11/09/2023 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE Minutes

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Community Preservation Committee Minutes November 9, 2023 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Ashle m Fisher Director of NaturalmResources- Proiect: Ashumet Pond Nutrient Inactivation Treatment Ashumet Pond Rehabilitation and Restoration Project: (continued) Alum has been used in several Cape Cod ponds, including Ashumet Pond, Mystic Lake, Hamblin Pond, Lovell's Pond, Long Pond, Cliff Pond, Lovers Lake, Stillwater Pond, Herring Pond and Great. Pond. Treatments can last up to 15 years. The Department of Natural Resources will work with federal, state and local partners to continue to monitor the phosphorus release from groundwater sources. This includes onsite septic loading; fertilizer use and stormwater runoff. Monitoring at the alum treatment sites has shown no effect at tide water mucket, populations and survival post treatments. Monitoring is allocated within the DNR operating budget. The Friends of Ashumet Pond have requested an additional treatment since 2020. Currently, 94 homeowners within 300' of Ashumet Pond would directly benefit from this treatment. Although the watershed is mostly in the Town of Mashpee there is public access to the pond from the Town of Falmouth (<10%). The pond also lies within the bounds of JBCC. There are other conservation areas which provide access. *It was requested the access points be included in the proposal for additional review. The Town of Falmouth Board of Health and Conservation Commission are community partners in this process and are willing to contribute to this project. Coordination with the referenced regulatory agencies in Falmouth are ongoing. It was suggested the Town of Falmouth contribute 10% to the project. Letters of support including the JBCC Environmental Service Agreement should be secured prior to the May Town Meeting. Of the 5 largest ponds in Mashpee, Ashumet Pond an area of 220.2 acres is the third largest pond in the Town of Mashpee. It is also the deepest with a depth of 84 feet. Ashumet Pond is one of the most studied ponds in the State of Massachusetts. Discussion followed with respect to outreach and engaging the community and the partners of the pond. It was noted JBCC paid for the first two treatments of alum. Permitting was received through the Town of Mashpee.