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).
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Blackstone River
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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
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