v>EPA
            United States
            Environmental Protection
            Agency
            Region I
            Water Quality Branch    September 1980
            J.F.Kennedy Federal Building
            Boston. MA 02203
Water  Quality
Management
For The Future
A New  England Success

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             WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
                  FOR THE FUTURE:

               A New England Success
The Success of Section 208 Water Quality Management
              Planning in New England
       U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
       Water Quality Branch
       Region I
       JFK Federal Building
       Boston, MA  02203
                 December, 1980

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                               ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
     This compendium of Section 208 Water Quality Planning Success Stories
in New England was compiled and published by the EPA,  Region I,  Water Quality
Branch.  The primary effort in preparing this compendium was supplied by
Melanie Donohue on a Work Study Program from Boston University.   Valuable
clerical support was provided by Sharon Moore.  Publication and  printing
assistance was provided by Elizabeth Strock and Gene Parker. The overall
project was under the direction of William Nuzzo.

    Photo Credits:
        Gene Parker EPA - Cover, pgs. 4,6,8,11,12
        Martha's Vineyard Commission - pg. 15
        New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission - pg.  13
        EPA DOCUMERICA - Cornelius Keyes - pg. 10

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        WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE:   A NEW ENGLAND SUCCESS


     When Congress passed the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments

of 1972, it recognized that some of the .water quality problems in the United

States are so complex or severe that they cannot  be solved by technology

alone.  As the point sources of water pollution are brought under control

through the Municipal Construction Grants Program and the NPDES Permit Pro-

gram, the significance of the impact of nonpoint  source pollution becomes

increasingly evident.

     Section 208 of the Clean Water Act* authorizes the Environmental Protec-

tion Agency (EPA) to administer an areawide waste treatment management plan-

ning program designed specifically to deal with nonpoint sources of water

pollution.  The so-called "208" planning programs are designed to control

complex water quality problems including urban runoff, agricultural and

silvicultural runoff, septage and sludge management, lake eutrophication,

and groundwater protection.

     The 208 program stresses planning by local governments and the implemen-

tation of the cost effective water quality management programs developed.

Specifically, Section 208 calls upon local governments in a particular plan-

ning area to work together to find and implement  solutions to their common

water quality management problems.


               Water Quality Management Planning  in New England

     As of May, 1980, more than $21 million in 208 grants have been made to

the sixteen designated areawide planning agencies and to the six New England

States to prepare these "208 Water Quality Management Plans".  Most of the
*NOTE:  The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (P.L. 92-500) was amended by
        the Clean Water Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-217).

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initial areawide 208 plans have undergone final review and have been certified




by the appropriate State Governors and approved by EPA.  Several of the 208




agencies in New England have already been successful in achieving implementa-




tion of strategies identified by 208 plans which are now resulting in actual




water quality improvements.  EPA will channel future 208 funds to these areas




where real progress is being made toward solving serious state and local




water pollution problems.







Successful Implementation of Water Quality Management Planning in New England




     The 208 Water Quality Management Planning Program in New England has con-




tinually stressed the importance of solving specific water quality problems




and implementing strong cost-effective, action-oriented environmental programs.




This publication presents a compendium of some of the recent 208 implementation




successes in New England.  Earlier examples of successful 208 implementation




efforts have been published in the EPA Region I Environment News and the




Region I Regional Administrator's Annual Report 1979.




     The compendium of recent 208 implementation successes will be presented




under the following general topic areas:




                                   CONTENTS




     A.  Lake Preservation and Restoration




         - Restoring Lakes in Berkshire County




     B.  Groundwater Protection




         - Aquifer Protection Implemented in Southeastern Connecticut




         - Cape Cod Towns Act on Gasoline Storage Problems




     C.  Proper Hazardous Waste Disposal




         - Connecticut Hazardous Waste Disposal Progress




         - 208 Funds and Hazardous Waste Efforts in New Hampshire

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     D.  WQM and the Agricultural and Silvicultural Conunanities

         - Best Management Practices in Connecticut,  Maine and New Hampshire

         - Vermont 208 in Cooperation with Timber Industry Establishes Logging
           Erosion Control Process

     E.  Septic System Maintenance and Septage Disposal

         - Recylcing Septage as Fertilizer in Western Massachusetts

         - Development of Massachusetts Septage Disposal Policy

         - Development of a Septic System Inspection/Maintenance Program
           on Martha's Vineyard

     These stories demonstrate how state and local governments are working

through Section 208 of the Clean Water Act to implement programs that will

preserve and protect the quality of New England's waterways.   If you would

like more information on the Section 208 Water Quality Management Program in

your area, contact the State or Regional Planning Agency in your region (see

appendix for names and addresses) or contact the EPA Region I, Water Quality

Branch, JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA  02203, 617-223-5130.

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                   RESTORING LAKES
         IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS

 Berkshire County in western Massachusetts has long
 been  known  for  its  prime  recreational  lakes.
 Recently, the   accelerated  aging  of  the  lakes
 (eutrophication)  has  resulted  in  prolific weed
 growth,   nuisance   algal  bloom,  reduced  water
 quality, and increased sediment deposition.  These
 problems  in turn reduce the recreational value by
 interfering  with  boating, swimming, fishing, and
 aesthetics.   The  process  of  eutrophication  is
 accelerated  by  increased amounts of sediment and
 nutrients  entering  the  lake.   The relationship
 between  human  activity  and accelerated aging is
 widely  documented  and  is  due to land uses that
 accelerate   the  avenues  and rate   of  nutrient
 transport from the land bo the lake water.

Having  recognized   the   importance  of their lakes,
Berkshire  County residents  are  becoming increasing-
ly  active  in organizing lake  management programs.
One   of  their  most   important  sources of both
inspiration   and information has  been the Berkshire
County  Regional  Planning Cortmission  (BCRCP).  BCRPC
is  the Areawide   Waste Treatment Planning Agency
designated  under   Section  208  of the Clean Water
Act.    Section   208 calls  for  the  development of
areawide water quality  management plans designed to
control complex  water quality problems.  Since lake
preservation  and   restoration  were  the   primary
concerns  of Berkshire County  residents, the BCRPC
208   plan  concentrated on developing  management
practices  for the area  lakes.

BCRPC  has provided technical assistance and public
information   programs in order  to stimulate  citizen
interest  in developing a  lake management program.
As  a  result of   BCRPC assistance,  several county
towns  have   had considerable  success in obtaining
funds to begin to control eutrophication, with both
restorative  and  preventive  measures.

The principal role  of BCRPC has been  to provide  and
organize  the data  necessary for  the  towns  to apply
for   funding through   the Massachusetts   Aquatic
Vegetation  Control Program  (MAVCP).  fc»is  program
is administered  by  the  Division of Waterways, under
the   Massachusetts  Department  of   Environmental
Quality   Engineering    (DEQE).  Since  1953,  the
program   has   funded   short-term    solutions  for
improving    lakes,   primarily    through hervicide
application.   Within the past  several years, under
the   direction   of   Mario   Boschetti   of DEQE,  the
program has moved to long-term controls,  such as
removal of  available nutrients,  drawdown of lakes,
and   watershed   control.  Grants  awarded under this
program equal   seventy-five  percent  of the total
funds  needed to   implement  the lake  management
plans.   The  remaining twenty-five percent has to be
provided by  the  local coitmunities.

Several municipalities  in Berkshire County assisted
by  BCRPC,   have applied   for  and   received MAVCP
monies   and   are   currently  implementing  their
programs.   The  Cheshire Lake  Study  Comnission  for
example,   used data developed by  the  BCRPC 208 plan
in  its  application for MAVCP  funding for Cheshire
Reservoir.    This   information  included land  use
practices,   soils   analysis, and  delineation of  the
watershed.    The   BCRPC  staff  also  provided  an
overview of  lake   management  techniques, reviewed
the   technical data, assisted in  the  preparation of

maps and commented on the draft applications.  As a
result,  the Commission received a $9,000 grant for
herbicide  treatment  and is currently implementing
the program.

The  Town of Stockbridge also made extensive use of
the  lake  management  section of BCRPC1s 208 plan.
Town officials used BCRPC  calculations of nitrogen
and  phosphorus  loads, nutrient budgets, impact on
lake  quality of  nutrient  loads, land use, soils,
vegetation,  and watershed boundary data to compare
control measures and costs and eventually apply for
a  MAVCP  grant.   The  town received $10,000 for a
harvesting  program  which  began  in the sunnier of
1979 and is continuing.

Laurel  Lake  has  also  received  money  from  the
Massachusetts  Aquatic  Vegetation Control Program.
The $13,650 awarded was to implement a comprehensive
lake program including: drawdown, sediment impound-
ments to reduce nutrient and sediment loading, weed
harvesting, stream diversions, and monitoring.  The
application  for  the  grant  was  made possible by
BCRPC  208 lakes management studies.  To date, some
harvesting  has been successfully completed and the
siphon  is  being  installed for the drawdown which
will  begin in the fall of 1980.  The initiation of
the Laurel Lake project was accelerated as a result
of  a  field  demonstration of harvesting equipment
arranged by BCRPC.

BCRPC  assisted  in  the  preparation  of  a fourth
regional  application  for  MAVCP grant.  Pontoosuc
Lake  received $40,500 in state funds for drawdown,
sediment  removal,  retention  basins,  harvesting,
herbicide  treatment and lake monitoring.  In 1979,
the  public  beach area was treated with herbicides
and  a  local  contractor removed vegetation with a
weed  rake:  the lake was drawn down in the fall of
1979.   The  other  projects  will  be  implemented
during  1980.   Shoreline  residents have responded
favorably   by   contributing  the  matching  funds
according to their shoreline frontage.

The  BCRPC 208 program has effectively assisted the
towns of Berkshire County in receiving over $75,000
in state funds for lake restoration and protection.
All  of  the  towns  concerned with lake management
have   been  willing  to  provide  local  funds  to

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implement  the BCRPC 208 lake recommendations; this
is  particularly  significant in this time of tight
municipal   budgets.    Four   out   of  the  eight
Massachusetts   lakes  receiving  money  under  the
Massachusetts  Aquatic  Vegetation  Control Program
were  assisted  by  the  208 Agency.  The result of
BCRPC's  work has been a significant improvement in
lake  quality  and  the  recognition of the need to
determine  appropriate  long-range  strategies with
emphasis   on   a   comprehensive  lake  management
approach.  For further information on the BCRPC 208
Lakes  Restoration  Procram contact:
       Bob Spencer
       Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission
       10 Fenn Street
       Pittsfield, MA  01201
       PHONE: (413)442-1521
                        From ENVIRONMENT NEWS   5/80
           AQUIFER PROTECTION IMPLEMENTED
             IN SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT

 The  Connecticut  towns  of  East Lyme, Waterford.
 Stoningten,  and  Mcntville  have  revised  or are
 currently  revising  their Plans of Development to
 include  the  protection  of  the stratified-drift
 aquifer  within  each  town.   A  stratified-drift
 aquifer  is  a  large  underground sand and gravel
 deposit   of   at  least  ten  feet  in  saturated
 thickness.   Such  an  aquifer  can  supply  50 to
 10,000  gallons  of water per minute, when pumped.
 This  is  a  suitable volume for a municipal water
 supply.

 These  activities  are a result of the realization
 of the need to develop additional sources of water
 supply in the towns and to protect those currently
 in  use.  The implementation of this environmental
 program  is  a  result  of  the aquifer protection
 efforts  funded  by Section 208 of the Clean Water
 Act which is assisting_state and local agencies in
 the development of such regulatory programs.

 In Connecticut, groundwater protection was identified
 as  a  priority  issue  to  be included in the 208
 Water  Quality  Management Planning Program.  This
 is  due  primarily  to  the  fact that very little
 additional  surface  water supply can be developed
 within   the   state   of   Connecticut.   Another
 important  factor  is  that  many  of the existing
 surface water supplies will not meet the stringent
 requirements  recently  set  by  the  federal Safe
 Drinking  Water  Act.   As a result, an increasing
 number   of   communities  find  it  necessary  to
 seriously   consider   groundwater   as  either  a
 supplement to the existing surface water supply or
 as   a   cheap  alternative  to  constructing  the
 expensive   filtration  facilities  necessary  for
those  surface  water  supplies  which do not meet
federal standards.

The  Section 208 water quality management planning
already  completed  has identified and defined  the
groundwater  problems  present in Connecticut.   In
cooperation  with  the  United  States  Geological
Survey,  an  outline and map of the major aquifers
have  been  compiled.  The 208 plan reports on  the
sources of contamination relevant to each aquifer.
By publishing maps of potential pollution sources,
the  208  Program has helped to convince state  and
local  officials that there is, indeed, a problem.
Maps  have  also been published by the 208 Program
which  identify  aquifers  which  currently supply
water  and  those which are potential public water
supplies.    The  recharge  areas  for  all  major
stratified-drift   aquifers  (both  underflow   and
artificial recharge) have also been mapped.

Armed  with  the  necessary background information
and technical assistance, both provided by the  208
Program  the  individual  towns of Connecticut  are
now  able  to  incorporate aquifer protection into
their Plans of Development.

East Lyme is completely dependent upon groundwater
for  its  water  supply.  Realizing this, the Town
has  moved  to  protect these groundwater supplies
and  has re zoned the area around its prime aquifer
from  one  to  two-acre  zones  and has changed an
industrial  zoned  area  to a non-industrial zone.
In  addition, the Four Mile River aquifer has been
transferred  to  state and local ownership as part
of  a  land  parcel  recognized  for its important
resource value.

The  Town  of Waterford, in reviewing and amending
its  zoning  regulations,  will  consider  aquifer
protection.   Special  attention  will  be paid to
industrial  zoning  and  necessary changes will be
made to ensure protection of aquifers.

The  Town  of Stonington has combined its need  for
aquifer  protection with the need to protect flood
plains  and  wetland areas from development.  As a
result,   a   move   has  been  made  to  decrease
population density over aquifers by rezoning these
areas  to  three-acre  residential lots.  The Town
has  also  abolished  an  industrial zone that  was
closer than recommended to an aquifer area.

Mcntville  has also updated and amended its zoning
regulations; its prime intention will be to better
protect its stratified-drift aquifers.

Such  local interest actions point out the success
of the Connecticut 208 Program in implementing  the
strong environmental protection programs recommended
by  the Section 208 water quality management plan.
The  four  examples,  along  with  the regulations
currently being drafted in Sou thington and Durham,
Connecticut,  represent  the  viability of 208  and
the  goals  of  national water quality management.
For   further   information   on  the  groundwater
protection  program of the Connecticut 208 Program
contact:  Mark PoSsidento, Administrator
          Connecticut 208 Program
          P.O. Box 1088
          Middletown, CT  06457
          PHONE: (203)347-3700
                       From ENVIRONMENT NEWS    2/80

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  CAPE OOP TOWNS ACT ON GASOLINE STORAGE PROBLEMS

Nine  Cape  Cod  towns have taken steps to prevent
contamination  of  their  groundwater resources by
acting on recommendations of the Cape Cod 208 plan
to  adopt  special  health  regulations to control
subsurface  storage  of  gasoline and other fuels.
Gasoline  leakage is identified in the "208" Water
Quality  Management Plan for Cape Cod, prepared by
the  Cape  Cod  Planning  and Economic Development
Coimission  (CCPEDC),  as  a major potential water
quality  problem  on  the  Cape, since the area is
totally  dependent  upon groundwater for its water
supply.

CCPEDC  is  the  water quality management planning
agency  for  the  Cape  Cod  area designated under
Section  208  of  the  Clean Water Act.  The Clean
Water  Act  provides a series of programs intended
to protect and improve the quality of the Nation's
water.   Section  208  specifically  calls for the
development  of  areawide water quality management
plans  designed  to  control complex water quality
problems.    Development  of  such  plans  is  the
responsibility of the designated 208 agencies.

The  magnitude  of  the  fuel  storage problems is
evidenced  by  the six major spills that have been
reported  on  Cape Cod within the last three years
involving  a  total  of more than 5,000 gallons of
gasoline.  Ihe principal water supply well for one
town,  Provincetown, has been closed for more than
three years because of a leak at a gas station 500
feet  away  from  the  well.  Costs of cleanup and
emergency  supply  well  construction  due to this
spill  has totaled over $500,000 to date.  The 208
plan  concludes that existing state and local fire
prevention  regulations  are inadequate to control
these  problems  and  recoranends  action  by local
boards   of   health   to   ensure   water  supply
protection.

After  identifying  the priority of the problem in
the  208  plan, the Cape Cod Planning and Economic
Development  Commission  was awarded an additional
208  continuing  planning  grant in October, 1979,
for  groundwater  protection  activities including
developing  a  model  regulation  for  adoption by
local   boards   of  health  to  control  gasoline
storage.

The model regulation developed by CCPEDC includes:
registration  of  tanks  over 900 gallons capacity
with  the  Board  of  Health; testing the tanks to
check   for   leaks;  protecting  the  tanks  from
corrosion;  reporting  of  leaks,  and  removal of
those tanks not deemed product tight.
Five towns have enacted the regulations:  Mashpee,
Barnstable,  Dennis, Brewster, and Harwich.  Draft
regulations have been prepared and public meetings
are  planned  in  Yarmouth,  Eastham, and Chatham.
One  town. Bourne, has chosen to enact a town-wide
general by-law incorporating these recommendations.
The  by-law has been placed on the warrant for its
annual town meeting.

It  is  anticipated that this program will prevent
water  supply  contamination,  by  identifying and
immediately  removing aging and leaking tanks, and
will  prevent  future leaks by requiring corrosion
resistant  tank  construction.   It is the goal of
the  208  agency to have such regulations in place
by all towns by the end of 1980.

For  further  information about the 208 program to
protect  Cape  Cod  towns  from  petroleum storage
problems, please contact:

Paula Magnuson, 208 Project Director
Cape Cod Planning & Economic Development Conmission
1st District Court House
Barnstable, MA  02630
PHONE:  (617) 362-2511 X477

                        From ENVIRONMENT NEWS   6/80
These reconmendations were developed in conjunction
with    industry    representatives   including  the
American  Petroleum Institute,  the National Fire
Prevention  Association,  Ownes  Coming  Co., and
Bethlehem Steel.   Backup  data  was  provided to
boards  of  health through  menbers  of  the  208
regional  advisory committee,  the Cape Cod Water
Resources Council.   Town  boards  of health have
worked  with their  fire  chiefs, water comoissioners,
and CCPEDC staff in drafting regulations appropriate
for their  towns, and  the regulations have been
promulgated   after public hearings as required by
the Massachusetts  General Laws.
                                                        Evalua'
             Hazardous  Waste  Sites;   Connecticut
 Makes Positive Strides
 in   March   of   1979,  ABC  News  televised  the
 documentary "The Killing Ground" which graphically
 depicted  the  horrors  of  improper  disposal  of
 hazardous   wastes  across  the  country.  At  its
 conclusion, there was a list of communities deemed
 to  be  among the worst locations of environmental
 degradation  caused  by  hazardous waste disposal.
 The  inclusion of Southington, Connecticut on this
 list  along  with  the infamous Love Canal and the
 consequent reaction of citizens of Connecticut was

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the  impetus for accelerating the strengthening of
the   hazardous   waste   management   program  in
Connecticut.   Although  subsequent  investigation
proved  that  Southington's  pollution problem did
not  approach  the  magnitude  of  other locations
listed  in  the documentary, this presentation did
serve  to  emphasize the need for proper State and
local  cooperation and pronpted the development of
the 208 Hazardous Waste Site Investigation Manual.

For  the  two  years  previous  to the Southington
incident,  the  Connecticut  208  Program had been
steadily working on the problem of hazardous waste
disposal in the State, especially in regard to its
effect  on  water  pollution,  the Connecticut 208
program,  or  as  it  is  officially  titled,  the
"Connecticut  Areawide  Waste Treatment Management
Planning  Board",  is  authorized and funded under
Section  208  of  the  Federal  Clean  Water  Act.
Section 208 established a Water Quality Management
program  designed specifically to control the most
complex   water  quality  problems  including  the
pollution  of ground and surface water by improper
disposal  of  hazardous  wastes.  The  preliminary
Connecticut  208  studies had confirmed everyone's
worst suspicions; enormous quantities  of  poten-
tially  hazardous  wastes were being generated and
disposed  of with inadequate control or regulation
in Connecticut, as elsewhere in the Nation.
In  July  of  1979,  four  months  after   the  ABC
documentary,   the  Connecticut  General   Assembly
passed  Public  Act 79-605.  Section 13 of the Act
mandated  that  "the  Commissioner  of  Department
Environmental  Protection  (DEP)  shall compile an
inventory  of  any  sites in this state which have
been  used  for toxic or hazardous waste disposal,
and  the types and amounts of such wastes  disposed
of  at  any  such  sites  and  shall  submit  such
inventory  to  the general assembly not later than
January  15,  1980".   Such  an  undertaking was a
complex  project  and,  in the sunnier of 1979, the
staff of the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection began to compile "The Inventory", as it
came  to  be  known,  utilizing  some 14 different
sources   of   information  including  information
gathered  from  the  earlier  208  Program efforts
related  to  industrial waste disposal.  Together,
these sources would serve to provide a comprehensive
picture of hazardous waste generation and disposal
in Connecticut.


As  the summer of 1979 drew to a close, the media
had  begun  to  pay  closer  attention to  the 208
Program in general, the hazardous waste study, in
particular.   In  August  the first 208 hazardous
waste  study output was published, the Industrial
Waste   Generation   and   Disposal  Alternatives
Inventory?Local  reaction was generated by the
report's   conclusion   that  almost  100,000,000
gallons  of  hazardous,  industrial  wastes  were
being  generated  annually in Connecticut.  These
wastes  fall into the following categories:  10.8
million  gallons  of  waste oil (non-automotive),
5.3  million  gallons  of  solvents, 70.1 million
gallons  of  sludge,  and  8.0 million gallons of
chemicals.

The   disposal   practices  associated  with  the
materials differed by category.  Virtually all of
the  waste  oils and solvents were reported to be
reclaimed   or   burned   as  fuel supplements.
 Approximately 84% of the chemicals were reported
to  be taken to private treatment facilities.  Of
the waste sludges, 78% were reported to be stored
or disposed of on-site at the place of generation
with  an  additional 19% being taken to municipal
landfills.

The  "Pre-Inventory Checklist", which is the first
step   in  the  compilation  of  the  "inventory",
developed   by   DEP  for  the  General  Assembly,
contained  a listing of several thousand potential
hazardous   waste   disposal   sites   located  in
virtually  every single town in Connecticut.  With
the   horrors   of   love  Canal  still  fresh  in
everyone's   mind,  the  Connecticut  208  program
recognized   the   need   for   a  massive  public
information  program  to  present  the potentially
explosive   information   in   understandable  and
reasonable light.


What   was  needed  was  a  screening  device  to
separate  out  the  real  problem sites from that
very  large  percentage  of locations that in all
probability  would  pose  no  threat to health or
safety.   It was determined that an uncomplicated
manual  could be developed which could be applied
at  the local level by town health officials.  The
manual,   entitled   the  "Hazardous  Waste  Site
Evaluation  Manual", would provide an overview of
the project and a step-by-step procedure for site
evaluation.

The  208  staff  also conducted training seminars
around  the  State  to  serve the dual purpose of
briefing   local   officials  on  their  role  in
handling   the   hazardous   waste  problem,  and
allowing  local  citizenry,  and  the  media,  to
understand   exactly   what   the  "Pre-Inventory
Checklist" entailed.

In  order  to reach the widest possible audience,
seven seminars  were  planned  across the State.
The  locations  were  selected representing major
industrial  areas,  as these areas would probably
contain  scores  of  the sites on the "Checklist"
and  also   represented  a  major  labor  market
centers.   Carrying this message across the State
also  emphasized  that  this  was a Damon, local
problem.

DEP  sent  copies  of  the  "Checklist"  to local
officials  on  Monday,  February  11,  1980.  The
first 208 workshop was held on Thursday, February
14.   Nearly 100 members of the press, public, and
local  and   State  officials  listened  as  DEP
Commissioner Stanley Pac and 6th District Congress-
man Toby Moffett kicked off the opening session.

A  majority of local elected officials and health
officials  in  the  State of Connecticut attended
the   training  workshops.   Press coverage of the
DEP   Checklist  and the 208 training sessions was
better  than  anyone had hoped.  As a result, the
public  reacted  calmly  and  reasonably  to  the
listing of sites.

As far as the 208 Program and DEP were concerned,
the  entire  effort  was  an outstanding success.
There had been none of the fear, chaos, and panic
that  had  marked  the  Southington episode.   The
major achievement of the workshops and Manual lay

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in  the  fact  that a negative situation had been
turned into a positive one.
Instead  of  an adverse reaction from the public
and especially the local officials, an overwhelming
sense of cooperation in solving a common problem
began  to  develop.   The  manual  and  training
sessions  provided  the techniques and the lines
of  communication  necessary  to  carry  out  an
orderly and efficient site review.

In  May,  1980, the Connecticut General Assembly
passed   an   Act   Concerning  Hazardous  Waste
Facilities.  This Act, which had been drafted by
the 208 program, constitutes landmark legislation
in  that  it provides the mechanism for siting a
hazardous  waste treatment and disposal facility
in the State of Connecticut.

While   the   General  Assembly  considered  the
recently  passed siting legislation, support was
engendered from both industrialists and environ-
mentalists.  Here was a coalition of traditional
opponents,  working  to  solve a common problem.
The  Connecticut  208  Program  is proud to have
served  as  a  facilitator  to such an alliance.
This  is  ultimately  the  success  achieved  in
Connecticut.

The problem, though, is still not solved.  Until
facilities are constructed to properly treat and
dispose  of  Connecticut's hazardous, industrial
wastes,  the threat of a potential environmental
problem is still a very real possibility.

In  May  of  1980,  William  R.  Adams, Regional
Administrator of  EPA, commended the Connecticut
208  Program  for the excellent progress made in
the  area  of hazardous waste disposal planning.
Mr.  Adams  wrote  "The critical issue of proper
disposal  of  hazardous  waste  is  of  priority
concern  not  only  to  Connecticut, and the New
England  Region,  but to the entire nation.  The
Connecticut  208  program has provided ^ssential
and timely hazardous waste planning and{analysis
for  the  State  of  Connecticut; in mapy cases,
Connecticut's innovative approaches in hazardous
waste  disposal  planning  will be providing the
leadership to the New England Region."

For  further  information on the Connecticut 208
Program  dealing  with  hazardous waste disposal
and groundwater protection contact:

                    Mark Possidento, Administrator
                    Connecticut 208 Program
                    Box 1088
                    Middletown, Conn.
                    203-347-3700
                       From ENVIRONMENT NEWS   9/80
       208 FUNDS AID HAZARDOUS HASTE EFFORTS
                 IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Water  quality management planning provided by the
New  Hampshire 208 Program will aid in the process
of   safely  securing  two  potentially  dangerous
hazardous  waste  dump  sites.   The  two disposal
sites,  in  Nashua  and  Raymond,  were  found  to
contain  several  thousand  barrels  of  hazardous
wastes  which  had  been  disposed  of improperly.
Both  sites  could  pose serious threats to public
health.

The Nashua site is a seven-acre sand and gravel pit
containing  discarded  refuse, demolition material,
and  approximately  one thousand 55-gallon drums of
hazardous   wastes.   An  additional  one  thousand
barrels  may  be buried with the demolition debris.
Some  of  these  hazardous  materials are polluting
nearby groundwater.

The Raymond disposal site is only one-quarter acre,
but  it  may contain as many as fifteen hundred 55-
gallon drums  of  hazardous materials, most of them
buried  and  possibly  crushed  on the site.  These
materials  are  polluting  both the groundwater and
surface  water,  and  could  potentially impact the
drinking water supply of a nearby town.

Both sites are located near residential areas which
would  have  to be evacuated in the event of a fire
on site.

The  real and immediate public health dangers which
these sites posed made quick action imperative, and
the  Governor  and  Attorney  General asked the New
Hampshire   Hater   Supply  and  Pollution  Control
Commission   (NHWSPCC)   to   immediately  begin  a
monitoring program at the sites to provide the data
necessary for legal and corrective action.

The  Commission was already involved in groundwater
quality   in   its  208  water  quality  management
planning   program,   and   was   able,   with  EPA
concurrence,  to utilize some of those 208 funds to
quickly  install  test  wells  at a site.  The test
wells were installed to determine the extent of the
groundwater  needed by State officials to determine
the strategy for the pollution control efforts.

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The  New  Hampshire  208  Water  Quality Management
Program  is funded under Section 208 of the Federal
Clean  Water  Act.   The 208 process gives the U.S.
Environmental  Protection Agency (EPA), the States,
and  local governments a potential means of solving
some  of  the  complex water quality problems where
simply applying standard waste treatment technology
might not do the job.  The 208 process helps states
and  local  governments  find  integrated solutions
that deal with both environmental and developmental
matters.

Data  from the test wells installed through the 208
program confirmed the public health threat, and the
State  was  then able to proceed with further legal
action.

The next step was an assessment of the best interim
and final methods to clean up and close the sites.

Again,  the  State 208 program, in cooperation with
EPA,  reacted  quickly and developed the mechanisms
for  assembling  the funds necessary for the study.
The  final  funding package consisted fo $10,000 in
208 funds, §20,000 in Safe Drinking Water Act funds
and  a  $120,000  emergency  appropriation of State
funds.   More  recently,  EPA  provided  additional
funds  through  section  104 of the Clean Water Act
(CWA)  to  expand  the data information base of the
stdy.    The  study  is  now  underway,  and  final
recommendations are expected by the end of 1980.

State  officials  anticipate  that  clean-up at the
Nashua  site  will  involve complete removal of the
surficial  hazardous  materials  and closure of the
site.    Data   from  test  wells  at  Raymond  and
additional  surface  water sampling by EPA resulted
in EPA initiating clean-up action under Section 311
of  the  CWA.   Hydrological  investigations at the
Raymond  site  in  concert with the 311 action will
determine the best method of closure.

State officials concede that without 208 funds they
would not have been able to react as quickly as the
situations  required, and may not have been able to
put  together the final funding package to clean up
the sites.

Further,  the  New  Hampshire officials stated, the
experience gained in dealing with the two hazardous
waste  disposal sites will enable State agencies to
deal much more quickly, efficiently, and economically
with  similar  situations  in  the  future.   Those
savings,  they  say,  will  more than equal the 208
funds expended.  For further information on the 208
hazardous  waste  efforts  in New Hampshire, please
contact:

       Robert Cruess, Assistant Chief Engineer
       New Hampshire 208 Program
       New Hampshire Water Supply
         and Pollution Control Commission
       P.O. Box 95
       Hazen Drive
       Concord, NH  03301
       PHONE: 603-271-3504
       FTS: 8-842-3540
            208 FACILITATES AGRICULTURAL
              BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
As   a  result  of  208  water  quality  management
planning,  additional  programs and  funds  have  been
directed  to  New  England  rural communities.  The
areawide  and  statewide  water  quality management
planning  programs  are conducted under Section 208
of  the Clean Water Act and are intended to protect
and  improve  the  quality  of the nation's waters.
Specific  areas  where agricultural  nonpoint source
pollution  causes  water quality problems  have  been
identified by the 208 process.

For  many  years  prior to the passage of  the Clean
Water  Act,  the U.S. Department of  Agriculture ran
several  cost-sharing programs available to farmers
to  implement conservation practices on farms.  The
Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP), was one of
the  principal  programs  available  to the farmers.
The  1979  amendments to the Clean Water Act called
on  the  Secretary  of Agriculture to establish and
administer  another  program, the Rural Clean Water
Program  (RCWP).   This  program is  a federal cost-
sharing program  with  individual  farm  owners and
operators for the implementation of  best management
practices (BMP's) which are in accordance with a 208
Water  Quality  Plan.   Unlike  the  ACP, only those
farmers  within  the  specific  areas identified as
having  an  agricultural  nonpoint source  pollution
problem  would  be  eligible  to participate in the
cost-sharing program.

Best   management  practices  or  BMP's  are  those
practices geared to the control of nonpoint sources
of  water pollution.  They are formulated  primarily
for   the   improvement  and  protection   of  water
quality,  and  secondarily  for the  optimization of
farm productivity.

Recently,  several  agricultural  interests  in New
England  have benefited from the efforts of the 208
Program.   State 208 planners identified watersheds
in  Maine,  New Hampshire, and Connecticut as areas
of  high  priority  for water quality improvements.
These  areas  applied for funding through  the Rural
Clean   Water Program.  Because of funding uncertain-
ties  of  the RCWP, the applications were  submitted
under  the ACP Program.  After federal review these
areas  were  selected from a nationwide competition
as  ACP  Special  Project  areas  and  were granted
additional  money  from  the  ACP  National Reserve
Fund.

Aroostook  County,  Maine,  received an additional
$300,000  from  ACP  to  investigate and  eliminate
nonpoint   source  pollution  due  to  agricultural
erosion   and   sedimentation.   The Little  River
Watershed in Connecticut has received an additional
$80,000 from the National Reserve Fund and Cheshire
County,  New Hampshire has received  $25,000.  Water
quality  management  plans  in both  Cheshire County
and  the  Little River Watershed are being prepared
to  reduce  water  quality  problems resulting  from
animal wastes.

The  implementation  of  best  management  practices
will  benefit  the  farmer,  his customers, and the
environment.   The  plans  being  developed will be
more  cost  effective  and environmentally sound as

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                ••
they are directed  toward water quality improvements.
The  programs in Connecticut and New Hampshire will
enable  the  farmer  to manage  application of manure
in  order  to  maximize  the  amount  of  nutrients
retained on the farmland and minimize the pollution
of  local waters.  Implementing the BMP's developed
by  the  Maine program will  reduce  soil erosion  and
sedimentation from agricultural lands thus pre-
venting  fertilizers  and  pesticides from entering
nearby waters.

The  successful  implementation  of these necessary
practices  can  be  attributed to the assistance of
the   208   planning  process  and  its  role   in
identJLflying such  nonpoint source pollution problems.
For  further  information  on  these 208  activities,
please contact:

      Mark Possidento, Administrator
      208 Program
      P.O. Box 1088
      Middletown,  CT  06457
      Phone: 203-347-5407

      Robert Cruess, Planning  Director
      New Hampshire  208 Program
      Hazen Drive
      Concord, NH  03301
      Phone: 602-271-5303

      James Barresi, Executive Director
      Northern Maine Regional  Planning Commission
      McElwain House
      Caribou, ME  04736
      Phone: 271-498-8736
                       From ENVIRONMENT HEWS   3/80
       VEBMONT 208 PBDGRftH Bgpmr.THHRS LOGGING
     EROSION CONTROL PROCESS WITH TIMBER INDUSTRY

 Due  to the rising demands for both timber products
 and  firewood,  Vermont's  forests ace coming under
 increasing   pressure.    Soil   erosion   and  the
 resulting  degradation of water quality are serious
 adverse  impacts  that  can  result  from  careless
 timber  harvesting  practices.  Since approximately
 75% of Vermont's land area is considered ccnmercial
 forest  land, minimizing erosion from silvicultural
 practices   is   essential   to   the  State  water
 protection program.

 In  developing  Vermont's  Hater Quality Management
 Plan,  State  208 Hater Quality Planners identified
 silvicultural  runoff  as  a priority problem to be
 addressed  in the planning process.  Die aim of the
 water  quality  management  planning is to identify
 the  sources  and the extent of water pollution and
 to  identify  the  methods  of controlling nonpoint
 source   pollution   resulting  from  silvicultural
 activities in Vermont.

 In  a unique effort to control erosion from logging
 jobs,   the  Vermont  208  Program  worked  out  an
 educational  program  and  self-policing  agreement
 between  the Vermont logging industry and the State
 Agency  of  Environmental  Conservation.   The  208
 Hater  Quality  Management  Planning  Program  is a
 result  of  the  Federal  Clean  Hater Act (CWA) of
 1972.   The  CHA  provides  a  series  of  programs
 intended  to protect and improve the quality of the
 nation's  waters.  Specifically, Section 208 of the
 Act  calls  for  the  development of areawide water
 quality   management   plans  designed  to  control
 complex  water  quality  problems.   Designated 208
 planning  areas  within  each  state  work with the
 state  water  quality management agency and the EPA
 to  develop areawide plans which delineate a course
 of  implementation  and management .of water quality
 programs.

 In  1977,  the  Secretary  of the Vermont Agency of
 Environmental   Conservation   appointed   the  208
 Forestry Runoff Committee and made them responsible
 for  developing  a  silvicultural  nonpoint  source
 plan.   The Committee was to identify the problems,
 examine  the  research data, review the adequacy of
 existing   laws   and  regulations,  and  recommend
 implementable  solutions  for  controlling nonpoint
 source   foresty runoff.  The recommendations de-
 veloped by this study were the basis of the Vermont
 208  Forestry  Plan.  The Vermont 208 Forestry Plan
 was  then certified by the Governor and approved by
 EPA in 1979.
Under  the State Hater Quality Plan for Controlling
Silivicultural  Non-Point   Source  Pollution,  the
Vermont  Timber  Truckers and Producers Association
(VTTPA)  divided  the state into three sections and
elected a three-man committee in each section.  All
complaints   concerning  a  logging  related  water
quality  problem  are  referred  to the Chief Water
Resource Investigator at the Agency of Environmental
Conservation.    If  the  problem  is  sufficiently
serious,  the Vermont Timber Truckers and Producers
Association  is  notified  and  the three-man VTEPA
committee  visits  the  logger  responsible for the
complaint  to  encourage him to resolve the problem
with appropriate erosion control practices.  Within
four  days  of  receiving the initial complaint the

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canmittee   chairman   notifies   the  Chief  Water
Resource  Investigator and describes the results of
the  meeting  with  the  logger.   The  State Hater
Resource  Investigator  only  becomes  involved  in
onsite   visits   to   loggers   when  the  logging
industry's  self-policing effort is unsuccessful in
bringing  about  a  solution.   This  self-policing
program began immediately after the Governor signed
the   State  Water  Quality  Plan  for  Controlling
Silvicultural  Nonpoint Source Pollution on July 5,
1979.   Since then committees have met with loggers
on many occasions and satisfactorily resolved water
quality  problems  by  encouraging  the use of best
management practices.

Although  the  program  has not been in effect long
encough  to  judge its overall effectiveness, state
water  resource  investigators  have reported a new
attitude  and higher level of responsibility on the
part  of loggers who have been contacted.  Problems
encountered   have   been   resolved   quickly  and
efficiently.

A second part of the Silvicultural Plan calls for a
vigorous  educational  and  informational approach.
There  are  four projects involved in this section.
The  first  is  a standard erosion control handbook
for  loggers,  landowners,  VTTPA  oanmitteemen and
Water  Resource  Investigators.   The  second  is a
series of erosion control workshops for loggers and
landowners.   The  third element in the educational
portion  of  the  plan  is a program of television,
radio,  newspaper  and  newsletter 'coverage of the
problems   and   solutions;   the   fourth  is  the
circulation of model timber sale contracts.
Workshops for loggers were held in 1978 and 1979 as
a   means   of   providing  technical  information,
demonstrations,   a   review   of  legislation  and
assistance   regarding  the  control  of  non-point
source  runoff  control  from logging activities in
the  state.  Evaluation forms completed by workshop
particpants  revealed  the  huge  success  of these
activities.    One  survey  revealed " an  increased
application  of best management practices following
a logger workshop.

Vermont  intends  to  continue  its present program
with  the  expectation that the documented increase
in  the  use  of  best  management  practices  will
continue  to  occur  with  gentle  prodding through
self-policing  and  intensive  educational program.
Such  an  increase  will  consequently  improve the
water  quality  of  the  area  by  eliminating  the
deleterious effects of Silvicultural runoff.

Far further information on the Vermont 208 Forestry
Plan, please contact:

              Stephan Syz
              208 Program Coordinator
              Vermont Department
                of Water Resources
              Montpelier, VT  05602
              PHONE: 802-828-2761
              FTS: 8-832-2761
                       From ENVIRONMENT NEWS   10/8U
One important component of the educational approach
to  reduce  erosion  is  the  development  of  best
management  practices  (EMPs)  in  the form of non-
mandatory guidelines.   BMP's  are  those practices
geared  to the control of nonpoint sources of water
pollution.   They  are formulated primarily for the
improvement  and  protection  of water quality and,
with  respect  to silviculture, secondarily for the
optimization  of  forested  lands.   The guidelines
include  a  review  of  existing  State  laws,  the
resources  available  for technical assistance, and
specifications for construction design and layout of
erosion control devices.
     WATER QUALITY PLANNERS EXPERIMENT WITH THE
          RECYCLING OF SEPEHSE AS FERTILIZER
                                                        Many Massachusetts communities suffer  from the  lack
                                                        of  an  approved  method  of septage disposal.  The
                                                        Town of Gill,  in western Massachusetts,  is one  such
                                                        town.    The   success  of  their   innovative  water
                                                        quality  plan   concerning  the  land application  of
                                                        septage  was   due  primarily  to Section 208 of the
                                                        federal   Water  Quality   Pollution  Control  Act
                                                        Amendments of  1972.

                                                        The  Clean  Water  Act  (CWA)  provides  a series  of
                                                        programs   intended  to  protect   and  improve  the
                                                        quality  of  the  nation's  waters.    Specifically,
                                                        Section 208 of the Act calls for the development  of
                                                        areawide water quality management  plans  designed  to
                                                        control complex water  quality problems.   Designated
                                                        208  planning  areas  within each state  work with the
                                                        state  water   quality  management agency  and the EPA
                                                        to develop areawide plans which delineate a course
                                                        of implementation   and management of  water quality
                                                        programs.    After   being  approved by   the   local
                                                        communities,   the  state and EPA 208 plans serve  as
                                                        the   blueprint for  all  regional water quality
                                                        related activities.

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-
The   septage  which  must  be  dealt  with  is   the
material  which  is pumped out of individual septic
tanks.    The  preferred method of disposal has  been
co-treatment    in  municipal  wastewater  treatment
plants  along  with sewage from sanitary sewer lines.
However,  many   communities  with  such  plants are
begining  to  refuse wastes from neighboring towns,
doe   to  biological  incompatabilities  between the
added septage and the sewage already in the system.

The   Town  of  Gill,  although it has access to the
Montague treatment facilities, decided to attempt a
pioneer  recycling  of  septic tank, material.   Alan
Sharaf,   the   Director  of  the  Franklin  County
Planning  Department,  a  non-designated  208   area
agency, was the primary force in the realization of
this  project.    Sharaf, along with Malcolm Hill of
the   Franklin  County Cooperative Extension and the
Gill  Board  of Health, developed and implemented a
plan  for land  application.  The initial funds  were
provided  by  Section  208,  and the County's Water
Quality  Advisory  Board  lent  additional support,
also  a  result of 208.

Septage  from  Gill, Montague and surrounding towns
is brought to an isolated 300 acre lagoon off River
Road  in Gill  by six area septage hauling companies.
The   facility  is  designed  to  hold  a maximum of
200,000  gallons  of septage.  During this one  year
demonstration,    septage  will  be  collected  from
September  to  April  and stored in the lagoon.  It
will  then be applied to agricultural land in April
where  it will  fulfill the nitrogen requirements of
a  silage  corn  crop.  Septage will continue to be
collected  from  April  to  September and after the
harvest  will  again  be applied to support a cover
crop  of rye.

Septage will  be analyzed by the State Department of
Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE)  Laboratory
in  Lawrence  prior to application for heavy metals,
pathogens  and  nutrients.   Heavy metal content  will
be monitored  but  is  not expected to be a problem
since   it is  significantly below that of  industrial
wastewaters.  Pathogens can be  rendered harmless  by
proper  management practices.  Test wells have  been
dug  and   will   be monitored to prevent groundwater
pollution and  the  lagoon  is isolated enough so not
to cause  an odor problem.
 A   complete  analysis  of   this  project  will  be
 available  fron the 208 agency  in the fall of 1980.
 Such  results   will be  used   to  help clarify and
 develop  state  policy  and  guidelines for the land
 application of  septage  that  may open the way for
 recycling  the  nutrients  contained  in  it.   The
 Massachusetts   DEQE hopes that the results of this
 project  will  demonstrate that  the land application
 of   septage  is  an environmentally  sound, cost-
 efficient septage alternative for certain communi-
 ties.

 A  state policy concerning land application will be
 an  important  product of the 208 program in that it
 will   be  an   attractive  option  for  communities
 without  access  to wastewater  treatment plants and
 also those that have expressed  an interest in en-
 lightened resource management practices.
 For  further information please contact:

 Dave Terry
 Massachusetts Department of Environmental
   Quality Engineering
 100  Cambridge Street
 Boston, MA  02202
 PHONE:  (617)727-7436
                        From ENVIRONMENT NEWS   12/79
         DEVELOPING SEPTAGE DISPOSAL POLICY
                   IN MASSACHUSETTS
During  the  development of the Massachusetts Water
Quality   Management   Plan   in  1979,  the  state
Department  of  Environmental  Quality  Engineering
(DEQE) recognized that the lack of state - approved
septage  disposal  sites was creating a major water
quality  problem.   Illegal and unmonitered septage
disposal  practices caused pollution of both ground
and   surface   waters   of   the  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.   Septage  is  the treatment residue
from septic systems.

Therefore, DEQE proposed to develop a comprehensive
state-wide  septage  management policy as the first
step   in   resolving   this   problem.   EPA  also
recognized  the  need  to develop such a policy and
provided   DEQE  with  Section  208  Water  Quality
Management Planning funding to assist in the actual
development of the policy.

This  Water  Quality Management Planning funding is
authorized  under  Section  208  of the Clean Water
Act.    The  Act  provides  a  series  of  programs
intended  to protect and improve the quality of the
nation's water.  Section 208 specifically calls for
the development of areawide water quality manage-
ment   plans  designed  to  control  complex  water
quality problems.

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In  1978,  the DEQE 208 staff organized the Septage
Task Force composed of staff from various state and
local  agencies  and  charged  the  task force with
developing  the  framework  for policy formulation.
The  task  force  approved  a method for projecting
septage  generation,  reviewed the issue of septage
handling with Construction Grants Program personnel
and  developed  a  comprehensive  state  policy for
septage disposal.

The  septage  disposal policy developed through the
208  program  addressed four key issues.  The first
point  is  the  identification  of  co-treatment of
septage  at  wastewater  treatment  plants  as  the
preferred  method of septage disposal in the state.
The second  concerns  the guidelines that are ueing
developed   by   DEQE  for  those  areas  where co-
treatment of  septage  is  not possible, desirable,
cost-effective  or  for  some  other reason not the
preferred   option  of  septage   management.   The
guidelines   will  include  acceptable  alternative
septage treatment technologies and will specify the
safeguards  that  must  be  taken in order to avoid
ground   and   surface  water  pollution,  nuisance
conditions  or  other  detrimental  impacts  of  an
alternative septage management technology.

The third issue is the continuation of research and
demonstration  efforts  for  both  improved septage
handling  facilities  at municipal sewage treatment
works and alternative methods of septage treatment.
The  fourth  and  final  point  of  the policy is a
result of the time necessary for the implementation
of  the  first  three  points.   During the several
years  it  will take to institute preferred septage
disposal  methods,  alternative temporary solutions
to   septage  treatment  will  be   enacted.   Such
temporary  methods  include  aerobic  and anaerobic
lagoons  and/or  other facilities that will provide
adequate  treatment  of   septage.   Guidelines  to
regulate  these  temporary solutions are also being
developed by DHQt;.

DEQE  has  transmitted  this  policy to EPA and has
asked DEQE regional staffs bo distribute the policy
to  boards of health and treatment plant operators.
The layout of this policy is only the first step in
developing  a comprehensive state-wide plan to deal
with septage disposal in Massachusetts.  Because of
this,  the Commissioner has asked the DBQE Division
of  Water  Pollution  Control  to undertake several
activities.   These  projects  will be conducted by
the  original  task force set up for the purpose of
developing the policy.

The  first  activity  is  to collect available data
regarding  the  capability of existing and proposed
publicly  owned treatment works to accept and treat
septage for current or expanded service areas.  The
second   calls  for  an  examination  of  equitable
mechanisms  in  order  to  induce  towns  to accept
septage from neighboring towns, where the technical
capability exists  to  do so.  The third will be to
develop or collect model Memoranda of Understanding
for  formalizing  arrangements  between towns.  And
fourth,  the  Commissioner  has  requested that the
task   force  develop  regulations  for  acceptable
alternative   septage   management   practices  for
application  where  co-treatment  is  not possible.
The  208  program is  also involved in this latter
aspect of the policy.  The 208 program has provided
      8
 both  funds  and technical studies to assist in the
 attainment fo DEQE's goals.

 DEyE Commissioner  Anthony Cortese  recently stated
 tjiat   "the   development  of  this  policy  is  an
 important  step  in  alleviating  the water quality
 problem  resulting from unapproved septage disposal
 sites.   Until  this  policy existed, the state had
 requested  the  cessation  of unregulated disposal,
 but   a   clear  statement  regarding  a  preferred
 alternative  had  not  been available.  This policy
 will  enumerate the options available, direct towns
 to  neighboring plants that will accept their waste
 and eventually lead to an environmentally, economi-
 cally  and  politically sound procedure for septage
 disposal."  For further information please contact:

 Dave Terry
 Massachusetts Department of Environmental
   Quality Engineering
 100 Cambridge Street
 Boston, MA  02202
 PHONE: (617)727-7436

                      From ENVIRONMENT NEWS   7-8/80
   THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION/
      MAINTENANCE PROGRAM ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD

Martha's Vineyard is a 100 square mile island lying
five miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The  Island is divided into six towns each of which
has  its  own  government.  The local economy, once
based  on  fanning,  now  centers  on  tourism  and
services,  and  construction  as  it relates to the
resort   industry.    Bach   summer,   the  tourist
population  swells the normal year round population
of 9,000 to 54,000.

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The   tourists  oome to Martha's Vineyard because of
its  beauty,  its unhurried way of life, and its high
quality  water.   Martha's  Vineyard  currently has
high quality groundwater to drink.   It has over 60
miles  of beaches and approximately 3,000 acres of
shellfish area  open  to  the general public.  The
residents of  Martha's  Vineyard  have expressed a
strong   desire to protect these valuable resources.
In   future    years,  year-round   population  will
increase, more  hones  will  be  built,  and  more
tourists  will  visit the Island to escape from the
traffic and  pressures of the mainland.  The current
absence  of   major  water quality problems, coupled
with  increased  pressure  on  its  water resources
emphasized   the   need   for  good  water  quality
management planning.  The impetus for such planning
was   Section  208  of  the Clean Water Act (CWA) of
1972.   Through  the  CWA,  local  areas,  such  as
Martha's Vineyard were provided a unique opportunity
to  plan  and  develop  a  comprehensive program to
protect  their  water  resources.   Since all water
supplies  are  drawn  from  wells  in  groundwater
underlying  soils of high porosity, it is necessary
to   regulate   the  materials  placed  above  such
resources.

The   initial  208 study identified land use zoning,
on-lot disposal systems, the siting of fuel storage
facilities,    solid   waste   disposal  facilities,
septage  disposal  sites,  large  wells,  and other
activities   which  were  existing  or  potentially
harmful  to   its  water   resource.   The  Martha's
Vineyard  208  study  has  initiated  programs  to
mitigate each of these problems.

The  208 Water Quality Management Plan revealed that
due  to "improper design, installation and maintenance,
on-lot  disposal  systems  are undoubtedly the most
serious  threat  to the Island's ground and surface
water".  Except for the downtown area of Bdgartown,
Martha's  Vineyard  residents  rely  primarily upon
7,000  septic  system  and  cess pools for treating
their  wastewater.  The downtown business districts
of  both Oak Bluffs and Tisbury experience problems
of  failing   or  inadequate septic facilities.  The
problems are  principally  due to location on small
lots   which    do   not  allow  for  expansion  or
rehabilitation  of  the  system, or to very limited
elevation above  the groundwater table.  For these
two    areas,  the  208  study  reconmended  limited
wastewater collection and small wastewater treatment
facilities.    For  the remainder of these two towns
as well as the Towns of West Tisbury, Chilmark, and
Gay   Head,  the  Marth's  Vineyard  Commission  had
determined  if on-lot disposal systems are properly
sited  and cared for, and, if densities of disposal
systems are  appropriate, it is entirely possible to
utilize  these  systems into the foreseeable future
without  adverse  impacts  on  the  Island's  water
resources.    This  solution  is  by  far  the  most
economical solution to Martha's Vineyard's wastewater
problems.
To implement  these   recommendations,   the Towns of
Oak  Bluffs  and Tisbury have retained  the services
of  consultants to develop  cost-effective solutions
for  those areas of  their towns  that need sewering.
The   Martha's   Vineyard   Commission   received  an
additional  one-year 208   grant to  work  with  local
Boards  of  Health to help  initiate  a septic system
inspection  and  maintenance program.   This-program
is  intended  to limit the  need  for  sewering and to
help  ensure  that septic systems function properly
and protect the water resources in the remainder of
Oak  Bluffs and Tisbury as well as the Town of West
Tisbury, Chilmark, and Gay Head.  A minimum of four
factors  which  affect  the  operation and expected
life  of subsurface disposal systems were addressed
by  this  program.   They include location, design,
installation and maintenance.

The first problem that had to be solved was to find
an environmentally safe way to handle septage.  The
five  towns had no acceptable way of handling their
septage  and  were  disposing of it at open pits at
their  respective  town   landfills.   Tisbury  was
especially  vulnerable,  as  its  septage pits were
located  within 600 feet of the town's public water
supply well.  Massachusetts Department of Environ-
mental  Quality Engineering (DBQE) has been putting
pressure  on  the  five  towns  for  many  years to
provide  adequate  septage  treatment  and disposal
facilities.   This  pressure by the State was based
not  only  on  their  concern for water quality but
also  their  concern  for public health and safety.
Massachusetts  DEQE  had advised each of the towns,
informally,  that  they  must  cease  disposing  of
septage   in   landfill   receiving pits.  The con-
sultants  for  two  towns  are currently evaluating
long-term  solutions for septage disposal.  It will
take  several  years to develop and implement these
solutions.   In  the  interim,  the local Boards of
Health were quite hesitant to become involved in an
inspection/maintenance  program  until there was an
acceptable way to handle septage.  To overcome this
obstacle, the 208 manager for the Martha's Vineyard
Commission  worked  with the local Boards of Health
to  find environmentally safe interim solutions for
septage  disposal.   This  effort  has  been  quite
successful.    Massachusetts   DBQE   has  approved
interim  solutions for temporary septage lagoons in
Tisbury and West Tisbury and is currently reviewing
a   proposed  interim  solution  for  Oak BlufL:,
Chilmark  and  Gay  Head  are  disposing  of  their
septage in a sealed lagoon that does not impact its
water resources.

With  environmentally  acceptable interim solutions
for  septage  disposal,  the local Boards of Health
were  quite  enthused  to  work  with  the Martha's
Vineyard  Commission  in  developing inspection and
maintenance   programs.   The  next  task  the  208
manager undertook was to work with the local Boards
of  Health  to  help  them develop the expertise to
ensure   all   new   septic  systems  are  properly
designed,  sited,  and  installed.   The final task
dealt  with  developing  an  inspection/maintenance
program  in  the  five towns designed to detect and
correct   failing   systems  and  to  continue  the
operation   of  those  systems  which  are  working
adequately.   The  emphasis  of  this septic system
program  was  placed on strict adherence to Title V
of  the Massachusetts Environmental Code.  In order
that  the  Boards of Health might better understand
the  requirements  of  the  Code,  and consequently
apply   them  in  their  decision-making,  the  208
manager  launched  an  educational  program for the
Board members.

As  a result of the 208 grant, a plan was developed
outlining  priority  septic system inspection areas
in  all towns.  An inspection form was designed and
a  workshop  for  sanitary inspectors was conducted
demonstrating  percolation  tests, deep observation
holes,  and  other Environmental Code requirements.

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The need for a continuing septic system maintenance
program was stressed and initiated.
A  filing  system  was  initiated  with   the local
boards  of health to record the physical properties
of  each  septic  system  and the frequency of pump
outs.   Point  of  origin pump out certificates are
being  issued  by  the  boards  of  health for this
latter  purpose.   The  intention  is  to  identify
failing  and  near-failing systems by means of pump
out frequency.

"Septic  Systems  and  their Maintenance", a manual
for  property  owners,  board  of  health  members,
pumpers,  and  installers was written, printed, and
distributed  in  quantity.   There  have  been many
favorable   comments   regarding  this  publication
because   it  is  readable  and  useable  by  local
residents and public officials.

Tisbury has became the model town an the Island for
this  program.   With the completion of its septage
disposal  facility,  it  is  recording  pump  outs,
analyzing  frequencies,  and following up potential
failures.   It  is in the process of sectioning the
town  into  a mandatory pump out frequency schedule
based  upon  the  incentive  of  a  tax  rebate for
performance.   The  Board  of  Health has also been
successful  in  regulating  and  containing problem
installations.

The  Town  of  West  Tisbury  instituted a pump out
permit   program   in   July   of   1979  with  the
installation   of  a  make-shift  septage  disposal
facility.

The  Town  of Chilmark instituted a pump out permit
system  this  past spring.  Such a system checks to
make  sure  that individual homeowners periodically
clean  out  their  septic  systems.   The  Board of
Health  sends  out  cards that must be completed by
the firm that does the pumping.  This program hopes
to  prevent  overloading and back up of the systems
and  the  consequent  groundwater  pollution.   The
inspection/maintenance  program  in  this  town  is
effective  and  is  conscientiously administered by
the Board of Health.

The  Town  of  Gay  Head  shares a qualified septic
inspector  with  Chilmark.   This  town's  Board of
Health   has  a  strong  comnitment  to  the  State
Environmental   Code.   Failures  and  questionable
applications   for   disposal   works   construction
permits  are  worked through private engineers.   No
pump  out permitting program has been begun,  but it
is on the Board's agenda.


Oak  Bluffs  has a serious septage disposal problem
which  precludes  emphasis  on maintenance pumping.
The  design  of  a  facultative  lagoon system  was
approved  by  the local Board of Health and sent to
the  State DBQE.  Construction is expected to begin
this  summer  and upon its completion,  the pump  out
monitoring   program,   begun  last  year,  can   be
reinstated.

The instituation of these inspection/maintenance/re-
habilitation  programs  in  the  Towns  of Martha's
Vineyard represent an important step in controlling
water  pollution  on  the  Island.  Each program is
effective and each successful resolution strengthens
the  208  program  through  local  experience.   The
continuing  success of the 208 program  ensures that
the  waters  of  the  Island will remain drinkable,
fishable, and swiranable.

For   further  information  on  the  septic   system
inspection/maintenance program, please  contact:

            Bill Maravell
            Martha's Vineyard
              208 Project Manager
            Box 1447
            Oaks Bluff, MA  02557
            PHONE: 617-693-3453
                       From EMVTBONMENT NEHS  11/80

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                                   APPENDIX
                             208 Planning Agencies
James Friedlander, Exec. Dir.
Greater Portland COG
331 Veranda Street (3rd Floor)
Portland, ME  04103
PHONE:  207-774-9891

Brian Chernack, Exec. Dir.
Southern Maine RPC
Box Q - 2 School Street
Sanford, ME  04073
PHONE:  207-324-2952
Karl Hekler, Director
Berkshire County RPC
10 Fenn Street
Pittsfield, MA  01201
PHONE:  413-442-1521

Joseph Hannon, Director
Northern Middlesex Area Com.
144 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA  01852
PHONE:  617-454-8021
James Barresi, Exec. Dir.
Northern Maine RPC
McElwain House
2 Main Street
Caribou, ME  04736
PHONE:  207-498-8736

John Jaworski, Exec. Dir.
Androscoggin Valley RPC
70 Court Street
Auburn, ME  04210
PHONE:  207-622-7146

Robert E. Robes, Exec. Dir.
Cape Cod Planning & Economic
 Development Commission
1st District Court House
Barnstable, MA  02630
PHONE:  617-362-2511 X477

Alexander V. Zaleski, Exec. Dir.
Southeastern Regional Planning
 Economic Development District
Town Hall Annex
Marion, MA  02738
PHONE:  617-748-2100

William H. Newton, Exec. Dir.
Central Mass. RPC
70 Elm Street
Worcester, MA  01609
PHONE:  617-756-7717
Daniel Crane, Exec. Dir.
Old Colony Planning Council
9 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA  02401
PHONE:  617-583-1833

Ronald Mechur, Exec. Dir.
Martha's Vineyard Com.
Box 1447
Oak Bluffs, MA  02557
PHONE:  617-693-3453

Mohammed H. Khan, Exec. Dir.
Montachusett RPC
150 Main Street
Fitchburg, MA  01420
PHONE:  617-345-7376

Donald E. Megathlin, Exec. Dir.
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
44 School Street
Boston, MA  02108
PHONE:  617-523-2454

K.M. Munnich, Exec. Dir.
Lower Pioneer Valley RPA
26 Central Street
West Springfield, MA  01089
PHONE:  413-739-5387

Richard Gladstone, Exec. Dir.
Merrimack Valley Planning Com.
5 Washington Street
Haverhill, MA  01830
PHONE:  617-374-0519

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                              208 COORDINATORS
CONNECTICOT
MAINE
MASSACHUSETTS
NEW HAMPSHIRE
RHODE ISLAND
VERMONT
Mark Possidento, Administrator
Areawide Waste Treatment Management Board
209 Court Street
P.O. Box 1088
Middletown, CT  06457
PHONE:  203-347-3700
  FTS:  8-244-2000

Al Prysunka, Director
Evaluation and Planning Division
Department of Environmental Protection
Ray Building
Hospital Street
Augusta, ME  04333
PHONE:  207-289-2591
  FTS:  8-868-2591

Daniel P. McGillicuddy, Chief Planner
Department of Environmental Quality Engineering
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA  02202
PHONE:  617-727-7770

Robert A. Cruess, P.E.
Assistant Chief Engineer - Administrator
Water Supply and Pollution Control Commission
Hazen Drive
Concord, NH  03301
PHONE:  603-271-3503
  FTS:  8-842-3398

Victor Parmentier, Project Manager
Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program
265 Melrose Street
Providence, RI  02907
PHONE:  401-277-2656

Steven Syz, 208 Coordinator
Division of Environmental Engineering
Agency of Environmental Conservation
State Office Building
Montpelier, VT  05602
PHONE:  802-828-3130
  FTS:  8-832-3130

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