Jun 25, 2024
Toxic Water Ruins New England Summer Fun
Toxic blue-green algae makes it dangerous to swim for humans and animals, and climate change is making it worse.
Campaign: Charles River
Aug 25, 2023
A Dog’s Life on the Line: Blue-Green Algae Threatens Pets and People
CLF’s top dog calls for action on toxic pollution that can kill dogs and sicken people
Aug 23, 2023
A Step Closer to Cleaner Water on Boston’s Rivers
The Charles, Neponset, and Mystic Rivers are one step closer to getting cleaned up, thanks to action by CLF.
Jul 26, 2023
Climate Change + Stormwater Pollution Equals Dirty, Unsafe Swimming Holes
Numerous beach closures in the summer of 2023 were a result of climate change and stormwater pollution.
Jul 18, 2023
A Win for the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers
“These iconic rivers are inundated with stormwater pollution that makes boating, fishing, and swimming unsafe,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s Vice President of Clean Air and Water. “The court’s decision today sets a timeline to clean up this problem that has plagued the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers for far too long. EPA is now on the hook to issue draft permits by September 2024, which is a clear victory for clean water in Greater Boston.”
Nov 03, 2022
Boston does not love that dirty water storm runoff, says new lawsuit
With heavier rainfall events expected as a result of climate change, the groups said there’s little time to waste to protect Boston’s waterways. “These iconic rivers are suffering because of the EPA’s consistent foot-dragging,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s vice president of clean air and water.
Nov 02, 2022
Groups Sue EPA for Failure to Fully Protect Boston Rivers
“These iconic rivers are suffering because of the EPA’s consistent foot-dragging,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s Vice President of Clean Air and Water. “Despite all the evidence linking stormwater pollution to dirty and unsafe water, the agency has failed to take legally required steps to address this growing problem. We have waited over three years for them to regulate the pollution, and these rivers cannot wait any longer.”
Oct 06, 2022
Closing the Clean Water Gap
CLF has pushed the EPA to hold large property owners along the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset rivers accountable for their water pollution.
Sep 14, 2022
After Threat of Lawsuit, EPA Commits to Reducing Toxic Stormwater Pollution in Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers
“During every heavy rainfall, a toxic soup of pollutants flows into our most iconic rivers, threatening water quality, wildlife, and people,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s Vice President of Clean Air and Water. “The EPA has announced a first step to protect these rivers, but the agency must now commit to a firm date when they will issue a draft permit. The longer the permits take, the longer the damage continues.”
Aug 08, 2022
A Tale of Two Rivers
In one part of Boston, there’s the Charles River. In another, the Mystic. Both were once heavily polluted. But where the Charles has become the poster child of environmental success, the Mystic tells a different tale – one that exposes a region divided along racial and economic lines.
