Fact Sheet/Spring 2005 AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS www.epa.gov/OWOW/ heritage/rivers.html to advance the goals identi- fy river communn natural resource mental protection, economic revitalization, and historic and cultural preservation. No new regulatory authority is created as a result of the Initiative. Likewise, irect federal funding is available to the Initiative. Existing federal authorities and programs are used to assist the community partners in implementation of their goals. > Blackstone River Navigator Contact Johanna Hunter (617)918-1041 nunter.johanna@epa.gov ^ Blackstone River Coalition Donna Williams, Director (508) 753-6087 dwilliams@massaudubon.org www.zaptheblackstone.org United States Environmental Protection \ Agency New England Customer Call Center 888-372-7341 www.epa.gov/region1 Blackstone River What Makes the Blackstone River Special? Hhe 46 mile long river, flows from Worcester, MA, the headwaters, and runs through 24 communities until it reaches Providence, RI encompassing more than 400,000 acres and more than 500,000 people. Hhe Blackstone is documented as the "Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution" with dams used for mills and industry along almost every mile of the river. Hhe Blackstone helps form the headwaters of Narragansett Bay, an estuary of national significance. Hhe Blackstone is a designated National Heritage Corridor. What are the Long Term Goals? ^•Fishable and swimmable by 2015. ^•Create a contiguous "Riverway" that connects the river, greenway and bikeway. ^•Identify and restore wetlands and riparian buffers along the main stem and tributaries. ^ Protect cold water fishery streams from develop- ment impacts. ^Improve public access to the river and enhance opportunities for recreation. ^ Support economic development opportunities and promote positive growth in the watershed. > Complete the Blackstone River Bikeway from Worcester to Providence. Progress/Goals for the Future What Partnership Progress Has Been Made? *• Restored the Lonsdale Marsh in Lincoln, RI - the first-of-its-kind freshwater wetland restoration in RI ($2.3 million) of more than 20 acres of the former Lonsdale Drive-In Theater. ^•Restoration of streambankalong the Quinsigamond RiverinGrafton,MA ^•Created a "Headwaters to Bay" volunteer water qual- ity monitoring network with an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). ^•9.5 miles of the Blackstone River Bikeway have been built and another 15 miles are either in design or construction. ^-Five nonpoint source grants for $ 1.4 million, including matching funds, awarded for pond and lake restoration and urban runoff issues. What EPA Actions are Planned for 2005-2006? ^•Commit to key environmental actions outlined in the Blackstone River Bi-State Watershed Action Plan. ^•Coordinate multi-agency efforts to identify and undertake wetland and riparian restoration projects in the watershed. ^•Continue coordination of Brownfields projects along the Blackstone. *• Reduce bacteria, nutrient and metals loading by finalizing the levels allowable for the river inRI(TMDLs). ------- Blackstone River _—•^-.Jh- _^ , — \ \ ,' [*5PB* — , \ / Plwidrac* If AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS www.epa.gov/OWOW/heritage/rivers.html What EPA Actions are Planned for 2005-2006? (continued) tissue stormwater and wastewater treatment facility permits in 2005 and 2006. *• Partner with other agencies for the Army Corps anadromous fish passage feasibility study on the lower 4 dams ^•Coordinate Fisherville Mill and Pond Restoration Project in Grafton, MA (Urban Rivers Restoration Initiative) *• Complete Leesville Pond and Dam Restoration in MA using $ 120,000 in matching funds from the Watershed Grant received for Narragansett Bay. ^•Identification and funding of innovative wastewater treatment grants for Bkckstone River communities. ^•Continue coordinating actions that connect the Lonsdale Mill Redevelop- ment with the Perterson Puritan Superfund Site and the Lonsdale Marsh. Who are the Partners? Bkckstone River Coalition • Bkckstone Headwaters Coalition • Blackstone River Watershed Association • Bkckstone River Watershed Council • Friends of the Blackstone • Save The Bay • Conservation Law Foundation • Massa- chusetts Audubon Society • Cities and Towns from Worcester, MA to Provi- dence, RI (24 in the watershed) • Bkckstone Valley Chamber of Commerce • Bkckstone Valley Tourism Council • EPANew England • JohnH. Chafee Bkckstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission (National Park Service) • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • USARmyCorpsof Engineers • US Fish and Wildlife Service • Federal Highway Administration • Housing and Urban Development • Economic Development Agency Depart- ment of Commerce • US Geological Service • National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration • USDAForest Service • USDA Rural Development for MA and RI • USDA Farm Service • Federal Emergency Management Agency What is the Blackstone River Coalition? The Bkckstone River Coalition is a partnership of numerous organizations, businessess, agencies, municipalities and individuals that are concerned with the regeneration of the Bkckstone River and the health of the Bkckstone River watershed. The Coalition created and spearheads the Campaign for a fishable/swimmable Bkckstone River by 2015. United States Environmental Protection Agency New England Customer Call Center 888-372-7341 • www.epa.gov/region1 Note: EPA N ew England otters Businesses ana mumcip local environment. Please call to learn how EPA can help. Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper with a minimum 50% post-consumer fiber using vegetable-based ink EPA901-F-05-011 ------- |