Acton Shoreline Survey
Spring 1998
Survey Background
The Acton Stream Teams were formed in 1998 to conduct a visual shoreline survey of over 25 miles of Acton streams. Project partners for this effort were the Organization for the Assabet River (OAR), the town of Acton, the Acton Water District (AWD), and Acton Citizens for Envronmental Safety (ACES). All of these project partners share an interest in identifying and reducing potential sources of pollution and excessive nutrients to Acton's streams, especially since Acton is currently pursuing the option of "watershed trading" to solve its existing waste water management problems. This shoreline survey was funded by a grant from the Crossroads Community Foundation (CRCF) obtained by OAR. OAR's funding of the Acton Stream Teams (the CRCF grant) concluded with the successful completion of the shoreline survey final report, an EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) Certificate of Appreciation and "Adopt-a-Stream" designation by the State of Massachusetts during the fall of 1998.

A steering committee was formed in January 1998 to create and coordinate the Acton Stream Teams. Members represented OAR, Acton Town officials, Acton's State Representative, local industry, local citizen groups, and other interested residents. The Steering Committee publicized the Stream Team project, selected survey areas, generated and reviewed maps, and finalized plans for the training session, the survey itself, and follow up actions. As a result more than 150 Acton volunteers participated in some aspect of the Stream Team effort.
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