After a year or so of down time, the Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) is resuming its responsibilities with a new charge and partially new membership. The WRAC advises the Acton Board of Selectmen on issues relating to water resource systems in Acton, including water supply, surface water, groundwater, stormwater and wastewater. WRAC meetings are… Continue reading →
Background: Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
The Acton Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) is an official committee of the Town of Acton that advises the Board of Selectmen (BoS) on issues related to water resources in Acton, including water supply, surface water, groundwater, stormwater, and wastewater. Meetings are approximately monthly, are open to the public, and are announced here.
How does Acton say “No” to Concord’s expansion of their Nagog Pond water treatment plant?
The dispute over Concord’s application to enlarge its water treatment plant at Nagog Pond seems to be coming down to a question of whether Acton’s elected leaders have the legal authority to say “no” to a development that is opposed by virtually every Acton resident who has submitted either oral or written testimony throughout the… Continue reading →
Q & A on BoS Nagog Pond hearing
The dispute over Concord’s application to expand its water treatment capacity at Nagog Pond has entered a new phase. The Massachusetts Land Court remanded the issue back to the Acton Board of Selectmen for an additional round of public input and deliberation. New questions are emerging, and this post makes a start at answering some… Continue reading →
How does Acton say ‘no’ to Concord’s application to expand their water treatment plant at Nagog Pond?
The dispute over Concord’s application to enlarge its water treatment plant at Nagog Pond seems to be coming down to a question of whether Acton’s elected leaders have the legal authority to say “no” to a development that is opposed by virtually every Acton resident who has submitted either oral or written comments throughout the… Continue reading →
Background for Nov. 20, 2017 hearing on Nagog Pond
On Nov. 20, 2017, the Acton Board of Selectmen (BoS) will re-open the hearing for Concord’s proposed work to replace and upgrade their water pumping and treatment facility on Nagog Pond. Here’s a link to the hearing notice. Green Acton’s position is to urge our Board of Selectmen to vote no on Concord’s application to… Continue reading →
Nashoba Brook
The US Geological Survey maintains a continuously operating stream gauging station on Nashoba Brook, off of Wheeler Lane. You can go to their site and see the amount of water flowing through Nashoba Brook at any time of the day or night.
Green Acton position and rationale on re-opened Nagog Pond hearing
Green Acton position for Nov 20, 2017 re-opened public hearing on Concord’s plan to expand water treatment plant at Nagog Pond: Position: Because the draft Modified Special Permit Decision document fails to protect the quantity and quality of Acton’s water, in clear opposition to the Acton 2020 Master Plan and the will of the… Continue reading →
OARS Joins EPA Stormwater Regs Suit
The Organization for the Assabet, Sudbury & Concord Rivers (OARS) recently announced that it is joining with nine other river groups in filing a lawsuit to overturn the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) one-year delay in implementing new stormwater pollution requirements in Massachusetts.
Background: Stormwater and Its Regulation
Stormwater: Stormwater is water that runs off the land when it rains or when snow melts. On landscapes impacted by human development, stormwater carries fertilizer, harmful bacteria, oil, gas, toxic metals, and salt into nearby waterways. Julia Blatt, executive director of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, says in the Boston Globe, “Stormwater is the state’s No. 1… Continue reading →