Plymouth SWI Taskforce

Plymouth SWI Taskforce There was a time, not so long ago, when we took water for granted. There is a phenomenon known as the saltwater/freshwater interface. Across the U.S.

PSWIT is bringing together water scientists, environmentalists, and representatives of the business and residential community to prepare for a key battle of the 21st Century: the fight to ensure a plentiful supply of freshwater. Today, in Plymouth, facing rapid growth, climate change, and sea-level rise the increased demand for water forces us to question our past assumptions and prepare for futur

e challenges. We are literally surrounded by an ocean of saltwater that presses against the land and against a subterranean interface with our precious freshwater. When that interface is in balance fresh and saltwater push against each other, but rarely make much headway. But when sea level rises, when we withdraw too much water and climate change translates to excessively hot and arid summers the imbalance increases and saltwater can begin to intrude into our rivers, ponds, into the water that we drink and which flows through our woods and wildlands. Across the world, the more dry and densely populated countries are already fighting these invasions. more than 40 states have already experienced negative effects from what is called “saltwater intrusion (SWI).”

In Plymouth and similar coastal communities in this region, we have a particular vulnerability, due in part to our geology and topography, but little research has been undertaken to evaluate existing conditions, predict where our greatest vulnerability lies and devise measures we can and should implement to mitigate the potential effects. That research is the chief goal of a new “Action Grant” funded through the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program by a taskforce that includes the Town of Plymouth, the Living Observatory, and the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance. This taskforce includes more than a dozen of the region’s environmental organizations plus various community groups, town committees, and - we hope - a variety of community-focused businesses that recognize the importance of conserving our natural resources. Please add your voice to the chorus of citizens, organizations, and institutions that recognize the power of preparation. For further information, contact Frank Mand at the Pine Barrens Alliance at 774-454-0856 or by email at [email protected].

Lead scientist on SEMPBA's Salt Water Intrusion project for the Town of Plymouth, Dr. David Boutt, named Honorary Fellow...
11/15/2023

Lead scientist on SEMPBA's Salt Water Intrusion project for the Town of Plymouth, Dr. David Boutt, named Honorary Fellow by the International Lithium Association.

The renowned UMass hydrogeologist with deep experience in lithium brines has been welcomed as an Honorary Fellow in recognition of his work contributing to improving the understanding of lithium.

09/18/2023

The health and well-being of horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds, like the now threatened Red Knot, is intertwined with our own. Human health relies on an assay made from the blood of horseshoe crabs, yet the birds and horseshoe crabs are declining. Historically, Massachusetts has been a key st...

06/30/2023

Today is the official end/date of our 2-year state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant…

Join us for this FREE event exploring Plymouth's water resources and adaptation to climate changer at the Spire Theater ...
06/01/2023

Join us for this FREE event exploring Plymouth's water resources and adaptation to climate changer at the Spire Theater at 10:00 AM, followed by your choice of 4 optional guided walks at 2:00 PM:

Hike 1: Herring Pond Wampanoag Culture & History, led by Melissa Ferretti;

Hike 2: Urban Adaptation and Resiliency Hike, led by David Gould

Hike 3: Eel River Watershed Headwaters, led by Malcolm MacGregor;

Hike 4: Coastal Plain Ponds, led by Denise Stowell, Frank Mand. Details at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/h2-wow-connecting-climate-water-and-community-tickets-642608979757.

Join NHESP biologist Karro Frost for a guided walk and talk about Coastal Plain Ponds. Meet at 11 a.m. at the HQ of Myle...
05/27/2023

Join NHESP biologist Karro Frost for a guided walk and talk about Coastal Plain Ponds. Meet at 11 a.m. at the HQ of Myles Standish State Forest on June 17th. Here's a glimpse of what you'll see on this easy, informative hike. Wear boots or waterproof shoes, bring water and bug spray, and be prepared to ask Karro questions about this very special natural community. The hike is free, but if you can register on Eventbrite, at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3-pond-walks-pretty-but-polluted-rare-coastal-plain-pond-smallest-pond-tickets-621975524537

03/29/2023

Small, local, powerful…
HOW YOU CAN PROTECT, PRESERVE AND ENHANCE YOUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, FOR FREE!

Money’s great: the big conservation groups need it to buy land, lobby politicians, pay for lawyers and the like. But another way to green up your world is, to paraphrase Gandhi, ‘be the change.’

For over a decade the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance mission has been to preserve the globally rare ecoregion we live within.

In that time, we have received numerous private, state, and federal grants, established the first ‘Regional Conservation Partnership’ in this area, created Pine Barrens signage for local roads and state parks and... well, we’re still working at it.

What’s the secret to our success?

It’s simple: we put our passion into practice. We’re not proud: we are happy to contribute (or help to coordinate) the efforts of other, established conservation organizations.

When we receive grants most if not all the funds go to other organizations. Because of that we don’t have to worry whether what we do is politically expedient.

Ready to start your own, do-it-yourself conservation organization?

Join Sharl Heller and Frank Mand, the leadership team of the Plymouth-based SE Mass Pine Barrens Alliance.

No registration required.

The Plymouth MVP Taskforce was featured in the January 18 webinar, “Community-Based Problem Solving.” We were invited be...
03/05/2023

The Plymouth MVP Taskforce was featured in the January 18 webinar, “Community-Based Problem Solving.” We were invited because our project engages residents and stakeholders in developing collaborative approaches to local climate change adaptation. You can find the webinar recording on YouTube:

Recording:

Plymouth MVP program invited to be panelists at the third Annual MVP Winter Webinar Series: Community-Based Problem Solv...
12/07/2022

Plymouth MVP program invited to be panelists at the third Annual MVP Winter Webinar Series: Community-Based Problem Solving: Empowering Citizens to Become Participants in the Action Grant Implementation Process.

Town of Plymouth Subterranean Resilience

The Town of Plymouth has partnered with the Pine Barrens Alliance and the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe to assemble a diverse team of stakeholders who are working to address Salt Water Intrusion (SWI) within the Plymouth-Carver aquifer, which serves as the sole source aquifer for 8 towns north of the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne and south of the Jones River in Kingston.

Together, this partnership is working with the University of Massachusetts to update the hydrogeological model for the aquifer with the purpose of identifying saltwater intrusion points. One of the exciting aspects of this project is the role that partners have carved out for citizen scientists to collect groundwater data that will be used to sample salinity and aquifer depth.

Saltwater intrusion occurs when the equilibrium between fresh water and saltwater is upset. Under normal circumstances, saltwater, which is heavier than fresh water, settles below fresh water in the water column. Groundwater withdrawals that pull fresh water from the aquifer faster than it can be replaced have the potential to create intrusion points that risk the long-term viability of an aquifer.

Rising sea levels are also another possible entry point. Taken together, this project will give the Town of Plymouth and its partners more information about the structure of the aquifer, which they can then use to limit SWI.

This project is particularly noteworthy in its efforts to engage the community in a broad range of activities that highlight the aquifer and all of its crucial benefits. Learn more about this action grant during the MVP Program’s 2023 Webinar Series. Register here: https://MVP2023WinterWebinar1.eventbrite.com.

Read the full announcement here: https://mailchi.mp/5df9619cbe4b/mvp-15936972?e=dc9ebe2f80&fbclid=IwAR0RizpytGO5BeFRsTJEawktSb204_BY8JpWBqg9nbfV5GeVFDNvL90mAiM

The MVP team is currently accepting Expression of Interest (EOI) forms for FY24 Action Grant ideas. Through this form, potential applicants will provide basic information about their project idea. MVP staff will then provide feedback on the project ideas prior to the Request for Responses (RFR) rele...

Free well testing!
08/14/2022

Free well testing!

Address

158 Center Hill Road
Plymouth, MA
02360

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 3:45pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 3:45pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 3:45pm
Thursday 9:30am - 3:45pm
Friday 9:30am - 3:45pm

Telephone

+17744540856

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Plymouth SWI Taskforce posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Plymouth SWI Taskforce:

Shortcuts

Share