Wetlands
CZM concluded that the state's Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution
Control Program should include measures to address NPS pollution
problems from each of these sources. CZM began its efforts by
analyzing existing state programs and bringing the appropriate
state agencies, local officials, environmental groups, and
industry groups, into the planning process.
Urban Sources
One of the major urban sources of NPS pollution in
Massachusetts is failing septic systems. DEP, in cooperation
with other state agencies including CZM, is in the process of
revising Title 5 of the state sanitary code. These regulations
govern the installation and maintenance of septic systems
throughout the Commonwealth. CZM is working with DEP to ensure
that the requirements of the Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution
Control Program will be met by Title 5.
Throughout the revisions of Title 5, DEP has worked with
environmental groups, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors,
the Massachusetts Homebuilders Association, and the Massachusetts
Association of Boards of Health. The purpose of including these
groups in the decision-making process is to gain consensus as to
the best ways to meet environmental standards. In addition, it
brings local governments into the process, which will allow them
to better implement regulatory requirements.
Another urban source of NPS pollution is development and
construction. CZM has determined that erosion and sediment
controls will be needed to minimize the impact of new
construction on coastal resources. CZM is working with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Soil Conservation Service
(SCS) to develop effective control measures. In addition, CZM
will organize a workgroup of environmentalists, homeowners,
realtors, and developers, which will review any new erosion and
sediment control measures for the Coastal Nonpoint Source
Pollution Control Program.
Roads, highways, and bridges are another urban source of NPS
pollution. CZM is working with the Massachusetts Highway
Department, who will develop environmental specifications to go
along with the structural design specifications they have in
place for all state-funded road work. These environmental
specifications will include management practices, such as the use
of buffer strips and drainage systems that reduce runoff and NPS
pollution. Contractors who build, improve, or repair state
roads, highways, and bridges will therefore be required to meet
these environmental specifications. Local highway departments
will also be given technical assistance so that they can adopt
similar specifications.
Stormwater runoff carries NPS pollution from urban sources,
as well as from the other types of sources addressed in Coastal
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Programs. DEP has initiated a
Stormwater Task Force to deal with the pollution problems caused
by stormwater runoff. This internal task force has produced a
report outlining strategies that should be used to control
stormwater runoff problems. DEP has presented this report to
representatives from environmental and industry groups and is
looking for their input to develop comprehensive and workable
approaches for stormwater management.
Finally, Massachusetts agencies are aggressively
coordinating their efforts to develop watershed plans. The
purpose of watershed planning is to use local zoning and planning
tools to institute land use patterns that reduce environmental
problems, such as NPS pollution. The Massachusetts Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) and DEP are both in the
process of developing watershed planning approaches. CZM will
work with these agencies, as well as with local governments, to
help implement watershed plans to minimize NPS pollution.
Marinas/Boats
Marinas and boats generate NPS pollution when they are
improperly sited, designed, or operated. CZM determined that
the state's Chapter 91 regulations, which govern activities
within Massachusetts waterways, can address the primary causes of
NPS pollution from boats and marinas. To help reduce the sources
of NPS pollution, therefore, CZM has decided to focus its
efforts on developing guidance documents that help marinas and
harbormasters to implement the Chapter 91 requirements and
control NPS pollution. CZM will also work to provide marinas
and harbormasters with the technical assistance they need to meet
NPS requirements.
Agricultural Sources
Unlike many other states, agriculture in Massachusetts is
dominated by small, family-owned farms. Consequently, it is
vital that any attempt to reduce agricultural NPS problems take
into account the economic realities faced by small farmers. With
this in mind, CZM is working with the Massachusetts Department
of Food and Agriculture (DFA) to develop an NPS pollution control
strategy that will not contribute to economic hardship for
Massachusetts farmers. In addition, CZM has organized a
workgroup made up of representatives from the Farm Bureau, trade
associations for cranberry growers and nurseries, and individual
farmers, to review proposed agricultural management measures.
In order to develop the best strategies for reducing NPS
pollution from agricultural sources, CZM is also working with
SCS and the University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension
Service. These groups have the technical expertise and knowledge
to develop the most effective solutions.
Forestry
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management
(DEM) is in the process of updating regulations for timber
cutting. CZM determined that the best way to address potential
forestry-related NPS pollution is to work with DEM as they revise
these regulations. Throughout the revision process, DEM will
work with DEP, the Metropolitan District Commission, the
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, the
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Professionals,
Massachusetts Audubon, and the University of Massachusetts
Forestry Extension, as well as with the timber cutting and
sawmill interests. DEM also plans to hold public hearings on the
revised regulations and will use input from these hearings to
refine the regulations as necessary to protect the environment,
industry, and the public.
Once the DEM regulatory revisions are completed, DEM and DEP
will hold workshops for foresters to provide them with the
technical assistance they will need to meet NPS controls. In
addition, DEM and DEP will hold workshops for local officials to
help them implement NPS pollution controls for timber cutting
within their jurisdiction. To assist with the implementation of
the forestry regulations, CZM will help DEM to develop a Best
Management Practices Manual. This manual will provide technical
guidance for foresters so that they can effectively comply with
regulations and reduce NPS pollution.
Hydromodification
The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Program and the
Chapter 91 Waterways Program go a long way toward preventing and
controlling NPS pollution impacts from channelization (dredging,
flood control, and drainage improvements) and dam building. In
addition, DEP's Office of Watershed Management's basin planning
approach will help to determine where surface water quality is
being adversely affected by hydromodification. Where problems
are detected, DEP will work with other agencies and local
officials to implement practices to restore water quality,
including NPS pollution controls. CZM will continue to work
with DEP through these initiatives, as well as with other
agencies, to coordinate strategies that address the NPS pollution
impacts from hydromodification.
Wetlands
Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Programs should
include ways to protect wetlands from contamination and
development, as well as programs to promote restoration of
degraded wetlands and the construction of artificial wetlands.
CZM determined that the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection
Program and Wetlands Restoration and Banking Program are very
effective mechanisms for protecting and restoring wetlands. In
fact, the Wetlands Protection Program is probably the most
extensive mechanism available to control NPS pollution because it
has strong components aimed at protecting all surface water
bodies.
Additional emphasis on the creation of artificial wetlands
for water treatment in Massachusetts would be valuable, however.
The federal guidance indicates that states should encourage the
development of manmade wetlands that will retain and assimilate
some pollutants before they enter coastal water bodies. To
accomplish this goal, CZM will work with DEP to develop general
guidance for artificial wetlands construction as part of
Massachusetts Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program.
In addition, CZM will develop guidance documents for local
officials to help them pursue artificial wetlands construction.
Finally, CZM and DEP will work with the Massachusetts
Association of Conservation Commissions to help local governments
implement wetlands protection measures, as well as to pursue the
restoration of degraded wetlands and the construction of
artificial wetlands.
The Draft Plan
CZM will bring all of these efforts together into a draft
plan for the Massachusetts Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution
Control Program. Once the draft is completed, CZM will expand
its public outreach campaign to educate local governments,
environmental groups, industry groups, and the public about the
components of the draft plan. CZM will also solicit comments
from these groups to help refine the draft plan where necessary.
These efforts to include the public and interest groups in plan
development are expected to lead to a balanced and effective
Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program in
Massachusetts.
Public Education
The ultimate goal of the management measures that will be
implemented through this Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution
Control Program is to reduce NPS pollution in Massachusetts. In
order to truly solve the problem, however, individuals will need
to make changes is the way they live. Consequently, CZM will
develop an aggressive public information and education campaign
to teach people about the problems caused by NPS pollution and to
assist them with the simple steps that they can take to reduce
the problem.
Click here to go to the Nonpoint Source table of contents.
Published: October 1994
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Boston, MA 02114