|
 |
Waterline Newsletter Article on the The Estuaries Project: Southeastern
Massachusetts Embayments Restoration
The Estuaries Project:
Southeastern Massachusetts Embayments Restoration
A DEP/UMASS Collaborative Effort
The Massachusetts DEP
and the UMASS/Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST)
will be stepping up a collaborative project with Coastal Zone Management,
the Cape Cod Commission and several municipalities to classify the
nitrogen sensitivity of southeastern Massachusetts's coastal bays and
estuaries. SMAST technical experts will work with DEP to evaluate the
nitrogen sensitivity through comprehensive water quality testing,
quantitative TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) modeling, and preparation of
technical reports allowing communities to consider how implementation of
nitrogen management scenarios within watersheds will influence water
quality in embayments.
|
|
Coastal embayments in
Massachusetts, the eastern seaboard and coastal states of the U.S. are
becoming nutrient enriched and are rapidly experiencing declines in
ecological health. The primary cause of these eutrophication problems is
an overabundance of nitrogen discharged within the watersheds of these
water bodies. In Massachusetts the primary source of the contaminant
nitrogen is wastewater. Storm water, leaching lawn fertilizers and
discharges from agricultural land uses also contribute varying quantities
of nitrogen.
These declines in ecological health can in advanced states result in loss
of eel grass, fisheries habitat and spawning grounds, shell fish beds and
all related recreational uses causing negative impacts on tourism,
offshore marine ecology, local fishing and shell fishing interests and
local tax bases.
Most municipalities in southeastern Massachusetts are exploring approaches
to better managing sanitary wastewater. These municipalities are seeking
guidance about how to assess the quality of an embayment and how to
institute the land based changes necessary to control sources of nitrogen
and restore impaired water quality conditions. DEP and SMAST are already
involved in these nitrogen management planning studies but seek through
this project to provide a more consistent, efficient way of generating the
necessary water quality information, modeling efforts, technical guidance
and remedial recommendations.
The collaborative effort is expected to result in the high quality
efficiency intended with last years signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding between UMASS and the Executive Office of Environmental
Affairs (EOEA). The projects geographic coverage includes 89 embayments
along the Massachusetts coastline south of Duxbury inclusive of Cape Cod,
Buzzards Bay and the Islands. It is anticipated that the evaluation of
embayments, generation of TMDL reports and discussion of potential
remedial options will be sequenced over a period of six years. TMDL
reports are required for water bodies with impaired water quality and are
used to guide community efforts to achieve appropriate water quality
thresholds. Providing technical assistance to communities attempting to
generate and implement remedial solutions will be the focus of DEP's
Comprehensive Water Resource Planning process.
The Estuaries Project exemplifies the need for state and local authorities
and stakeholders to work cooperatively to address water quality issues on
a watershed-by-watershed basis. This Project will result in the generation
of many technical, planning and policy guidance documents that will be
transferable to problem solving for inland waters and that will assist DEP
and communities establish the framework for effective watershed
protection.
DEP is very proud to be a sponsor and participant in this proactive and
cost-effective effort and will work diligently with contractors,
communities and stakeholders to bring about improvements to water quality
in these beautiful and important resources. |
