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FINAL MODEL 10.21.13 <br /> BOARD OF HEALTH REGULATION ON THE CONTENT AND APPLICATION OF <br /> FERTILIZER USED IN THE TOWN OF <br /> SECTION 1. PURPOSES <br /> ALTERNATIVE A <br /> Mounting evidence supports the claim that excessive nutrient enrichment of the region's <br /> groundwaters and surface waters may have significant public health significance. Direct effects <br /> on drinking water sources are well known and include the increased concentrations of nitrogen to <br /> levels that can violate the Safe Drinking Water Standards. The indirect public health effects <br /> expressed through surface water enrichment can be equally pronounced and include ecological <br /> alterations that can result in toxin algae blooms and the proliferation of human and animal <br /> disease organisms involving bacterial, fungal, myxozoa and insect vector pathogens. <br /> The Board of Health recognizing that excessive, inappropriate or improper use of fertilizers is <br /> part of the overall problem of nutrient pollution promulgates the following regulation regarding <br /> the use of fertilizer on turf. This regulation incorporates by reference Best Management Practices <br /> which from time to time may undergo changes in response to scientific research. These practices, <br /> if followed, are deemed to protect the public health and aid in achieving compliance with the <br /> Total Daily Maximum Loads(TMDL) for the Towns water resources prescribed by the <br /> Commonwealth of Massachusetts while allowing reasonable use of fertilizers for the <br /> enhancement of turf quality. <br /> ALTERNATIVE B <br /> Mounting scientific evidence supports the claim that excessive nutrient enrichment of the <br /> region's groundwaters and surface waters, specifically by nitrogen and phosphorus,may have <br /> significant public health significance. <br /> The indirect public health effects expressed through surface water enrichment can be equally <br /> pronounced and include ecological alterations that can result in toxic algae blooms and the <br /> proliferation of human and animal disease organisms involving bacterial, fungal,myxozoa and <br /> insect vector pathogens. Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus may contribute to <br /> undesirable algal and aquatic plant growth within the Town's fresh and salt water bodies. This <br /> undesirable algal and aquatic plant growth has an adverse effect on public health through the <br /> degradation of waters used for drinking water, shellfishing, and recreational swimming and <br /> boating. Algal blooms form in water when cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) grow quickly and <br /> form scums or mats in the water. Some blooms can produce toxins harmful to people and <br /> animals. These are called harmful algae blooms. Algal blooms are caused by excess levels of <br /> 1 <br />