What: A proposal for a Sewer Assessment Ordinance to finance a portion of the cost to construct the sewer expansion will be presented for community discussion at a series of virtual public forums. Who: Mark Ells, Barnstable Town Manager, will present the proposed sewer assessment ordinance; along with Daniel Santos, Director, Department of Public Works; and Mark …
Continue reading Learn about the Barnstable Sewer Assessment Ordinance
Nutrient loading from septic systems, stormwater run-off and fertilizer use is killing the Cape's waterways. Good for the town of Mashpee, which will fine landscapers that don't adhere to new stringent nitrogen control bylaws. Read the Mashpee Enterprise Article
Following its successful Supreme Court challenge to the city of Maui, the Conservation Law Foundation has put Barnstable, Mashpee, and the Mass. DEP on notice that it intends to file a lawsuit to stop septic systems from pumping nitrogen and phosphorous pollution into local waterways. CLF is not only seeking the temporary suspension of new …
For more than 20 years, Cape Cod residents, scientists, and citizen organizations have been sounding the alarm about the decline of ourwaterways due to nitrogen pollution, among other contributors. It's been a long slog for these committed neighbors and organizations. Residents and town officials have balked at the cost and inconvenience of mitigating nitrogen run …
Two more ponds closed due to toxic algae blooms. Read Cape Cod Times article. How many bodies of water in Barnstable need to be ruined before the town takes bold, brave action on saving our bays, ponds, and streams?
Shoestring Bay flows between two towns on the Cape - Barnstable and Mashpee. While we at Save Our Shoestring live in Barnstable, we work closely with Mashpee Clean Waters to raise awareness of the desperate situation in our Bay. And thanks to the hard work of Mashpee Clean Waters, the town is edging closer to …
Continue reading Mashpee Voters Approve Funding for Wastewater Treatment Plant Design
Now the big guns are getting involved: Conservation Law Foundation has the Cape's polluted waterways in its sites. Check out this great video. CLF just had a huge legal win in Hawaii that will have direct implications for the group's work to hold polluters accountable on Cape Cod.
And so it spreads. The toxic algae bloom that's been plaguing Santuit Pond since June is leaving the pond and spreading down to the Santuit River. It's now a sickly green color. According to today's Cape Cod Times, the Mashpee Board of Selectmen will "bring up the topic at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. …
Following is the last in a series on the Town of Barnstable’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. Let your voice be heard: come to one of the town's open meetings for public comment about the Plan. Stormwater Upgrade The Town’s program will identify and provide solutions to 207 existing stormwater outfalls, one of which is located …
Continue reading Update on Barnstable’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan/Part 3
Second in a 3-Part Series on the Town of Barnstable’s Draft Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Why are Cape waters in so much trouble? The short answer is, Nitrogen. And where does the nitrogen come from? Another short answer. Septic systems... by a mile. Septic - 78% Fertilizers - 9% Stormwater - 8% Wastewater treatment facilities …
Continue reading Update on Barnstable’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan/Part 2
Save Our Shoestring 