Lower Cape Municipalities Agree on Pleasant Bay Watershed Plan

CHATHAM – In an effort to curb and reduce nitrogen levels in Pleasant Bay, the towns of Chatham, Harwich, Orleans and Brewster have agreed to seek a watershed permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Approximately 40,000 pounds of nitrogen need to be removed, and the permit would allow the municipalities to explore and implement non-traditional technologies to reduce nitrogen levels.

These technologies include shellfish bed filtration, nitrogen trading, among others.

“This permit will allow our communities to implement these programs and gain the nitrogen reduction credits they’re seeking to improve water quality in Pleasant Bay,” said Carole Ridley, coordinator with Pleasant Bay Alliance.

Non-traditional technologies also offer a cost-savings.

“These are all measures that will help towns save money and hopefully implement nitrogen reduction strategies much sooner than otherwise would be possible,” Ridley said.

Before submitting the application, the plan must be reviewed and approved by the Cape Cod Commission.  

    

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