NEWS RELEASE 2000-42
July 18, 2000

Air Force to Present Phosphorus Inactivation Plan for Ashumet Pond at Special Mashpee Conservation Commission Hearing

MASSACHUSETTS MILITARY RESERVATION (MMR), Cape Cod, Mass. — In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and implementing regulations (M.G.L. c. 131, §40 and 310 CMR 10.00), the Mashpee Conservation Commission will host a special public hearing on July 27, 2000 to hear the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) proposal for a targeted phosphorus inactivation in a portion of Ashumet Pond. AFCEE has been discussing this proposed action with the Ashumet Pond Nutrients Advisory Group (APNAG) over the past few months and submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Mashpee Conservation Commission on July 14, 2000. This project is a component of a larger program to reduce phosphorus inputs to Ashumet Pond from pond sediment (regeneration) and a groundwater plume related to the former MMR wastewater treatment plant. This special hearing has been arranged with the Town of Mashpee to provide additional discussion about this action. Although the proposed action will take place in Mashpee, residents of Mashpee and Falmouth abutting the pond, as well as members of both towns’ Conservation Commissions, have been invited to this hearing.

For more information, please contact Mr. Douglas Karson, AFCEE/MMR Community Involvement Specialist, at (508) 968-4678, extension 2; Fax (508) 968-4673; or E-mail doug.karson@mmr.brooks.af.mil