Sen. Eldridge, Sen. Cronin, Rep. Scarsdale and Rep. Sena announce $24,600 to Address Water Quality in Nashua River
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded $916,000 for water quality projects across the state
DEVENS AREA – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D- Marlborough), Senator John Cronin (D-Leominster), Representative Margaret Scarsdale (D-Pepperell) and Representative Danillo Sena (D-Acton) announce a $24,000 grant to the Devens Enterprise Commission (DEC) to examine the nature and impact of water quality issues in the Nashua River. The Commission will also create a Watershed-Based Plan for Unkety Brook, one of the river’s tributaries in Middlesex County.
The DEC serves as the regulatory and permitting authority for the towns of Ayer, Shirley, and Harvard, fulfilling roles such as board of health, conservation commission, zoning board of appeals, historic district commission, and planning board. This grant will support the DEC’s collaboration with the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), Comprehensive Environmental, Inc., East-West Environmental, and exPressive Print and Promotion.
As part of the project, the team will collect monthly water quality samples from 14 sites over a 16-month period. This data will be used to calculate pollution loading and reduction rates, key indicators of water quality trends and restoration effectiveness.
Local partners working with the Devens Enterprise Commission include the town of Groton, People of Ayer Concerned about the Environment (PACE), the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, and the Nashua, Squannacook and Nissitissit Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council. Working with these partners, the Nashua River Watershed Association will lead educational outreach programs in Ayer-Shirley High School.
“Thank you to MassDEP Commissioner Heiple, EOEEA Secretary Tepper and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for supporting the critical scientific work that is needed to understand and protect our natural resources,” said state Senator Jamie Eldridge. “I’m proud to support this important effort in our district to improve water quality and environmental health in the Nashoba Valley and North Central Mass regions, and the Nashua River watershed.”
“Clean water is essential to healthy, sustainable communities,” said state Senator John Cronin. “I’m thankful to the Healey-Driscoll administration and my colleagues in the legislature for their continued partnership and commitment to making North Central Mass a better place for everyone who calls the region home.”
“We know how vital the Nashua River Watershed Association’s water monitoring programs are, not just to our region, but to the Commonwealth as a whole and for ensuring compliance with water quality standards,” said state Representative Margaret Scarsdale. “This grant will help to provide scientific data and facilitate the partnerships needed to protect the Nashua River and its tributaries, while also connecting with the next generation through local environmental education. I am grateful to MassDEP and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the importance of this work.
“Ensuring our environment is healthy and our water is clean is crucial to our communities and all who call them home. I am thankful for the Healey-Driscoll administration and EOEEA Secretary Tepper for providing funding to support the research needed to protect our natural environment,” said state Representative Danillo Sena.
The grant is part of the 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant Program, administered by the MassDEP. Since its creation in 1991, the program has funded projects that assess the scope of water quality challenges and develop actionable solutions to address them across the Commonwealth.
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