07/18/2005 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pr-77P O-1 777 71 -- J 6 k," & What Guidelines for development should be instituted in the proposed district to protect the values and purposes for which the district is being nominated? The Planning Boards Response: The goals of this DCPC are to develop an integrated approach to nutrient planning and management,to implement a plan to avoid continued degradation of estuarine systems, and provide for the restoration of our impaired water bodies. The State has mandated remedial actions for impaired water bodies, stating that: The challenge for costal communities will be to determine which pathways are appropriate to there particular watersheds. My Comments: The Planning Board references a series of studies being undertaken to address the excessive nutrient loading problem currently facing the Town's estuarine systems in there DCPC Application. These studies along with a pro active Board of Health and Sewer Commission show the Town's knowledge of the importance of this situation. This work has been accomplished without the aid of a DCPC. Each of the recommended actions contained in this nomination is worthy and can readily proceed without the designation of a DCPC. Many of the programs currently in existence have not been completed as of this time. The Planning Board notes after exploring possible ways and means for moving these needed actions forward we determined the best tool available is a DCPC. It is a structured process with specific time frames that will enable a focused approach to moving the planning and implementation tasks forward in an orderly and timely fashion. The question is do the Planning Board take control of all matters concerning Water Resource's since no other Board or Committee has co-sponsored this application as of this date. Many of our studies and projects have been delayed through no ones fault except for waiting on completion of other reports from the State and Cape Cod Commission. In almost all cases of slow downs it has been because of the availability of better data being obtained for use in a more accurate conclusion. DCPC's have a definite benefit in some situations but this does not seem to be one. This problem seems to fit into the Commission's mission Statement that states it was established as a regional planning and regulatory agency to prepare and implement a regional land use policy plan for all of Cape Cod. After several months of discussion The Barnstable Commissioners Blue Ribbon Committee on Regional Wastewater agreed that a regional approach is essential. The Planning Board states the challenge for coastal communities will be to determine which pathways are appropriate to there particular watersheds. This statement alone would indicate at least a sub-regional approach should be taken in lieu of the fact that our watersheds have multiple over lapping boundaries with other towns. To take one town and establish a DCPC for this reason seems to contradict the idea of a unified approach between all towns.