Riverways Staff

Tim Purinton, Acting Director
Mr. Purinton serves as project manager for 10 active river restoration projects and provides planning oversight for 22 on-the-ground restoration projects. The river restoration planner also coordinates with state, federal and local partners to identify, fund and pro-actively manage river protection and restoration efforts statewide. Tim directly coordinates with the Riverways staff scientist to ensure restoration efforts, including dam removal and in-stream habitat improvements, are properly planned and soundly executed. He also conducts outreach and education activities to promote river and stream restoration and enhancement.
617 626-1542
tim.purinton@state.ma.us

Carrie Banks, Stream Team Organizer - Western Watersheds: Ms. Banks provides outreach and technical assistance to municipalities, watershed organizations and others to target, plan, train and recruit Stream Team volunteer to conduct Shoreline Surveys. She encourages partnerships among diverse groups to accomplish Stream Team goals, including municipal officials, agencies, and other community members and organizations. Ms. Banks provides Shoreline Surveys, River Continuity Surveys (culvert and bridge crossings), and other trainings sessions for Stream Team volunteers and other watershed groups. She facilitates priority-setting and action planning meetings following the Surveys. Ms. Banks assists with Stream Team implementation projects, such as community stormwater projects, dam and fish barrier removals, river restoration and habitat enhancements, to protect river corridors and water quality. She assists Riverways Programs staff in gathering and/or producing materials that will aid Stream Teams and town officials in Shoreline Surveys and in implementation of action plans. Ms. Banks serves as a project manager for restoration projects in the Westfield River watershed and provides technical assistance to the Westfield River Wild and Scenic Committee in all aspects of their work.
413-268-3129
carrie.banks@state.ma.us

Joanna Carey, Instream Flow Specialist
Ms. Carey provides technical capacity for the River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS) program related to instream flow and aquatic habitat restoration and protection. Joanna provides guidance to watershed associations, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, water suppliers, lake groups and their constituents on projects that improve aquatic ecosystems and their management. Joanna is leading a study to provide management data for the Housatonic watershed. She also reviews laws, regulations and policies affecting streams from a hydrological and biological perspective.
617-626-1541
Joanna.Carey@state.ma.us

Russell Cohen, Rivers Advocate
Mr. Cohen provides assistance with the identification, protection, and stewardship of riparian lands. His other responsibilities include reviewing proposed projects and grant proposals involving rivers and riparian areas. Russ also assists other groups with establishing and publicizing public access to and/or along rivers, consistent with resource protection. Through this work, he provides technical assistance annually to over 400 municipalities, residents, land trusts and watershed groups, while also serving as Riverways’ primary representative for the Blackstone, French Quinebaug, Hoosic, Housatonic and Connecticut Watersheds.
617-626-1543
Russ.Cohen@state.ma.us

Cindy Delpapa, Stream Ecologist and Urban Rivers Coordinator
Ms. Delpapa provides the public with information about water quality issues including water monitoring, NPDES point source discharge permits, Phase II stormwater permits, and non-point sources of pollution. This work includes training groups in monitoring and QAPP preparation, providing technical advice and informational workshops, and assisting in initiating new programs or investigations of water quality issues. The Urban Rivers Program, headed by Cindy, is an initiative to restore fisheries, revitalize urban riverfronts and promote neighborhood participation and appreciation of rivers flowing through the Commonwealth's urban areas. As a project manager, Cindy assists with visioning; provides technical input on riverfront planning, pollution remediation, funding, and outreach to help communities improve urban waterways.
617-626-1545
cindy.delpapa@state.ma.us

Eileen Goldberg, Assistant Director
Ms. Goldberg is responsible for fiscal planning and administration for the Riverways Program as well as for grants, individual programs and projects. Eileen directs the procurement of all goods and services. Eileen works with project managers to develop Scopes of Work and integrate long-range project planning. She also provides fiscal oversight for all projects and contractors involved. 
617-626-1546
Eileen.Goldberg@state.ma.us

Alex Hackman, Instream Flow and Restoration Specialist
Mr. Hackman provides technical support for the River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS) Program, performs hydrologic field work, participates in stream assessment and restoration projects, provides training, maintains databases and websites, and follows sustainable freshwater resource management issues in Massachusetts. In addition, Mr. Hackman manages projects for the Riverways River Restoration Program, performs permitting, conducts fundraising, investigates policy questions, coordinates with local, state, and federal partner agencies, assists in monitoring activities, and contributes technical input on other Riverways restoration projects (current focus on contaminated sediment assessment and management).
617-626-1548
Alex.Hackman@state.ma.us

Margaret Kearns, Watershed Ecologist and RIFLS Coordinator
Ms. Kearns directs the River Instream Flow Stewards program (RIFLS), which  conducts instream flow restoration efforts including data collection and analysis as well as identification, assessment and implementation of solutions. Margaret coordinates the ecological and hydrological work of RIFLS, particularly in the areas of instream flow and aquatic habitat restoration and protection. This work also includes representing the Department and Riverways at interagency meetings and conferences and providing scientific guidance to other agencies from a hydrological and biological perspective. Ms. Kearns also works with communities, watershed associations, Stream Teams and their partners on projects that promote the ecological health of rivers.
617-626-1533
Margaret.Kearns@state.ma.us

Beth Lambert, River Restoration Scientist
Beth Lambert is a physical scientist with a strong background in stream geomorphology, hydrology, and community-based river restoration.  She provides technical oversight of Riverways’ 22 on-the-ground restoration projects.  She improves the practice of river restoration statewide by providing technical guidance to agency staff, consultants, restoration project proponents, conservation commissions, NGOs, local citizens, and others. To this end, she provides site visits; geomorphic assessments; technical review of feasibility studies and designs; presentations; and hands-on training sessions for interested partners.  She serves as a technical liaison on committees and task forces to ensure that restoration projects are holistic.  Beth also manages complex dam removal projects and develops quantitative monitoring plans for restoration projects in order to measure and communicate the effects of restoration work.
617 626-1526
Beth.Lambert@state.ma.us

Chris Leuchtenburg, River Restoration Data Researcher
Mr. Leuchtenburg develops computer models of the impact of dams including fragmentation of habitat, degradation of water quality and inundation of flowing streams. Through this work he produces maps of rivers, streams and their habitats. Chris develops and maintains database of dams, road crossings and other impediments to natural streamflow. His work also includes researching the location, condition and uses of dams and their impoundments.
617-626-1547
christopher.leuchtenburg@state.ma.us

Nick Wildman, Priority Projects Coordinator
Mr. Wildman administers and coordinates the Riverways River Restoration Priority Projects. He also serves as manager for specific river restoration projects and provides technical input on design plans, specifications, erosion control, construction sequencing, and permitting. Nick coordinates development of the Riverways Program's educational and outreach publications, annual reports, fact sheets, and manages Riverways’ website content. Nick conducts fiscal transactions including contracts and accounting records for projects. As part of his work, he also prepares grant applications for federal, state, and foundation funds.
617-626-1527
Nick.Wildman@state.ma.us