Dear Editor: 

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is proposing a set of rules that would require homeowners on the South Coast, Cape Cod, and the islands to replace their septic systems with the latest nitrogen-filtering technology to reduce nitrogen-rich wastewater runoff that stimulates algae growth harmful to plants and animals in local waters. Before any proposed rules go into effect, homeowners deserve answers to the following questions.  

What research has been done in determining the contribution of golf courses, farms, and cranberry bogs to the overall nitrogen load of the Buzzards Bay watershed? What factors influence how much nitrogen is getting downstream? Is there significant variation in nutrient runoff from one golf course, one farm, or one cranberry bog to the next, when considering similar fertilizer and water applications? 

What are the biggest factors influencing nitrogen discharge off of golf courses, farms, and cranberry bogs concerning the Buzzards Bay Watershed? How and to what extent is our groundwater impacted by the location of golf courses, farms, and cranberry bogs? 

What research, if any, quantifies the trends and patterns of nitrogen loads from the atmosphere relative to those of other nitrogen sources over a century? 

Finally, where is the data coming from to determine nitrogen percentages in the watershed? Towns along the South Coast, Cape Cod, and the islands deserve answers to make prudent decisions on where and how to invest money to bring down nitrogen pollution. 

Public hearings end January 30^th, to register for a remote session in advance go to: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9hhEmYWWTSqq_UZf8suOgQ 

Sincerely, 

Eileen J. Marum, Marion