To the Editor;
The Tri-Town is an amazing geographic area; ‘It’s Nicer’ – ‘It’s Special’ – ‘It’s God’s Country.’ Sailing, surfing, swimming, paddling, walking thru the forest, sitting by a stream or simply birdwatching we find joy in own backyards. Heads up: we’re in danger of losing it all if we don’t prevent further degradation of our waterbodies.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed Title-5 changes shed light on the critical condition of Commonwealth waterways. Rochester’s ponds and rivers are choking up with weeds. These weeds, some nonnatives that easily spread from pond to pond, are fed by an excess of Nitrogen and Phosphorus. Whether from septic systems, storm or agricultural runoff, fertilizers or even pet waste most nutrient overload points to human impact. We as humans need to fix this. We need to protect our water.
Current Title-5 regulation addresses nutrient pollution near well water and drinking water supplies. That will remain the same. New regulations aim to reduce nutrient pollution entering surface waters. Surface waters include bays, estuaries, ponds and rivers. This nutrient overload in both salt and freshwater is destroying aquatic environments and their unique eco systems. If we don’t act now the consequences are grim. Toxic bays, poisoned ponds, and rancid rivers are not a legacy I want to leave behind.
Recently MassDEP has designated areas called ‘Natural Resource’ Nitrogen Sensitive Areas (NSA’s.) Rigorous studies in these areas demonstrated adverse effects on the watershed due to nitrogen. Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) collected data for years mostly on Cape and now have the science indicating nitrogen sources. Once pollutant source is identified a TMDL (total maximum daily load of pollutant allowed to enter a waterbody) is calculated and pollution reduction targets are set. This is where the newly proposed Title-5 regs and/or Watershed permit regs come in.
MassDEP has two options on the table;
Option 1: If a watershed is designated as NSAs, and that watershed is proven to have excess nitrogen, septic system owners would have to upgrade to systems with ‘Best Available Nitrogen Reducing Technology’.
This option puts the financial burden (30-50k!) of a new septic on homeowners. Knowing this would cause an uproar MassDEP has an alternative Option 2 where the burden is shared.
Option 2: If a watershed is designated as NSAs, the community (town or municipality) can apply for a Watershed Permit or file a Notice of Intent to do so within 18 months of NSA designation.
A watershed permit forces towns to create a watershed plan that decrease nitrogen (and hopefully phosphorus) by 75% within the next 20 yrs. A watershed plan allows for a holistic and adaptive approach that can adjust and modify strategies to address community-based causes of water quality impairments. Towns would be required to monitor and evaluate the watershed and report results.
As president of the Snows Pond Association in Rochester, I’m aware of water quality issues and the importance of monitoring and data collection. I’ve reached out to local and state entities sharing concerns about the degradation of our ponds. If better watershed practices and protective measures are not implemented, a Cyanobacteria bloom may be closer than we think.
It’s likely that new Title-5 regulations will not impact our area for another ten years. I’m urging Tri-Town residents and local governments to act now. Towns must seek and allocate funding to preserve watersheds. Let’s work together for the betterment and protection of natural water resources before we’re obligated by the state. Isn’t clean and healthy water a good enough reason to prioritize this effort?
Water pollution is a serious global issue exacerbated by earth’s rising temperatures. I’m relieved that the Commonwealth is making strides to address it. We’ve been taking our beautiful and abundant waterways for granted. It’s time to protect waterways so they remain beautiful and abundant for generations to come.
Michelle Kirby
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