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Winter 2002 Currents

Town Line Brook Project Update The Saugus River Watershed Council, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, and GeoSyntec Consultants hosted a Public Forum during November and a Strategy Session for public officials during October 2001 as part of ongoing efforts to address flooding, water quality and public access issues in the Town Line Brook watershed. During the sessions, public officials and residents from Revere, Malden, Everett, and Melrose explored the causes of flooding and water quality problems and discussed ongoing and potential public outreach/education activities, and mitigation alternatives to reduce flooding and improve water quality. Causes of flooding in the region include tidal conditions and lack of adequate drainage due to highly urbanized conditions. Impacts of flooding include water quality problems, sedimentation, damage to homes and businesses, sewer backup conditions, and increased runoff. Potential flood mitigation alternatives include: - Creating offline flood storage by utilizing parcels of land adjacent to the main channel of the Town Line Brook; - Altering closure elevations of the new Rte. 1 tide gates; - Dredging 4,000 cubic yards of sediment from main channel; - Limiting future development through zoning, and - Repairing the channel to reduce sedimentation problems and improve flow. Re-opening shellfish beds is the underlying goal associated with reducing Bush Wetland Guidelines in the Town Line Brook, which empties into the Rumney Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Intensive storm drain sampling in Trifone Brook (Revere) conducted last year has helped determine where stormwater treatment would be most beneficial. Revere is currently designing a constructed wetlands system that will improve water quality in one of the more polluted portions of the Trifone Brook sub-watershed. Meanwhile, SRWC and the Massachusetts Bays program are working with Malden to evaluate pollution in Linden Brook, a primarily culverted waterway, that drains approximately half of the Town Line Brook watershed. Efforts to increase public awareness and involvement in the watershed are already underway. Over 150 people participated in community cleanup projects that removed 14 tons of debris from the watershed during 2001. Additional cleanup projects are planned for 2002. Students from area schools will continue to learn about their role in improving the watershed through classroom and field activities. Other projects planned for 2002 include storm drain stenciling, efforts to prevent illegal dumping, education about the impact of pet waste on water quality, and natural history events for the public. SRWC, GeoSyntec Consultants, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, state and federal environmental officials, and the communities of Revere, Malden, Everett, and Melrose will continue working together throughout the year to develop, fund, and implement actions to improve water quality and reduce flooding in the watershed.

Town Line Brook Project Update
Groundbreaking for New Breakheart Visitor's Center
Editorial: Bush Wetland Guidelines
Exploring Nature with Children
SRWC Hosts Natural History Events
Environmental Debate Set for 19 February
Birding News
Crystal Motors, Lynnfield DEP Decision
SRWC Youth Education Programs
Become a "Fish Spotter"
Around the Watershed
SRWC Awards $8,400 in Small Grants
SRWC Announces 2002 Work Plan