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Amendment That Improves Experience Requirement for Bay Pilots Moves Forward - Oil Spill Prevention Bolstered
 The Coalition won a victory for oil spill prevention in Buzzards Bay on April 24 when the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, which includes a Buzzards Bay Pilot Amendment. U.S. Representative Barney Frank D-Mass. worked closely with the Coalition to develop the provision, which mandates that single-hulled oil barges traveling in Buzzards Bay use Massachusetts licensed pilots or federally licensed pilots with recent experience in the Bay.
"Arguably, the best defenders on Buzzards Bay each day are the local Massachusetts State Pilots that guide oil barges through our shallow and navigationally complicated Bay. Any effort, like this amendment secured by Congressman Frank, that moves federal pilotage requirements toward the outstanding training and qualifications held by our State Pilots, is a step in the right direction," said Coalition President Mark Rasmussen... Read more here
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Coalition Commends New Bedford for Efforts to Improve Water Quality in Outer Harbor
The water quality of Outer New Bedford Harbor is getting a boost thanks to the City of New Bedford's effort to eliminate a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) located at the bottom of Bellevue Street, along East Rodney French Blvd. Eliminating CSO 012 prevents about 200,000 gallons of combined sewage overflow (as estimated during a typical rainfall) from discharging into the harbor.
The City initiated the project when it received a grant from the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, which had to be used to remediate stormwater to open or protect shellfish habitat. The City applied the grant money towards a sewer separation project to eliminate CSO 012, which discharged about a mile from Davy's Locker Beach - a place familiar to many as the start line for the Coalition's Annual Swim Buzzards Bay... Read more here
Photo: This pipe, formerly CSO 012, now serves only as a stormwater drainage pipe.
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Swimmer Spotlight: Kendra Medina
 Sixteen-year-old Kendra Medina's passion for swimming ignited when she was 7 years old - the day her mom signed her up for swimming lessons. And her love for Buzzards Bay, well, that's a feeling she's had ever since she can remember. Growing up in Marion with Buzzards Bay in their backyard, Kendra and her family spent warm summer days sailing the Bay's open waters.
"My parents owned a sailboat, so we were always sailing. I love being on the water," said Kendra.
Kendra also loves spending each day of the week swimming on the swim team at the local YMCA. On the water or in the water, that's where Kendra enjoys spending her free time... Read more here
 So why not join Kendra and her family this summer and Swim Buzzards Bay on July 19!
Hurry and register online before July 1 for $10. After July 1, registration is $15. Click here to for a registration form and Swim details.
This 1.2-mile open water swim through the beautiful waters of Buzzards Bay is one of the Coalition's important fundraising events of the year. So jump in and join us and make the statement that clean water and a healthy environment are important to you.
Photo: Allison, Max, and Kendra Medina; courtesy of Laurie Bullard
Illustration: Daniel Vasconcellos
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Citizens Devoted to Saving Buzzards Bay Recognized at Coalition 20th Annual Meeting
 The Coalition for Buzzards Bay held its 20th Annual Meeting on April 3 in Bourne, during which, the Coalition elected two new Board members-Louise Mauran Nadler of Marion and Christopher Reddy of Falmouth-and presented this year's Bay Guardian Awards and Volunteer Appreciation Award.
The meeting also featured a special presentation by one of the world's leading climate change scientists, Dr. James McCarthy.
To read more and listen to an audio podcast of the meeting, click here.
Photo: Buzzards Bay Guardian Award sculpted by New Bedford artist John Magnan |
 Shrink Your Footprint Series Wraps Up with Driving Green
The Coalition, along with seven other local environmental organizations, wrapped up the Shrink Your Footprint workshop series with "Driving Green" on Saturday, April 19 at Buttonwood Park Zoo.
Participants heard two presentations - one about the Vectrix ZEV, which is the first street legal, fully electric bike, and another about the ways vehicle maintenance and driving habits can increase fuel economy and reduce your carbon footprint. Afterwards, participants had the opportunity to take the Vectrix for a spin around the parking lot and also speak with representatives from Toyota of Dartmouth who brought along three hybrid vehicles - a Toyota Prius, Camry and Highlander for participants to test drive... Read more here
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Help the Coalition - Join our Staff or Become a Volunteer
Employment Opportunity
Advocacy Specialist
The Coalition is seeking a highly-motivated, talented, and articulate Advocacy Specialist to provide policy and legal support to help save Buzzards Bay. If you have the right skills, the right experience, and especially the right commitment, check out the job description and contact Korrin Petersen.
Development and Finance Assistant
Do you have the star qualities it takes to be part of a fundraising team for the most successful non-profit environmental organization in the region? If so, then this Coalition position may be the one for you! Join our staff and help support all efforts of the Development Department, including campaigns, fundraising events, and membership renewals and acquisitions. This position also provides some accounting and finance support. For a complete job description, click here.
Volunteer Opportunity
 Join Our Baywatcher Volunteer Team
Do you have an insatiable urge to make a difference in the future of
Buzzards Bay? Is your inner scientist yearning to jump out and collect
some data? Or do you just want to discover what it's like to be a
scientist without the long-term commitment of earning a Ph.D.? The
Coalition has just what you need to get your science fix.
No
science background, you say? No problem! All you have to do is
consistently commit one hour each week from May through September,
follow scientific instructions, and be agile enough to work on docks
and piers along the waters edge. Don't delay, join our Baywatcher team
today and help us collect the data necessary to make informed and
scientifically-based decisions about the restoration and protection of
Buzzards Bay. To learn more, click here.
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Events of Interest to CBB Members
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CBB in the News
Much of the Coalition's work puts us at the
forefront of the region's top environmental issues.
Here are a few recent stories that mention our efforts. |
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