Who We Are
Greenscapes North Shore Coalition and South Shore WaterSmart are the “local faces” of the Greenscapes Massachusetts stormwater coalition. Each implements a customized program in their region by collaborating with local communities, volunteers, businesses, and other partners. The regional services offered vary depending on community funding and interest, and include workshops and presentations, distribution of materials and displays, media relations, and consultations.
The Greenscapes North Shore Coalition is a collaborative of municipalities and partner organizations, focusing on stormwater and watershed related issues. Specifically, Greenscapes provides outreach and education to support municipal compliance with water-related regulatory requirements, including the MS4 Stormwater and the Water Management Act permits. Since its founding in 2007, Greenscapes partners have delivered outreach and education services across the North Shore. Partner organizations include:
North Shore municipalities join the Greenscapes North Shore Coalition with an annual Greenscapes service fee (dues). Our team of experts works closely with our communities to tailor their outreach and address their specific needs. By working together, we can take advantage of economies of scale, share new ideas and perspectives, and enjoy many other benefits.
Coalition goals include:
- Providing outreach and education to support municipal compliance with water-related regulatory requirements, including the MS4 Stormwater and the Water Management Act permits
- Empowering and educating residents about water resources for better quality and quantity
- Being a resource for home owners and businesses to reduce their water bill and cut down on pollution.
Greenscapes Massachusetts is based on the successful program originally developed on the South Shore in 2002 by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association and the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program.
The WaterSmart Business program, is a new project by the North and South River Watershed Association to engage South Shore businesses in being more water efficient, which is funded in part by towns on the South Shore as well as the McKim Family Foundation. This year, the South Shore chapter of the Greenscapes program will enroll local business owners in the new program. By enrolling in WaterSmart, businesses will receive a complimentary water use assessment and a detailed water-use report specialized for their business that outlines consumption patterns over time. They will then be presented opportunities to reduce their water consumption, stormwater pollution, and water costs.
Questions about Permits?
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permits
Recognizing that nonpoint source pollution, i.e. stormwater runoff, is the number one source of water pollution in Massachusetts, the Greenscapes North Shore Coalition has worked since 2007 to reduce stormwater pollution through efficient, cost-effective, and coordinated partnership with its municipal members. Our outreach services have targeted the general public with residential programming, including best green management practices for lawn care, fertilization alternatives, and rainwater infiltration and harvesting.
We have met all the requirements of the 2003 MS4 permit for our member communities. Greenscapes has completed a five-year scope of work that will meet all of the education and outreach requirements for the new 2016 MS4 Permit. Greenscapes will work with our partner municipalities to implement campaigns to address the new targeted audiences: Business/Commercial/Institutions, Developers/Construction, and Industries.
Massachusetts Water Management Act Permits
According to studies by the United States Geological Survey, water withdrawals for drinking water are the major cause of low and no flow conditions in rivers throughout the North Shore of Massachusetts. Consequently, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulates these withdrawals for many communities with permits issued through the Water Management Act. Greenscapes provides our member municipalities with information and programming on how to reduce water use and how to replenish groundwater during storm events with low impact green infrastructure solutions. In support of Mass DEP’s efforts to include enhanced outreach and education components in revised WMA permits, Greenscapes intends to continue to assist our member communities on their permit compliance and water-related public education and outreach needs.
