Category Archives: Conservation

Merrimack River Water Quality Alert: July 18, 2018

Conservation, Merrimack River Watershed Council, Water Safety

The Merrimack River Watershed Council reports that there were sewage releases into the river during yesterday’s storms.  Sewage-related pathogens may be in the river for three or four days until it all gets flushed out by the river current.  Take care if you do any fishing or other activities in the Merrimack.

From the Merrimack River Watershed Council–reprinted by permission.

http://www.merrimack.org/web/3-plants-report-sewage-releases-during-july-17-storm/

 

Founded in 1976, Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) is dedicated to promoting a clean and accessible Merrimack River and watershed. As “the voice of the Merrimack,” the Council’s mission is to protect, improve, and conserve the Merrimack River watershed for people and wildlife through education, recreation, advocacy, and science.

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Counting Herring in the Shawsheen River

Conservation, Service Events

Herring are running on the Shawsheen again… can you help count them?

By Eric Roach

This is an article from the Merrimack River Watershed Council, reprinted by permission.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to participate as a volunteer to count river herring on the Shawsheen River in Andover, Mass.

As you may know, early last year two dams were removed from the lower portion of the Shawsheen — just upstream from where it empties into the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  In the spring, river herring were seen swimming upstream of the removed dams, exploring stretches of the Shawsheen walled off to them for 200 years.

In an effort to quantify how many herring are now utilizing the river, the Shawsheen Greenway has organized a volunteer herring count.  It’s fairly simple to participate in – you visit the sign up website at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090448abae29abf58-shawsheen and pick a day and a four-hour window to observe the river and count herring for 10 minutes.  The counting station is located at the pedestrian bridge by the Atria Senior Living Center.  On the bridge there is a small kiosk placed by the Shawsheen Greenway with some really neat items:  a digital water thermometer, air thermometer, handheld counter, stopwatch, and a clipboard to record your findings.  There is also a fish discernment guide to help you distinguish between river herring and trout.  Maybe the best feature is the white contrast mat placed on the bottom of the river in front of the bridge (this mat makes it really easy to spot the fish).  You may also want to bring a pair of polarized sunglasses, as it really helps you see through the surface glare of the water.

The Shawsheen River as seen from Stevens Street, looking toward the herring counting station. Last year a dam on this location was removed, spurring herring to swim upstream to spawn.

Witnessing herring return from the sea for their annual spawn is a wonderful spring event here in coastal New England, and it shouldn’t be missed. Counting herring will help quantify the value dam removal has within the Merrimack River watershed, and can only help with future efforts. The herring count runs from 4/14 – 6/3; please take a moment and volunteer at least ten minutes this spring to this worthwhile cause; and don’t forget to bring the kids to see a true wonder of nature.

Eric Roach is a member of Plum Island Surfcasters.  Many of us know him for his efforts on riverside cleanup at our favorite shad-fishing spots.

Founded in 1976, Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) is dedicated to promoting a clean and accessible Merrimack River and watershed. As “the voice of the Merrimack,” the Council’s mission is to protect, improve, and conserve the Merrimack River watershed for people and wildlife through education, recreation, advocacy, and science.

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Ipswich River Association: Re-Naturalizing a River

Conservation, Events

Short notice, but it looks like a great talk.  Please RSVP to 978-412-8200.

 

Show Me Your River World Fish Migration Day Presentation

Where: Riverbend, Ipswich River HQ
When: Thursday, May 3rd 6:30 PM to 8 PM

Alicia Pulsifer Heyburn, originally of Ipswich, spent five weeks on a solo bicycle journey along the Rhine River. Along the way, she met with people working to improve river conditions for migratory fish. At each stop she’d ask, “Show me your river”, and encourage participation in World Fish Migration Day, held globally on April 21, 2018.
Now back in Ipswich, where similar restoration efforts are underway, Alicia will be giving a presentation at the Ipswich River Watershed Association about the benefits of re-naturalizing a river to reduce flooding, improve water quality and improve connectivity for migratory species.

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Coastal Barrier Resources Act: Online Virtual Meetings for Public Comment

Conservation, Legislation and Regulation

The federal government has various programs that ENCOURAGE development along our coasts–development that has negative impacts on the environment.  The Coastal Barriers Resources Act is designed to remove these federal incentives.  According to www.fws.gov/CBRA/:

CBRS Mapper screen capture.

In the early 1980s, Congress recognized that certain actions and programs of the Federal Government have historically subsidized and encouraged development on coastal barriers, resulting in the loss of natural resources; threats to human life, health, and property; and the expenditure of millions of tax dollars each year.  To remove the federal incentive to develop these areas, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982 and subsequent amendments designated relatively undeveloped coastal barriers along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico coasts as part of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS), and made these areas ineligible for most new federal expenditures and financial assistance. CBRA encourages the conservation of hurricane prone, biologically rich coastal barriers by restricting federal expenditures that encourage development, such as federal flood insurance. Areas within the CBRS can be developed provided that private developers or other non-federal parties bear the full cost.

Changes are being proposed.  You can voice your opinion until July 10, 2018.  See below for details.  You can register to participate in a “conference call” public meeting on May 9, 2018 (preregistration required.)

“ US Department of the Interior to propose changes to the CBRS”

The US Department of the Interior, Division of Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to boundaries of 148 units located in Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. These changes are an effort to modernize maps of the CBRS ( Coastal Barrier Resources Act) for nine states affected by Hurricane Sandy. The proposed boundaries are accesible via the CBRS Projects Mapper at https://www.fws.gov/cbra/maps/Mapper.html

Additional information related to the proposed changes and instructions for providing comments and particpating in virtual public meetings are available at https://www.fws.gov/cbra/maps/Hurricane-Sandy-Project.html

The review period for the public will close on July 10, 2018. Individuals can comment either electronically by going to http://www.regulations.gov and searching for FSW-HQ0-ES-2018-0004 or by submitting a written response to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0004; Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs; US Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS; BPHC; Falls Chuirch, VA 22041-3808.

Public meetings will be held for MA and NH on May 9th at 10 a.m. So that enough call in lines are available, you must register by e-mailing cbra@fws.gov by close of business May 1, 2018.

What does this all mean? The CBRS was established to minimize the loss of human life, reduce wasteful Federal expenditures and minimize damage to natural resources associated with natural barriers. The CBRS does not allow for federal funding of development projects but it does not discourage or prohibit development by private and non federal parties as long as these parties bear the full cost. It would be prudent, especially for those who live in coastal areas to go online and be familiar with these proposed changes and to give your feedback.

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