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<br />6. Discussion regarding the Effects of Fertilizer on Water Quality with the Assistant Conservation Agent, <br />Dan Kent. <br />Mr. Kent presented the Commission with a description of the effects of fertilizer on water quality stating that <br />the Town has a Regulation 31 that only applies to wetland jurisdiction. It is to limit the amount and type of <br />fertilizer that is used on wetland jurisdiction properties. He reported that it is difficult to enforce and that <br />they target the applicators, mainly the landscapers. Some stipulations within Regulation 31 are that an <br />organic fertilizer must be used and a certain type of grass species of 10% bluegrass only. He stated that <br />enforcement is vastly difficult and that landscapers don’t mind incurring a fine and simply work it into the <br />customer’s final bill. <br />Also, within Regulation 31 is a requirement of a 1’ tall by 3’ wide berm if there is green grass going up to the <br />water and a resident wants to do work going up to the buffer zone. This helps to delineate where to stop <br />cutting and helps natural vegetation to grow or be planted. He said that residents have been happy to comply. <br />He went on to say that there is a lot of development in Town around the water bodies and that most all of <br />them have septic systems. They are not all title V. Currently, they have been seeing more IA system <br />installations with what is called a pulverizer. This reduces phosphorus loads going into the ground with the IA <br />system reducing nitrogen. <br />Mr. Kent reported that he has been including a copy of Regulation 31 with any Order of Conditions when a <br />Notice of Intent is received. This is filed with the Registry of Deeds and must be adhered to for the perpetuity <br />of the house, not the homeowner. <br />Currently, there is a ban on using phosphorus alone as fertilizer. <br />Mr. Kent went on to explain that when nitrogen is applied it goes directly into the waterbody and is free <br />forming and free moving. It will not bind to the soil and ultimately ends up in the bays. Phosphorus will bind <br />to the soil and the largest issue is that it lasts for a very long time and does not naturally filter out. <br />Mr. Kent stated that, as Conservation, they work with each permit applicant to try and reduce their green <br />grass and increase their buffer zone. Essentially, try and get an applicant to willingly plant more natural <br />vegetation within the buffer zone. <br /> <br />Mr. Towle inquired about golf courses. Mr. Kent stated that golf courses have their own restrictions and are <br />pretty much allowed to legally pump fertilizer and herbicides onto their agricultural crop. <br /> <br />Mrs. Sprout asked where one would find a map of the wetland restriction boundaries and Mr. Kent said that <br />there is a GIS map on the Town website. This map shows flood zone areas, vernal pools and a wetland index <br />inventory. He stated that not all the lines on it are completely accurate. <br /> <br />Mrs. Sprout asked if there is a way of determining a percentage of which source is contributing to the <br />pollution. Mr. Kent said there is. He state that Umass Dartmouth is currently working on studies of the fresh <br />water bodies in Town. <br /> <br />Mr. Kent ultimately stated that ban, restriction and enforcement are essential in allowing nature to breath. <br /> <br />Correspondence <br />None at this Time. <br /> <br />Additional Topics <br />None at this Time. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br /> <br />