Industri-Plex Settlement To Fund Wetland, Fishway Work In Woburn

WOBURN, MA — Funds from the Industri-Plex Superfund site natural resource damage settlement will go to two projects in Woburn, state and federal environmental agencies announced recently.

The restoration plan uses $3.9 million from the settlement on three wetland, river and fishway projects in Woburn and Winchester. The projects are intended to "restore degraded wetlands, reduce flooding by reconnecting floodplains to waterways, improve water quality, fish passage and wildlife habitat, as well as provide exciting opportunities for wildlife viewing and passive recreation," according to the news release.

The city will work with the environmental agencies on:

• Wetland and stream restoration at the 12 acre Shaker Glen Extension site
• Fishway construction at Scalley Dam to allow river herring and American eel to migrate into Horn Pond

Funds will also go to river habitat restoration at Winchester's Davidson Park.

The Mystic River Watershed Association is receiving $125,000 to provide public interpretation resources and to promote educational and volunteer opportunities.

The 245-acre Industri-Plex Superfund site is the former home of glue-making and chemical manufacturers back into the 19th century. Wetlands, the Aberjona river and floodplains were contaminated with arsenic, chromium and lead. In 2013, the Trustees, a collection of state and federal environmental agencies, settled with responsible parties for $4.2 million. Trustee councils recover damages so that natural resources can be restored at no taxpayer cost.

More information on the restoration plan is available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.