30 July 2004
To: Chatham Board of Selectmen
Subject: Position Statement by the Non Voting Taxpayers Advisory Committee regarding the action necessary to reverse the deterioration of Chatham's salt water embayments and fresh water ponds
Since the NVTAC position statement for 2003 (attached), there have been these actions:
1. The State Department of Environmental Protection established Total Maximum Daily Loads of nitrogen for the various water bodies in Chatham. Chatham embayments and ponds now exceed the maximum daily loads by as much as 85% and at least 30%.
2. The NVTAC offered and continues to offer information on technical and financial solutions to the wastewater problem, including a visual demonstration of treated water distribution and aquifer re-charge
The following position statement endorses protecting Chatham's drinking water and reversing the extensive damage to town embayments and ponds, restoring them to almost pristine condition, and creating a water environment conducive to shellfishing, fmflshing, swimming, boating, birding, and general recreation.
NVTAC supports a sewage treatment system designed to meet Chatham's needs for the foreseeable future. This system should include all necessary provisions for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus in order to restore water quality in Chatham's estuaries and freshwater resources.
NVTAC proposes that Chatham sewer as much of the town as is environmentally necessary and fiscally feasible and that the Town move to accomplish this as swiftly as possible.
NVTAC supports the completion of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan and urges the Town to move forward with the recommendations in that plan with all deliberate speed.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Buck, Chair
Non-Voting Taxpayers Advisory Committee
cc: Dr. R. Duncanson Cape Cod Chronicle
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