The Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (the MMOC) serves as the formal vehicle for public participation in the Muddy River Project.
The MMOC has wide-ranging responsibilities to:
- Review all aspects of design and permitting, both for the restoration and for other development projects in the Project area.
- Provide independent, ongoing independent monitoring of construction activities to ensure compliance with Project environmental certificates and permits.
- Focus on the long-term sustainability of the Project and uphold Olmsted’s vision for the Emerald Necklace in the decades to come.
- Promote coordination and communication among the public project partners regarding maintenance and management activities.
The MMOC is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), City of Boston, and Town of Brookline.
The MMOC provides review of all aspects of design and permitting, both for the restoration and for other nearby projects
- The MMOC participated in drafting and negotiating the terms of the MOA signed in 2007.
- Since 2005, the MMOC has reviewed and offered comments to the issuing agencies on MEPA filings and on all state and local permits required for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Project.
- The MMOC’s Chair and other MMOC members have participated in hearings relating to those permits.
- The MMOC also reviews and comments on construction and development projects located near the Muddy River Project area that can potentially impact the River’s health.
The MMOC provides ongoing independent monitoring of construction activities to ensure compliance with Project environmental certificates and permits
- During the active construction work, the MMOC receives and reviews key reports (e.g. surface water and wastewater pollution prevention reports, wetland scientist reviews of construction activity, annual Project updates to MEPA, US Army Corps of Engineers’ annual inspections, and more) to ensure compliance with permits and certificates. The MMOC conducts field verification of recommended corrective actions.
- MMOC subcommittees meet periodically in the field with representatives of the Army Corps and its contractors to maintain clear communication and to ensure a sustained focus on the five Project goals.
- MMOC members and staff walk the length of the Project area regularly to identify specific areas of concern. The MMOC reports concerns to the Army Corps or appropriate governmental agency for follow-up and remediation as needed.
The MMOC focuses on the long-term sustainability of the Project and strives to uphold Olmsted’s vision for the Emerald Necklace in the decades to come
- Upon completion of the construction work and turnover of maintenance obligations to the landowners, the MMOC monitors maintenance activities (turf care, tree care, pathway and built structure maintenance, litter removal, watercourse clean-up, and more) to uphold the high maintenance standard appropriate for an historic Olmsted landscape.
- MMOC subcommittees and staff monitor on-the-ground conditions and report concerns to 311 (Boston) and BrookONline (Brookline) and other appropriate agencies for prompt follow-up.
- The MMOC makes formal recommendations to responsible agencies to improve maintenance standards and protocols in the Project area.
- In areas where the condition of the landscape has degraded since turnover, the MMOC makes formal recommendations for supplementary plantings using species from Olmsted’s original plant lists.
The MMOC promotes coordination and communication among the public Project partners regarding maintenance and management activities
- The MMOC convenes quarterly meetings of the Restoration Project Cabinet to discuss Project milestones, ensure inter-agency cooperation, and raise issues of concern to the public.
- The MMOC organizes public meetings jointly sponsored by the Muddy River Cabinet.
- The MMOC works to ensure that the public Project partners provide adequate funding to ensure maintenance of the Project area at the level required by the Project’s MEPA documents.