The
River Current ~ June 11, 2010 ~ Issue 115
The e-newsletter of the
Charles River Watershed
Association
...bringing our backyard river to your door...
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In this issue
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1) Canoe for a good cause! Volunteer to pull water chestnuts this summer
For the fourth season, Charles River Watershed Association is partnering with Charles River Canoe & Kayak to work with volunteers to remove the invasive water chestnut plant from the Newton and Waltham area of the Charles.
Pulling water chestnuts is a great way to explore the river, while doing good and helping to restore the natural ecosystem. Volunteers go out on the river in canoes, and remove the water chestnuts by hand. There will be several public events this summer where you can help out, all taking place at Charles River Canoe and Kayak in Newton (RSVP is required):
Tuesday, June 22 - 5pm to 8pm
Saturday, June 26 - 10am to 2pm
Saturday, July 17 - 10am to 2pm
We also welcome corporate, neighborhood, scout troops and other private groups of 20-60 volunteers during weekdays or weekends in June or July. If you have a group that may be interested, please contact us!
For more information or to RSVP, call 781-788-0007 x224 or email waterchestnut [at] crwa.org. Click here learn more about the volunteer removal efforts.
2) Upcoming events
Everett Street Community Green Space Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Monday, June 21, 3-4 pm
At Everett St & Holton St, Allston.
Click here to view a PDF invitation with more information, or click here to learn more about the Everett Street greening project. According to the Allston-Brighton TAB, "The project is a demonstration of how implementing a few green technologies can help significantly reduce pollutants to the Charles River from stormwater runoff, while creating a greener community space for residents to enjoy." If you'd like to join us at the ribbon cutting, please RSVP to Rebecca. Click here for contact info.
EPA Public Hearing on Stormwater Regulations
Tuesday, June 22, 6pm
At Tri-County Regional Vocational School Auditorium, 147 Pond Street, Franklin.
Please join CRWA and other river advocates at this public hearing to show your support for EPA's new proposed stormwater regulatory program in the upper Charles. Members of the public are encouraged to speak at the hearing, and we hope you will consider doing so. We will prepare basic fact sheets and sample testimony language for those who are interested. Please contact Kate Bowditch at CRWA if you would like briefing materials prior to the June 22 meeting. Click here for contact info.
These new regulations, and an associated permit for private properties with 2 acres or more of impervious cover, are the logical next step in efforts to clean up the Charles and return it to fishable and swimmable standards throughout its length, throughout the year. CRWA's web page has more information about stormwater and the proposed regulations; check back for updates as the meeting approaches. EPA's web page has links to the draft permit, Fact Sheets, and much more.
Save the Date!
Gubernatorial Forum on Energy and the Environment
Tuesday, June 29, 6-8pm
At Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street, Boston.
Governor Patrick and Green party candidate Jill Stein have already confirmed, and other candidates have been invited. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to smoser@environmentalleague.org
Current event sponsors: Charles River Watershed Association, Conservation Law Foundation, Mass Audubon, and more!
3) Senate Budget Updates
The Senate discussed amendments to the budget last week, and we thank all of you who took time to call or email your senator about the amendments! There is some good news on the budget. Senator Brewer's amendment which would permanently waive the administrative charge for the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program was adopted. The state has been taking 36% of funds that come into the program as a standard administrative charge, and these funds will now stay with the program. This was a unanimous roll call vote.
The Senate also approved higher funding levels for Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Recreation. All of these changes now need to be adopted in conference committee; the budget conferees will be appointed soon, and we will keep you posted about the progress.
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River Current is published twice monthly (or as needed) by the Charles River Watershed Association and
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