Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program

Home    BBNEP Info    Town Information    Pollution    Living Resources    Watershed Info    Enjoy Buzzards Bay    Technical Info    Special Topics

Home  >   Management Solutions  >   New Management Plan   >   New Stormwater Action Plan

Draft Managing Stormwater Runoff Action Plan

About the new Buzzards Bay CCMP Action Plans
The Buzzards Bay NEP is now updating our 1992 landmark Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) to reflect the great progress achieved since that plan was finalized. It will include new goals, objectives, and recommendations to meet the environmental needs for Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed into the next decade of the 21^st century. This new document will also meet the requirements for a Massachusetts Watershed Action Plan, which will enable new funding opportunities through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

On this page is a draft action plan from the updated Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and planned 2009-2014 Watershed Action Plan. The text on this page is a public draft provided to invite comment and discussion of the subject by residents and stakeholders. It may contain goals and recommendations that have not yet been endorsed or approved by the Buzzards Bay Steering Committee. The views or information contained here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the US Environmental Protection Agency.

We want your feedback on this action plan. At the bottom of this page is a link for you to provide comments on each goal, objective and recommendation contained in this Action Plan. Based on your feedback, we will update and revise all the action plans in the new CCMP.

Action Plan 2: Managing Stormwater Runoff

Download the complete Stormwater Action Plan (8/22/06 draft).

Goals

Goal 1. Prevent new or increased untreated stormwater flows to Buzzards Bay and contributing watershed areas that would adversely affect shellfish harvesting areas, swimming beaches, water quality, and wetlands.

Goal 2. Correct existing stormwater runoff flows to Buzzards Bay and contributing watershed areas that are adversely affecting shellfish harvesting areas, swimming beaches, water quality, and wetlands.

Goal 3. Maintain and restore natural hydrologic conditions to provide baseflow conditions to streams, wetlands and estuaries.

Objectives

Objective 1. To institutionalize at the local level (through education, laws, and regulations) the use of appropriate best management practices for stormwater management associated with new development and redevelopment.

Objective 2. To develop effective stormwater pollution remediation projects that include proper design, construction, operation and maintenance of facilities.

Objective 3. To establish and implement clear criteria to manage stormwater for flood control, channel protection, groundwater recharge, water quality and wetland habitat.

Objective 4. To provide guidance and incentives for better site design that reduces stormwater runoff, provides for re-use of stormwater and reduces the need for structural practices.

Recommendations

Recommendation 2.1 The BBNEP will update its 1996 municipal model regulations to better incorporate more stringent performance standards for fecal coliform bacteria and nitrogen removal and Low Impact Development (LID) principles and to achieve the goals and requirements of the municipal Phase II NPDES program. The BBNEP will incorporate the LID bylaw model now being developed by MCZM and the work of DCR and promote this work among municipalities.

Recommendation 2.2 The BBNEP should develop and manage a mini-grant program to support Buzzards Bay communities in retrofitting stormwater discharges.

Recommendation 2.3 The BBNEP will create a "Stormwater /LID Round Table for developers, businesses, municipalities, and state and federal officials to promote understanding and use of stormwater management and LID, obtain funding, and to assist the private and public sectors in implementing controls of nonpoint source pollution.

Recommendation 2.4 The BBNEP and BBAC will work with other existing nearby coastal NGOs, educational and research institutions to promote stormwater management and LID techniques.

Recommendation 2.5 DEP will work cooperatively with EPA and CZM to revise its 1996 Stormwater Standards and Policy to better address volume, quality, and rate of stormwater discharges, and to require reductions in fecal coliforms and other pollutants (such as nitrogen). Revised standards will minimize environmental degradation, help to restore impaired waters, and reduce other ecological impacts of stormwater discharges. DEP should also develop a policy to exempt constructed wetlands designed for stormwater management purposes from jurisdiction as resource areas under the Wetlands Protection Regulations, so as not to discourage project applicants to include these BMPs in their site plans.

Recommendation 2.6 DEP will provide an adequate number of staff to help municipalities implement the Phase II NPDES stormwater program and the statewide bacteria TMDLs (pending, draft under review).

Recommendation 2.7 The Commonwealth, through the EEA and DEP, will continue to provide funding for local stormwater remediation projects, including within Phase II areas.

Recommendation 2.8 The State Legislature should discontinue exemption of bridge work by the Massachusetts Highway Department from review by local conservation commissions when it passes special legislation to fund road widening or bridge repair or expansion.

Recommendation 2.9 NRCS should continue their ongoing program to assist farmers to implement best management practices on agricultural lands in the Buzzards Bay area. Specifically, more detailed recommendations should be developed to minimize nitrogen and phosphorous loading from fertilizers and fecal coliform loading where manure is used as a fertilizer. NRCS should work with DEP to develop updated guidance on understanding the exemptions and responsibilities afforded to agriculture under the MA Wetlands Protection Act, and how to incorporate agriculture under the MA Stormwater Policy. Farm plans should be reviewed annually and performance monitored to ensure that BMPs are being implemented. Adequate staff should be provided to ensure that farmers are implementing their farm plans.

Recommendation 2.10 The US EPA should target enforcement in the Buzzards Bay watershed for businesses and developers not complying with the multi-sector general permit and construction permits in the Phase II stormwater NPDES program. Phase II stormwater permit applications, focusing on implementation of the required Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, should be tracked through mandatory inspections and reporting review.

Recommendation 2.11 Federal and State agencies should create a "Stormwater Revolving Fund" for grants to municipalities to improve stormwater management, based on income from fees for Phase II permitting. (Thus the developer helps defray the cost of stormwater management).

Recommendation 2.12 Southeast Regional Planning and Development District (SERPDD) and the Cape Cod Commission (CCC) should actively provide outreach and training for the adoption and implementation of model stormwater management bylaws and regulations. Recommendations should be consistent with those of the BBNEP.

Recommendation 2.13 SERPD and CCC should incorporate stringent fecal coliform and nitrogen loading standards in their regulatory reviews of the stormwater management facilities associated with projects under their review. They should also require project applicants to investigate stormwater re-use as an alternative water supply for non-potable uses.

Recommendation 2.14 Each Buzzards Bay community should implement best management practices for storm drains that are contributing to shellfish bed closures or other impacts to wetlands, water quality, or other natural resources. The communities to commit to work with the BBNEP to develop a priority list (and map) of existing discharges. The list should be posted on the community's website to provide outreach and education to residents and to build support for annual town meeting appropriations for remediation projects.

Recommendation 2.15 Each Buzzards Bay watershed municipality will implement its Phase II stormwater management plan and meet or exceed the implementation schedule outlined in its Notice of Intent. Implementation will include: a) mapping of all stormwater discharges, catch basins, and drainage networks b) implementation of maintenance BMPs for existing networks c) update stormwater regulations of Conservation Commissions, Boards of Health, and Planning Boards, and adopt stormwater bylaws to ensure consistency, and compliance with Phase II permit requirements, including meeting one-acre thresholds for projects requiring stormwater management compliance, and preventing new untreated stormwater discharges to wetlands and surface waters.

Recommendation 2.16 Each Buzzards Bay watershed municipality will develop and implement a catch basin and storm drainage network maintenance program:

Recommendation 2.17 Each municipality should establish a stormwater management authority who is adequately funded and will be responsible for adopting and implementing stormwater bylaws and regulations and will also be responsible to ensure that BMPs are properly designed, constructed, operated and maintained.

Recommendation 2.18 Buzzards Bay watershed municipal Conservation Commissions will review farm plans of farmers conducting work as an agricultural exemption as required under the state wetland regulations.

Recommendation 2.19 The Buzzards Bay Action Committee should review progress on this action plan annually.

Recommendation 2.20 The Buzzards Bay Action Committee will assist communities in implementing stormwater programs by helping to seek funding and by providing technical assistance, including workshops and bylaw review.

Recommendation 2.21 The Coalition for Buzzards Bay should reactivate its "Don't Dump in Catch Basin" program in every community.

Recommendation 2.22 The Coalition for Buzzards Bay will provide trained volunteers to assist municipal Boards of Health, Shellfish wardens, and the Buzzards Bay Project identify upstream sources of fecal coliforms contributing to shellfish bed closures.


Read the complete action plan (a 508 kb pdf file).

Feedback Form

---