Urban Environmental Program in New England

1999 UEP Boston Goals

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The overall goal for Boston in the next two years is to continue to move the expanding environmental infrastructure up the UEP Community Development Pyramid model towards long-term sustainability through building and making connections between the City and the State while beginning the UEP process in a new Massachusetts City.

Clean Water/Urban Rivers
Working on both sides of Chelsea Creek in Chelsea and East Boston, to revitalize the Chelsea Creek Watershed. The creek is one of the most polluted tributaries of Boston Harbor. Sediments are contaminated by years of polluted runoff from the adjoining land areas, from shipping and from sewer outfalls. Chelsea has 4 miles of waterfront is entirely zoned industrial and unavailable to Chelsea residents.

1. Prevent further degradation of Chelsea Creek so that the river is Class B by 2005;
2. Protect and restore and maintain existing urban wetland areas;
3. Restore and increase water quality so that the river is fishable and swimmable;
4. Protect and restore healthy river flows;
5. Reduce the amount of impervious surface;
6. Enhance recreational opportunities that are compatible with the river ecosystem; and
7. Restore the East Boston and Chelsea waterfront so that it is available and accessible to the public.

Clean Air/Ambient Air
Support Clean Air Act standards, identify methods and processes that reduce exposure to ozone and particulate and pollutant.

• Prevent further degradation; Reduce vehicle miles traveled; Reduce emissions; Reduce overall levels of air pollution; and Increase open space.

Clean Air/Indoor Air

• Reduce asthma and respiratory triggers associated with indoor air quality. In Boston, the hospitalization of children under 10 for asthma occur at a rate of 178% higher than the state average.
• Reduce the number of lead poisoned children. The greatest number and most severe cases of lead poisoning occur in minority neighborhoods.

1. Reduce emergency hospital emissions;
2. Develop projects and research on indoor air quality;
3. Link indoor air hazard mapping tools to public housing codes and enforcement

Protect, restore and revitalize open spaces as valuable natural resources within the urban ecosystem.
Overall well maintained and cared for open space provides a sense of well-being about the environment. It also provides opportunities for community interaction. Trees and plants contribute to improved air quality and temperature reduction by providing shade. Community gardens and orchards provide residents with opportunities to grow food and other attractive plants.

1. Reduce the number of poorly maintained vacant lots and restore them to beneficial use;
2. Increase the amount of healthy open space available to residents;
3. Increase the amount of accessible water front;
4. Reduce the amount of impervious surface;
5. Increase the availability of high quality locally grown fruits and vegetables; and
6. Increase, restore, and preserve wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

Improve the ability of disproportionally impacted and disadvantaged communities to participate in the protection of human health and the environment by increasing the quality and quantity of general environmental education, outreach and data available.
Create and support environmental management systems and infrastructure in the urban environment;

Protect and preserve open/green space for urban residents.
Chinatown has 9,608 people per acre of open space.

Promote sustainable economic development that does not compromise environmental quality and public health.
There are 1000 vacant lots in a 1.5 mile area in the Dudley Triangle - a neighborhood in Roxbury.

Lead Poisoning Prevention
Youth and the Environment
Franklin Park Zoo -- Summer Youth and the Environment Program.

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