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Approved
Wastewater Planning Committee
Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2013
7:00 pm Town Hall Hearing Room
Attendance: Alex Hay, Curt Felix, Ned Hitchcock, Janet Drohan, Patrick Winslow,
Lezli Rowell and Paul Gabriel of Environmental Partners.
Discussion of DCPC for Fertilizer Regulation: Ned reported on actions from the County Assembly of Delegates, passing a proposed District of Critical Planning Concern process for towns to ‘opt-in’ regulating the use of fertilizers. He noted the towns ‘opting in’ would be able to prescribe a higher level of control than provided by state regulations. The DCPC has no effect on herbicides / insecticides, or control over private fertilizer application. Ned discussed concerns that any locally adopted town enhanced regulations must be consistent, address a process for certification of commercial application, as well as an enforcement strategy. The state regulations which the DCPC allows towns to improve upon have not actually yet been issued.
Curt mentioned that it is anticipated that the state’s regulations will be drawn from UMass-Amherst’s Best Management Practices document. Pat discussed the history of the Conservation Commission considering local bylaw to address fertilizer applications but found that a certification process for commercial / landscaper groups managed appropriate dosage but did not address the core issue of private homeowners misapplying over-the-counter products. Alex questioned what level of contribution to the nitrogen load of a given watershed could be attributed to landscaping practices, and Curt offered that there are accepted literature values. However, he felt that even those assumed contributions were based on more suburban models than would be typical in Wellfleet. He noted as an example that the applications used by the golf course were
strictly controlled. Alex questioned whether the Committee cared to forward a recommendation on ’opting-in’ to the DCPC to further regulate fertilizer use, and discussion reached the consensus that enhanced public education would be more useful. On a motion by Curt and seconded by Ned, the CWMPC recommends that the Town adopt the UMass-Amherst BMP’s -- consistent with the Town’s adopted policy for the treatment of municipal management. Unanimous.
Cape Cod Commission 208 Plan update: Curt reported the recent document produced by the Technical Advisory Committee of town representatives, with a draft copy for circulation, listing technologies for wastewater / nutrient management planning approval. The final document of Management Strategies will be submitted for approval, and if approved, offer wastewater planning committees in communities a ‘menu’ of options to tailor to specific watershed areas. The draft does not identify proprietary I/A nutrient reduction brands but generally to denitrifying septic system configurations, as well as septic tank to package treatment facilities (STEP), conventional sewer and transfer of development rights. To be included in the revised draft, based on Curt’s advocacy, also saltmarsh and other habitat restoration, and aquaculture
projects. Curt relayed his discussions with the County questioning how the work of the CWMPC for Wellfleet will ‘fit in’ with the 208 Plan, and the response is that the local committees will have the analysis of alternatives and tailored application of approved technologies piece, with the only caveat, that all approved options are considered. He plans to present the Wellfleet Plan as a baseline to the next Watershed Planning Meeting (assigned by County as workgroup with representatives for Truro and Eastham – not the sub-watersheds mapped within CWMPC draft) and feels that with consensus of those stakeholders, Wellfleet’s Plan will be integrated into the County’s 208 document. The 208 Plan process will return a report and recommendations to Wellfleet CWMPC for final approval. Curt noted that the Town Administrator is preparing a Memo of Understanding with the towns of Truro and Eastham for the shared watershed areas.
It was noted that Wellfleet’s MEP report was due on June 1st and Paul asked where that stands. Curt noted discussions with the TA and suggested further discussion including the Health Department, noting that receipt of a MEP TMDL has the statutory effect of being under consent order with DEP, and could make the town ineligible for granting opportunities. In the alternative to continuing on the MEP path, Curt suggested that the model being built by the county as a work-around watershed planning tool for use of the towns, with functions for nitrogen sources and sinks and layers accounting for the approved technologies. He noted a Green Infrastructures legislation filed in the State Senate as a funding mechanism for 208 plan implementation, with disqualification for towns in consent order status.
Paul discussed the document he had prepared, essentially a ‘mission statement’ of the Wellfleet Comprehensive Wastewater Planning Committee along with key graphics, citing the responsibility to plan in sustainable and affordable ways. With prior analysis focusing on main areas of concern at Duck, Mayo and Blackfish Creeks, and the Herring River, the plan will have many opportunities to draw from the approved technologies of saltmarsh / habitat restoration and aquaculture projects for water quality improvements.
Review of 2013 programs: Mark Borelli with Center for Coastal Studies has GIS mapping of cultch applied this summer. Pat commented that it was good to see the program enhance the Chipman’s Cove area which hasn’t been treated in over 10 years. Paul asked about tracking application rates and Curt responded that tonnages could be calculated. He has observed a phenomenal set on the Oyster Reef Project zone and near the Mayo outfall, and hopes to see a correlating improvement in the water quality sampling reports, coming soon. He has suggested that field observations and inventory of other organisms should be included and with the addition of an underwater camera, migratory inhabitants’ patterns could be assimilated into the ongoing habitat restoration reports.
Other business: Shell recycling efforts from restaurants in the pilot project this summer were reported: Arnold’s with 3,840 pounds by itself, Peal is the runner-up with 1,442 lbs. (Others participating: Wicked Oyster, Beachcomber, Moby Dicks’, Winslow’s Tavern, VR’s and The Lighhouse). The Shellfish Advisory Committee has approved the cultch and oyster reef project plan and will submit to the Board of Selectman for approval then forward to the DMF. The proposal requests no more than 10% of any of the six areas, each selected as relatively non-productive bottom adjacent to the identified water quality areas of concern. The project will be submitted to the state with three years of clutching data and assessment of impacts, with focus of retaining and enhancing a wild oyster and shellfish population, both for water
quality improvements and benefits of other organisms and genetic diversity /disease resistance.
MISC: There was a discussion of emerging vibrio issues and FDA protocols.
The bids for design/engineering the Bakers Field restrooms are due on by 10/15 with responses to be reviewed by the TA the following Monday.
Meeting minutes of June 11th were reviewed and on a motion by Alex, seconded by Ned, approved unanimously.
Next Wastewater committee meeting TBD.
Meeting adjourned around 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lezli Rowell
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