The Mystic River Corridor Strategy Project Metropolitan Area Planning Council Boston Redevelopment Authority City of Chelsea City of Everett City of Malden City of Medford City of Somerville

Funding This project is being funded under the District Local Technical Assistance Fund created by Chapter 205 of the Acts of 2006 and a contribution from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

The Study Area Mystic River Watershed: 76 square miles; 21 communities north and west of Boston. The Corridor Project study area is 6 communities and 6.14 square miles. ¼ mile wide corridor on either side of the river from the southern terminus of the Mystic Lakes to the Chelsea Street Bridge, including the daylighted portion of the Malden River and the portion of the Island End River in Everett and Chelsea.

The Study Area

Purpose of the Project  A collaborative effort to create a collective vision for the river corridor and a strategy to achieve that vision.  To achieve the full potential of the Mystic River.  To identify key opportunities for conservation and development

Purpose of the Project  An opportunity for the communities to learn about and discuss projects that are planned or underway in their neighboring communities  The project will result in a strategy for the communities of the Mystic River study area to work together to mutually support each other’s efforts.

Portions of the Mystic River have abundant open space…

The lower portion of the river is more urban and industrial

Task 1: Mapping Base map Open space initiatives Hazard mitigation Transportation projects Environmental Justice populations Development

Environmental Justice Map Data is from the Census 2000 block groups. EJ Populations in MA determined by the following criteria:  Households earn 65% or less of the statewide household median income; or  25% or more of the residents are minority; or  25% or more of the residents are foreign- born; or  25% or more of the residents are lacking English language proficiency

Task 2: Reviewed previous plans and studies

Task 3: Issues Identification  Analysis of previous plans.  Discussion at two steering committee meetings.  Preparation of an issues paper.

Major Issues #1:Ensure that impacts on the Mystic River Corridor are considered in the review of private developments and public infrastructure projects at the local and regional level. #2: Develop a regional strategy for open space land protection and acquisition to ensure access, connectivity and an equitable distribution of open space.

Major Issues #3: Seek innovative approaches to improving public access that respect the critical role that the Designated Port Areas play in the regional economy.  #4: Ensure that development regulations encourage the provision of water transportation to meet existing and future demand.

Major Issues #5: Improve environmental quality within the Mystic River study area. #6: Ensure that the Mystic River Corridor Strategy addresses implementation issues. Other themes:Environmental Justice Role of transportation

#1: Ensure that impacts on the Mystic River are considered in the review of private developments and public infrastructure projects at the local and regional level.  Rivers Edge  Assembly Square  Green Line Extension  Urban Ring  Smaller scale transportation projects transportation projects

#2: Develop a regional strategy for open space land protection and acquisition to ensure access, connectivity and an equitable distribution of open space.

Distribution of Open Space Community Acreage in Study Area Acres of Open Space % Open Space Boston % Chelsea % Everett % Malden % Medford1, % Somerville %

#3: Seek innovative approaches to improving public access that respect the critical role that the Designated Port Areas play in the regional economy.

Overview of DPA Regulations  12. Designated Port Areas (DPAs)  Authorities: M.G.L. c. 91: Public Waterfront Act; 301 CMR 25.00: Designation of  Port Areas; 310 CMR 9.00: Waterways Regulations  Jurisdiction: State-designated areas of concentrated maritime industrial activities  Regulatory Summary: Under the provisions of Chapter 91, the state may designate areas in developed ports for the purposes of promoting and protecting marine industrial activities and certain supporting uses. Recreational marinas are not allowed in designated DPAs.

Examples of land uses in the DPA

#4: Ensure that development regulations encourage the provision of water transportation to meet existing and future demand.

#5: Improve environmental quality along the Mystic River.

#6: Ensure that the Mystic River Corridor Strategy addresses implementation issues.  Identify opportunities for funding.  Consider ways to leverage the work of other organizations.  Consider regulatory climate for action.

Theme: Environmental Justice

Theme: Transportation and Access

Potential elements of the strategy  Legislative action such as support for House Bill 841: An Act Establishing a Mystic River Water Quality Commission.  Development of principles to guide communities’ in their review of waterfront projects under the MEPA process.  Focus will be on short term action items that can advance projects or initiatives underway or begin new initiatives.