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WHO WE ARE

The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance’s mission is to protect and restore the Commonwealth’s rivers and streams.

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Founded in 2007, the organization works to strengthen statewide river policies in four areas: water quality, stream flow, wildlife habitat, and investment in green infrastructure.

Our Vision

  • CLEAN WATER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

    We must ensure enough clean water to meet the future needs of wildlife, people, and a growing economy.

  • CLEAN RIVERS THAT SUPPORT A GROWING ECONOMY

    The rivers, streams and wetlands of Massachusetts must provide ecological services critical to our health, safety and economy.

  • HEALTHY RIVERS FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

    Every river in Massachusetts should be an asset to the communities through which it flows, free of pollution. 

How We Are Making It Happen

PROTECTING STREAM FLOW

  • To keep water in rivers, the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance is advocating for improvements in state laws and policies that improve drought resiliency, reform water allocation policies, and update state water conservation standards

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RESTORING WATER QUALITY

  • More than half of the state’s rivers and streams fail to meet water quality standards due to stormwater pollution. Mass Rivers is working with our members and partner organizations to restore water quality through better permitting and enforcement of stormwater regulations, public outreach, education, and technical assistance for municipalities.

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INVESTMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Mass Rivers works for state investment in greener water infrastructure and other programs that improve and restore rivers through the annual state operating budget, the state capital budget, grant programs, and federal funding opportunities. 

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IMPROVING WILDLIFE HABITAT

  • Mass Rivers works with a coalition of partners to encourage dam removals and culvert replacements to increase free flowing river habitat in Massachusetts.

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DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS

  • Mass Rivers works with our members, other environmental groups, and partners in government, industry, and academia to achieve our goals. Our movement is stronger and our work is more informed when people of all races, ages, genders, sexual orientation, incomes, and areas of the state can meaningfully contribute to environmental decision-making and advocacy.

Our Guiding Principles

  • Healthy rivers, a sustainable water supply, and a sustainable economy go hand-in-hand. Rivers will sustain us if we help sustain them.

  • Every river should be an asset to its community, whether it flows through forest, farmland, suburb, or city.

  • Every resident of the Commonwealth has the right to clean, safe, drinking water and outdoor recreation in a healthy environment.

  • Decisions about water management should be based on sound science, meet the needs of people and nature, and provide opportunities for wide stakeholder input.

  • We will work toward these goals with all who support sustainable water management; we welcome non-traditional partners and allies and value diverse perspectives.

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