[SEMCO] Updated Draft Buzzards Bay Management Plan Distributed for Comment

[Joe Costa]

Updated Draft Buzzards Bay Management Plan Distributed for Comment
In 1991, the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP), a unit of Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, developed the Buzzards
Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). This landmark document was a blueprint for the forthcoming efforts to
protect and restore the water quality and living resources of Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed. The CCMP introduced many
new concepts to local government, including the need to establish watershed limits on the discharge of nitrogen from wastewater
(especially septic systems) and other nitrogen sources, the importance of stormwater discharges as a cause of bathing beach and
shellfish bed closures, and the recognition that the climate was changing. The Buzzards Bay NEP has now updated the Buzzards Bay
CCMP to reflect progress achieved, new problems facing the bay and its surrounding watershed, and the ongoing unresolved problems
that remain since the original plan was finalized. This updated Buzzards Bay CCMP includes existing, new, and revised goals that
relate to 21 key issues facing the bay and watershed. In each of the 21 "Action Plans," we identify strategies for government,
citizens groups, and the public to employ to meet the continuing challenges we face.
 
The updated management plan has been mailed to Buzzards Bay watershed municipalities for comment, and we are also inviting area
residents to review and comment upon the document. While the Buzzards Bay CCMP is not a regulatory document, it lays out a vision
that we hope will continue to guide municipalities and non-governmental organizations in their ongoing efforts to protect and
restore the environment. It will also assist state and federal agencies to direct grants and technical assistance programs, and to
help guide the update of policies and regulations to benefit the bay and watershed for years to come. Go to our New CCMP page
<http://www.buzzardsbay.org/newccmp.htm>  to read and comment upon the plan.
 
http://www.buzzardsbay.org/newccmp.htm
 
 
===================================
Joseph E. Costa, PhD, Executive Director
Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program
Mass. Coastal Zone Management
2870 Cranberry Highway
East Wareham, MA 02538
voice: 508-291-3625 x11
fax: 508-291-3628


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