Municipal Services Coming to the North Shore

Since its founding in 2011, the PIE-Rivers Partnership has brought together restoration professionals, scientists, researchers and funders to offer technical support to our cities and towns. In total, 23 communities fall within the Parker, Ipswich or Essex River Watersheds. These Cities and Towns control the fate of our three coastal watersheds. 

Of the 50 Priority Actions identified by the PIE-Rivers Partnership during its strategic planning process, 38 require municipalities to take action.

To make things easier, each of these 50 Priority Actions are grouped into one of four implementation plans. Each plan groups together different things we can all be doing to help improve Land Use, Water Quality, Water Conservation and Stream Continuity on the North Shore. 

Realizing the need for technical assistance for municipal staff, several PIE-Rivers Partners have come together this year to offer training and assistance to communities on the North Shore.

This year, thanks to a kick-off grant from Essex County Community Foundation’s new Land and Environment Initiative, PIE-Rivers Partners are offering new services that will advance both the Land Use and Water Quality Implementation Plans. For more information and how to sign up see below.

Reviewing Bylaws and Promoting Low Impact Development

Mass Audubon, the Greenscapes North Shore Coalition, and Ipswich River Watershed Association have joined forces to offer bylaw review and training for communities on the North Shore. Thanks to an initial grant offered by Essex County Community Foundation’s new Land and Environment Initiative, city and town staff can now sign up for free assistance using Mass Audubon’s award-winning bylaw review tool. The tool has been used in other parts of Massachusetts. This is the first time communities in the PIE-Rivers Region can access free training and assistance on how to use the tool. Several PIE-Rivers Partners, including the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and Ipswich River Watershed Association, are also seeking additional funding to carry out a more comprehensive bylaw review for municipalities in the PIE-Rivers Region.

Are you a municipal staffer interested in signing up for the training, or a resident who would like to see your community create better incentives for Low Impact Development in your neighborhood? Please contact Director of Policy and Planning, Patrick Lynch, at plynch@ipswichriver.org.