Based on the evaluations of the 117 issues in Section 3, the
following are the recommended priority issues and/or tasks for the NCW
Watershed. Most issues and tasks are combined into grouped recommendations, with
item numbers referring to the public input list from Section 3, along with which
goals from Section 2 each recommendation most addresses. These recommendations
are intended as guidelines for seeking funding for community groups. They are
in rough order of priority but related recommendations are juxtaposed for coherence.
The NCW’s shellfish beds along most of the NCW coast have
been closed for many years, but clamming on the beaches was once an integral
part of those communities. Shellfish bed health can serve as a proxy for
general marine health, and would be a very visible indicator of improvement. The
loss of eelgrass is a related issue. Some NCW shellfish beds remain open, in We recommend a study noting which beaches once had shellfish
beds, and what is needed to return them to safe sources of food. Only older
residents now remember the traditional shellfish beds, and documenting that
tradition would serve as public outreach as well as an impetus for cleanup. Shellfish
could generate millions of dollars and has one of the strongest economic
multipliers of any business, and hence closed shellfish beds is as much about
job generation as about ecology. The study might include an economic component
of the recreational and financial value of shellfishing in the past and the
potential value of reopening shellfish beds. We also recommend working with DMF
to prioritize the shellfish beds by their potential economic importance and the
amount of effort required to reopen them. A related survey might include which
beaches are closed to swimming, for what percentage of each summer. Prioritization could be based on quality of the resource -- i.e.
marketable quantities of shellfish, likelihood of success, etc. In some cases it may be possible to re-open shellfish
beds just for restricted digging such as harvesting of bait. (Public Input Items
34, 39 through, 41; Goals 1, 2, and 5). Salt marshes in Salem Sound have been reduced from 185 acres
to 65 acres since 1960. Rumney Marsh to the south and the Great Marsh to the
north face similar problems. Rumney Marsh is an under-utilized recreational resource,
especially for canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching, and perhaps other activities.
Rumney Marsh is also the site of a potentially very large project, the Blue
Line extension. A recreational survey, perhaps with a species catalog of flora
and fauna, would publicize the issues of what are the potential problems of a
major construction project in a fragile ecosystem (which is also an ACEC). The
previous plan for Rumney Marsh included a species list along with a list of projects
dedicated to restoring flow and habitat, and a follow-up could be done with
recreational focus. Similar efforts should be done for the Great Marsh and for
smaller marshes in NCW, with a focus on restoration, mitigation and
enhancement. The same could apply to the potential expansion of Route 1
at nearby Town Line Brook. A more general study might encompass transportation
growth needs in general, in relation to protected wetland areas. The potential
expansion of Route 1 in this region is an opportunity to correct some of the
long time drainage and flooding problems associated with Town Line and Linden
Brook, including upgrading the Town Line flood gates to make them safer to
operate. (Public Input Items 23, 31, 32, 63; Goals
2 and 1). The NCW includes some of Existing programs of regular river cleanups should be
extended to other rivers in NCW and to some of the larger lakes as well. The
lakes in particular are not viewed as recreational resources, and an event that
focused on their cleanliness would serve to change public awareness (most
polluted lakes are open to swimming and boating at least part of the year) as
well as increase awareness of what needs to be done to foster more healthy
lakes and rivers. Specific issues include fly ash in Non-point source pollution is a major source of problems in
NCW lakes, rivers, and ultimately beaches. The major sources are: ·
fertilizers and herbicides from lawns; ·
pet waste (as well as animal waste from
semi-tame Canadian geese); ·
leaching from contami ·
nutrients from on-site septic systems; and ·
runoff of sediment, road salt, petroleum
products, and heavy metals from impervious surfaces. The target of this recommendation is the general public and
local officials. The general public is generally unaware of the connection
between their activities and water pollution. Local officials are often unaware
of inexpensive practices that would greatly reduce contami ·
Citizens are generally unaware of the connection
of their lawn maintenance (fertilizers and herbicides) on water quality in
nearby lakes, so the primary issue is publicity about them. A brochure on lawn
fertilizers can be found at http://www.mass.gov/dep/brp/wm/files/fertiliz.pdf
·
Citizens are generally unaware of the connection
between pet waste and water quality as well. A brochure on this subject can be
found at http://www.mass.gov/dep/brp/wm/files/petwaste.pdf
·
Establishing buffer zones along lakes with
nearby lawns (such as ·
Educate communities to consider permit and
development strategies that address stormwater runoff – implementing BMPs that
reduce runoff, beneficial stormwater recharge, buffer zones, and Low Impact
Development (LID) in general. ·
Problems caused by roads and impervious surfaces
in general will increase in the future, and a base study estimating current
runoff quantities of each pollutant would be valuable for future comparison. MassGIS has been planning an
“impervious surface layer” for some time – its completion would provide data
about the issue in NCW relative to the rest of the state. (Public Input Items 13 through 22; Goals 3 and 6) This general recommendation applies to the NCW’s rivers,
streams, lakes, and ponds, as well as coastal marine waters. Eliminating point
sources of pollution (primarily CSOs) and reducing non-point sources (detailed
in 4E) make for a starting point. Some of the recommendations of DEP’s 1997/1998 Water Quality
Assessment of the North Coastal Watersheds remain unimplemented. We recommend continuing
and expanding stormwater monitoring through regular bacterial sampling of
streams and outfalls in the Salem Sound watershed and elsewhere in the
NCW. Some specific sub-recommendations: ·
Innovative use of the State Revolving Fund for
septic improvement. ·
Better use (via publicity, perhaps) of the
income tax credit for septic improvement. Current tax credit is $6,000 for
correcting failed septic systems. ·
Fix illicit sewer connections to reduce
pathogens and monitor existing and fixed systems. ·
Rehabilitate old sewer systems (for example, ·
Communities need guidance in evaluating upgrades
of sewer systems (septic vs. town systems). A useful manual is at http://www.epa.gov/region1/topics/assets/pdfs/OWTSFactSheetFINAL.pdf
. ·
Better use of “Watershed Aquifer Protection” for
legal protection upstream-to-downstream. ·
Aquifer protection extends to drinking water
protection, management, and planning. A buildout analysis appears in Appendix M
to assist with analysis, for determining where additional protection is
appropriate. ·
Address / publicize pet cleanup as a water
quality issue ·
Reduce public geese feeding, especially along
lakes (such as This general recommendation is related to the more specific
recommendation above regarding contami The ecological
integrity of the NCW is at risk because of numerous sensitive habitats
throughout the watershed which are under development pressure from population
growth. At-risk habitat should be protected where intact, evaluated where lost,
and restored once evaluated. This general recommendation covers numerous
subtopics: ·
·
Heath lands and grasslands in Lynn Woods and ·
Eelgrass habitat in shallow marine areas of
Nahant, ·
Vernal pools are a unique habitat which are
under-catalogued in NCW ·
Direct habitat loss affects salt marshes and
other wetlands ·
Marine and terrestrial invasive species are a
major issue especially in Salem Sound ·
Marine invasives primarily from ballast water
and shipping and food production Invasive species are
a major threat in the NCW to sensitive habitat. While invasive species are
recognized by ecologists the issue is mostly unknown to the general public.
This researcher saw numerous examples of general acceptance of invasive species
as normal – from bouquets of phragmites to calendar photos featuring purple
loosestrife. Groups should consider including them as part of other grant
proposals instead of as the main focus.
Including invasive species as part of a general category of “sensitive
habitat” would be a more effective means of educating the public on this issue.
(Public
Input Items 74 through 80; Goal 2). Low river flow is
the source of many problems in NCW. Maintaining an adequate – and preferably
natural – water flow would improve aquatic ecosystem viability, would help with
base flow flood control, would ensure viability of the drinking water supply,
would help ensure public safety via fire control water pressure, and would
improve aesthetics and recreation. An improved flow would also aid with anadromous
fish restoration as detailed in the next recommendation. Some specifics for
water flow: ·
Reduce or elimi ·
Consider dam removal where feasible. ·
Reduce intra-basin transfers including
wastewater. ·
Beneficial infiltration to maintain base flow. ·
Alleviate tidal restrictions. ·
Promote Low Impact Development (LID). (Public Input Items 4, 53, 56 through 60, 62 through
65; Goals 4 and 2). Anadromous fish
restoration is needed in several rivers in the watershed, especially the In the absence of
adequate flow, and in the presence of dams, fish ladders would assist
anadromous fish runs. Studies of this issue would include: fish ladder
feasibility studies, fish counts, study of spawning habitat. The goal would be
to restore the last century’s fish runs of thousands, all the way up to Flood protection and flood planning was independently cited
as an issue in several different communities around NCW. Besides focusing on
individual solutions to each flooding issue, we recommend a watershed-wide
focus on information sharing and lessons-learned from flood control, both from
elsewhere in the NCW and from other watersheds. The Watershed Team (or a
specialist in flood control who traveled to the several towns listed) could
serve as an information source on BMPs and on establishing the need and benefit
for flood control. A related sub-recommendation is: Improve the watershed’s
physical characteristics and functions by specific flood prevention. Physical
watershed functions should be addressed in an ecologically sensitive way,
avoiding drastic and permanent solutions like the multi-mile wall proposed by
the ACE, known as “The Great Wall of Saugus.” In general, hydrological studies are partially complete but
their recommendations remain unimplemented.
The ecological benefits of flood control also should be more integrated
into other flood planning. Flood control measures should account for anadromous
fish migrations. (Public Input Items 53 through
63; Goal 4). Several local groups focus on “greenbelts” and parks in one
area. There is an additional need for information sharing between those groups,
which could be served through the Watershed Team. The NCW Team, or a traveling
specialist, could host focus groups on open space issues. These focus groups would
include examples of successful open space conservation from other nearby towns,
bylaw and zoning changes for implementing “Conservation Subdivisions,” information about conservation
easements, etc. The focus groups should start with Conservation
Commissioners and Zoning Board members, but should also include Planning Board
members, city staff responsible for open space planning, representatives from
permit-granting authorities, as well as elected officials and their staff. The purpose should be education on the
conservation and ecological goals of open space planning as well as input from
focus group participants on their goals. Farmland represents large parts of the open space remaining
in the NCW. Farms also provide habitat, but are currently being reduced by seven
to 15 acres per day[9]
statewide. Fostering “buy local food” initiatives provides a financial boost
for local farms. This recommendation includes an education and outreach aspect.
(Items 27, 68, 69). Some specific sub-recommendations: ·
Foster “Agricultural Commissions” on a regional
basis if possible, or on a town basis. Purpose would be to inform the public,
elected officials, and their staff about agricultural issues, analogous to Conservation
Commissions. ·
Provide information on direct financial benefit
of farms (local food, local jobs) as well as the indirect benefits such as
wildlife habitat, historical resources, and open space. ·
Make tie-in to other environmental issues,
especially CO2 reduction, by reducing food transportation due to local
purchasing. Farmland also provides CO2 sequestration. (Public Input Items 27, 69 98,
117; Goals 1 and 2). The Watershed Team endorses the Grow Smart North Shore Open
Space Plan as its open space guidance. The recommendations there should be
considered recommendations of this action plan as well. The Open Space plan is
available on our website, www.northcoastal.net/ncw/Docs/GrowSmartNorthShore.pdf
. Some of the Grow Smart recommendations are outdated, so some
specific recommendations focus supporting sustainable growth and planning and
implementation for that support: ·
Support the Green Neighborhood ·
Plan for adequate water supply to meet growth in
demand. ·
Conduct a watershed wide assessment of DEP’s
Comprehensive Survey of Public Water Supply. ·
Redevelop abandoned and under utilized
properties. ·
Support local Open Space Committees and an Open
Space Committee network. (Public Input Items 54, 61, 67
through 73, 92, 95, 99; Goals 6 and 1). Environmental groups and watershed teams tend to “preach to
the choir,” and hence there is a need for public outreach. Outdoor public Earth
Day activities, and focusing on high school students, are good solutions to
this problem. The to-be-produced NCW video would serve well as an introductory
tool for both those audiences as well as others.
(Public Input Items 104 through 107). Including greenbelt organizations,
chambers of commerce, and major industries would widen the watershed dialog to
other stakeholders. There are numerous effective watershed groups, conservation
groups, and open-space groups throughout the watershed but they often do not
work together towards mutual goals. This reflects in part the diverse geography
of the watershed and also reflects in part the lack of MWI impetus. Several of
the recommendations focus on watershed-wide actions – in general, including
chambers of commerce, major industries, boards of health, Conservation
Commissions, as well as local environmental groups would gain. (Public Input Items 100 through 117). The NCW region has little cohesive identity, since it lacks
the unifying river that most watersheds have. Hence liaison activity with other
The NCW Team should
establish itself as a prime information source for grant funding news. This can
be accomplished via the website and/or an e-newsletter. In the post-MWI
situation, this is an important need for local groups. The local groups should
send representatives to the NCW Team meetings for the purpose of liaison with
other groups and to be more aware of grant opportunities. In particular, we
recommend regularly inviting new participants to NCW Team meetings and making it
worthwhile for them to attend by distributing grant-writing materials from
fresh grant sources. Also, several Ipswich River-based groups (e.g., In previous
watershed action plans, the specific recommendations were directed toward the
Watershed Team, to be implemented and funded over the subsequent five years.
With the dissolution of the MWI, that goal can be met in concept by encouraging
the implementation of the watershed initiative’s goals via other funding
sources, in conjunction with other projects, and by citing the general goals of
this report as evidence of ecological needs.
The Grow Smart North
Shore Open Space Plan should be considered a good example of the watershed
team’s goals being well represented via other projects. Other regional and local planning documents
should be encouraged to do the same. In particular, two regional documents are
forthcoming which would benefit from NCW and other watershed team input: the
MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) plan and the MVPC (Merrimack Valley
Planning Commission) Plan. Both should include the interests of NCW, since they
are seeking bottom-up input and representation on their Steering Committee. Most
immediately, the MAPC “Metro Futures” steering committee meets in summer 2004. The same concept
applies to planning documents on a smaller scale than the watershed level.
Community planning, as well as sub-watershed planning, should include NCW
concerns goals. In particular, 401
Certifications are a good venue for including watershed concerns. In general,
NCW team members should use this report as a means to include those concerns and
goals in community planning documents. (Public Input Items 5, 66, 73, 100, 104, 110, 115; Goals
6 and 1). There will be a continuing need for additional data
collection in the watershed, to enhance our ability to conduct a more
comprehensive assessment of watershed conditions. Other general ongoing tasks
include: ·
An assessment of the composition and overall
functioning of the Watershed Team, and implementation of appropriate changes to
increase stakeholder representation, participation of team members in watershed
activities, and the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Team; ·
Identification of additional watershed
stakeholders and recruiting new Team members; ·
An accounting of the measurable successes of the
Team to date; ·
Identification and prioritization of watershed
issues and concerns as this report becomes outdated; ·
Assuring active Team participation in the
development of important documents, such as the new 303(d) list; ·
Working more with watershed partners in securing
grants; ·
Development of a periodic watershed e-mail
newsletter; ·
Further development of the watershed website,
both as a means of information dissemination, and for soliciting stakeholder
input on watershed and Team activities and issues. We will also employ a multi-pronged approach that adjusts to
the availability of resources, provide an effective means of adjusting to
opportunities in funding, new initiatives, community interest and sufficient
flexibility to adjust to the vagaries of time and resources. Recognize that
meaningful change will not necessarily be exhibited in the short term speaking
either in a spatial or temporal sense. Our key strategies are to implement
efforts at the subwatershed level. Wherever possible we recommend utilizing pilot
projects to test certain assumptions and practices and evaluate their
effectiveness in different locations. Understand that in many cases a variety
of resources maybe needed to accomplish long ter ·
Integrate activities, responses and
assistance to local communities and citizens with team members where ever and
as often as possible, ·
Work in increments many of the issues
will not be solved by the success of single action but require several actions,
·
Project local successes through
collaborative demonstrations to other communities.4. RECOMMENDATIONS
4A. Study and rehabilitate closed coastal shellfish
beds
4B. Initiate and develop salt marsh recreational and
ecological survey
4C. Reinstitute beach
maintenance & develop area beach management plans
4D. Expand river and lake cleanups
4E. Publicize and reduce contami
4F. Restore and Protect Water Quality/ Reduce
Pathogens
4G. Protect, evaluate, and restore sensitive habitat
4H. Maintain
natural water flow regime
4I. Restore anadromous
fish habitat
4J. Watershed-wide flood planning
4K. Watershed-wide open space planning
(Public Input Items 67 through 73, 92, 98, 99;
Goals 2, 1, and 6).4L. Preserve and protect farmland
4M. Implement the Grow
4N. Direct outreach to communities / build sense of
stewardship
4O. Liaison for grant opportunities
4P.
Meet watershed goals via other projects
A VISION FOR
THE WATERSHED