The River Current ~ February 2, 2010 ~ Issue 105

The e-newsletter of the Charles River Watershed Association
...bringing our backyard river to your door...

 

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In this issue

• EPA stormwater permit
• Spring events

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1) EPA issues new draft stormwater permit

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a new draft stormwater permit - the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, or MS4, permit - for public comment. This permit will guide cities and towns in cleaning up polluted runoff, the biggest source of pollution to the Charles River. Every time it rains or snows, fertilizers, sand and salt, pet waste, litter, and other items flow often directly into the Charles River or other streams and ponds, which have a negative impact on fish, plants, and water quality.

The new permits are the primary way that stormwater management will be regulated in most cities and towns and Massachusetts, including all the municipalities in the Charles watershed except for Boston, which has its own permit.  The proposed general permit is aimed at strengthening municipal stormwater clean-up efforts such as improving street sweeping technologies and removing sewage from storm drains. In watersheds where a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) has been completed, such as the Charles, the permit requires cities and towns to develop a control plan, outlining how they will gradually come into compliance with the TMDL requirements.

CRWA will be preparing comments to EPA on the draft permit, and we encourage you to submit your comments as well. Comments are due by March 31, 2010.  Visit CRWA's stormwater web page for more details about stormwater management.  For more information on the proposed permits, go to EPA's web page.

2) CRWA spring calendar of events

February 25: Tapped screening at Suffolk
Suffolk University, in collaboration with CRWA, presents Tapped, a film about bottled water, at 6pm on Thursday, February 25. The film will be followed by Q&A with experts including CRWA's Margaret Van Deusen. For more information or to RSVP contact recycle@suffolk.edu, or click here to view a PDF flier on the event.

March 7-10: Cities of the Future Conference
Water Environment Federation's Urban River Restoration 2010/ Cities of the Future 2010 will take place at the Boston Marriott Cambridge from March 7-10. CRWA will be presenting at a workshop on the Mystic Collaborative project, and Kate Bowditch will present on Climate Change & Green Infrastructure. Registration is required; click here for more information.

March 31: CRWA Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner
Our 2009 Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner will take place on the evening of Wednesday,March 31, at Newton Marriott Hotel. More details will be available soon!

April 24: 11th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup
More than 3,000 volunteers will pick up litter along the banks of the Charles River and other streams and ponds in the watershed, at one of the country's largest one-day cleanups. Volunteer yourself, or gather a group from your neighborhood, school, or business. Visit www.charlesriver.org/cleanup.html, call 781-788-0007 x303 or reply to this email for more information or to sign up.

April 25: Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race
Celebrate 28 years of canoe & kayak races on the Charles River at the Run of the Charles on Sunday, April 25!  We are seeking canoe and kayak racers (professional, amateur or recreational), volunteers, and sponsors for this year's race. Or come and watch the action, enjoy live music and vendors at the free Finish Line Festival. To race, sponsor or volunteer, contact Sally at 508-698-6810, rotc@crwa.org, or click here.