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Newsletter - February, 2022
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MRWC is tracking several bills as they wind their way through the NH and MA statehouses. Each of these bills will help make the Merrimack a cleaner and healthier river.
These bills still need to go through several steps. Please get in touch with your state Representative and Senator and ask them to pass these bills.
In New Hampshire:
House Bill 1066: Establishing a commission to investigate and analyze the environmental and human and animal health impacts relating to cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire water bodies.
In Massachusetts:
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Here's an opinion column written by MRWC on the historic opportunity we currently have to fix some of the Merrimack's mightiest pollution problems
Lowell is set to receive a large influx of federal money to help it reduce its Combined Sewer Overflow discharges.
The Merrimack can be a dangerous river to walk on during the winter, even on ice that appears to be thick.
A North Andover church congregation is hoping to pass bills that will help Environmental Justice communities along the Merrimack River corridor
As part of its race and equity project, the Concord Monitor takes a deep dive into the legacy of the company that harnessed the Merrimack River and founded the "Queen City," Manchester NH.
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Do you live or work in Tewksbury, MA?
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Do you live or work in Tewksbury, MA? Do you experience flooding in your home, business, on the roads or elsewhere?
We’d like to hear from you!
The Town of Tewksbury and MRWC are working together to address flooding that affects homes, businesses and roads within Tewksbury and
we need your help!
Please fill out our survey and tell us about your experiences with flooding in Tewksbury and how you’d like to see nature-based solutions used to alleviate this problem!
Read more about this work here:
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We are excited to host two events during NH February Vacation Week both sponsored by Digital Federal Credit Union!
Click on each event for more information.
Monday, February 28, 2022 at 1:00 PM Arms Park, Manchester, NH
Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 1:00 PM Pinnacle Park, Hooksett, NH
If you or your company is interested in sponsoring an event or becoming an MRWC Business Partner, contact Tracey Chalifour at tracey@merrimack.org or 978-655-4742
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NATURALIST CORNER: What Lies Beneath
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The coldest, darkest winter months are some of the busiest for the elusive, normally deep-dwelling freshwater fish: burbot.
Locally known as 'cusk' or 'eelpout', these fish are found in large deep lakes across the Northeastern US and Canada. Late winter marks breeding season where cusk travel to shallow, rocky areas and become extremely active at night. Anglers target these fish for their white, flaky meat similar to their saltwater relative Atlantic cod, and marks a prized staple to any chowder.
Lakes and ponds in the Merrimack River watershed are both a source for millions of residents downstream, and year-round destinations; worthy of continued protection throughout the year. This cusk was caught by our NH Restoration Project Manager, Tyson Morrill, near where another angler recently reeled in the new state record stretching almost three feet long at the 43rd Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby. The event welcomes thousands of attendees and visitors alike. This year, notable spectators included NH's Governor Sununu and Senator Hassan, highlighted by a local woman catching the grand-prize fish!
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Awesome MRWC Job Opportunity
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Are you, or do you know someone, looking to start a career in watershed management? Or are you hoping to refine your skills in the environmental world?
Great news! MRWC is hiring two half-year positions (22.5 weeks) as part of the Summer/Fall Lakes Region Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps State program. The members serving with MRWC will work out of our Concord, NH office to develop educational and outreach events, work on ecological restoration projects, and lead communications efforts for the MRWC NH team. Interested? Find out more information here.
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Gary M. Comins, a Merrimack River enthusiast and longtime supporter of MRWC, passed away in November 2021 from pancreatic cancer. Gary spent most of his life in the Merrimack Valley, growing up in North Andover and settling in Methuen shortly after college. He loved camping and canoeing, and cherished nature and the outdoors. He was an avid recreational user of the Merrimack River, often seen in his classic aluminum Grumman canoe out on the water.
We know that Gary's love for the Merrimack River carries on and we are deeply grateful to Gary for leaving a legacy contribution to MRWC. His sister recently informed us that Gary named the MRWC in his estate plan.
Making a planned gift to the MRWC, like Gary has done, through a will, trust, or other means, is a meaningful way to leave a clean, healthy river and a livable earth to the next generation of Merrimack River Watershed users. It is a powerful way to make an enduring impact.
If you are interested in learning more about the ways you can make a planned gift to MRWC and join the Merrimack Legacy Circle, please contact Tracey Chalifour at tracey@merrimack.org or 978-655-4742.
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We want to hold up a light to ReVision Energy as a 2022 Business Partner of the MRWC and for their two years of support to protect the Merrimack River and its tributaries for all people and wildlife.
If you move forward with a ReVision Energy solar project on your house, mention MRWC and we will receive a $250 referral donation! We roll it right into our climate resilience programs so that's a win-win!
ReVision Energy is a full service renewable energy contracting company that provides a full range of engineering, design, installation and equipment service for homes, businesses, municipal buildings and nonprofits. They are also an employee-owned B-Corp, are the creators of hundreds of green jobs in NH and MA. They have installed 9,000 solar energy systems throughout New England, leading the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy! Thank you ReVision Energy!
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Local Foundation Spotlight
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This month, we are excited to spotlight Essex County Community Foundation and the work they are supporting at MRWC to connect community members with solving the problems of water pollution in the Merrimack River and Essex County.
ECCF is has been instrumental in funding our capacity to enhance water quality testing in order to improve the quality of life for the growing number of residents of Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill by stewarding the Merrimack River’s water quality through a community-based approach. Local residents have been trained to be community scientists, monitoring samples at eight locations on the Merrimack. Their "boots on the ground" work provides data that is part of an alert system for area residents and municipalities during elevated bacteria periods due to CSOs. Recreational users of the Merrimack can now make informed choices, resulting in a reduction in health risks.
We are grateful to ECCF for their partnership in protecting drinking water and the health of residents in the Merrimack River Watershed. Thank you!
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View From Deer Island, Amesbury, Massachusetts
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