Our Association was established in 2007 as a volunteer neighborhood association.
Our focus is the health of all the water in our watershed – groundwater we pump
and use in our homes, as well as the water in ponds and streams we enjoy for
recreation, or that is used by animals and wildlife in our neighborhood.
- We sample and analyze pond water, which establishes a long-term record of the quality of this vital resource.
- We educate residents about the crucial role they play in using water responsibly and preventing its pollution.
- We sample storm water runoff.
- We study water flow in and out of our ponds.
- We promote boating safety.
- We sponsor a number of membership meetings per year in which we report on our work and discuss topics of general interest, e.g. area history, local bird life, herring migration, storm water runoff mitigation.
- We publish a newsletter a few times a year.
We elect officers and an executive committee that sets
policies. In addition, we have working subcommittees. All our activities are
based on the work of volunteers; they are supported by dues, private contributions,
grants, and collaborations with other organizations, the town, county and
state.
We welcome new members to join us; bring ideas and concerns; and
share in our efforts. Membership is open to anyone interested. Registration
for membership and to receive email updates is available on this site.
This year, the first General Meeting of the HPWA will be held on May 21st, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the New Testament Church, 1120 Long Pond Road, Cedarville.
David Gould, Director of Environmental Management for the Town of Plymouth, will give a presentation on our aquifer.
Following the program, there will be brief reports from our committees, including results of recent pond water sampling by our association.
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Makepeace Neighborhood Fund Grant Awarded to HPWA
HPWA’s project proposal for “Herring Ponds Watershed Awareness Education” was one of 33 projects selected for (partial) funding in 2012 by the A.D. Makepeace Company. Brian, John, Rali and Lee attended the May 17 Grant Awards Ceremony and Grantee Reception at Box Mill Hall on the Makepeace Company campus in Wareham. Since 2005 the company has invested over $1 million in projects that support agriculture, health care, education, the environment, historic preservation, and community housing in towns where the company operates.
In this project the Education and Outreach Committee will create, print and mail a 20-page watershed information and stewardship booklet to residents within the state-designated Herring River Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Our completion target is Spring 2013. Distribution of a digital version via e-mail and the association’s web site will extend the impact of the project to additional residents and site visitors.
Although we did not receive the full amount of our request, a grant match challenge by a generous summer resident of Great Herring Pond will enable us to fully fund all project activities and to meet the proposed goals.
If you or someone you know (friends, family, or student) are interested in getting in on the ground floor and volunteering on this project as a researcher, writer, editor, artist, photographer, or in any other capacity please contact Lee Pulis, Education and Outreach Committee chair, at 617 216-4921 or by email at leepulis@gmail.com.
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The Town of Plymouth has just become the recipient of a construction grant to mitigate stormwater pollution in the Pond Rd./Shore Rd. area of Great Herring Pond. This announcement came from Coastal Zone Management, a State agency. The award money is $104k. It will be matched by an additional $97k from the Town. Construction is expected to start in March and will consist of a variety of systems, separators, bio-retention areas, and a rain garden. We are absolutely thrilled that this problem is about to be resolved. Our association has been flagging the runoff in this area for years and measured the pond pollution it causes. More details about the work about to start can be found in an Old Colony Memorial article dated 2/15/2012.