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Winter 2001 Currents

Around the Watershed Funding for local stewardship of lakes and ponds Gertrude Spaulding Griswold Pond Wharf Restaurant property, 543 North Shore Road, Revere Community Toolbox Ambrosino: Catch basin cleaning & street sweeping in Revere Friends of Lynn Woods Events Thank You Environmental Affairs Secretary Bob Durand recently announced over $2 million in funding for expanded programs to strengthen local stewardship of lakes and ponds, including: $400,000 a year for three years to fund demonstration projects of techniques for protecting and restoring lakes and ponds. $500,000 for Department of Environmental Management lakes and ponds grant program (up from $250,000 last year). $350,000 for watershed initiative volunteer monitoring grants. $200,000 for guidance and training resources for local groups and municipal boards. Targeting land acquisition efforts for local open space protection of natural areas around lakes and ponds. The Saugus River Watershed Council is saddened by the recent death of Wakefield environmentalist and long-time Council member Gertrude Spaulding. Through her involvement with Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, the Wakefield Conservation Commission, the Saugus River Watershed Council, and many other community activities, Ms. Spaulding significantly improved water quality and public awareness of the Saugus River watershed. In honor of Ms. Spaulding’s recent “Lady of the Lake” award by the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, the Getrude Spaulding Fund for Environmental Education was established. Contributions can be sent to Wakefield Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 1752, Wakefield, MA 01880. Once the fund reaches $100,000, Wakefield teachers will be able to apply for technical assistance and support for innovative environmental and conservation field studies. SRWC recently submitted comments on the Environmental Impact Report for the Griswold Pond Aquatic Plant Management project. The Town of Saugus proposes to address excessive plant growth at Griswold Pond, Spring Pond, and First Pond in Saugus with herbicides. Because the site is within the Golden Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern, the Council recommended ongoing surveys of vegetation, wildlife, and water quality to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and ensure that there is no major damage to the diverse wildlife and fish in and around the ponds. The Council also suggested that the potential for implementing fishing guidelines be explored to help achieve an appropriate predator-prey balance of fish in the long-term. SRWC recently submitted comments on the Chapter 91 Waterways Amnesty License Application for the property at 543 North Shore Road in Revere (property with the Wharf Restaurant). The Council recommended public access improvements including: 1) improvements to the public boat launch, 2) public parking, 3) seating areas and landscaping improvements along the perimeter of the site, 4) public restrooms, and 5) signage to highlight public access and amenities. The North Shore Regional Office of Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management has assembled a Community Toolbox to provide communities and regional organizations with models and other tools for special natural area protection, water quality improvement, sustainable development, and coastal access enhancement. The toolbox provides a holistic approach to coastal resource management and highlights the success of teamwork. The toolbox will be distributed to regional planning entities, planning boards, conservation commissions, open space committees, and health boards in coastal watershed communities on the North Shore. To get on the mailing list for a copy of the toolbox, call Andrea Cooper at (978) 281-3972. In his recent State of the City Address, Revere Mayor Thomas Ambrosino announced that the City would be dedicating additional funding to improve catch basin cleaning and culvert control in an effort to reduce stormwater pollution. He also announced that an expanded street sweeping program would be underway by mid-April. These efforts will help reduce stormwater pollution to the Pines River and Rumney Marsh portions of the Saugus River Watershed. Friends of Lynn Woods have two fun family oriented events scheduled for March. An Introduction to Snowshoeing will be held on 3 March from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. On 17 March, an Introduction to Snowshoeing will be combined with a “Woods in Winter” educational program from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Both events meet at the Park House, Pennybrook Road Entrance. Call the Lynn Woods Ranger at (781) 477-7123 for more information or to reserve snow shoes. Thank You! Many thanks to all those who reponsed to our year-end fundraising appeal in December. Thanks to your enthusiastic reponse, we raised over $1,000 to help fund our expanded education and advocacy programs during 2001.

Annual Meeting 29 March 2001
Dredging Improves Access to Saugus River
Editorial — Role of Volunteers
Water Quality Update
Saugus River Watershed Council Adopts 2001 Work Plan
North Coastal Basin Team Adopts Work Plan
Lake Quannapowitt Sediment Study
Just for Fun!
Around the Watershed
State Halts RESCO Expansion by Upholding Moratorium on Incinerators
Public Forum a Success!
Make a Difference