WRAB-WWMPC
MINUTES OF MEETING 5/24/06
3 P.M.
POLICE STATION MEETING ROOM
Attending were Chair Weiss, Co-chair Whitmore, members Sullivan, Lightfoot, Boelitz, Nugent, Olthof, Williams, and Bayne, Selectmen Sandblom and McDonald, ConCom Chair Collins, Crowley, Merrill, and BOH Americorp volunteer Croteau.
April 2006 minutes were approved as written.
Cape Keepers: Weiss reported that an organization called Cape Keepers has been created; it will train speakers to educate the public about the impact of septic system use on ponds, bays and estuaries. Bayne and Crowley will take the training. (Info in file.)
Waste water treatment plant tour: Bayne and Crowley attended a 5/16 tour of several treatment plants of various design and ownership. The tour was organized by the Orleans Pond Coalition and the Orleans Waste Water Planning Committee. Among the systems observed were the Bioclere, the Amphidrome and the RBC, and siting issues were focused on. (Info in file.)
Eastham pond data interpretation: On 6/13, 2 p.m., Town Hall meeting room, Ed Eichner of the CCC water quality staff will present his preliminary report on the condition of the 10 Eastham ponds which have been sampled since 2001. He will ask interested parties to choose 6 of the 10 for further analysis.
Water Protection Collaborative: Weiss announced the formation of the Cape Cod wide Collaborative, which was established by County ordinance in Dec. 2005, to “offer a coordinated approach to enhance the waste water management efforts of towns, the regional government, and the community for the provision of cost-effective and environmentally sound waste water infrastructure, thereby protecting Cape Cod’s shared water resources.” Crowley will represent Eastham in this group. (info in file.)
Waste water management RFP progress: Stearns and Wheler, the chosen contractor, will provide a proposal which will tailor itself more closely to the Town’s available dollars.
MEP presentation in Brewster: The Mass. Estuary Project report for Pleasant Bay will be presented at Brewster Town Hall on 5/25. Olthof, Whitmore, Boelitz and Bayne will attend.
Annual water testing program report: Crowley introduced Croteau, who reported on both portions of the study. Her recent compilation of data for the 6th year of the 10 year 60 well study showed no immediately discernable patterns. She explained the methodology employed as well: a Town representative (an Americorp volunteer in this case), not the homeowner, takes the sample, which is always done in spring.
These homes/results have been mapped in house. McDonald suggested sampling might be done more often if that could be helpful in determining trends. Boelitz suggested a review of existing water table maps to determine direction of groundwater flow at these locations. He also suggested that on site conditions be reviewed, such as type of lawn, proximity to large roads, type of septic system.
Weiss suggested that mapping existing information might help show patterns and trends.
Croteau also presented a chart of the most recent results of the 3 year revolving well testing study, which includes all tests sent to the County lab, but not to commercial labs.
The 3 year cycle focuses on North Eastham this year, and the response rate so far has been 55%. There are more wells which exceed the 10 ppb of nitrates than before.
Crowley commented that the lack of discernable patterns may indicate the difficulty of managing 6000 wells, and that a few central well systems may be easier to manage.
Nugent will try to evaluate the data for patterns.
Conservation Commission policy on wetland set back prohibitions: Katelyn Merrill, Conservation Administrator, consulted the board on the subject of Conservation’s policy of forbidding irrigation systems in the 100’ set back area.. They have successfully banned pesticdes and fertilizers in that area, but have been challenged by homeowners and landscapers about their no-irrigation policy. They believe the use of irrigation systems implies lawn and non-native plants, therefore probably fertilizer and pesticides as well. They want native plant buffers in the set back, which presumably use less water and no fertilizer and pesticides. Lack of staff prevents enforcement of these policies, but if there is no irrigation, there is less likelihood fertilizers, pesticides and non-native plants will be used. The local bylaw
does not deal with this issue, and when it does not, the state law, which does not deal with it either, supersedes in the case of a challenge. She hoped that the WRAB-WWMPC might have solid evidence that banning irrigation is scientifically supportable.
Boelitz, a ConCom member, commented that the buffer zone protects habitat and manages nutrient loading, and that the board has normally imposed a “no-mow” rule in the buffer in order to facilitate growth of a natural buffer.
WRAB-WWMPC members made various suggestions:
Consider existing pond specific data in imposing the policy.
Consider trading the no irrigation requirement for a greater encroachment into the 100’ set back.
Consider that a list of native plants preferred by the ConCom, and perhaps photos of successful buffers, may help convince harried contractors who don’t know what a buffer of native plants means, and homeowners who may think they are unattractive.
Consider a town-wide fertilizer, pesticide and irrigation ban, but distinguish between permitted types of irrigation and banned types. Such a ban, if part of the local wetland by-law, must pass town meeting. If imposed by BOH, it does not need that approval.
Consult other towns.
Consult Michael Talbot Landscaping, which specializes in such native plant buffers.
Outer Cape Water Management Project: Weiss reported that a subcommittee composed of Crowley, Olthof, Bayne, himself and Tom Cambereri of the CCC W.Q. staff had chosen a contractor to recommend to the Town for this project. This $55,000 project will involve all the outer Cape towns in a study of regional possibilities for water supply.
Windmill Weekend plans: The WRAB-WWMPC presentation will revolve around the MEP report. Volunteers to work on this project are needed.
The next meeting will be held 6/13 at 2 p.m., Town Hall to accommodate the Eichner pond report.
Submitted by Sandy Bayne, Clerk
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