9/27/1995 COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Minutes

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its waters. Dr. Costa listed some solutions to reduce nitrogen loading as follows ,-, ( 1) Install a sewer system for the Town, ( ) Purchase open space in the watershed, ( ) Change the flushing rate with dredging, ( 4 ) Educate homeowners near the estuary about the effect of fertilizers and recommend - lower amount usage, ( 5 ) Keep a buffer strip between a lawn and. the River, ( 6 ) Use loam to hold the water. Mr. Sherman noted airborn deposition ( from burning) adds to the nitrogen loading* Mr. Dinizio asked whether dredging the Mashpee River would. help- Dr. Costa stated that dredging would not decrease the critical loading and would have only a marginal effect, Mr. Hanks stated that it is difficult to get permits for new areas but maintenance dredging is not a problem (which he is looking into presently) . Mr. York stated that dredging would have a short term effect. In order' to have a long--term effect, we need to reduce loading, gain public acceptance to install more septic systems, and/or replace septic systems with denitrofy.ing systems . Mr. Hanks stated that 'title V now allows for community systems. Nancy Ca f fyn asked whether nitrogen problems in the River stem from commercial developme-nt since she is hearing only about individual homeowners , Mr. Hanks stated that both contribute , and each development has to do their- own plan. Mr. Cambareri stated that the information provided came from a study on the flushing of Po ponesset Bair that was funded by Field ' s Point as a condition of the Commission' s approval. of North Market Street. This study will be used by the Commission to evaluate the potential impacts of future growth on the Pop onesset Bay watershed and will provide information to help analyze the impacts of dredging on the River. Mr-. Dinizio asked whether the town should consider the development of a public sewer,. Mr. Bichner stated that it ' s something to consider but noted very expensive compared to residential septic systems. The Commission will offer options and their costs in its report on the Popponesset Bay watershed, some of which include the following. ( 1 ) the purchase of undeveloped land, ( 2 ) the use of alternative septic systems , ( 3 ) sewer systems* Mr. Dinizio stated that the Board of Selectmen needs recommendations from the Commission in order- to make decisions and bring them to the people of the Town. mr.# E i chner stated a draft of the report will be completed .in a month, and the Commission will offer environmental and technical assistance. Mr. Cambareri stated that the recommendation will probably be -den,itr'ofying technology throughout the watershed* Mr. Hanks made available a Man of action drafted by the Coastal. Resource Management Committee for the Mashpee River. CRMO is in favor of addressing the fecal coliform problem first which has forced the the closure of shellfish beds and is easier to find than the sources of nitrogen. The plan provides alternative wastewater treatment approaches as possible solutions to the nitrogen problem. Mr* Sherman noted that a 50 foot buffer strip - -