NEWS RELEASE 2003-21
July 14, 2003

Air Force Hosts Ashumet Pond Nutrients Advisory Group

Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR), Cape Cod, Mass. — Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) officials will host a meeting of the Ashumet Pond Nutrients Advisory Group on Tuesday, July 22 at 6 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Mashpee Senior Center, 500 Great Neck Road North, Mashpee.

The purpose of the meeting is for AFCEE officials to summarize Ashumet Pond phosphorus data collection and analysis activities as well as to provide Ashumet Pond residents an opportunity to give input on the work and results. Phosphorus is a problem at Ashumet Pond because an overabundance can lead to excess algae growth and a former wastewater treatment plant located on the MMR was a significant source of the phosphorus.

The meeting’s agenda will include an update by Denis LeBlanc of the U.S. Geological Survey on the study of the phosphorus in Ashumet Pond, a report by Dr. Brian Howes of the School of Marine and Science Technology at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth on the status of the pond’s 2001 alum treatment, and a discussion led by AFCEE Project Manager Jon Davis regarding future actions.

For more information, please call Mr. Doug Karson, AFCEE/MMR Community Involvement Specialist, at (508) 968-4678, ext. 2.