A Cleaner Charles River Campaign

The following is a sample letter to EPA.  We encourage you to add your own anecdotes about why a cleaner Charles River is important to you.  Visit the talking points page for inspiration.  

Remember, if you choose to copy and paste, be sure to fill in all the information in bold.

Sample Letter to the Environmental Protection Agency

Thelma Murphy
Office of Ecosystem Protection
U. S. EPA, CIP
One Congress Street - Suite 1100
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Date (deadline is February 17, 2005)

Dear Ms. Murphy:

Stormwater runoff is one of the last great hurdles to be cleared as we move towards a fishable and swimmable Charles River.  Polluted stormwater affects the flora and fauna of the Charles, and prevents communities along the river from fully taking advantage of the recreational opportunities the river has to offer.  In fact, certain areas of the Charles have been designated by our state as "impaired" by pollutants, including nutrients, metals, pathogens, oil and grease and priority organic pollutants.  Stormwater is the main source of these pollutants.

These towns and DCR have a responsibility to their residents and the residents of the watershed to do all that they can to prevent polluted stormwater from reaching our waterways.  I urge EPA to conduct a thorough and substantive review of the nine lower basin communities' and the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) stormwater management programs to ensure compliance with state and federal clean water laws.  It is only through full compliance with these laws that we can achieve the goal of a truly clean Charles.  

<Insert your own comments here.>

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.

Sincerely,  

Your name

Your town

Download a word document version of this letter.