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EPA Announces Charles River Grade and Partnership with Private Institutions to Clean River

Release Date: 04/12/1999
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will announce the annual report card grade for the Charles River at a press conference 11 am Tuesday, April 13, at the edge of the Watertown Dam in Watertown. At the same time, EPA will announce a significant new partnership of private institutions and universities committed to helping EPA reach its goal of making the Charles fishable and swimmable by Earth Day 2005.

Speakers will include: John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator; Bob Zimmerman, executive director of the Charles River Watershed Association; Paul Parravano, co-director of government and community relations at MIT; and Max Kennedy, co-director of the Watershed Institute.

Scientists from the US Geological Survey will be at the event to demonstrate river sampling techniques that are part of a new initiative to measure the quality of water in the river. In addition, students from Watertown High School will demonstrate field work they are doing to study the river. The Watertown Department of Public Works will introduce its new river monitoring unit, which includes a boat and bikes.

The press conference will be held at the Watertown Dam, across the river from the Upper Charles River Reservation and Greenway Park just west of Watertown Square.

Directions from the Mass. Pike Eastbound:
Take Exit 17 and get into the left land. When the road curves to your left, get into your right lane. Go towards Watertown. Follow Galen Street to Watertown Square and take a left onto Main St. (Route 20) Immediately look for the yellow flashing light with Lanno's Restaurant on the left. Take a left onto Cross Street. At the end, take a right onto Pleasant Street. Pass Sasaki Associates on the left and go to end. Park. The press conference will be across the footbridge on the south side of the river.

From the Mass Pike Westbound:
Take Exit 17 and bear to the right. Follow Galen Street to Watertown Square. At the Square take a left onto Main St. (Route 20) Immediately look for the yellow flashing light with Lanno's Restaurant on the left. Take a left onto Cross Street. At the end, take a right onto Pleasant Street. Pass Sasaki Associates on the left and go to end. Park. The press conference will be across the footbridge on the south side of the river.