Fact Sheet/Spring 2005
The Targeted Watershed
Grants program started in
2002 to encourage commu-
protect and restore the
program emphasizes that
irtnerships lead to
measurable environmental
successes of strong public and
private partnerships already
working hard to improve their
waterways. Nominees for the
Targeted Watershed Grants
program were required to set
clear goals that include strong
monitoring components.
Watershed plans and project
proposals were judged on
criteria such as: innovation,
environmental results, broad
support, outreach, and
financial integrity.
»> EPA Contact
Irish Garrigan
(617)918-1583
garrigan.trish@epa.gov
* EPA Contact
Erik Beck
(617)918-1606
beck.erik@epa.gov
United States
Environmental Protection
I Agency New England
Customer Call Center
888-372-7341
www.epa.gov/region1
Nashua River
-
Why Does it Need Special Attention?
Hhe Nashua River Watershed includes critical
drinking water resources for the Boston area
which is facing intense growth pressures. The
watershed is 5 38 square miles and includes 31
towns in MA and NH.
*The Squannacook- Nissitissit sub-basin, the
focus of this project, is 132 square miles, it is
approximately 72% forested and includes head-
water streams, outstanding resource waters, an
Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC),
over 20 rare and endangered species, and high
and mediumyield aquifers, including Witches
Brook aquifer.
^-Currently 30,000 people are served by 21
public water supplies in MA; 23 in NH. The
growth rates in MA towns is projected to be
25-40% and in NH towns 70-140%. Projected
water demands are a concern.
*-New development poses threats to water from
sodium and chloride; pesticides and fertilizers;
fecalcoliform and chemicals and solvents.
What are the Long Term Goals?
> Reduction of phosphorus, nitrogen and sus-
pended solids in waterways.
^-Protection of prime drinking water land
through land stewardship, conservation ease-
ments and land protection measures.
Progress/Goals for the Future
What Partnership Progress has Been Made?
*-The Nashua River Watershed Association, with
3 partner organizations, was one of fourteen
watersheds selected nationally under the Tar-
geted Watershed Grant Program and funded
with$770,192fromEPAin2004.
*• Dozens of state and local organizations,
businesses, municipalities and professional
individuals provided support valued at
$401,17 5, making the total project worth over
$1.1 million.
^-Bi-state and bi-town working groups are being
formed.
^-This project builds on the Trust for Public
Land's Source Water Stewardship Demonstra-
tion Project previously funded by EPA, who
partnered with USDAForest Service, University
of Massachusetts and the Nashua River Water-
shed Association.
What Major Actions are Planned for
2005-2006?
^-Identify owners of priority land parcels, CIS as-
sessments, education and assistance.
> Survey forest landowners, and complete for-
estry cooperative feasibility study.
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argeted Waters
What Major Actions are Planned for
2005-2006? (Continued)
^-Train foresters and resource managers on land
management techniques.
^Train landowners, towns and the public on
smart growth techniques.
*• Analyze survey results from 1,100 households
to influence water conservation and protec-
tion.
^Conduct baseline water quality and
stormwater monitoring.
^-Complete a pollutant dispersion model to
calculate pollutant loads.
Who are the Partners?
Nashua River Watershed Association • Beaver Brook
Association • New England Forestry Foundation •
Trust for Public Land • Towns of Ashby, Groton,
Pepperell, Shirley and Townsend in Massachusetts •
Towns of Brookline, Greenville, Hollis, Mason,
Milford and New Ipswich in New Hampshire • MA
State agencies including the Executive Office of Envi-
ronmental Affairs • Food and Agriculture • Fish
and Game • MARiverways • MA AGEG program •
NH Department of Environmental Services • 3 Uni-
versities • 4 water suppliers • 3 regional planning
agencies • 8 land trusts • 10 conservation organiza-
tions • 1 business • 9 attorneys • and 10 profes-
sional individuals •
^Nashua River Watershed Association
Elizabeth Ainsley Campbell
(978)448-0299
e.ainsley.campbell@NashuaRiverWatershed.org
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
Customer Call Center
888-372-7341
www.epa.gov/region1
Note: EPA-New England offers businesses and municipalities information and assistance to improve compliance with environmental laws and be better stewards of their
local environment. Please call to learn how EPA can help.
FPA Q01-F-OS-014
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