MassDEP has received a multi-year grant from EPA to develop guidance for MEP communities on technical and institutional nitrogen reduction strategies, and to develop a roadmap for changes in state policy and regulation to support innovative nitrogen reduction strategies, including watershed-based permitting and nutrient trading.

The grant will provide assistance to three pilot estuaries that represent a range of local conditions. Case studies and a final project report will help other MEP communities as they implement the MEP Technical Reports and resulting nitrogen TMDLs. The pilot project estuaries are Popponesset Bay (Mashpee, Barnstable, and Sandwich), Three Bays (also Mashpee, Barnstable, and Sandwich) and Wareham River (Wareham, Plymouth, and Carver).

Full Project Proposal to EPA
MS Word 58 KB | PDF  27 KB

Guidance and Permitting Tools to be Developed:

• Watershed-based permitting strategies
• Innovative nitrogen reduction methods, including nutrient trading
• Inter-community cooperation
• DEP policy and regulations to support watershed permitting and trading.

Quarterly Project Updates:

January - March 2005.
MS Word 38 KB 
April - June 2005.
MS Word 69 KB 
July - September 2005.
MS Word 73 KB
October - December 2005.
MS Word 77 KB