HomeMy Public PortalAboutComprehensive Water Planning -- 2015-01-12 Minutes E"w'sTn,,,,, Town of Brewster Comprehensive Water
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Date Approved: 2/9/15
Vote: 6-0-0
TOWN OF BREWSTER MINUTES
COMPREHENSIVE WAT ER PLANNING COMMITTEE (CWPC)
Regular Meeting
Monday,January 12, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Brewster Town Office Building
Chairman Paula Miller convened the CWPC meeting at 4:30 pm in the Brewster Town Office Building with
members Elizabeth Taylor, Adam Curtis, Russell Schell, Dave Bennett, John O'Reilly, Dan Ryan, Lem Skidmore,
and Bruce Evans present.
Also Present: Sue Leven, James Gallagher, Chris Miller, Mark Nelson (HWG), Pat Hughes
Recording or Taping Notification
The Chair read"As required by the Open Meeting Law we are informing you that the Town will be videotaping this public
meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to audio or videotape this meeting he or she is required to inform the chair."
AGENDA
Supporting Documents: 1. Citizen Forum
011215_A HWG Progress Rpt. 2. An update from Mark Nelson, Horsley Witten Group
011215_B Notes from P. Miller,Topics 3. 11/10/14 minutes for approval
12/08/14 minutes for approval
4. Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate
1. Citizen Forum
None
2. An update from Mark Nelson; HWG
The minutes were reviewed first. See #3.
The committee reviewed the November Progress Report for HWG. The December report is coming soon.
Skidmore asked about the BOH regulations.
Nelson - BOH regulations, new draft is due in a few weeks.
■ Miller, P asked about—whether regulations were going to be written for septic systems in areas with
high water tables during this phase of work. Nelson, No—more pond related/pond shoreline
■ Nelson will review the scope further. He received the list of topics from the committee.
• Nelson referenced (4) documents sent to the committee in December.
o Implementation Plan (nitrogen management in Pleasant Bay)
o Herring River (nitrogen management in Brewster)
o Schoolhouse Pond (updated report after field work completion)
o Phase III Summary Report (outstanding - BOH regulations and storm water by-law)
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o Update Web site (links to new information/reports)
• IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
o Golf Course Fertilizer Management Monitoring Plan-Applied fertilizer and irrigation work.
■ Fertilization Annual Report
■ Creating format to document fertilizer use and nitrogen coming up from irrigation wells
o Fertilizer by-law is done. 25% nitrogen credit, by-law passed CCC review
o Aquaculture- Shellfish Management at Pleasant Bay, DLTA Grant submission to CCC. Work to
be done with other towns.
o Committee Discussion:
■ Curtis asked about credit.
• Can get it but it is on an "animal by animal" basis. To be discussed further.
■ Schell commented on oyster propagation: CCC technical matrix had oyster aquaculture
and restoration of oyster habitat preserve for water quality improvement. Each acre
would be considered to remove 551 lb. of nitrogen a year. NOAA and Army Corp. of
Engineers in other bays - background of successful use. Schell is concerned about
consideration of the alternative.
o Nelson noted that coordination would be needed since Brewster has no frontage in Pleasant
Bay. A lot of work to be done.
■ Schell asked about Brewster's limitations
o Nelson- Location and land area for propagation.
■ Schell noted that areas under estuarine waters are property of the Commonwealth of
MA. Leven and Schell discussed further.
o Nelson- Questions need to be addressed. (Town, State)
o Pat Hughes- Department of Marine Fisheries reviews potential sites for aquaculture, but
towns are the licensing authority for aquaculture activity.
■ Schell noted interest is in the oyster reef habitat restoration. (as distinguished from
aquaculture)
o Chris Miller-The State will only review an area after there is an application and the Town has
designated an area. Re: Reefs-The State only allows closing beds for no harvesting for three
years at a time.
• HERRING RIVER
o Nelson-Incorporated comments. No need for nitrogen management in the Brewster portion og
the Herring River watershed. Ponds in the area attenuate nitrogen.
■ Miller, P asked about joint management agencies. Watershed management agencies? Do
we need to do this for Herring River? Do we need build out regulations?
o Leven- One Cape event, CCC 2/25 and 26.
o Nelson- CCC looking at WMA's- Build out-looking at doing scope for simple analysis, with
agreement.
■ Bennett asked about hard solutions.
o Nelson-What they were looking at came out as preferred. Other options are still there and can
be considered if others aren't enough.
■ Bennett wants a"conventional technology" in the implementation plan
■ Miller, P supported this statement.
o Nelson- More immediate results with recommended alternatives. Backup is available if
needed. Bennett and Nelson continued to discuss further.
■ Schell commented on the 2011 DRI for Orleans CWMP- Plan for expanded water
management to involve Brewster. If Brewster is not proactive, then Orleans will propose
scope enlarged to accommodate nitrogen removal requirements of Brewster.
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o Leven- Orleans is aware of what Brewster is doing. 2011 DRI was written before this work
began. Discussion is ongoing with Orleans.
■ Miller, P was comparing MEP's numbers with ours. Which numbers are being used?
o Nelson-Used numbers that are conservative. If you look at nitrogen decreasing on a % basis
vs. allocating on a per acre basis. Nelson had discussions with the State but no conclusions
yet. Town has asked CCC (for 208) to look at per acre basis for estimating nitrogen removal.
Nelson did not assume best case scenario. Miller P, Leven, and Nelson discussed numbers and
models further.
• SCHOOLHOUSE POND
o Tested sediment and incorporated into phosphorus loading model. They refined the model.
Action plan is to treat with alum. $10,000-20,000. Do in conjunction with other watershed
improvements.
o Mill Ponds complete. Timeframe for permitting? Do both Mill and Schoolhouse at the same
time?
■ Miller, P asked if the Mill Ponds address out of pond phosphorus.
o Yes, part of the Phosphorus budget, fixing historical sediment issues.
• PHASE III OVERVIEW (BOH regs., storm water by-law outstanding items)
o Will finalize all of these documents and get them on the web site.
■ Ryan asked about the meeting with Orleans. Committee discussed meeting details.
o Nelson and Leven met with Mike Domenica. Leven and Nelson met with Patti Daley at CCC.
Gen update.
■ Taylor asked if they have received clear information from the DEP.
o Will have to document annually. So far, nothing requires a permit or DRI review.
■ Taylor- CLF? Anything we have to do?
o Not yet.
■ Miller P- Regional watershed agencies?
o EPA recommended this, but CCC cannot make someone sign a regional agreement.
■ Miller, P-Afraid if we don't do it, DEP/EPA will.
■ Schell- NOAA program focused on promoting and supporting oyster reefs for water
quality fall of 2015, competition and grants for this type of restoration. We should be
prepared to submit one for Pleasant Bay.
o Nelson asked Schell for more information. Schell will send it to Leven to forward to Nelson and
the committee.
3. 11/10/14 and 12/08/14 Minutes for approval
Moore received edits by email and provided the committee with a copy of the minutes.
Taylor made a Motion to approve the minutes of 11/10/14 as written, Miller Second, All Aye, Vote 9-0-0.
Evans made a Motion to approve the minutes of 12/8/14 as amended, Taylor Second, All Aye, Vote 9-0-0.
Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate - None
Evans made a Motion to adjourn, Ryan Second, All Aye, Vote 9-0-0.
Th meeting ended at 5:30 pm. The next meeting is 1/26/15,
Re pe tf u mitted
Dave B tt, Vice Chair & Clerk
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