The Honorable Jake Auchincloss
Washington, DC, 20515-2104
Re: FY25 Community Project Funding Application
Dear U.S. Representative Auchincloss,
As President of the Friends of Albemarle, I support the City of Newton’s application for FY25 Community Project Funding for the Albemarle Stormwater and Phosphorus Control Project. Friends of Albemarle is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with more than 500 members representing all 8 wards of the city, including half of city council and several state representatives. Our mission is to advocate for this crucial asset that is the largest swath of open space in Newton north of the Pike. Please join us – and spread the word!
This project allows Newton to reduce nutrient pollution entering the Charles River through Cheesecake Brook which cause harmful algal blooms and negatively impacts ecosystem health within the watershed. It also addresses the increasing threat of localized flooding throughout the Albemarle Corridor by increasing flood storage and reducing total runoff volume.
As demonstrated in recent years, the threat of climate change brings ever increasing storm intensity and frequency. The proposed green and gray infrastructure in this project will help capture, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff, furthering the City’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) improvement efforts as required under the Clean Water Act.
We thank the City of Newton for prioritizing resilience planning and taking proactive steps to address the challenges posed by climate change. I am confident that the successful implementation of this project will strengthen our community’s climate resilience as well as the public’s use and enjoyment of a valued natural space that is Cheesecake Brook and the Albemarle Corridor.
Sincerely,
Friends of Albemarle 