Acton Shoreline Survey
Spring 1998
Achievements
The achievements of the Acton Stream Teams, as a result of the Acton Shoreline Survey include the following:

Highlights:

  • Organized and carried out a Stream Cleanup on September 12, 1998, along sections of Butter Brook, Coles Brook, Conant Brook, and Fort Pond Brook in Acton. Volunteers removed twenty-five bags of litter, along with various larger debris including tires and other car parts from the stream areas.
  • Raised stream awareness: Over 150 volunteers were involved in the effort. There have been four relevant newspaper articles in The Beacon, and one in the Boston Globe. Acton Cablevision broadcast the April 22, 1998 Volunteer Training Session nine times before May 7, 1998.
  • Provided data for Acton's environmental consultant, who may use some of the data to help determine appropriate locations for the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP's) to minimize nutrient input to the streams.
  • Earned a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Environmental Protection Agency "in recognition of commitment to the protection and restoration of the nation's water resources".
  • Gave a public slide presentation of the results of the Acton Shoreline Survey on Monday October 26, 1998, at 7:30pm in Acton Town Hall, Room 204. This presentation, which included photographs from the survey, helped to educate the public about good stewardship practices.
  • Earned two "Adopt-A-Stream" Certificates for the Nashoba Brook and Fort Pond Brook. Joan Kimball of the MA Riverways Program, (Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Environmental Law Enforcement) presented The Acton Stream Teams with two commemorative plaques on October 26, 1998.
Other Achievements:
  • Created a photographic inventory of over 350 photographs.
  • Formed four Task Forces, (Cleanup, Stewardship, Website and Rail Trail Development/Linkage), described above.
  • Gave presentations to the Acton Board of Selectmen, Acton Board of Health, Acton Conservation Commission, and the OAR Board of Directors.
  • Wrote an Acton Stream Teams article that was included in the EPA publication, "Watershed Events", (Fall 1998).
  • Distributed Stewardship/public education articles to Acton taxpayers and water takers in the Municipal Quarterly and Water Words publications.
  • Made Shoreline Survey maps and results available online here
  • Created map and photographic display that raises stream awareness and also provides information on the importance of buffers and good stewardship practices.
  • Wrote a Final Report on the Acton Shoreline Survey, Spring 1998. A copy is available at the Acton Memorial Library.

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