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Draft Mashpee Nitrogen Control Bylaw==for RevieMLOnl <br /> A <br /> 1.Purpose <br /> A Town Bylaw to conserve valuable waterways and other resources that increase our property,values,to protect <br /> our unique environment that.is a vital engmie of our economy,and to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, <br /> ers and Menty Iryowners by regulating the outdoor application of nitrogen. The .rep lation u ofnitrogen_ <br /> applications will reduce the overall amount of excess nitrogen entering the town's Resource Areas as defined in <br /> Dhe lb�h ce-Wetlands Protection Bylaw(Chapter 172;Section 2)and regulations. Reducing excess nitrogen <br /> helps protect and improve the water quality of Ma sh�eCs two valuable estuaries-_—Waquaht Bay and <br /> Popponesset Bay and theirassociated bays, coves and and <br /> streams- <br /> This Town Bylaw is also critical to reducin Mashpee's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)of nitrogen. <br /> MashMe is presently in violation of the Clean Water Act because of excess_njtrQge entering <br /> estuaries. The Ca Cod Commission has estimated that reducingnitr�o i from outdoor applications b fifty <br /> enk jj��� <br /> percent(5Y would <br /> 0 ) old save <br /> , ve the taxpayers of Mash pee $40 million dollars in severing and other wastewater <br /> __ - - - <br /> treatment expenses. <br /> 2.Applicability <br /> This Bylaw shall apply to and regulate any and all applications of nitrogen through fertilizer within the Town of <br /> Masbpee. <br /> 3.Definitions <br /> "Agriculture"includes farming in all its branches,generally as the cultivation and tillage of the soil, dairying, <br /> the production cultivation,growing and harvesting of any agricultural,floricultural,viticultural or horticultural <br /> commodities, and shellfishing, including preparations and delivery to storage or to market or to carriers for <br /> transportation to market. <br /> "Fertilizer"means a substance that enriches the soil with elements essential for plant growth,such as nitrogen, <br /> phosphorus,potassium or other substances;fertilizer does not include those nutrients that are normally excluded <br /> from fertilizer such as chemicals that are part of dolomite,limestone,or lime. <br /> "Impervious surface"means a surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it is <br /> highly resistant to infiltration by water, <br /> "Nitrogen" means an element essential to plant growth. For the purposes of the Bylaw, nitrogen may be <br /> available as slow-release,controlled-release,timed-release,slowly available,or water insoluble nitrogen,which <br /> means nitrogen in a form that delays its availability for plant uptake and use after application and is not rapidly <br /> available to turf and other plants;and/or quick-release,water-soluble nitrogen which means nitrogen in a form <br /> that does not delay its availability for turf and other plant uptake and is rapidly available for turf and other plant <br /> uptake and use after application. <br /> "Turf'means grass-covered soil held together by the roots of the grass,also known as"sod"or"lawn," <br /> 4.Performance Standards <br /> All application of nitrogen shall comply with the following standards: <br />