Group Sets Benchmarks To Evaluate Boston Harbor's Health

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For decades, Boston Harbor's environmental health was measured by how much raw sewage floated in it. Now, as a 20-year, $4 billion harbor cleanup enters its final stage, its well-being will be measured by populations of fish, numbers of days the water is swimmable, and eel grass quality, among other standards set by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

BOSTON — For decades, Boston Harbor's environmental health was measured by how much raw sewage floated in it.


Now, as a 20-year, $4 billion harbor cleanup enters its final stage, its well-being will be measured by populations of fish, numbers of days the water is swimmable, and eel grass quality, among other standards set by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.


"It's important for everyone to agree on where we are so we can evaluate our progress," said Bruce Berman of the advocacy group, which is releasing the measurements as part of a broader Boston Harbor and waterfront report today. The report includes results of a public survey that showed overwhelming support in the city and suburbs to finish cleaning Boston beaches although most respondents are unsure the entire cleanup was worth the price.


Boston beaches still suffer from closures because of bacteria that wash into them after rainstorms. South Boston and North Dorchester Bay beaches will probably remain unsafe for swimming one out of every five days until 2012, when improvements to the area are completed, the report said.


It's also been difficult to know when it is safe to swim. A lag in getting water test results often means warning flags posted at beaches reflected what happened the day before, according to the report. Last week, state officials said they will post warning flags on beaches under a more precautionary scheme.


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The report notes that the Deer Island sewage treatment plant violated its discharge permit once and had four violations for its outfall pipe in 2003-2004. Berman says that is a good track record.


Every year the advocacy group will track how many oil spills occur, number of common eiders, and other benchmarks.


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Source: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News