IRWA Receives $16,000 to help the Upper Watershed
November 5th, 2012 | by Cynthia
Suzanne Sullivan (left) and Martha Stevenson, members of the Headwaters Stream Team, monitor water quality.
Thanks to the hard work of local concerned citizens led by our very own Headwaters Stream Team, Clean Water Action (www.cleanwateraction.org), the Nation’s leading citizen’s water advocacy organization, chose IRWA to receive $16,000 as part of a lawsuit settlement against a Wilmington company for violating the federal Clean Water Act. The alleged violations occurred over a number of years and involved ongoing water pollution and the clearing and filling of wetlands adjacent to Martins Brook, a major tributary to the Ipswich River. The impacted area is located immediately upstream of the Wilmington and North Reading public water supply wells. (more…)
Happy Halloween!
October 31st, 2012 | by Cynthia
A vintage dress and reused bottles make a statement.
Happy Halloween! As you head out on the streets this evening, keep this costume in mind and pick up any litter you find to help keep our oceans clean! This costume won the 2008 Etsy Costume Contest in the Green category. Seen any other clever conservation related costumes out there?
Heavy Rains Can Affect Local Water Quality
October 26th, 2012 | by Cynthia
Ipswich Municipal Lot flooded, May 2006
The United States is experiencing more intense rain and snow storms, and the Northeast specifically has seen the highest increase relative to the rest of the country - a 67 percent increase in the amount of rain or snow falling in the heaviest storms. As storms increase in intensity, flooding and water quality become a larger concern. Increased development across our watersheds can also lead to higher high flows and flooding during storm events.
Hurricane Sandy is projected to move toward the northeast this weekend, potentially bringing heavy rains. When it rains, or when snow melts, pollution in storm drains or on our paved surfaces is carried to our rivers, beaches, and bays. (more…)
The Water Closet, October 26, 2012
October 26th, 2012 | by Middleton Stream Team
Little and Great Necks Ipswich as seen from the edge of a salt marsh at high tide. Judith Schneider photo
HIGHER “HIGH-RUNNER TIDES”
Between the sands of Hampton, Seabrook, Salisbury, and Plum Island beaches and the uplands on ancient rock to the west are spongy, largely organic, salt marshes just a few thousand years old. Closeteers were reminded of them this past week on receiving a striking photo from marsh photographer Dorothy Monnelly. It coincided with their reading of science reporter Beth Daley’s article in the Boston Globe entitled “A Delicate Balance in Plum Island Marsh”. (more…)
