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impacts. The County is actively pursing regionalization efforts with member towns and expects Report of the more activity in this area in the next year. Conservation Commission In other communities, concerns over cost have evolved into a pursuit of low-cost alternative To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens approaches.While some approaches have merit and are of the Town of Mashpee included as an important part of the County strategy to build as little infrastructure as possible and keep as Mission Statement: many people as possible on on-site disposal systems, the reality is that no low cost silver bullet technology is It is the goal of the Mashpee Conservation currently available. Commission to protect Mashpee's precious and unique natural resources by utilizing the provisions set forth Lastly,cost concerns have manifested themselves in the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL in the form of persistent challenges to the merits of the Ch. 131 § 40) and the Chapter 172 Wetland Protection science underlying the municipal planning.The County By-law under the Mashpee General Town By-law, has invested a lot of time and appropriated$100,000 to Furthermore, it is the mission of the Mashpee cover the cost of convening a panel of independent Conservation Commission to protect, monitor and experts to review the Massachusetts Estuaries Project enhance Mashpee's Conservation and Open Space (MEP) Linked Watershed Embayment Modeling parcels for the preservation of native flora and fauna Approach. The County has selected an outstanding and for the usage and enjoyment of our citizens and panel of unbiased technical experts to conduct this visitors to our town. review and report it's finding to the County.The panel conducted its assessment November 14-16,2011 on the Changes: Cape and filed an oral report with the Cape Cod Water Protection Collaborative on the 16th.. The panel filed 2011 has been another busy year for the its written final report on December 30, 2011. This Conservation Department. The department has seen a panel fully endorsed the science underlying the MEP steady influx of permit applications for projects within reports and laid to rest the questions about the adequacy Wetlands jurisdiction. Most permit applications of the science as a basis for municipal wastewater involved requests for tear down and re-building of planning. The County is committed to using the best existing homes and home additions as well as science in the field and will use the review panels' landscaping, hardscaping, hazardous tree removal and findings to guide its efforts. other minor modifications to existing developed lots. County efforts will continue to focus on raising The Mashpee Conservation Commission has awareness of the imperative to address our nitrogen reached full capacity with seven(7)full time members, problem,answering public questions about the science including Patricia Jalowy, our most recent full time and looking for innovative ways to use alternatives to member as of 2011. Mrs Jalowy brings her botanical conventional sewering like large scale aquaculture, knowledge to the commission and has been a most structural improvements to allow greater tidal flushing, welcome addition. Steve Cook has also joined the and increasing the natural attenuation capabilities of commission as a part time associate member. Mr.Cook wetlands systems. Only if all thoughtful options are has over 10 years experience as a professional discussed and woven together in the form of a complex architectural designer. We are currently seeking and multi-dimensional strategy will the Cape succeed volunteers who wish to serve on the Mashpee on wastewater.The County remains committed to being Conservation Commission as part time associate at the forefront of this debate now and in the years to members. come. In 2010, the Mashpee Conservation Dept established two sub-committees: (1) The Regulatory sub-committee and (2) the Conservation Lands sub- committee. Both committees are comprised of full 92