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. The Corridor Strategy is intended to create a collective vision for the river corridor and a strategy to achieve that vision. Working with the BRA, the cities and a wide array of stakeholder organizations, MAPC will help the communities develop a targeted strategy that will advance the goal of realizing the full potential of the Mystic River.

New! MAPC attends the Mystic River Festival

Joan Blaustein and Jennifer Garcia represented MAPC at the Second Annual Mystic River Festival sponsored by La Comunidad, Inc. on Saturday, August 7 in Everett.  The event was held at the Village Landing Park.  The festival's purpose was to raise public awareness about the environmental degradation of the Mystic River and what can be done to improve the river.  At our table we highlighed our work on the Everett Open Space Plan and the Lower Mystic River Corridor Strategy project as well as providing information about MAPC and MetroFuture.  A one-page handout about MAPC's work on the Mystic River (in English and Spanish) was available.  Click here to view the handout.  During the course of the afternoon we had a chance to talk to many residents about MAPC, parks in Everett and the river.

About the Mystic River

View the video that the Environmental Protection Agency prepared about the Mystic River Watershed Initiative.

http://www.epa.gov/region1/video/mysticriver/overview1/overview1.swf

Mystic River DataCommon

The Mystic River DataCommon, prepared by the MAPC Data Services team, is a new resource to obtain data on the Mystic River and watershed area:

http://www.metrobostondatacommon.org/mysticriver/index.htm

Resources from October 28, 2009 Meeting

Meeting notice
PowerPoint presentation
Read the final report

New Dynamic map

How to use the Dynamic 
Open the Dynamic map (requires Google Earth Plugin)

View the maps

Base map
Open space initiatives
Hazard mitigation
Transportation projects
Environmental justice census tracts
Development

Mystic River-Related Plans, Reports and Studies

This list catalogs plans, reports and studies that are currently available in electronic formats. There are many other reports that are available only in hard copy. We will add reports as whenever we receive them.

Regional

• Mystic River Watershed Assessment and Action Plan, Fall 2006
  Prepared for the MA EOEA and DEP, this plan provides an overview of conditions in the Mystic River Watershed and presents an action plan for protecting and restoring its urban and natural resources. Recommends the primary focus should be on taking specific action to improve water quality, reduce flooding and low flow problems, and enhance land uses along the waterfront to support recreation and habitat.

• Redeveloping the Lower Mystic River: Case Studies and Best Practices, May 2007
  Prepared by Tufts Urban and Environmental Policy graduate students, this report identifies case studies of waterfront redevelopment projects and best management practices for the MyRWA. The plan recommends strategies such as municipal and stakeholder collaboration, master planning, public outreach, environmental remediation, and public access.

Boston

• City of Boston Open Space Plan 2002-2006, September 2002
  Prepared by the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, this open space plan analyzes open space lands and facilities, assesses future needs, and presents an action plan. The plan for Charlestown identifies numerous opportunities related to the Mystic waterfront, such as revitalization of Little Mystic park, boardwalks to improve access to the waterfront, maintaining public visual access to the waterfront, and supporting guidelines in City’s Municipal Harbor Plan. The East Boston plan identifies opportunities for a continuous harborwalk and enhancing the natural resources along the waterfront.

• East Boston Waterfront Municipal Harbor Plan, March 2002
  The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has developed the East Boston Municipal Harbor Plan for submittal to the Secretary of Environmental Affairs in accordance with 301 CMR 23.00, et seq., Review and Approval of Municipal Harbor Plans. The purpose of the plan is to create a comprehensive framework to guide the development of East Boston’s Inner Harbor waterfront in a manner that reflects the city’s and community’s vision for the area and conforms to the objectives of the state’s Waterways Regulations. The East Boston Municipal Harbor Plan (EBMHP) will provide guidance to the community, developers and to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Chapter 91 licensing process. It is intended to be a planning tool for the near to mid-term future that will be updated to reflect conditions at the end of the ten-year timeframe being requested for this plan.

Chelsea

• Chelsea Creek Waterfront Study, November 2005
  Prepared for the cities of Chelsea and Revere, this study examines the development potential at key properties/districts along the Chelsea and Mill creeks. The 2007 plan described above updates the findings and recommendations of this report.

• Chelsea Open Space Plan, August 2003
  This plan reviews the progress since the Open Space Plan of 1994 and identifies actions to direct open space improvements for the next five years. Some of the goals stated in the plan include providing recreational opportunities and taking advantage of the city’s environmental, historic, and scenic resources. The City is currently in the process of updating its’ plan.

Everett

• Everett Waterfront Assessment, June 2003
  Prepared for the City of Everett, this assessment evaluates the existing land and waterside conditions along the Everett waterfront (Malden River, Mystic River, and Island End River). The study identifies potential opportunities to create public access to and from the water and to protect and enhance existing marine industrial uses. Provides very detailed land use analyses, future opportunities and concept plans, and action items.

Malden

There are no reports currently available in electronic versions.

Medford

• Medford Square and the Mystic River: Reconnection, Revitalization, Redevelopment, Fall 2006
  Prepared by MIT students, this study looks at strategic areas in Medford Square and along the Mystic River and provides recommendations for revitalization. The goals include better connections to the river, vibrant mix of uses along the river, engaging the public, and restore/maintain ecological resources. The study recommends collaborating with DCR on Mystic River Master Planning, form a Medford Greenway Committee, and develop public-private partnerships. 

Somerville

• Somerville Open Space and Recreation Plan 2008-2013
  This plan provides an overview of Somerville’s history, physical development, and environmental characteristics. It also provides an analysis and needs assessment that leads to a five-year action plan. Open space goals include preserving, enhancing, increasing the number of open spaces, and improving environmental conditions.

Environmental Justice Resources

The Lower Mystic River Corridor Strategy seeks to integrate environmental justice into all of the strategy elements. As implementation goes forward, MAPC and the six cities will seek to work in partnership with established local organizations to gain a better understanding of the concerns and needs of residents regarding public health/environmental concerns, open space, recreation, and land use. The following resources are provided to aid in those efforts.

Community Organizations

• La Comunidad, Inc.
• Alternatives for Community and Environment, Inc. (ACE)
• ROCA
• Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH)

Mystic River Maps

The EPA has prepared two maps which show sites of environmental concern and low income neighborhoods.

• Lower Mystic River Watershed Facilities and Sites of Environmental Concern, Charlestown, Chelsea, East Boston, Everett and Revere, MA
• Lower Mystic River Watershed, Facilities and Sites of Environmental Concern & Low Income Areas, Charlestown, Chelsea, East Boston, Everett and Revere.

For more information, please contact: