This 5-Year Watershed Action Plan will serve as the
strategic environmental planning document for the North Coastal Watersheds
(NCW) Team for calendar years 2004-2008. It is intended to provide a long-term
vision for the watershed and to describe a set of overall goals and objectives.
The goals of the NCW team and the Action Plan are: 1. Open Space: Foster Sustainable Development (people-oriented). 2. Habitat: Conserve habitat and wildlife (nature-oriented). 3. Water Quality: Improve water quality and water-related human
health. 4. Water Quantity: Better water management / flood control. 5. Recreation: Foster recreational use of natural resources and
economic growth related to recreation. 6. Outreach: Local capacity building, outreach, and education. The Action Plan was developed in conjunction with
representatives of a wide array of public watershed interests, via input at
public meetings, on a website (www.NorthCoastal.net),
through newspaper articles, and through videotaping at public events. The
Action Plan identifies existing conditions and unresolved issues, and then
develops priorities for action. The Action Plan recommends concrete actions for the next
five years to work towards those goals. Formerly, EOEA’s Massachusetts
Watershed Initiative would have overseen the implementation of the Action Plan.
With the dissolution of that Initiative, implementation will be accomplished in
a more decentralized manner – primarily via local watershed groups, with some
oversight and input from EOEA and other Watershed Team representatives. For the
NCW, the Watershed Team still meets, as an information-sharing source for its
constituent watershed groups, and EOEA continues to embrace the Watershed
Initiative’s goals and methods via the NCW Watershed Team. The Action Plan in
that context becomes a reference source for use in grant applications by the
local watershed groups. The recommendations of this Action Plan are: ·
A. Study and rehabilitate closed coastal
shellfish beds ·
B. Initiate and develop a salt marsh
recreational and ecological survey ·
C. Reinstitute beach maintenance & develop
area beach management plans ·
D. Expand river and lake cleanups ·
E. Publicize and reduce contami ·
F. Restore and Protect Water Quality/ Reduce
Pathogens ·
G. Protect, evaluate, and restore sensitive
habitat ·
H. Maintain natural water flow regime ·
I. Restore anadromous fish habitat ·
J. Watershed-wide flood planning ·
K. Watershed-wide open space planning ·
L. Preserve and protect farmland ·
M. Implement the Grow ·
N. Direct outreach to communities / build sense
of stewardship ·
O. Liaison for grant opportunities ·
P. Meet watershed goals via other projects The protection and restoration of the North Coastal
Watersheds’ resources will take the combined efforts of many communities:
citizens, local governments, environmental groups, state and federal agencies,
and business. The success the Watershed Team has in bringing these communities
together will in large part determine the success of the North Coastal
Watersheds Action Plan. The 5-year Watershed Action Plan should thus be
considered “a living document” that will change as new issues and needs are
identified, and new partners join the Watershed Team. The results of the Action Plan include a 30-minute video
intended for distribution to high schools, libraries, and local cable TV
stations. For those interested in reading more than the brief video can
provide, this Action Plan will be distributed to the same locations.. In
addition, the website www.NorthCoastal.net
contains a record of numerous public input as well as a reference library of
numerous relevant documents. That website will be maintained indefinitely. NCW 5-Year Action Plan: Table of Contents EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY................................................................................................. 5 Political Boundaries / Transportation Map.......................................................................................................... Insert
1 North Coastal Wetlands Map.............................................................................................................................. Insert
2 North Coastal Open Space Map.......................................................................................................................... Insert
3 North Coastal Land Use Map.............................................................................................................................. Insert
4 1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 6 1A. NORTH COASTAL WATERSHEDS: Physical and social setting.................................................................... 6 Ecoregions....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Physical Features............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Social Setting................................................................................................................................................................... 8 1B. HISTORICAL CONTEXT......................................................................................................................................... 9 1C. THE MASSACHUSETTS WATERSHED INITIATIVE..................................................................................... 10 2. ISSUES AND STRATEGIES.................................................................................... 11 2A. Open Space: Sustainable Development...................................................................................................................... 11 2B. Habitat Conservation.................................................................................................................................................. 11 2C. Water Quality Improvement...................................................................................................................................... 12 2D. Water Quantity Management..................................................................................................................................... 13 2E. Recreation as Economic Resource............................................................................................................................... 14 2F. Capacity Building & Outreach.................................................................................................................................... 14 Public Input Process......................................................................................................................................................... 15 3. PUBLIC INPUT............................................................................................................ 16 Waterways........................................................................................................................................................................ 17 Non-point sources............................................................................................................................................................. 17 Non-point sources (continued)......................................................................................................................................... 18 Development..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Marine............................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Marine (continued)............................................................................................................................................................ 19 Wastewater........................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Water supply.................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Water Supply (continued)................................................................................................................................................. 20 Land Use........................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Invasive Species................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Ecology.............................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Outreach............................................................................................................................................................................ 22 4. RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................. 23 4A. Study and rehabilitate closed coastal shellfish beds................................................................................................... 23 4B. Initiate and develop salt marsh recreational and
ecological survey............................................................................. 23 4C. Reinstitute beach maintenance & develop area
beach management plans.................................................................. 23 4D. Expand river and lake cleanups.................................................................................................................................. 24 4E. Publicize and reduce contaminated stormwater runoff............................................................................................... 24 4F. Restore and Protect Water Quality/ Reduce Pathogens.............................................................................................. 25 4G. Protect, evaluate, and restore sensitive habitat.......................................................................................................... 25 4H. Maintain natural water flow regime........................................................................................................................... 26 4I. Restore anadromous fish habitat.................................................................................................................................. 26 4J. Watershed-wide flood planning................................................................................................................................... 25 4K. Watershed-wide open space planning........................................................................................................................ 26 4L. Preserve and protect farmland.................................................................................................................................... 27 4M. Implement the Grow Smart North Shore Open Space Plan...................................................................................... 27 4N. Direct outreach to communities / build sense of
stewardship.................................................................................... 27 4O. Liaison for grant opportunities.................................................................................................................................. 28 4P. Meet watershed goals via other projects.................................................................................................................... 28 A VISION FOR THE WATERSHED............................................................................. 29 Appendix A: Organizational Background................................................. 30 A1. The Massachusetts Watershed Initiative................................................................................................................... 30 A2. Watershed Teams and Community Action................................................................................................................ 31 A3. Watershed Team Structure and Process..................................................................................................................... 31 A4. North Coastal Watersheds Team History.................................................................................................................. 32 A5. Seven Years in Review............................................................................................................................................... 33 Appendix B: NCW Team Members...................................................................... 35 Community Groups................................................................................................. 37 Appendix C: Issues Background.................................................................... 39 NCW subwatershed list.................................................................................................................................................... 39 C1. Saugus River subwatershed ....................................................................................................................................... 39 C2. Nahant Bay subwatershed ......................................................................................................................................... 40 C3. Salem Sound subwatershed ........................................................................................................................................ 40 C4. Cape Anne subwatershed .......................................................................................................................................... 40 C5. Salisbury/Amesbury subwatershed ........................................................................................................................... 41 C6. Lake Quannapowitt.................................................................................................................................................... 41 C7. Chebacco Lake............................................................................................................................................................ 41 C8. Town Line Brook....................................................................................................................................................... 42 C9. Lynn Woods............................................................................................................................................................... 42 C10. Saugus Iron Works.................................................................................................................................................... 42 C11. Water Supply Boards............................................................................................................................................... 43 C12. Contaminated stormwater issues.............................................................................................................................. 43 C13. Impervious Surface runoff........................................................................................................................................ 44 C14. Wastewater issues.................................................................................................................................................... 44 C15. Blue Line Extension.................................................................................................................................................. 45 C16. Agricultural Impacts................................................................................................................................................. 45 Appendix D: Previous Goals............................................................................. 47 Goal 1: Restore and Protect Water Quality...................................................................................................................... 47 Objective 1.1 Minimize point sources of pollution throughout
the watershed............................................................ 47 Objective 1.2 Identify and minimize nonpoint sources of
pollution throughout the watershed.................................. 47 Objective 1.3 Remediate and prevent the spread of invasive
species........................................................................... 48 Goal 2: Build a Sense of Stewardship............................................................................................................................... 48 Objective 2.1 Expand the membership of the North Coastal
Watersheds Team.......................................................... 48 Objective 2.2 Strengthen regional and local watershed advocacy
groups and activities............................................... 48 Objective 2.3 Promote environmental education and awareness.................................................................................. 48 Goal 3 Improve Physical Functions.................................................................................................................................. 49 Objective 3.1 Reduce flooding events........................................................................................................................... 49 Objective 3.2 Improve and enhance ecosystem functions............................................................................................ 49 Goal 4 Support Sustainable Growth................................................................................................................................. 49 Objective 4.1 Continue regional land use planning....................................................................................................... 49 Objective 4.2 Plan for adequate water supply to meet growth in
demand................................................................... 50 Objective 4.3 Redevelop abandoned and under utilized
properties.............................................................................. 50 Goal 5 Implement the Grow Smart North Shore Open Space
Plan.................................................................................. 50 Objective 5.1 Preserve open space and BIO Map core areas....................................................................................... 50 Objective 5.2 Provide for regional recreation opportunities......................................................................................... 50 Appendix E. Accomplishments of previous years.............................. 51 E1. Open Space............................................................................................................................................................... 51 E2. Habitat....................................................................................................................................................................... 53 E3. Water Quality........................................................................................................................................................... 54 E4. Water Quantity......................................................................................................................................................... 59 E5. Recreation................................................................................................................................................................. 60 E6. Local Capacity Building.......................................................................................................................................... 60 E7. Outreach and education.......................................................................................................................................... 62 Appendix F. Impaired Waters............................................................................ 67 Massachusetts Category 2, 3, 4, and 5 Waters - 2002...................................................................................................... 67 North Coastal 303d list 1998............................................................................................................................................ 67 North Coastal 303d list 1996............................................................................................................................................ 72 Appendix G: Funding Sources.......................................................................... 76 Previously Funded Roundtable Projects (FY99-02)......................................................................................................... 91 Appendix H.
Subwatersheds and Municipalities................................... 93 Appendix I. Surface Water Quality
Standards..................................... 96 Appendix J. Designated
Uses........................................................................... 98 J1. AQUATIC LIFE USE................................................................................................................................................. 99 J2. FISH CONSUMPTION USE................................................................................................................................... 100 J3. DRINKING WATER USE....................................................................................................................................... 100 J4. SHELLFISHING USE............................................................................................................................................... 101 J5. PRIMARY CONTACT RECREATIONAL USE................................................................................................... 101 J6. SECONDARY CONTACT RECREATIONAL USE.............................................................................................. 102 J7. AESTHETICS USE................................................................................................................................................... 103 Appendix K. Permits and
Registrations................................................... 104 K1. North Coastal NPDES permits................................................................................................................................ 104 K2. Water Management Registrations and permits........................................................................................................ 108 Appendix L: Relevant Government
Agencies....................................... 110 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)................................................................................................................. 110 Watershed Management plans........................................................................................................................................ 110 National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).......................................................................................... 110 Section 303d: impaired waterbodies................................................................................................................................ 110 FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency........................................................................................................... 111 CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act......................................................................................................................... 111 MEPA Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act......................................................................................................... 111 WMA Massachusetts Water Management Act.............................................................................................................. 111 State Sanitary Code......................................................................................................................................................... 111 Title V, Department of
Environmental Protection.......................................................................................................... 111 Oil and Hazardous Material
Release Prevention Act (MGL 21E)................................................................................. 112 Executive Office of Environmental Affairs..................................................................................................................... 112 Department of Environmental Protection....................................................................................................................... 112 Department of Environmental Management................................................................................................................... 113 Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
(MDAR).................................................................................. 113 Department of Fish and Game (DFG)............................................................................................................................ 113 Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)...................................................................................................... 113 Independent Programs.................................................................................... 114 The Massachusetts Watershed Initiative........................................................................................................................ 114 MEPA Unit..................................................................................................................................................................... 114 Coastal Zone Management.............................................................................................................................................. 114 Division of Conservation Services.................................................................................................................................. 114 Office of Technical Assistance........................................................................................................................................ 115 Water Resources Commission......................................................................................................................................... 115 Wetlands Restoration Program........................................................................................................................................ 115 Appendix M: Potential buildout statistics............................................ 116 Appendix N: MAPC Survey................................................................................. 117 Appendix O: Bibliography................................................................................. 121 Appendix P: Glossary......................................................................................... 125 Acknowledgements........................................................................................... 132 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY