6:00 p.m. 50 Elm Street, Auburn, MA
info
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12/10
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Blackstone Headwaters Coalition Annual Meeting.
4 p.m. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Worcester. Info at:
peter.coffin@zaptheblackstone.org.
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12/13
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Blackstone Canal Conservancy Work Day.
9am. Meet at Plummers Landing west parking area,
Church Street, Northbridge. For info, contact Dave Barber 508-478-4918 or email
DGBarber@cs.com.
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12/17
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Blackstone River Watershed Council Monthly Meeting.
6:30pm - 8:30pm. Lincoln RI.
info
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1/22
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BRWA Board Meeting.
6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 271 Oak St., Uxbridge.
info
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1/25
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BRWA Annual Winter Hike.
1 - 3p.m. Hassanamesit Woods, Grafton Land Trust.
Park at end of Salisbury Street by gated entrance to Land Trust property.
See above for more information.
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THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL
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No one knows about, or appreciates the value of,
local waterways like the citizens who live in the watershed. Here are
two opportunities for YOU to voice your support for stronger protection
of the Blackstone River and its watershed. Please consider submitting
your comments to either or both of the following proposed regulations.
Your voice makes a difference!
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Public Hearings for Draft Water Plans
The Mass Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) has issued draft Intended Use Plans for both Clean Water and
Drinking Water state revolving funds. These funds support the federal
Clean Water Act and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as implemented
in Massachusetts. The public comment period on these draft plans closes
on December 10th.
Public hearings will be held December 10th at 10 a.m. (Drinking Water)
and 1:00 p.m. (Clean Water) at the DEP Boston office located at One
Winter Street (2nd Floor, Room 2212C).
Info:
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/grants/state-revolving-fund.html
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Public Hearings for Draft Storm Sewer General Permit
Nonpoint source pollution (runoff) is the major
cause of water pollution, and action needs to be taken at the
local level to ensure that stormwater does not continue to
degrade our local streams, ponds, and wetlands. The U.S. EPA has issued
a draft general permit that is intended to improve water quality
protection for wetlands and waterways throughout Massachusetts by better
regulating small storm sewer systems (MS4).
These MS4 permits cover municipalities that operate small storm sewer
systems. According to the state, "The draft general permits require
regulated small MS4s to develop, implement and enforce a “Stormwater
Management Program” designed to control pollutants to the maximum extent
practicable, protect water quality, and satisfy appropriate requirements
of the federal Clean Water Act." The scope of the general permit
requirements includes public education, and best management practices at
construction sites and municipal operations, as well as detection and
elimination of illegal discharges. These practices are tied to loading
of nutrients and bacteria into waterways (total maximum daily loads, or TMDLs).
Towns within the Blackstone River Watershed covered under this permit
include Bellingham, Blackstone, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville,
Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge, and Millbury. Cleaning up the
stormwater that is processed through these MS4 systems would improve
water quality in the Blackstone, Mill, Mumford, and West Rivers and
associated wetlands and tributaries. The public comment period ends on
December 29th with a public hearing to be held in Leominster on Nov. 19th.
In 2010, the EPA issued draft permits that were never finalized due in
part to resistance from regulated entities. The Massachusetts River
Alliance has developed model comments
(PDF)
(MS Word)
that can be used/modified by groups or
individuals wanting to speak out on behalf of stronger water protection
in our state.
Information on the draft permit, hearings and comment period can be
found at:
http://www.epa.gov/region1/npdes/stormwater/MS4_MA.html.
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FAMILY FOCUS
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Take an Indoor Tour.... on the Wild Side
Autumn is slowly leading us towards winter. We will
encounter more days with wind, rain, and low temperatures that can discourage
children from getting out and exploring nature. Why not plan a "field trip"
to a Natural History museum instead?
Although dinosaurs may be the first thing that pops into your mind when you
think about these museums, you can also explore exhibits like
"New England Forests", "Arthropods", "New England's Watery Habitats",
"A Bird's World", "New England Habitats", "Honey Bees", and many more that
illustrate the structure and function of the land around us. Here's a sample
of museums that can keep your kids engaged, educated, and entertained
practically til the start of springtime!
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REFLECTIONS
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“It is not half so important to know as to feel.” Rachel Carson
Humans evolved from organisms that lived in the oceans. And water
comprises over 60% of our bodies. So I think that it must be part of
our nature to feel a beckoning to return to the water in one form or
another. This sculpture, by Brian Allabaster, captures the essence of
that connection. Who of us has not dreamed of swimming freely among the
gentle plants and animals that inhabit our rivers, lakes, and oceans?
Image printed with permission by Brian Allabaster, ARBS, as accessed at
http://www.brian-alabaster.com/editions-for-sale/phoebe-bronze-98-cm-edition/sculpture-girl-over-water.html.
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Views & opinions expressed in linked websites do not necessarily
state or reflect those of the BRWA.
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Your input is crucial to this eNewsletter. If you have a local
watershed-related story, information of interest to our subscribers, or
comments about this publication, drop an email to the editor.
The Blackstone River Watershed Association (BRWA) has a mission to
engage, educate and advocate for improved water quality in the Blackstone
River Watershed; its objectives are to:
- Engage the public in watershed stewardship activities,
- Educate members, supporters and watershed residents on watershed protection strategies, and
- Improve the water quality and esthetics of the Blackstone River Watershed’s water bodies.
The BRWA eNewsletter is published monthly by the Blackstone River Watershed
Association. BRWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Editor: Susan Thomas susan.thomas@thebrwa.org
Mailing address: BRWA, 271 Oak Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
Phone: 508-278-5200 Web: www.thebrwa.org
Click here for back issues.
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