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Santuit Pond and Santuit Pond Grant <br /> The Chair questioned how Mashpee will be informed about the grant. Mr. York responded that a letter <br /> would be sent to the Board of Selectmen inviting them to apply for the grant next year. <br /> Land Steward Program <br /> No change <br /> Water Quality Monitoring <br /> Mr. Baker stated that the report was completed and submitted in November and is available on the <br /> Mashpee Environmental Coalition website. There will be no action until May 2011 when the program <br /> begins again. Mr. York reported that samples were taken last week at the bays and Santuit Pond for the <br /> year round collaborative water quality monitoring program with the Tribe and SMaST. The Chair <br /> questioned whether the water quality monitoring can determine whether the water is improving, declining <br /> or staying the same. Mr. York responded that it can be determined. The Chair referenced improvements <br /> over the last 10 years such as the oyster project and buildings being tied to sewer systems and questioned <br /> whether numbers are increasing dramatically. Mr. Baker stated that the 2009 report showed that most <br /> numbers fluctuated slightly above or below the long term average in Waquoit and Popponessett. <br /> However, the Mashpee River was significantly worse by approximately 20% from its long term base line, <br /> despite the oyster project and sewering. Mr. Petersen suggested that there are many variations that could <br /> drive the number up and that it could be a peak and not representative of a long term trend. Mr. York <br /> suggested that 20%is not a huge spike but a variation, further noting that the nitrogen levels may have <br /> been higher without efforts like the oysters and sewering. Mr. York added that estuaries are extremely <br /> variable and is the reason why monitoring is long term. Mr. York stated that eel grass has been lost from <br /> Popponessett and Mashpee River has experienced fish kills due to high nitrogen levels so something must <br /> be done to improve the water quality by addressing the sources. Mr. Baker stated that there are no <br /> scientific results available showing improvement. Mr. York and Mr. Baker discussed the possibility of <br /> nitrogen in the groundwater that has not yet traveled to the river but Mr. Baker suggested that it would be <br /> limited due to natural attenuation that occurs. Mr. York stated that the USGS groundwater flowchart <br /> suggests that there is nitrogen that is 20 years out and that not all of the nitrogen has hit and nitrogen <br /> levels will increase. Mr. York stated that bacteria has improved in Popponessett and shellfishing areas <br /> have been opened as a result, possibly due to improved road runoff systems. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> No additional discussion <br /> MEETING ADJOURNMENT <br /> Mr. Baker made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Mr. York seconded the motion. <br /> Roll call vote: Mr. York-yes; Chairman Cahalane-yes; Mr.Baker-yes: Mr. Petersen-yes <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Jennfer M. Cli cord <br /> Board Secretary <br /> LIST OF DOCUMENTS <br /> -Ed Baker Summary: Santuit Pond Study External Phosphorus Control <br /> 4 <br />