Unanimous Agreement Reached on Restoring Lower Neponset River!

May 22, 2009

For more than a dozen years, NepRWA has been working to restore ancient “fish runs”* for herring and shad in the Neponset River. Working closely with the Massachusetts Riverways Program, we recommended removing two dams in Boston and Milton (after dredging the toxic PCBs behind them), which would open up 17 miles of the Neponset River plus many more miles of its tributaries for these fish to spawn in. The dams are the Baker Dam in Lower Mills (Dorchester and the Milton) and Tileston & Hollingsworth (T&H) Dam in Hyde Park and Milton . 

Because some local neighborhood associations were dubious of this recommendation, NepRWA formed a “Citizens Advisory Committee” to see if a compromise could be reached. The CAC soon had the sponsorship of the key state environmental agencies, the City of Boston , the Town of Milton , and the Lower Mills Merchants Association. Invitations to join the CAC were sent out by local state Senators and Representatives!

After 8 months of meetings, unanimous agreement has been reached on recommendations to:

1.       Dredge the sediments behind the two dams, which are heavily contaminated with toxic PCBs;  

2.       Remove the T&H Dam in Hyde Park and Milton .

3.       Lower the height of the Baker Dam in Lower Mills so that a “nature-like fish ramp” can be constructed, enabling migratory fish to pass over the dam.

Read the CAC recommendations for Lower Neponset River restoration. 

View a representation of the Baker Dam modification.

An official May 26, 2009 Signing of the Recommendations by the CAC was held.

Learn more about the restoration of the Lower Neponset (NOTE:  The content of the linked webpage was written before the compromise described above was reached; ebpage content will be updated in the near future). 

*  "Fish runs" are rivers and streams used by ocean fish that must spawn (lay their eggs) in fresh water.

May 2009

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