Using science, advocacy, and the law to protect, preserve and enhance the Charles River and its

watershed.

Vol. 37, No. 1

Spring 2007

The newsletter of the Charles River Watershed Association

Water Budgets:
A Roadmap to Fixing the Water Cycle
M assachusetts is a water-rich state, receiving an average
of 45 inches of rain a year, yet our water resources are
increasingly being stressed by urbanization. Urban growth
small sub-basins (drainage areas of about four square miles)
in every community in Massachusetts. The analysis will iden-
tify sub-basins where water “debits” exceed “credits” or vise-
produces more impervious surfaces, greater water demand, versa, resulting in statewide, color-coded maps of sub-basin
and more movement of water from its source, thus depleting impacts and
the precious groundwater that normally feeds streams during management
dry summer months. suggestions
CRWA has developed an automated water budget program to help bal-
to assess these multiple, anthropogenic impacts on streams ance the wa-
statewide. The methodology employs a balance-sheet ap- ter account.
proach to account for water that enters or leaves an area and These maps
estimates the impact on natural streamflow. A water budget will under-
includes water withdrawals, wastewater discharges, import score the
and export of water via pipe networks, evaporative losses most im-
from irrigation, and lost recharge from impervious surfaces pacted sub-
(such as roads, parking lots, and buildings). Return flow basins and Photo: John Wilcox © Boston Herald
from septic tanks and infiltration of groundwater into sewer will be a statewide “roadmap” and guide towards fixing the
pipes are implicitly included. An interactive scenario tool impacts and “balancing” the water cycle.
that allows the user to alter elements of the water budget and The sub-basin results will be summarized in interrelated,
model the effects of mitigation is also being developed. online watershed and community reports that will highlight
CRWA and ESS Group were selected by the MA Executive results and offer guidance on possible mitigation strategies,
Office of Environmental Affairs to perform water budgets for on both the watershed and political scales. The mitigation
section includes a comprehensive suite of options that can be
adapted to a specific problem and community. Some options
Withdrawal Point

Evaporative Loss
From Irrigation

include optimizing of well withdrawals in terms of amounts

Water

and timing; water conservation efforts to reduce water de-

Wa r
mand; infiltration and inflow (I/I) reduction; or increasing
Di
s ch s t ew ate
arg at er via W stem stormwater recharge.
eP ut Sy
oin
t Inp pply CRWA and ESS are putting the finishing touches on the
Su
Stony Brook water budget pilot project, funded by the Unit-
ed States Air Force. Through this effort, CRWA and ESS
Subbasin Water Streamflow Out have developed their automated methodology to analyze
Streamflow In
Budget
water budgets and generate reports statewide. The Stony
Brook is a tributary to the Merrimack River and drains areas
from Tyngsborough, Chelmsford, Westford, Littleton, Box-
borough, Harvard, Ayer, and Groton. This pilot project will
be completed by the end of February 2007.
Export via Wastewater
Recharge Loss From

System Including I/I

Impervious Cover

- by Dave Kaplan, Watershed Scientist, and Nigel

Pickering, Senior Engineer/Watershed Modeler

Charles River Watershed Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit • Phone 781-788-0007 • Web www.charlesriver.org
 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Forum on DEP’s Water Policy Concludes
President
Robert F. Sproull
Vice President
I n early 2005, water suppliers and municipalities expressed displeasure with
conservation and mitigation provisions in the MA Department of Environ-
mental Protection’s (DEP) water withdrawal policy—prov-
Ralph W. Abele
Treasurer isions that CRWA believed were long overdue and nec-
John Clark essary to protect our watersheds from being overdrawn.
Lee P. Breckenridge Attila Klein
Gordon Burnes Virginia M. Lawrence
In response to supplier concerns, the legislature created a
John DeVillars Elizabeth Levin blue ribbon panel to study and report back on the policy
Bernard Dreiblatt Sharon Malt by the end of 2006. While CRWA was not named to the
Edward Englander John G. Palfrey, Jr. panel, we followed the proceedings closely, giving ex-
James Healy Stephanie Pollack
Philip L. Hillman William J. Tedoldi pert testimony on the impacts of water withdrawals on
Jonathan Katz Holyoke Whitney low streamflows. We also provided legal opinion on the
requirements of the Water Management Act (which governs the with-
BOARD OF ADVISORS
drawal policy) particularly the requirement that withdrawals not exceed the
Co-Chairs: “safe yield” of a basin, a key provision for protecting streamflow and habitat
Beatrice Nessen
Beedee Ladd that until recently DEP had ignored.
Alan Aisenberg, M.D. Elizabeth B. Johnson The panel provided a forum for the water suppliers to express opinions
Deborah E. Babson Max Kennedy about their lack of input into the policy, its legality and scientific bases, and
Jon Bernstein Carolyn King the potential loss of revenue from meeting conservation standards. Each of
John Bonifaz George Lewis
John Brock Richmond Mayo-Smith these concerns was addressed and countered by DEP, the U.S. Geological
Caroline Dixwell Cabot Kelly McClintock Survey, water conservation expert Amy Vickers, and others during the pan-
Eugene Clapp Judy Neville el’s meetings. While some points of agreement were identified, in the end,
Martha Fuller Clark Elizabeth Nichols
Woolsey Conover Jeryl Oristaglio
the panel was unable to reach consensus and its “interim” report, without
Debra Edelstein Louisa Paige recommendations, is merely a recitation of the suppliers’ concerns, rather
Bonnie Emmons Margot C. Pyle than a fact-finding document.
Marcia Marker Feld David Smith
Richard S. Forte Caroline D. Standley
Fortunately, the report was accompanied by an astute and forthright cover
Kim Herman Goslant John Thomas letter by Andrew Gottlieb, Chief of the Office of Commonwealth Develop-
Catherine Henn Edward E. Watts, III ment and the panel’s convener. He concludes that DEP’s guidance policy
Susan Jarvi “has it basically right” and gives reasonable time periods for implementing
STAFF the new requirements. Gottlieb points out that focusing efforts on “water
Executive Director being better managed and returned near its source” through stormwater and
Robert L. Zimmerman, Jr. wastewater recharge would ensure adequate water supply. He encourages
Deputy Director/General Counsel
the legislature to avoid the temptation to intervene in DEP’s implementation
Margaret Van Deusen
Senior Environmental Scientist of the policy, instead centering future discussions around “how to structure
Kate Bowditch and finance meaningful improvements in the way Massachusetts manages
Finance Manager its water resources.”
Suzanne Carleo
Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator CRWA agrees that the policy’s provisions are important steps toward
Rebecca Scibek managing our water resources responsibly for their long-term health. We are
Project Manager/Engineer supporting two bills in this legislative session that will assist water suppliers
Anna Eleria
Watershed Scientist
and safeguard our water resources: a yet-to-be-numbered bill authorizing
David Kaplan water banking and water protection districts, and H.833 directing the DEP
Urban Restoration Specialist to develop environmentally-protective streamflow standards for Massachu-
Pallavi Kalia Mande setts.
Rita Barron Fellow
Talia Chalew The Interim Report of the Blue Ribbon Panel and Gottlieb’s letter are
Senior Environmental Engineer available on the Sustainable Water Resources page of CRWA’s website at
Nigel Pickering www.charlesriver.org/projects/sustwater.html.
Director of Development
Peggy Sunshine - by Margaret Van Deusen, General Counsel
Membership/Events Coordinator
Lorraine Burke
New online mapping resources!
Landscape Designer View maps of the watershed, including land use, dam locations, and monthly
Stephanie Hurley water quality, and find personalized information using MassGIS resources.
CRWA is a 501(c)(3) dependent on philanthropic Visit CRWA’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) website at
support. We welcome your contributions.
www.charlesriver.org/gis/gis.html

2 STREAMER Spring 2007

 Spring Cleaning of the Charles from Senator Steven Tolman’s
Office and the Clean Charles Co-

T he Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup is a rite alition (CCC) in organizing the
of spring for more than 1,500 volunteers from doz- cleanup, the number of volun-
ens of businesses, universities, community organizations, teers increased to 1,000 and new
scout troops, and others. These groups dedicate one Sat- sites were added in Milford and
urday morning each April to bring beauty Bellingham.
and cleanliness to the Charles and its banks. Collaboration
Seven years ago the Charles River Wa- Save the Date!
on the event
tershed Association, Massachusetts Commu- 8th Annual Cleanup
has continued
nity Water Watch (a project of MassPIRG, Saturday, April 21 to increase, in-
Americorps, and MA Service Alliance), and 9am-12pm cluding addi-
the Charles River Stream Team planned the For more information or
tional organiz-
2000 cleanup to mark the new millennium to sign up, visit
ers - Charles
on Earth Day and showcase river health im- www.charlesriver.org/
cleanup.html River Conser-
provements vancy, the Esplanade Association, and the
or call 781-788-0007 x303
by engaging City of Newton - as well as numerous do-
watershed nors with major support provided by Whole
residents in one single-day Foods Market, MA Department of Conservation and Recre-
cleanup effort. To our sur- ation, and CCC members.
prise and satisfaction, over Today, the annual event is one of the largest single-day
800 volunteers picked up cleanups in the country involving volunteers picking up trash
trash at numerous sites from at 50 sites in 17 communities along 60 miles of the 80-mile
Needham to Boston. The river. The cleanup’s success is a testament to the importance
high volunteer turnout re- of collaboration and the public’s love of that ‘dirty water’.
vealed a public desire to par- Together with CRWA’s work, the annual cleanup is bring-
ticipate in community service ing a fresh, clean season of recreation to the river and its
on behalf of the Charles, and parklands.
the annual event was born.
In April 2001, with help - by Anna Eleria, Project Manager/Engineer

CRWA will transform Herter Park into an Epcot-style festival

O n Sunday, April 29, join the crowds celebrating the 25th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race at
Herter Park on Soldier’s Field Road in Brighton (near the Publick Theatre). CRWA’s race will be part of a city-
wide Cambridge Science Festival coordinated by MIT and Harvard Universities, the City of Cambridge, Cambridge
Public Schools, the WGBH Educational Foundation and the Boston Museum of Science. CRWA will present exhibits
and activities on a topic that is pertinent to all of our lives - clean and abundant water.
From 10:00am to 3:30pm on April 29, exhibits on the impacts of stormwater, examples of industrial and environ-
mental collaboration, and information about the animals and plants native to healthy rivers in the northeast will kick
off CRWA’s Adopt a Shad campaign, celebrating the introduction of 1.5 million juvenile American Shad into the
Charles last July. Displays about our stormwater management and low-impact development work with Harvard, in the
Longwood Medical Area and in Zakim North will introduce “blue” building techniques that focus on water conserva-
tion and describe CRWA’s efforts to keep water plentiful. A variety of specialists are assisting us and will be on hand at
the festival, including staff from Conte Anadromous Fish Lab, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
New England Zoos, and MA Division of Fish and Wildlife. CRWA Advisory Board member Dr. Judy Neville, retired
Assistant Superintendent of Newton Schools, is helping coordinate.
An Eco Boat Trip on The Henry Longfellow Riverboat departing every hour will offer hands-on activities about
watersheds and wildlife with specialists from MA Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Audubon Society, and
MA DCR Park Rangers on board. On shore children can play with a model watershed, visit a Boston Duck Boat video
auditorium, attend a fly fishing clinic produced in cooperation with Trout Unlimited and L.L. Bean and receive a “Cap-
tain Hydro” Water Conservation Comic Book distributed thanks to BISCO and IANE.
- by Peggy Sunshine, Director of Development

� STREAMER 3
 RUN OF THE RIV
Harvard University’s New Institutional Master Plan
Allston, MA
In January, Harvard unveiled its Master Plan vision to transform a 250-acre swath of
Boston into an expanse of academic facilities, student housing, and a new public square.
The university’s 50-year master plan for Allston, submitted to the Boston Redevelopment
Authority, also calls for building a pedestrian
bridge across the Charles River and burying
a section of Soldiers Field Road. Harvard’s
ambitious plan, which includes an expanded
park along the banks of the Charles, could
significantly improve the parklands in the area,
stabilizing the crumbling banks, reducing ero-
sion, and creating more and better managed
public parkland. However, the design in the
draft plan makes the parkland seem like part of
Harvard’s own campus, and shows little effort
to link Allston’s residential neighborhoods
A rendering of the proposed new Allston campus
to this new parkland. To learn more about
Credit: http://www.news.harvard.edu/ga- CRWA’s view on the plan and our work in
zette/2007/02.01/IMP_Exec_Summary_010907.pdf Allston, visit www.crwa.org/projects/esud.html

Shoppes at Bellingham
Bellingham, MA
This large proposed project includes an office
park connected via a by-pass road with an area
of restaurants and shops. The development will
create 60 additional acres of impervious surface
and destroy 80,000 square feet of wetlands.
The Charles River in this area currently has low
stream flows during the summer and the proj-
ect will only exacerbate these conditions, thus
CRWA believes further environmental analysis
and review is necessary. To offset the project’s
impacts developers should include local infiltra-
tion of treated wastewater, low-impact develop-
ment, stormwater BMPs, water conservation
measures and transportation demand manage-
ment planning to reduce the 24,000 single car
trips that the project will generate.

4 STREAMER Spring 2007

VER CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION’S
REPORT OF WHAT’S HAPPENING ON AND
AROUND THE CHARLES

Mirant Kendall Permit Appeal

Cambridge, MA
CRWA joined
Conservation Law
Foundation in appeal-
ing the permit issued
to Mirant Kendall
power plant allowing
it to release up to 80
million gallons of hot Mirant-Kendall Power Plant
(up to 105°F) water into Credit: www.clf.org

the lower Charles per day. To cool its turbines the

plant draws water from the river, which is then re-
turned at a significantly higher temperature. This
hot water could cause a “dead zone” in up to 50%
of the river between the Museum of Science and
Community Boating and will have many negative
consequences - harming fish populations, exac-
erbating toxic algal blooms and decreasing water
clarity.

Westwood Station
Westwood, MA
The Westwood Station is a very large mixed use redevelopment
project proposed near the Route 128 train station. It provides an
opportunity to incorporate design features to keep water local by
collecting rooftop rainwater for irrigation, low impact develop-
ment, water conservation and wastewater recharge. CRWA be-
lieves much more can be done with water reuse, conservation and
recharge to improve the project. Increasing stormwater recharge
through bioretention areas such as rain gardens, wetland enhance-
ment, green roofs and increased permeable surfaces and local
wastewater treatment and infiltration will replenish nearby drink-
ing water wells, and improve water quality and quantity in the
Neponset River.

� STREAMER 5
 CRWA Welcomes New Board Members
Bernard Dreiblatt, a real estate project manager who planned Rhowes Wharf while Senior Vice President of Beacon
Management Company, is currently President of Three Leaf Marketing, a real estate consulting firm, and Director of Real
Estate for Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Bernie serves on the Executive Committees of The Boston Harbor Association
and the Community Resources Initiative, the Advisory Board of Boston Harbor Island Alliance, the Executive Advisory
Board of Greater Boston Catholic Charities and is a member of the Mayor’s Task Force for the Reuse of the Brookline
Water Pumping Stations. His Industrial Engineering degree is from Columbia University.
Sharon Malt is a marketing and publishing executive who held positions at GK Hall, Eastern Exclusives under
Michael Bronner, and the National Fire Protection Association. Her volunteer activities include the Greater Boston Youth
Symphony Orchestras, Buckingham Brown and Nichols, Hill House, the Esplanade Association and the Monadnock Con-
servancy in New Hampshire. Sharon holds a new position on the Board as the liaison between the Board of Advisors and
the Board of Directors. She graduated from Wells College in upstate New York.
Gordon Burnes is a technology industry executive with OpenPages, a software company based in Waltham, MA.
As vice president of business development, Gordon manages corporate development activities, technology partnerships
and sales alliances. Prior to OpenPages, he worked with McNamee Lawrence & Co. Gordon has been a long-time advocate
for the environment, volunteering for MassPIRG and The Global Habitat Project, and is an advisor at the Urban Ecology
Institute. He has an MBA from Columbia University and a BA from Harvard University.
Stephanie Pollack, Esq. is a Director of BlueWave Strategies, advising clients in the area of real estate develop-
ment with an emphasis on smart growth and transit-oriented development, corporate environmental strategy and regulatory
matters. A nationally known environmental attorney, Stephanie previously worked at the Conservation Law Foundation.
She has served on the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Municipal Harbor Plan Advisory Committee, the Urban Ring
Citizens Advisory Committee and the Leadership Group of The Boston Foundation’s Indicators Project. Stephanie holds a
JD from Harvard Law School and BS degrees from MIT in Mechanical Engineering and Public Policy.
Holyoke Whitney Following combat service during the Korean War, Hol attended Harvard University, graduating
with honors in 1958, and began a business career. Until 1996, Hol served as Chairman of Consolidated Group in Framing-
ham, which he founded in 1971. In semi-retirement, Hol started a kayak and canoe company which grew to production of
20,000 boats. He is active in non-profits that support the blind, as former President and Director Emeritus of the Carroll
Center for the Blind in Newton and member of the Corporation of National Braille Press in Boston.

Capital Needs at CRWA Ned Watts Offers Help with

Our new headquarters is a great place for gatherings and
thoughtful discourse. We extend our thanks to Board of Ad-
visors members Margot Pyle and Susan Jarvi who funded
our new roof. Board of Advisor Co-Chairs Beedee Ladd and
Beatrice Wolfner Nessen are heading up a campaign to raise
money for CRWA signage on the building and near the street.
We invite our loyal members to consider supporting this and
other remaining capital needs which total $58,000. Contact
Peggy Sunshine at 781-788-0007 x235 for more information.
Transfer Your IRA and Save on Taxes
If you are considering making a gift to CRWA, and if you
have reached the age of 70½, you may wish to take advan-
tage of the Pension Protection Act. It allows such donors to
transfer up to $100,000 directly to any public charity from
their IRA, tax-free. (Any distribution from an IRA normally
is subject to tax as ordinary income.) Making a charitable
contribution from an IRA may save money when compared
to other methods of giving the same amount. If you are con-
sidering this opportunity, consult your IRA custodian and in-
come tax preparer. This opportunity applies only to lifetime
transfers from IRAs, and only to transfers made in 2007.
Bequests or Planned Gifts to CRWA
CRWA Board of Advisor member Ned Watts, an estate and
tax lawyer, is willing to speak with anyone interested in
making a planned gift, bequest, or IRA transfer to CRWA.
Testamentary transfers and lifetime planned gifts may allow
donors significant tax savings. Also, if donors with IRAs
desire to transfer funds to children at death while leaving
a bequest to charity, an advantageous method is to transfer
part or all of an IRA to charity and leave non-IRA assets to
the children. Since charities are exempt from income tax, a
charity can receive the entire IRA and the estate will avoid
an income tax liability. For example, a $100,000 IRA may
be transferred to a charity and the charity will receive the
full $100,000. However, if the $100,000 were transferred to
a child in the 35% tax bracket, withdrawing the IRA would
produce a tax of $35,000 and $65,000 would remain. Even if
IRA withdrawals are stretched out over a number
of years, children would eventually pay a
substantial tax on this ordinary income.
Ned Watts can be reached
at 781-326-1045.

6 STREAMER Spring 2007

 Inspiration for Annual Meeting Attendees
M ore than 250 river enthusiasts gathered at the Newton Marriott for CRWA’s Annual Meeting on November 15th. Bill
McKibben, a prolific author and speaker on environmental and social issues, addressed the audience about the serious
environmental crisis we are all facing, leaving all inspired with ideas about how local action can make a difference. His
cogent remarks on water management complimented those of CRWA Executive Director Bob Zimmerman. Bob highlighted
the looming global water crisis which is intimately linked with climate change, and discussed how CRWA is working to
solve this imminent problem. He concluded his speech by stating, “I will guarantee you these things. First, CRWA will
continue to fight, and very hard. Second, CRWA will continue to work on the science, the tools, the regulations, and the
initiatives that will allow us to get it right…We must succeed, because failure, for our environment, and for our children, is
not an option. Your support is central to our success.”
Awards were presented to seven individuals and organizations who are outstanding stewards of the river. CRWA’s highest
honor, the Anne M. Blackburn Award, was presented to Kathy Baskin of MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.
CRWA’s Rita Barron Public Official Award was given to Todd Richards, a Fisheries Biologist with Massachusetts Division
of Fish and Wildlife. Fred Laskey and the Masschusetts Water Resources Authority received CRWA’s Clean Charles Award.
Bobbi Demers received the 2006 Volunteer Award, Susan Abbott received the CRWA Citizen Activist award, a Special
Recognition Award was given to Community Rowing, Inc., and Jerry and Elaine Ellis of Building 19 were presented with
the Creative Philanthropist Award.

Photos from CRWA’s Annual Meeting, clockwise from top left: Bob Zimmerman, CRWA Executive Director and Betsy Nichols, Board of Advisors; Ralph Abele, Board
of Directors, and Chris Kilian, Conservation Law Foundation; Brandeis students; Alan Aisenberg, Board of Advisors, and Margaret Van Deusen, CRWA Deputy Director;
Steve Miller and Dan Driscoll, MA DCR; Bill McKibben; Hol Whitney, Board of Directors; full house at Annual Meeting; Bernie Dreiblatt, Board of Directors.

Corporate and Greater Community Rally to Support CRWA’s Work

a
Aveda Selects CRWA as Earth Month Recipient
earth month 2007
Aveda, choosing the theme “Make Water a Human Right,” has selected CRWA as the recipient
organization for their Earth Month campaign. Contact Pyara Salon in Cambridge at 617-497-
9300 for tickets to a fundraising fashion show on April 18th at OM restaurant.
CRWA Celebrated at Benefit Concert at First Parish of Watertown
A crowd of CRWA supporters joined together on Saturday, March 24th to hear local bluegrass
band Jaded Mandolin. All proceeds from the evening were donated to CRWA.
ACT NOW: text “WATER” to 30644.
Patagonia Donates Outdoor Equipment
And take home our Earth Month Candle.
Thanks to Patagonia’s Boston store, which provided CRWA with waders, boots and jackets for
use with our water sampling program.

� STREAMER 7
 Upcoming CRWA Events
APRIL
Ongoing Events in Aveda salons throughout New England to benefit CRWA.
Register donation coupons to support CRWA available at all ten Whole Foods Markets
in our watershed.
10 Brown Bag lunch on Blue Cities work in Longwood Medical Area at CRWA office, 12:30pm.
18 Beacon Hill Seminars: Five weekly sessions from 4/18 – 5/16, 2-4 pm. CRWA Executive
Director Bob Zimmerman presents: “Understanding the Charles River: CRWA and the Charles
River as an Urban Environmental Laboratory”. Call 617-523-0970 to sign up.
21 8th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup at sites all along the river, 9am-12pm.
29 25th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race and River Front Festival, part of
the Cambridge Science Festival, at Herter Park, 9am-4pm. (See page 3.)
MAY
6 CRWA Garden Party at Estate of Mrs. Walter (Luisa) Hunnewell in Wellesley.
8 Brown Bag Lunch on legislative issues at CRWA office, 12:30pm.
20 Canoe and kayak trip from Dedham to Needham hosted by Ned Watts, 1-3pm.
For more information on any of the above events,
call CRWA at 781-788-0007 or visit our website at www.charlesriver.org

CRWA Welcomes New Staff Members

After having worked as a reporter and indepen-
dent caterer, Lorraine Burke brings a di-
verse background to her role as Membership and
Events Coordinator. She will plan and organize
events, work with donors, and do database man-
agement and reporting
Rita Barron Fellow Talia Chalew has a back-
ground in field research on ecosystem restoration and
its effects on water quality, and just completed her
MS in Environmental Science at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Talia is working on the MET stormwater program,
and assisting with data and model development.

Landscape Designer Stephanie Hurley is A second-year student at McGill University, Lara

a Doctor of Design candidate at Harvard Univer-
sity Graduate School of Design. She works part
time conducting assessments, creating conceptual
designs, and planning, research, and reporting for
CRWA’s RUWE and ESUD projects.
Zimmerman is a double major in Anthropology
and Environmental Studies with a minor in Psychol-
ogy. She will serve as Finance Intern through the end
of the semester.

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Charles River Watershed Association
NATICK, MA
190 Park Road
PERMIT NO. 61
Weston, MA 02493