MRC Planning and Collaboration
Inter-Organizational Collaboration
The Merrimack River Collaborative heavily depends on the cooperation of partner organizations, who willingly gather to exchange pertinent information and perspectives on the most urgent issues facing the Merrimack River. In the current year, our group has benefited from insights provided by legislative partners, local government officials, technical experts, and education and outreach groups situated along the lower half of the Merrimack River. Looking ahead, the MRC is enthusiastic about the prospect of broadening this coalition to include stakeholders from the upper Merrimack region and supporting a multi-state collaboration to adopt a holistic approach to watershed planning and management.
An Act to Create a Merrimack River Collaborative
Bill H.905/S.586
In the most recent legislative session, Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Dawne Shand introduced legislation aimed at formalizing the MRC. The bill, known as H.905/S.586 – An Act to Create a Merrimack River Collaborative, was referred to the Joint Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources. On January 18th, 2024, the bill was reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Rules .To track the bill’s progress, follow this link.
“This bill is an important step in that evolution that we’ve had around protecting the river. The hope of this legislation is to really supercharge the effort and coordinate it so that we maximize the benefit of everything that might be undertaken and not do it in an uncoordinated way.”
“This is good for us because we’re going to need to stand in coalition to address the ever-evolving issues of water treatment and quality as well as wastewater treatment issues along the Merrimack.”
Our Members
Senator Bruce Tarr, First Essex and Middlesex
Mayor Sean Reardon, Newburyport MA
Representative Dawne Shand, First Essex
Representative Ryan Hamilton, 15th Essex
Our Partner Groups
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC)
MVPC fosters cooperative effort among our communities in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts to resolve common, regional problems, to allow our communities to plan jointly, and to promote with the greatest efficiency and economy the coordinated and orderly development of the region and the general welfare of its residents.
The Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC)
The Merrimack River Watershed Council is a 501©3 non-profit organization that aims to improve and conserve the Merrimack River watershed for people and wildlife through advocacy, education, recreation, and science.
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG)
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) works with the communities of the Greater Lowell region to support and enhance a wide range of planning objectives related to land use, environmental protection, energy, economic development, housing, public health, public safety, municipal service delivery and transportation.
Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards (ACES)
ACES collaborates with our allies and partners to foster a healthier planet for our future generations. All individuals on the ACES team are working in service to the planet by supporting the programs of our allies and encouraging others to join us as stewards of our environment
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Following its establishment, the MRC promptly embarked on conducting an initial SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis for its four focus areas: planning and collaboration, standardization and monitoring, outreach and engagement, and funding. This exercise proved pivotal in shaping the direction of the MRC’s activities. The accomplishments of 2023 and the forthcoming goals, in alignment with the SWOT analysis, are detailed in Appendix A of the MRC’s Annual Report.
Events
More coming soon!
Our Members
Senator Bruce Tarr, First Essex and Middlesex
Mayor Sean Reardon, Newburyport MA
Representative Dawne Shand, First Essex
Representative Ryan Hamilton, 15th Essex
Our Partner Groups
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC)
MVPC fosters cooperative effort among our communities in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts to resolve common, regional problems, to allow our communities to plan jointly, and to promote with the greatest efficiency and economy the coordinated and orderly development of the region and the general welfare of its residents.
The Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC)
The Merrimack River Watershed Council is a 501©3 non-profit organization that aims to improve and conserve the Merrimack River watershed for people and wildlife through advocacy, education, recreation, and science.
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG)
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) works with the communities of the Greater Lowell region to support and enhance a wide range of planning objectives related to land use, environmental protection, energy, economic development, housing, public health, public safety, municipal service delivery and transportation.
Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards (ACES)
ACES collaborates with our allies and partners to foster a healthier planet for our future generations. All individuals on the ACES team are working in service to the planet by supporting the programs of our allies and encouraging others to join us as stewards of our environment
Events
More coming soon!
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Following its establishment, the MRC promptly embarked on conducting an initial SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis for its four focus areas: planning and collaboration, standardization and monitoring, outreach and engagement, and funding. This exercise proved pivotal in shaping the direction of the MRC’s activities. The accomplishments of 2023 and the forthcoming goals, in alignment with the SWOT analysis, are detailed in Appendix A of the MRC’s Annual Report.