At an event in Wareham last Saturday State Sen. Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton)  was awarded a 2014 environmental award from a group of community leaders in Wareham called the Cleanup of Agawam Mill Pond.

CAMP is a non-profit organization of citizens who came together to eliminate fanwort from the Agawam Mill pond following a Department of Fish and Game announcement about a new boat ramp to be installed there. The citizens are concerned the swamp-like weed could be spread by increased boat activity on the pond and are aiming to raise support to treat the fanwort in the pond.

At Saturday's event Pacheco addressed about 60 people from the Wareham area who are interested in cleaning up Agawam Mill Pond. He highlighted provisions in the environmental bond bill recently passed through the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, a committee he chairs.

The bill includes support for addressing aquatic nuisances in the Commonwealth and awaits action from the House. He also discussed the potential for future support of the Agawam Mill Pond clean-up project specifically.

“I am honored to receive this environmental award from a group of active citizens who aim to promote a healthy Agawam Pond in order to improve the natural resource for swimming, fishing, boating and to promote tourism,” Pacheco said.

“When we started thinking about the clean-up of this great natural waterway, we thought we were in this alone,” said CAMP Treasurer Tom Leonard. “It is encouraging to know that we have other great people facing the same concerns and that we have the support of Senator Pacheco to fight this fight with us.”