RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Wetlands Abloom, and Exciting News for Preserving Biodiversity
Did you know wetlands hold over 40% of the world's biodiversity? At this point in the summer, our watershed's wetlands are awash with life––filled with lush greenery, blooms, and birdsong
Momentum Building for Bill to Regulate Pesticide Use on Public Properties (PRESS RELEASE)
CRWA is pleased to report that An Act Relative to Pesticides (H.825/S.487), sponsored by Representative James Hawkins and Senator Paul Feeney, has received a favorable vote by the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and has moved to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Amid Devastating Flooding, Dam Failure in Leominster, Four Things the State Can Do Right Now
Amid widespread, devastating flooding in Leominster, the collapse of Brooks Pond Dam, and the evacuation of the Barrett Park Pond Dam, we again urge the state to make it a priority of the Commonwealth and the Secretary to remove defunct dams and protect residents from catastrophic flooding.
U.S. Senator Ed Markey, EPA, State, and Watershed Associations to Announce Annual Water Quality Report Cards for Three Boston Rivers (PRESS RELEASE)
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, state and local leaders, and community partners to announce the 2022 Water Quality Report Card Grades for the three rivers that flow into Boston Harbor––the Neponset, the Charles, and the Mystic.
Numerous Combined-Sewer Overflows (CSOs)in the Charles River Due to Heavy Rain
This past weekend, heavy rainfall caused seven combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to discharge untreated sewage for nearly 5 hours in the Charles River. This comes on the heels of the release of nearly 9 million gallons of sewage the weekend prior.
U.S. Senator Ed Markey, EPA, State, and Watershed Associations to Announce Annual Water Quality Report Cards for Three Boston Rivers (MEDIA ADVISORY)
On August 3, 2023, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will join U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, state and local leaders, and community partners to announce the 2022 Water Quality Report Card Grades for the three rivers that flow into Boston Harbor––the Neponset, the Charles, and the Mystic.
MONDAY: WHIP CLARK TO HIGHLIGHT FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN NATICK FLOOD MITIGATION
CRWA Applauds Healey-Driscoll Administration for $5.6 Million for Defunct Dam Removal–Including $250K for Natick!
Charles River Watershed Association applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration for expediting $5.6 million in state funding to protect communities from the hazards of catastrophic dam failure. This includes $250K for the Town of Natick to advance the removal of the Charles River Dam in South Natick.
Court denies EPA’s attempt to dismiss CLF, CRWA lawsuit on stormwater pollution (PRESS STATEMENT)
This week, a judge denied the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) motion to dismiss a suit filed by Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) that aims to hold EPA accountable for implementing stormwater runoff protections in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset River watersheds.
New Designs for Medway Schools Will Help Reduce Stormwater Pollution in the Charles River
Charles River Watershed Association and Town of Medway have completed designs for green stormwater infrastructure at Medway High School and Middle School to restore river health and make Medway more resilient to climate change.
Legislature Considering Expansion of Popular Climate Change Readiness Program (PRESS RELEASE)
An Act to incentivize the adoption of local climate resilience policies (S.599), known as the MVP+ Bill and sponsored by Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), establishes an MVP Trust Fund to increase program capacity and creates an additional category of MVP+ communities,
Supreme Court Slashes Clean Water Act Protections
In today’s decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the court radically redefined which waters are protected by the Clean Water Act, leaving nearly 51% of wetlands and 18% of streams without protections nationwide.
Protect Communities from Flooding & Preserve River Health (PRESS RELEASE)
Charles River Watershed Association will join with partner advocates to urge the Joint Committee of Environment and Natural Resources to support and move these important bills forward on Wednesday, May 16th at 12:30 PM at the Massachusetts State House.
Charles River Watershed Association Urges Swift Action on Lethal Rodenticides (PRESS RELEASE)
Charles River Watershed Association will join with countless advocates to urge the Joint Committee of Environment and Natural Resources to report An Act Relative to Pesticides (HB.825, SB.487) favorably at the hearing on Wednesday, May 10th at 1PM at the Massachusetts State House.
24th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup Kick-Off
This year, the Earth Day Charles River Cleanup will bring together approximately 3,000 volunteers at over eighty sites across the watershed to beautify the parks, forests, playgrounds, and paths for all to enjoy.
CRWA Announces New Board Leadership, Honors Local Leaders at 57th Annual Meeting
Thank you to all who joined us for our 57th Annual Meeting! At Members elected Toni Hicks and Peter Fernandez as CRWA’s new president and vice president, and local leaders we’re honored for their commitment to a clean, resilient Charles River.
Honorees included Peter Shelley, Conservation Law Foundation, the Town of Milford, Elizabeth Saunders on behalf of Phil Saunders, Representative Ruth Balser, Linda McLane, CRWA Board President (2017-2023), and students from Brandeis Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation Design Lab.
CRWA Accelerates Work to Restore the Charles River
Charles River Watershed Association is pleased to announce the organization will accelerate its work to restore the Charles River watershed, thanks in part to a recent $1M anonymous grant.
CRWA Advocates for Legislative Priorities at Lobby for the Rivers Day (PRESS RELEASE)
Lobby for the Rivers Day is a biennial day of action organized by Massachusetts Rivers Alliance to bring together advocacy staff, volunteers, and constituents from over eighty member organizations across the Commonwealth to push for legislation to protect Massachusetts rivers in a changing climate.
Tragic Death of Bald Eagle by Poisoned by Lethal Rodenticides
We are heartbroken by the recent tragic and unnecessary death of yet another bald eagle in the greater Boston region. This is now the third bald eagle poisoned by rodenticides in Massachusetts in two years––underscoring the critical need to ban these poisons as a means of pest control.
CRWA Applauds Governor Healey's Historic Proposed Investment in Environmental Agencies (PRESS STATEMENT)
Charles River Watershed Association Applauds Governor Healey's Historic Proposed Investment in Environmental Agencies