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PRESS RELEASE: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs: Nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants include excess fertilizers, oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff, sediment from improperly managed construction sites, salt from irrigation practices, and bacteria and nutrient loads from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic systems. NPS pollution impacts water quality when rainfall or snowmelt moves over and through the ground. As runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, depositing them into coastal waters, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and underground sources of drinking water. “Nonpoint source pollution is a problem that comes hand in hand with urbanization,” said Mayor Stanley Usovicz. “As Salem grows and changes, so must our efforts to safeguard our natural resources. Salem’s harbor and waterways are not only the link to our maritime past but will also contribute heavily to the quality of life for Salem’s future residents. We are pleased to partner with Environmental Affairs and Coastal Zone Management in these efforts and also extend our appreciation to Salem Sound Coastwatch for their good work.” Grants issued under the Coastal NPS Grant Program
support the goal of the Massachusetts Coastal Nonpoint Source Control
Program, which is to reduce NPS—the number one problem facing
coastal waters. This year, 10 grants will be awarded, totaling approximately
$215,000. Information on these grants will be presented at scheduled
regional events. The City of Salem was awarded a $34,500 grant to develop a tool that will give the City greater control over water quality and encourage the principles of low impact development (LID) and smart growth. Several City departments and boards will collaborate to create an Urban Stormwater and LID Ordinance that will regulate drainage and stormwater runoff from construction projects smaller than one acre and an accompanying Best Development Practices Guidebook. Currently, there is no ordinance or model bylaw in Massachusetts for NPS control in dense, urban environments based on LID principles. Salem Sound Coastwatch was awarded a $19,795 grant to evaluate the sewage disposal practices of recreational boats and commercial vessels within Salem Sound. The assessment will explore the sanitation practices in the Salem and Beverly Harbor and Danvers River boating communities through anonymous questionnaires and interviews and identify perceived and real obstacles to reducing boater-based pollution. The assessment will be presented in a final report, guidance document, and through a Marine Sanitation Best Management Practices Forum that will engage discussions about local solutions that improve water quality and reduce illegal sewage dumping. “Salem’s coast is one of our most important assets,” said Representative John Keenan. “Our beaches, fisheries, commercial areas along with our cultural and historic sites require a shared commitment on the part of local and state government as well as nonprofit groups like Salem Sound Coastwatch. I am proud to stand with such dedicated coastal protection advocates, Secretary Herzfelder and Mayor Usovicz, to announce these grants.” Secretary Herzfelder also presented Salem Sound Coastwatch with the Gulf of Maine Visionary Award, which is given to organizations or individuals that show exceptional dedication to preserving and maintaining the quality of the Gulf of Maine. Salem Sound Coastwatch, a non-profit coastal watershed association, is a leader in protecting coastal habitats, commercial and recreational marine resources, and water quality and works with government agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizens to accomplish its watershed protection projects. "Citizen groups are critical for monitoring water quality," said CZM Acting Director Susan Snow-Cotter. "Salem Sound Coastwatch is a leader in protecting not only water quality, coastal habitats, and commercial and recreational marine resources, but also in supporting local, state, and federal wetlands restoration efforts. The Gulf of Maine Visionary Award has been given to Salem Sound Coastwatch because of its dedication to preserving the health of Salem Sound." The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Office (CZM)
anticipates that it will solicit applications for the next Coastal
NPS Grant round in September 2005. Communities that are interested
in developing a proposal are strongly encouraged to contact the Coastal
NPS Program Coordinator, or CZM regional staff. Coastal NPS Program
Coordinator: Julie Ann Conroy: (617) 626-1235. |
| Salem
Sound Coastwatch |
