LET’S SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY EFFORT TO CLEAN UP DORCHESTER BAY BASIN
The Dorchester Bay Basin is a local community treasure. It is used by residents from all over Boston. Its beaches and calm waters are a perfect location for paddlers, salt water swimmers, and boarers, and they are the home of the annual Mayor’s Cup Regatta. But unfortunately it is also under serious threat!
Multiple testing of Dorchester Bay Basin sediments have shown very high levels of toxic pollutants. With the greater extremes of weather and water conditions, these pollutants can pose a very real risk to all of who enjoy its beaches and sheltered waterway. Unfortunately, the shifting sands of beach erosion has almost clogged the free flow of tidal water in and out of the Basin. As a boating community that uses the waterway almost every day, we have the distressing front row seat to these changes.
Dorchester Bay Basin is clogged and polluted
It is well understood that the free-flowing of tides has a natural cleansing effect on any any body of water.
The very obvious sediment accumulation directly under the Beades Bridge acts like a plug, substantially reducing the free flow of water. Unfortunately, the DOT has not removed the accumulation for more than a decade. If left as it is, in a very short time, the Basin will become stagnant and accumulate even more pollutants as detritus from unfiltered water pipes continue to pour into our Basin.
The blockage has compounded years of water pollution and sediment accumulation from roadways, National Grid / Boston Gas, and the Neponset River Superfund site. Whatever the contributing factors, sharing your own personal experience with us can help our shared efforts.
Outflows from I-93 Drain into Basin with No Treatment
Outflows from I-93 Drain into Basin with no treatment
27 culverts drain highway polluted stormwater into the basin
Culverts do not feature standard cleaning technologies
Large Morrissey Blvd drainage, too
ONE EXAMPLE: July 4th SEMI TRAILER oil spill
On July 4, 2023, an Amazon truck flipped on I-93, spilling oil onto the road, which drained directly into the basin.
Amazon claims it is contained: nine drums and 2.5 tons of oily solids have been removed as of 11/8/2023.
This happened essentially in our backyard on I-93. We notified MA Department of Environmental Protection once we noticed the issue.
We’re currently waiting on additional testing results.
WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH:
In the short-term, we want to remove the sand clogging the basin from under the bridge so that water can flow freely
Will help with highway drainage by making use of nature’s own decontamination methods
Long-term, we want to support and participate in efforts to dredge remainder of the basin and keep it clean
For cleanup, our community will need either legislative support and/or efforts to hold those who contaminated the bay accountable
For longer-term cleanliness, Mass Highway will need to meet existing standards for storm water drainage from I-93 using standard improvements and new technologies
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY EFFORT:
Take photos of what you see and send them to: community@dorchesteryachtclub.com
Write about your personal experiences or actions unavailable, such as safe swimming, and send to community@dorchesteryachtclub.com
Sign up for periodic email updates by emailing: community@dorchesteryachtclub.com
Show up at upcoming Morrissey Commission to make public comments
Work collectively with our elected representative to procure remediation or funding from those entities responsible for the contamination.
PRESS COVERAGE:
Check out the Dorchester Reporter’s article “Yacht club presses for a clean-up of contaminated Savin Hill waters”
For press inquiries, contact community@dorchesteryachtclub.com.