07/27/2000 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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MASHPEE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of 27 July 2000 Connnissioners present: Elliot Rosenberg, Chair Pro Tem, Ralph Shaw, Carol Moore and.Associate Members Perry Ellis Robert Shea. Lacking a quorum, the Chair appointed Perry Ellis voting member and then called the meeting to order at :00 p.m. 7:00 AIR FORCE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL C LL NC and its contracts for a plan to conduce a phosphorus inactivation project in Ashumet Pond. Spence smith, Project Manager,r, with AFCEE, advised they have prepared a presentation similar to what was provided for the Advisory group/Conservation Commission meeting a couple of weeks ago to give some background on the problem and what is proposed. The specialists that-have been working with them were present also. A certified lakes manager who will oversee the project who can answer some of the questions that have come up and will-support the notice of intent. Chair stated, to the extent it fits in with the application fled, the Commission would be pleased to hear them. Mr. Smith showed slides to coincide with the packets of information provided. He advised the nutrient problem at Ashum t Pond is related to the Wastewater -Treatment plant that operated for many years, from 1936 to 1935, now closed. They are dealing with the discharge of phosphorus to the pond. It is not a health concern, it is ecological. Groundwater flows to the north. There was an unfortunate placement of the system close to the pond and the amount of material that went in over the years eventually worked its ay and is'discharging down here in the Fisherman's Cove area. They have worked over the last few years to investigate this. You deal with the point sources in the watershed first. They have done that. The plant is off-line. They are also shutting off non-point sources, storm drain one and storm drain two run-off. That will reduce the north nutrient loads to the pond. However, there is still the plume. That contaminant is absorbed to the aquifer. It travels 1% or less, is in groundwater at any time and is the inky sponge that is slowly bleeding off. If enough load is being provided to the pond, that supports algae growth and that is not a good thing, it can lead to fish kills. There are two aspects to this problem. The plume is something they wart to stop and are looking at options to do that. Where is a good deal of phosphorus in the pond now, which regenerates seasonally out of the sediments and is available to support Broth.