2005-DCPC DISTRICT OF CRITICAL PLANNING AND CONCERN

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The Quashnet River/Hamblin Pond/ Jehu Pond systems, portions of the Waquoit Bay estuary system, were selected as a priority area for determination of critical nutrient loading thresholds by the Massachusetts Estuaries Project. The draft report for these water systems has been prepared and will soon be released to the public. The State of Massachusetts lists Waquoit Bay, John's Pond, Ashumet Pond, the Quashnet River, Hamblin Pond and Jehu Pond .as "Category 5 Waters: Waters Requiring at TMDL". _ Healthy surface, sub-surface, and coastal water resources are the life blood of our community and critical to its economic well-being. Because of the interconnection between fresh water and marine water, all uses of water, whether for drinking, swimming, boating, fishing, shellfishing, cranberry farming, or wetland habitat, are dependent upon the quality of the groundwater. We must control, reduce, and monitor phosphorus and nitrogen loading to our groundwater and surface water bodies. Nomination form,Item #12: Describe any problems associated with inappropriate development of the area. The Town of Mashpee has. .been among the fastest developing towns in the Commonwealth over the past several decades. An immediate negative impact from land clearing for development has reduced the ability of the land to naturally remediate nitrogen loading and .thus the ability of the community to maintain long- term sustainability. Second, development places demands on water supplies and - results in additional wastewater flow that produces additional nutrient loading to our groundwater and surface water bodies. Third, stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces is a major problem. The natural nutrient attenuation provided by vegetated areas is destroyed when we cover the land with buildings, roads, and parking lots. The existing meadows and forests are replaced with roofs, concrete, and asphalt, all of which do not allow rain to penetrate the earth. Instead, .the fallen rain quickly runs directly into storm drainage facilities, which discharge directly into the groundwater. . Today, both ofourecosystems, Popponesset Bay and Waquoit Bay, are listed on the state's list of impaired waters requiring a TMDL due to excessive nutrient loading. - Nomination Form Item #13: What would be gained through additional planning or regulatory control of this area? We believe that a cooperative effort among town boards and commissions, working . under the structured and focused process that this DCPC provides, will result in establishing protective regulations and restoration measures for our groundwater and surface water resources. 6