Lynn, Lynnfield and Peabody are among 18 North Shore communities to sign the first charter agreement of the North Shore Water Resiliency Task Force, an initiative that is focused on protection of the Ipswich River Watershed.
“This task force will play a key role in ensuring that our region’s water supply is resilient and healthy,” said State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). “We are thrilled to have such a wide variety of stakeholders from many different communities to help tackle these issues.”
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) said this year’s severe drought conditions have underscored the need “to effectively undertake a unified approach to water conservation, to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water is available for all residents.
“Lynnfield’s decision to join with 17 other communities to sign this historic charter is an acknowledgment that a coordinated, regional effort is needed to effectively address the many challenges facing the Ipswich River Watershed,” Jones said. “By working in conjunction with the North Shore Water Resilience Task Force, Lynnfield and its neighbors have expressed a shared commitment not only to improve water supply resilience, but also to protect this vital natural resource by maintaining a healthy watershed ecosystem.”
The task force’s mission is to identify and advance long-term solutions to improve water supply resilience and ecosystem health in the Ipswich River Watershed, by working to understand one another’s important challenges and goals, engaging meaningfully and in good faith in discussions determined by the group as key to regional success. Working to reach a common understanding of the best potential solutions to achieve water supply resilience and ecosystem health, and by seeking full consensus on actions to support the most promising solutions.
Other signers of the charter include the cities of Beverly, Salem, Andover, Boxford, Burlington, Danvers, Hamilton, Ipswich, Middleton, North Andover, North Reading, Reading, Topsfield, Wenham and Wilmington.
The Ipswich River watershed provides drinking water to 350,000 people and thousands of businesses in 14 communities in northeastern Massachusetts. These water withdrawals impact the water levels and temperatures of the river and its tributaries, especially in summer when non-essential, outdoor-water use increases.
According to the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA), the agreement is a collaborative effort to improve water supply resilience and ecosystem health in the watershed. It is the first time that every city and town and the IRWA has agreed in writing on the need to address both issues equally and simultaneously.
The force has representation from each of the 24 members of the state legislative delegation who serve the communities that signed the charter. The task force is also supported by 26 official stakeholder organizations.
Sen. Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) said the task force was created to “tackle a decades-long issue,” that being the fortification and preservation of local water resources.
“If we want our residents and communities to continue to thrive, ensuring that we have a sustainable water supply is critical,” she said. “With the signing of this historic charter, 18 North Shore communities have agreed to work in tandem to protect invaluable water resources, including the Ipswich River, one of the most endangered rivers in the United States.”
The task force is led by Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), who co-founded the task force five years ago after the droughts of 2015 and 2016. The task force is currently considering several new initiatives including purchasing water from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority and improving water connections among communities to enable them to share water. The task force also plans to explore state and federal funds for future projects.
“I would like to thank Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr for his leadership and my fellow Task Force members for their partnership and collaboration,” Lovely said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Task Force, to ensure our precious resources are protected for generations to come.”
“This effort has been ongoing for some time now, spearheaded by Sen. Tarr,” said Rep. Thomas Walsh (D-Peabody). “It’s a great first step in recognizing that our water supply and infrastructure is a regional issue. This year, as much as any (other year) has illustrated how important it is that we plan for our future water needs.”
