|| The River Current || April 24, 2006 || Issue XXVI || 

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

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In this issue:

1)       Whole Foods 5% Day - Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 25th

2)       ACTION ALERTS!

3)       Volunteer this weekend... and beyond

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1) TOMORROW is Whole Foods Markets 5% Day - shop to support CRWA!          

On Tuesday, April 25 shop at any of the ten Whole Foods Market locations in the watershed, and 5% of the day's sales will be donated to the Charles River Watershed Association! The more you shop, the more they give! Tell your friends, and be sure to stop by a Whole Foods tomorrow - CRWA staff and Board members will be at the stores to talk about the organization and answer questions.

2) ACTION ALERTS!! We need your help!

Protect the Public's Rights to challenge waterways licenses in the Tidelands!

House Bill 4741, a pro-developer bill to "streamline" permitting for development, would eliminate the right of citizens to seek review of a Chapter 91 waterways license.  This bill was never given a hearing and will be taken up early next week by the House of Representatives. 

The bill tramples on the public trust rights in the tidelands - rights we as citizens all hold that are older than the founding of Massachusetts.  Tidelands exist along the shore and inland along our rivers.  In the Charles, tidelands jurisdiction extends up to the Watertown Dam.

The bill's outrageous provisions (Sections 8 and 9) take away the right of citizens to challenge  waterways licenses before DEP, or in court.  There is no question that public involvement and the possibility of a citizens' appeal have resulted in far better licenses - licenses that include public access to the waterfront and strong public benefit.  Click here to read the Boston Globe editorial on this bill.

Please spend a few minutes to protect the public legacy in our tidelands - it is important that you let your voice be heard! Write, email or call Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi and your representatives today that you oppose Sections 8 and 9 in HB 4741.

 Click here to view and download a sample letter:

http://www.crwa.org/alert/Streamlinedbill0306/HB4741sampleletter.html

To find your legislators, go to: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

To view the entire action alert, read the bill, and for links to more information, click here:

http://www.crwa.org/alert/Streamlinedbill0306/HB4741issuesconcerns.html

Demand More Funding for DCR's Urban Parks and Stormwater Management!

House Ways and Means budget amendments were filed last week and debate on the amendments began today.  Two amendments that we support call for increased funding for:

    Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) stormwater management (Clerk number 875) - provides $3 million for     stormwater management, sponsored by Rep. Paulsen

Having worked with DCR staff and the Stewardship Council for over a year on stormwater management issues, CRWA has determined that DCR needs at least $3 million in 2007 just to meet their most basic operations and maintenance requirements for stormwater management.  The Governor's budget recommended only $1.5 million.  The House budget recommended only $750,000!  Because stormwater management is mandated by federal and state law, underfunding this line item will simply result in money being pulled from another budget area like parks, pools or beaches.  Adequate funding for stormwater management is a must for DCR. 

    DCR's Urban Parks (Clerk numbers 989 and 1112) - increases the Urban Parks budget to $25,969,822 - sponsored by Rep. Smizik

DCR's Urban Parks need sufficient funds to pay for basic services including facilities staffing such as lifeguards and maintenance crews, and for much-needed parkland maintenance and stewardship.  Mowing, trash collection, invasive species control, tree pruning and planting, and erosion control have all been well below acceptible norms.  Additional funds will help begin to restore the long-neglected Urban Parks system.