November 15, 2001

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED AT CRWA'S ANNUAL MEETING

Six River Stewards Honored

Newton, MA - It’s been a decade of growth for the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), and a record achievement for the Charles River. On November 14th, CRWA celebrated Bob Zimmerman’s 10^th year as Executive Director at its Annual Meeting. 

When Zimmerman joined CRWA in 1991, the organization had been at work 25 years protecting the Charles River through pollution control and watershed management, however, the river was still seriously polluted and experiencing increasing low flow problems.  Today, under Zimmerman’s leadership, CRWA has grown from a staff of three to 11 including environmental engineers, scientists, planners, a lawyer, and biochemists.  CRWA now has its own water quality lab and computer modeling expertise.  According to CRWA president, Kelly McClintock, “CRWA is now the largest watershed association in the country, with the strongest capabilities for addressing our river’s problems.  But what counts is not CRWA’s growth, but our success, led by Zimmerman, in using that capacity to make real changes for a better river.” 

Successes under Zimmerman’s leadership include CRWA’s monthly water quality sampling program that has allowed it to pinpoint sources of pollution along the river and to work with appropriate agencies and polluters to stop discharges.  Since the sampling program began in 1995, acceptable boating standards on the river have improved from 39% to 84% of the time and swimming standards have improved from 19% to 66% of the time.  Additionally, CRWA’s work has led to drastic decreases in the amount of raw sewage and untreated stormwater flowing into the river each year.  Both CRWA’s technical projects and public education efforts have helped to increase citizens, agencies, and municipalities’ understanding of the causes of water quantity and quality problems throughout the watershed.

Under Zimmerman’s leadership, the organization will continue to explore new approaches to watershed management and to work with similar organizations in implementing innovative strategies.  Zimmerman, who was the keynote speaker at the Annual Meeting, highlighted the achievements in the health over the past decade.

CRWA also honored six outstanding individuals for their exceptional efforts on behalf of the Charles at its annual meeting. 

CRWA’s highest honor, the Anne M. Blackburn Award, was presented to Dr. Attila Klein, Professor of Biology at Brandeis University.  Each year, he draws students and citizens to the river, teaching them how the river system works and inspiring them to develop projects leading to a better understanding of the river’s problems and solutions to those problems.  Additionally, Dr. Klein serves as a technical advisor to CRWA’s in-house lab.

Laury Coolidge, a long-time member and friend to CRWA, received CRWA’s 2005 Award, established to honor individuals who make significant contributions toward making the Charles swimmable and fishable by the year 2005.  For over 16 years, Mr. Coolidge has volunteered countless hours to cleaning the brush from the banks of the Charles from the Hatch Shell to the BU Bridge to allow people a better view of the river. 

CRWA’s Citizen Activist Award went to Linda Cox and Jeryl Orestaglia,  co-presidents of the Esplanade Association for their involvement in the campaign to ensure full environmental and public review of BU’s proposed sailing pavilion on prime Esplanade land.  The Esplanade Association works to restore, preserve, and enhance the historic Charles River Esplanade. 

State Representative Paul Demakis was the recipient of CRWA’s Public Official Award.  Rep. Demakis is a strong advocate of environmental issues and has worked with CRWA to protect and promote the Charles River Esplanade.  His efforts include securing state funds for land and facilities upkeep and advocating for a proper review and public process of BU’s proposed sailing pavilion.

Michael Hutto was honored with a Special Recognition award for donating his time and talent to the design of the new Charles River Recreation Guide. 

One of CRWA’s longest-serving volunteers, John F. Cronin, will be given the Volunteer Award.  Cronin has faithfully helped at the Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race since it began in 1982.  He heads the rescue operation at the breached Beamis Dam in Watertown, where he has thrown life lines to capsized paddlers from as many as 30 boats in a single year. 

Four new members were welcomed to the CRWA Board of Directors: Brian O’Donovan of West Newton, CEO of the New England Revolution Soccer Club and VP of the New England Patriots; Charles D. McCrea, CEO of Environmental Careers Organization; John Palfrey, Vice President of Operations at Analine Technologies; and Liz Levin of Boston, a Vice President at Rizzo Associates.

One of the country's first watershed organizations, CRWA was formed in 1965 in response to public concern about the declining condition of the Charles River. Since its earliest days of advocacy, CRWA has figured prominently in major clean-up and watershed protection efforts that have dramatically improved the health of the Charles.