Celebrate the special things that Buzzards Bay offers us all.

Join us on Saturday, July 15th for Celebrate Buzzards Bay, our largest fundraiser of the year.

The day will kick off with the 13th annual Swim Buzzards Bay. Go ahead, take the plunge! Swimmer registrations will be accepted until 6:00 PM on July 14th. Click [here] for more information and to download registration forms.

And don't miss the best party of the summer—Celebrate Buzzards Bay. Tickets are on sale now. Click [here] to purchase online.

Illustration by Daniel Vasconcellos

One of the Coalition’s core advocacy objectives is to pursue the restoration and protection of the Bay ecosystem through the regulatory and legal process at the local, state, and federal levels. Here are just a few of the advocacy projects we're currently working on:

Oil Spill Remediation - On June 6, we attended a public meeting to discuss the progress on the Bouchard-120 cleanup and an update on the natural resources damages assessment. According to GeoInsight, the company hired to complete the cleanup, Leisure Shores in Mattapoisett and Hoppy's Landing in Fairhaven still present cleanup challenges. At Leisure Shores, oil continues to resuspend as the beach is disturbed and a spring 2006 test at Hoppy's Landing demonstrated that oil was still present. Although GeoInsight assures that the residual oil presents no health risks, they are continuing their cleanup efforts. Trustees indicated that a draft natural resources restoration plan may be available for public review in the summer of 2007.

Windfarm Advocacy - The public comment period on the Environmental Notification Form filed with the State by Boston developer Jay Cashman of Patriot Renewables LLC has been extended to July 31, 2006. Cashman's proposal seeks to place 90 to 120 turbines in various locations throughout the Bay. The Coalition is currently preparing comments to Cashman's Environmental Notification Form. In addition to the potential impacts the windfarm may have on Bay navigation and endangered species, our comments will address the windfarm in relation to the Bay’s narrow geography, environmental sensitivity, and the density of existing commercial and recreational uses in the Bay.

In this issue of the Bay Buzz, North Falmouth resident and Coalition Director of Monitoring Programs, Tony Williams, shares a few of his favorite Cape-side-of-the-Bay spots to spend time with his young family.

Four Ponds Conservation Area Barlows Landing Road, Bourne

This 300-acre conservation area managed by the Bourne Conservation Commission is laced with four marked trails of different difficulties and lengths and is a great spot for walking, jogging, cross country skiing, and fishing (for those holding a valid Massachusetts fishing license). Small wooden walking bridges allow visitors to easily traverse streams. “This is a great place to hike with a dog,” says Tony. “And a nice area for watching birds and other wildlife.” Trail maps are available at the Bourne Town Hall on Perry Avenue or call (508) 759-6025...Read more [here]

New Bedford native Allison Finnerty has been swimming since she was seven years old. Swimming in Buzzards Bay, in particular, is in her family’s blood. Allison’s father, Larry Finnerty worked at area beaches when he was young and her brother Eamonn has since followed suit. “Buzzards Bay was and still is a major part of our lives,” she says. Last year Allison, Larry, and Eamonn truly made swimming in the Bay a family affair when they entered Swim Buzzards Bay as “Team Finnerty"... Read more [here]

The Coalition's Baywatchers water quality monitoring program needs YOUR help!

Although the 2006 monitoring season has already started, there are a number of sampling sites throughout the watershed in need of Baywatcher volunteers. We also have a need for individuals who can provide boat access at several sampling locations.

We will provide all the necessary equipment and training, you provide less than one hour per week. Click [here] to view the locations in need of volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer contact Tony Williams, Director of Monitoring Programs, at 508-999-6363 x203 or email williams@savebuzzardsbay.org

Celia Pearson, photographer for the book Pure SEA GLASS, will exhibit her pristine images of the prized beach gems at Rogers Gallery, 81 Fairhaven Rd., Rte. 6 in Mattapoisett from July 12 through July 22.

The gallery, Ms. Pearson, and Pure SEA GLASS author Richard LaMotte have announced they will donate a portion of the proceeds from the 10-day sale of books, photography and matching note cards to the Coalition. Pearson, a resident of Annapolis, Maryland who is known for her intimate studies of the natural world, says, “Because both Richard and I live on the Chesapeake Bay, we know how important it is to protect environmental treasures like Buzzards Bay. We feel a natural connection to the Coalition’s cause.”

Pearson and LaMotte will sign copies of their coffee table book at the opening reception on Wednesday, July 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The public is invited to attend.

For more information about the exhibit and book signing, contact Rogers Gallery.

The next Adopt A Shoreline beach cleanup is scheduled for July 16 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Marsh Island in Fairhaven.

To sign up or for more information, contact Donna Cobert at 508-999-6363 x 200 or cobert@savebuzzardsbay.org

As as follow-up to last month's geocaching story, we're happy to report that the geocache hidden especially for Coalition members and friends was found by budding treasure hunter, Jonathan Nunes. The cache was a Coalition notecard and the location was Clark's Cove, one of Jonathan's favorite spots on Buzzards Bay.

This photo shows Jonathan sporting his prize, a Save Buzzards Bay baseball cap, along with his brother Jordan and father Joe.

The public is invited to share their ideas and vision for the Fairhaven Mills site at a charette to be held July 8th in New Bedford.

Be a part of the discussion about the future of a critical riverfront parcel in the north end of New Bedford. Click [here] for more information.

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.

Plan to cap Aerovox site worries neighbors (New Bedford Standard-Times)

Bouchard fined for breaching Oil Spill Act (New Bedford Standard-Times)

Frank backs wind farms (New Bedford Standard-Times)

As some talk wind farms, others want to harness the tides (Boston Globe)

YOUR VIEW: Coalition has serious concerns about Cashman proposal (New Bedford Standard-Times)

Location is everything (Boston Globe)

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.