Programs: MAPP Project

As "The Voice of the Merrimack," we are extremely concerned about the lack of definitive knowledge of the water quality in the Merrimack River, sources of pollution in the river and accountability of polluters. Our research tells us that there has not been any consistent water quality data collection or analysis of the Merrimack River main stem in over ten years. Since the mission of the MRWC is to protect and promote the wise use of the watershed and its resources, it is imperative that we begin by protecting and promoting the wise use of the river from which our organization is named. Hence, water quality monitoring and data analysis of the Merrimack River is necessary to definitively expose the sources and implications of the pollution. 

The four basic components of the MAPP Project are Monitoring the water quality of the river, Analyzing the data that we collect to determine the sources of pollution, Protecting the watershed by holding polluters accountable, and Promoting a healthy ecosystem through education and outreach.  Merrimack River Watershed Council, Inc (MRWC) is pleased to announce that it has received a financial boost with a $45,000 grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (the Trust). This funding will enable MRWC to continue and further its new volunteer water quality monitoring program. According to Trust Executive Director Robbin Peach, the Trust will provide over $1.5 million in grants to over 50 organizations this year, thanks to motorists who choose to purchase one of the Trust's specialty license plates. "Trust plates, including our signature Whale Plate, are the only specialty plates that exclusively fund environmental initiatives," said Peach. Half of the registry fee for each Trust plate is donated to the Trust to fund water-focused environmental education and protection programs.

To date, the MAPP project has been focusing on Monitoring. We have acquired four YSI 556 multi-probe meters, five Secchi disks and four Global Positioning System (GPS) units as a result of a grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) and equipment donations from the EPA. These tools, along with the grant MRWC has received from the Trust, are being used by our 45 recently trained volunteers to collect data such as water temperature, conductivity, salinity, pH and clarity at predetermined locations on the river. Some river monitoring teams are also collecting water samples for bacteria testing by the EPA. One section of the river, between the New Hampshire border and the Pawtucket Dam in Lowell, has already begun weekly monitoring and monthly water sampling, while monitoring in the other three sections is now getting underway. 

Our goal is to have 16 teams of three people (one motor boat operator and two samplers) who can monitor a section of the river once a month through October. In the fall we will begin step two of the project, data Analysis. Based on our discoveries, we will modify some of our 2008 monitoring locations on the Merrimack River to focus on hotspots. As we learn more about the sources of pollution on the river, we will be able to tackle the last two portions of our project, Protecting the river and Promoting the river's health. Former Boston television meteorologist and active environmentalist, Bruce Schwoegler, is an avid supporter of the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. "Trust funding enables organizations from Cape Cod to the Berkshires to tackle critical water-related issues that affect us all," said Schwoegler. "The health and welfare of every living being is dependent on clean waterways and related ecosystems. This inextricable link within our environment is extremely important, and the Trust is offering everyone an easy opportunity to get involved and make a significant difference in the preservation of the Commonwealth's water resources." Information about the Trust, the programs it supports, and the specialty license plate offerings can be found at www.MassEnvironmentalTrust.org.

If you would like more information about the MAPP project, or are interested in helping us collect data, please contact Tracie Sales at 978-275-0120 ext. 13 or via e-mail at tsales@merrimack.org. The MAPP project needs volunteers who own and operate motor boats and/or volunteers who are interested in taking water quality samples on the motor boats. We begin monitoring in April/May and continue through the summer until September/October. In the off-season we train people on how to use the equipment and take samples. My goal is to have 16 teams of three people (one motor boat operator and two samplers) who can monitor once a month a section of the river. The river is broken into four sections from the state line in Tyngsboro to Lowell, from Lowell to Lawrence, from Lawrence to Haverhill and from Haverhill to the estuary in Newburyport. MRWC is looking to have four teams per section so that no team would have to monitor more than once per month (about 3-4 hours each time you are out).

Still interested? Then, please let us know the following: Are you interested in volunteering as a motor boat operator and/or volunteering as a water quality tester on a motor boat? If you would like to volunteer, what days and times are convenient training times for you? What section of the river you would like to monitor? What days and times you are available to be on the water? You can get involved in this exciting project by filling out the "Get Involved" form on the Volunteer Page. Please mention the MAPP Project and the answer to the above questions on your form.