This project studies nutrient loads in coastal waters.

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This project studies nutrient loads in coastal waters.
Nutrients are essential to the vitality of our coastal ecosystem. Nutrients, in particular phosphorus and nitrogen, support the growth of aquatic plants, which in turn provide food for the fish, shellfish, and other organisms that live in our coastal waters. An excess of nutrients can result in a decline in aquatic plants and wildlife, negatively impacting these coastal ecosystems. Nutrients come from a variety of sources, including natural and anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic sources can include septic systems, fertilizer application, and stormwater runoff.
In 2001, the Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) was created to help determine current nitrogen loads to southeastern Massachusetts estuaries and evaluate reductions that would be necessary to support healthy ecosystems. The MEP is a collaborative effort between MassDEP, UMass Dartmouth, and southern Massachusetts communities. MEP evaluations will be completed for approximately 70 coastal embayments in southern Massachusetts.
The MEP uses a linked model to evaluate nitrogen inputs to estuaries. This information is used by MassDEP to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for each estuary studied. TMDLs calculate the maximum amount of a pollutant (nitrogen in this case) that a waterbody can assimilate and still support a healthy ecosystem (i.e., meet surface water quality standards and support public health). The MEP also provides technical guidance to support appropriate wastewater, watershed, and embayment management techniques to reduce nitrogen loading. This technical guidance is being used by communities to support the development of Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plans (CWMPs).
Allen, Wychmere, & Saquatucket Harbor Embayment Systems, Harwich MA - 2010
Barnstable and Dennis, MA - June 2017
Bass River Embayment System, Towns of Yarmouth & Dennis, MA - 2011
Centerville River, Barnstable, MA - 2006
Stage Harbor, Sulfur Springs, Taylors Pond, Bassing Harbor, & Muddy Creek, Chatham, MA - 2003
Stage Harbor/Oyster Pond, Sulphur Springs/Bucks Creek and Taylors Pond/Mill Creek Chatham, MA - 2007
Falmouth Inner Harbor Embayment System, Falmouth MA - 2013
Fiddlers Cove & Rands Harbor Embayment Systems, Falmouth MA - 2013
Great Perch Pond, Green Pond, & Bournes Pond, Falmouth MA - 2005
Herring River Embayment System, Harwich MA - 2013
Lewis Bay Embayment System, Barnstable/Yarmouth, MA - 2008
Little Pond System, Falmouth, MA - 2006
Megansett-Squeteague Harbor Estuarine System, Falmouth/Bourne, MA - 2015
Namskaket Marsh Estuarine System, Orleans, MA - 2008
Nauset Harbor Embayment System, Orleans & Eastham, MA - 2012
Oyster Pond System, Falmouth MA - 2006
Parkers River Embayment System, Yarmouth MA - 2010
Phinneys Harbor, Eel Pond, & Back River System, Bourne MA - 2006
Pleasant Bay System, Orleans, Chatham, Brewster & Harwich, MA - 2006
Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury, MA - December 2017
Popponesset Bay, Mashpee & Barnstable, MA - 2004
Quissett Harbor Embayment System, Falmouth, MA - 2013
Rock Harbor Embayment System, Orleans, MA - 2008
Rushy Marsh, Barnstable, MA - 2008
Salt Pond Embayment System, Falmouth, MA - 2014
Sandwich Harbor Estuary, Sandwich, MA - 2015
Scorton Creek Estuarine System, Sandwich, MA - 2015
Swan Pond River Embayment System, Dennis, MA - 2012
Three Bays, Barnstable, Massachusetts - April 2006
Waquoit Bay & Eel Pond Embayment System, Falmouth & Mashpee, MA - 2013
Wellfleet Harbor Embayment System, Wellfleet, MA - 2017
Chilmark Pond Embayment System, Chilmark, MA - 2015
Edgartown Great Pond System, Edgartown, MA - 2008
Farm Pond System, Oak Bluffs, MA - 2010
Lagoon Pond Embayment System, Oak Bluffs & Tisbury, MA - 2010
Madaket Harbor & Long Pond Estuarine System, Nantucket, MA - 2010
Menemsha Wampanoag Tribe, Chilmark and Aquinnah, MA - June 2017
Nantucket Harbor, Nantucket, MA - 2006
Oak Bluffs Harbor System, Oak Bluffs, MA - 2013
Sengekontacket Pond System, Oak Bluffs & Edgartown, MA - 2011
Sesachacha Pond, Nantucket, MA - 2006
Lake Tashmoo Estuary, Tisbury, West Tisbury, and Oak Bluffs, MA
Tisbury Great Pond/Black Point Pond System, Dennis, MA - 2013