To: Taunton River Watershed Residents and Local Officials
From: Vandana Rao, Massachusetts EOEA – Assistant Director of Water Policy
Date: February 8, 2006
Re: Taunton River Watershed – Five Year Action Plan

We need YOUR help!  The Watershed Action Plan must reflect local priorities and consensus on issues that cross town boundaries, such as open space planning, recreation, and development.  To achieve this goal, a Taunton River Watershed Advisory Committee is being formed of community representatives, local businesses, government officials and other key stakeholders.

To ensure representation from all watershed communities, we kindly request that each town appoint two members to the Watershed Advisory Committee (WAC). Additional representatives are welcome and encouraged. We invite Town Planners, Open Space Committee members, Conservation Commissioners, and other interested parties to participate in this important watershed planning process. Once representatives to the WAC have been identified, GeoSyntec Consultants will coordinate three planning forums that will be open to the general public.  The WAC will play a critical role in providing local knowledge and perspective to the planning process.  Recommendations from the Five Year Action Plan will receive priority for funding from state grant programs.

Get involved!  If you would like to participate in the WAC or the planning forums, please use the attached form to provide us with your contact information.  If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Bob Hartzel at (978) 263-9588 or rhartzel@geosyntec.com.  Thank you for your support of the Taunton River Watershed.  We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming public forums!

Sincerely,

Vandana Rao, Assistant Director for Water Policy
Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs