Saugus River Watershed. Joan LeBlanc, Executive Director Saugus River Watershed Council

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1 Saugus River Watershed Joan LeBlanc, Executive Director Saugus River Watershed Council 29 January 2013

2 Project Partners Saugus River Watershed Council Geosyntec Consultants - Steven Roy, Senior Environmental Scientist - Marcus Quiqley, Principal Civil & Environmental Engineer - Robert Hartzel, Senior Water Resources Scientist Massachusetts Environmental Trust

3 Saugus River Watershed Saugus River, Rumney Marsh, Reedy Meadow, Lynn Woods, Breakheart Reservation, Lake Quannapowitt 11 Watershed Communities: Saugus Lynn Wakefield Revere Reading Lynnfield Melrose Malden Everett Peabody Stoneham

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5 SRWC Previous Efforts Climate Change Awareness Program Developed award-winning education program Hosted workshop to promote low-impact development techniques and other strategies for managing stormwater pollution Hosted variety of outreach / educational events

6 2011 Massachusetts Climate Adaptation Report 1 st statewide climate adaptation report Established a framework for adapting to sea level rise, storm surges, higher temperatures and changes in precipitation Our local project attempts to begin implementing a portion of those recommendations at the local level

7 Project Scope Community-based effort to create Climate Change Adaptation Plans in the Saugus River watershed Incorporate Regional Approach for Certain Planning Areas Develop 2 Site-Specific Plans Implement Priority Actions throughout the Project Period

8 Project Scope Focus of plans limited to protecting watershed natural resources Cross-cutting strategies will also help protect public health, local infrastructure, businesses, local economy Our projects can be combined with other local or regional efforts to address transportation infrastructure or other sectors outside the scope

9 Community & Site Specific Plans

10 Identify Potential Climate Change Impacts to Region Sea level rise Increase in temperature (air / water) Extended dry periods More intense rain storms Increase and shifts in aquatic vegetation Tidal influence moving upstream Shift in fish and wildlife habitat

11 Identify High Risks Areas Potentially hazardous impacts Risk to drinking water supply Chronic or predicted flooding problems Locations at risk due to sea level rise Example: Need to assess vulnerability of Wheelabrator ash landfill to sea level rise

12 Identify High Priority Areas Valuable Habitat Flood Storage Protection Vegetated Buffer Zone Source of Drinking Water Importance to the Community Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield

13 Prioritize High Priority Areas High Risks Highest Priority for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

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15 Image: Elm Street Crossing Over Saugus River in Saugus, 2006.

16 Multi-Community Collaboration Rumney Marshes Area of Critical Environmental Concern Collaboration among Saugus, Revere and Lynn Promote consistent bylaws Cooperative efforts to maximize flood storage potential, protect vegetated buffers, promote low impact development techniques Several other locations require collaboration

17 Rumney Marshes Area of Critical Environmental Concern Critical Habitat Valuable Flood Storage Protec Protective Barrier to Commun High Risk from Sea Level Rise

18 Reedy Meadow National Natural Landmark Critical Habitat Freshwater marsh helps filter water upstream of Lynn s drinking water Valuable Flood Storage High risk from dry periods during summer High risk from development impacts

19 Cross-Cutting Strategies Example 1: Promote conservation and enhancement of vegetated buffer zones in high priority areas Dual benefit of helping to protect natural resources while reducing greenhouse gases

20 Cross-Cutting Strategies Example 2: Promote use of Low Impact Development techniques Reduce greenhouse gases Reduce stormwater pollution Increase local water recharge

21 Low Impact Development Stormwater Controls Porous Pavers Bioretention Cells Rain Gardens

22 Types of Recommendations in Community Plans Include Changes to Local Bylaws Site specific recommendations for highest priorities Culvert Evaluation / Resizing Land Conservation Water Conservation Strategies Education / Outreach Operations / Maintenance Further Research to Assess Vulnerability

23 Site Specific Plan #1 Water Supply Protection Work with Lynn Water and Sewer Commission Focus on protection of water supply Build upon 2003 Source Water Assessment and Protection Plan Identify risks associated with climate change not addressed in the 2003 Plan

24 Site Specific Plan #1 Water Supply Protection Work with LWSC and communities of Lynn, Saugus, Lynnfield and Wakefield Confer with DEP about potential for incorporating recommendations in the Surface Water Supply Protection Plan and using them as a model for other water supply protection areas in the state Goal 1: LWSC and DEP incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into water supply protection plan Goal 2: Plan serves as model for others

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26 Site Specific Plan #2 Saugus Iron Works Work in partnership with National Park Service Unique ecological functions, location at the upper limits of estuarine influence in the Saugus River, and priority habitat Goal 1: NPS adopts climate adaptation plan for the site Goal 2: Plan serves as model for other NPS properties

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28 Saugus Iron Works Turning Basin Final Restoration Plan Open water turning basin gravel / cobble berm Open water / mudflat Native emergent marsh

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31 2006 Mother s Day Storm

32 Next Steps Spring 2013 public forums in Wakefield, Lynnfield, Saugus, Revere and Lynn Continued planning with LWSC and NPS Draft of most plans by end of 2013 Spring 2014 seek local approval via Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen, City Council etc. Ongoing Implement fast track recommendations throughout the project period

33 Thank You Saugus River Watershed Council