Environment

MAPC provides technical assistance and policy guidance on a wide range of environmental issues, including:

• Water Resources Planning and Policy
• Stormwater Management / Non-point Source Pollution
• Coastal and Ocean Resources
• Watershed Open Space Planning
• Green Energy and Climate Change

If you have questions about MAPC's environmental program, please contact Martin Pillsbury, Environmental Division Manager, at 617-451-2770, ext. 2012 or mpillsbury@mapc.org.

Brownfields Assessment

In many communities, Brownfields sites such as abandoned industrial facilities hold much potential for redevelopment and community revitalization if they are properly cleaned up.  MAPC is working collaboratively with the cities of Peabody and Salem on an EPA-funded project to assess several Brownfields sites in the two cities.

The objective of the project is to facilitate the assessment of key Brownfields sites in order to complete a flood mitigation project in Peabody, restore the corridor along the North River, and encourage potential economic development and open space preservation in both cities.

The major components of the project include:

• Procure qualified hazardous waste consultants to conduct site assessments in compliance with EPA standards and requirements.
• Coordinate with the cities of Peabody and Salem to conduct public outreach and education on the project.
• Coordinate with Peabody and Salem on planning for the reuse of Brownfields sites after cleanup and restoration.

A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed by MAPC and the Mayors of Peabody and Salem to facilitate their collaboration on the project. The project is being coordinated by a Brownfields Coalition Steering Committee with members representing the Planning and Community Development Departments of both cities and MAPC’s Environmental Planning Manager. 

The EPA Brownfields Assessment grant will run for three years until August 2012.  For more information, contact Martin Pillsbury at mpillsbury@mapc.org.

Water Resources Planning and Policy

MAPC provides assistance with water resources planning to communities, addressing issues such as groundwater, storm water, non-point source pollution, water supply, water quality and coastal resources. Click here for a summary of recent projects.

MAPC is also involved with state water policy issues through participation on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Advisory Board, the Water Resources Management Advisory Committee, the Mass Bays Program, the Ocean Advisory Commission, the DEP Storm Water Stakeholders Group, and the MWRA's Wastewater Advisory Committee and Water Supply Citizens Advisory Committee.

New! Massachusetts Draft Ocean Management Plan Overview

Download the PowerPoint, which was prepared in October 2009 for the MAPC North Shore Task Force.

WaterSmart Toolkit

Working in collaboration with the 495/MetroWest Partnership, MAPC developed the WaterSmart Toolkit, which provides guidance to communities on best practices for addressing storm water, water supply, and wastewater issues. Although the toolkit was developed in collaboration with the 495/MetroWest communities, it is applicable to cities and towns throughout the MAPC region and the state.

The components of the WaterSmart Toolkit include several publications available for download, on CD, and as hard copy documents upon request.

• SummerSmart is a guide to managing peak season water demand, including tools such as water pricing, local regulations, and public education. Case studies are included.
• Once is Not Enough: A Guide to Water Reuse in Massachusetts provides an overview of the technical, economic, and regulatory aspects of reusing treated wastewater for nonpotable water uses, such as toilet flushing, landscape irrigation, and industrial process water. Several local and regional case studies are included.
• Low Impact Development Toolkit provides a practical set of fact sheets on Low Impact Development methods, including rain gardens, bioretention, pervious pavement, and green roofs. The toolkit also includes model bylaw language and an LID codes checklist.
• Watermarks 495 is a report that summarizes trends in water demand, wastewater, and storm water for the 32 communities in the 495/MetroWest corridor.

Storm Water/Non-Point Source Pollution

MAPC has conducted several projects for the management of storm water and nonpoint source pollution. MAPC has also provided local assistance with developing storm water bylaws. Recent projects include:

• CZM Non-Point Source Pollution project (2007): MAPC conducted local workshops for the development of storm water bylaws and regulations for Bellingham, Lexington, Marshfield, Millis, Scituate, and Wakefield.
• Mass. Environmental Trust Sustainable Water Project (2008-2009): MAPC conducted workshops for the development of storm water bylaws and regulations for Hopkinton, Ipswich, Sudbury, and Wilmington. The project also included regional workshops on Low Impact Development, water reuse, and peak season water demand management.

Copies of storm water bylaws from both projects, as well as regional workshop PowerPoint presentations, are available upon request by contacting Martin Pillsbury, Environmental Division Manager, at 617-451-2770, ext. 2012 or mpillsbury@mapc.org.

Coastal and Ocean Resources

Massachusetts Bays Program

MAPC participates in the Massachusetts Bays Program (MBP) as a member of the Management Committee. As part of the National Estuary Program, the MBP covers 51 coastal communities along Massachusetts Bay, including 25 cities and towns in the MAPC region. The program provides technical assistance on issues such as stormwater, wetlands and shellfish bed restoration and water quality.

Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan

MAPC participates on the Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC), advising on the development of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. MAPC's appointee is Mayor Carolyn Kirk from Gloucester. The draft Ocean Management Plan was released for review in July 2009, and the final plan will be completed by December 2009. Through Mayor Kirk's participation and the staff support of Martin Pillsbury, MAPC remains involved in the development of the Plan.

Mystic River Projects

Mystic River Corridor Strategy Project

The Mystic River Corridor Strategy project is a collaborative effort between MAPC, the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Cities of Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford and Somerville. View our Mystic River page for more information about this project.

The EPA Mystic River Initiative

MAPC is on the steering committee of the EPA Mystic River Initiative. In April of 2007, EPA New England issued a Report Card on the Mystic, giving the River a grade of D for water quality. At the same time it issued its grade, EPA launched an effort to improve water quality in the Mystic watershed. EPA will employ strategies it has found useful in its efforts to restore other urban rivers and it will find new ones with the help of the watershed's many involved citizens.

Open Space Planning

MAPC works on open space issues at both the regional and local levels. MAPC has developed or updated open space plans for several communities, including Dedham, Hanover, Holbrook and Norwell. The Division of Conservation Services (DCS) requires that all open space plans must be submitted to the regional planning agency for review. This review is advisory and only DCS has the power to approve a municipal open space plan. While DCS reviews open space plans for compliance with their guidelines, MAPC reviews these plans for their attention to regional issues generally and more specifically for consistency with MetroFuture, the regional policy plan for the Boston metropolitan area.

Green Energy and Climate Change Activities

As concern for climate change grows along with increased interest in green energy, MAPC is prepared to work with communities and the state to address these timely issues. MAPC's prior work with these issues includes the "North Shore Wind Project" and the "CLIMB" project. MAPC is involved with climate change issues through its participation on the Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Committee established by the Global Warming Solutions Act. Our work includes:

The North Shore Wind Project: In 2003, MAPC received a grant from The Renewable Energy Trust to provide technical assistance for the siting of onshore wind turbines with the goal of increasing public acceptability in ten North Shore communities: Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester, Marblehead, Rockport, Salem, and Swampscott.

The project included public forums on wind energy for the North Shore, presentations to each community on wind energy opportunities and barriers, a survey of residents, wind resource maps for each community, and a wind turbine siting ordinance for the City of Lynn.

Most of the communities are carrying forward under such programs as the Green Communities Program and the Energy Efficiency Block Grant Program funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Maps of Land Based Wind Energy Facility Siting:

• Siting Considerations for the North Shore, MA
• Siting Considerations for Beverly, MA
• Siting Considerations for Essex, MA
• Siting Considerations for Gloucester, MA
• Siting Considerations for Ipswich, MA
• Siting Considerations for Lynn, MA
• Siting Considerations for Manchester, MA
• Siting Considerations for Marblehead, MA
• Siting Considerations for Rockport, MA
• Siting Considerations for Salem, MA
• Siting Considerations for Swampscott, MA

Climate's Long-Term Impacts on Metro Boston (CLIMB), is an EPA-funded project aimed at studying the potential impacts of climate change on metropolitan Boston's infrastructure systems and recommending strategies to prevent, reduce or manage the risk.

Questions?

If you have questions about MAPC's work on environmental issues, please contact Martin Pillsbury, Environmental Division Manager, at 617-451-2770, ext. 2012 or mpillsbury@mapc.org.