HomeMy WebLinkAboutCanoe River Comm Annual Report 1989uifer
Canoe River
Aquifer Advisory Committee
417 Bay Street
South Easton MA 02375
(508) 238-3641.
ANNUAL REPORT
1989
On February 12, 1989, Wheaton College hosted the first Canoe
River Winter Awareness Day. The purpose was to officially present
IEP's "Canoe River Aquifer Regional Protection -Plan". The plan,
which contains geographical information and maps of the aquifer,
recommends strategies that will insure water supply protection.
Chris Clarke, lawyer/planner from the environmental consulting firm,
IEP, explained the significance of the regional plan and its role
as a guideline to aquifer protection. Jude Hutchinson from the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) also spoke on the
importance of CRAAC and how the committee is.being used as an
example of regional cooperation.
In March, CRAAC cosponsored a land use coursewith the -Natural
Resources Trust of Easton. Robert Lemire, an investment advisor
and land use consultant, taught a course at Wheaton College titled,
"Saving What Needs to be Saved and Building What Needs to be Built".
This course focused on creative land development with regard to the
environment. As a result of Lemire's course, a Land Use Conference
is being planned for March 3, 1990 at Wheaton College. The Land
Trusts of Easton, Mansfield, and Norton and MassCLEAN are helping
CRAAC sponsor this program. The program is directed towards land-
owners, whose names were obtained from a parcel base map of the
aquifer. The map was made possible by a Riverways Grant from the
Division of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Law Enforcement
(DFWELE). The emphasis of the conference will be on how to safely
develop land while protecting the environment and how estate planning,
using conservation easements, can provide financial benefits.
A second Spring Awareness Day.;was held May 6, 1989, at the
Mansfield Fish and Game Club. After coffee and donuts,.provided by
Gary Eagan's Honey Dew, volunteers began a river clean up. An
informational program followed. Maria VanDusen from the DFWELE
presented Adopt -a -Stream certificates to the Easton Water Workers,
Easton Rod and Gun Club, and Norton Webelo Pack 27. These groups
-hose.to watch over a portion of the Canoe River. Mansfield's
Women of Today then provided lunch, which was followed by canoe rides,
courtesy of the Easton Recreational Department. A third Spring
Awareness Day is planned for May 5, 1990.
Cynthia Bellamy from DEP spoke to CRAAC on the misuse of waste
` motor oil. She discussed the state's efforts to develop regional
collection centers and public education programs. The committee
pointed out to her that member, William Hardin, has filed a waste
motor oil bill with Representative Vernon. If passed, the bill
would allow communities to license the sale of motor oil and to use
the money to pay for a recycling facility. Also, Foxborough's
Board of Health is currently enforcing Massachusetts regulations
requiring every business selling motor oil to have a collection
facility and to accept returned used oil free from a customer with
a sales receipt. The committee has informed other member towns of
Foxborough's endeavor. Easton, Mansfield, and Norton are now
enforcing the law.
Illegal dumping is also a topic of concern. The dumping of
debris, oil, gasoline, etc. in sensitive land areas can seriously
impact water supplies. Such a problem existed in the Red Mill Road
area of the aquifer. Upon notification, selectmen in Easton and
Norton have closed the road, and the area has been cleaned.
All towns have been affected by the.state's budget cuts. Towns
are losing a lot more than local aid. Programs related to the
protection and regulation of water supplies are tied into the
environmental aspect of the state budget. Loss of grant monies and
cut backs in environmental agencies will most certainly take its
toll. CRAAC has expressed its concern to the Legislature. It is
(--dmportant for all concerned to realize that water supply protection
osts less than cleaning up a contaminated supply. To lose state
aid and support agencies increases the financial and enforcement
burden of every municipality in implementing watersupply protection.
The Winter Company (TWC), a government and media relations firm,
has offered pro bono services to CRAAC. The committee is presently
working with TWC to establish a list of objectives. CRAAC feels
that TWC would be most helpful in the areas of public and private
funding and government relations.
The Southeastern Regional Vocational School designed and printed
stationery for CRAAC. Dan Iagatta made and donated an aerial video
of the Canoe River to CRAAC. CRAAC is currently developing an
informational brochure, which is expected to be ready in early 1990.
CRAAC is appreciative of the assistance that citizens, local
organizations, and state agencies have provided to further its goals.
CRAAC welcomes public and official attendance at its meetings.
Meetings alternate between towns on the first Thursday of each
month at 1:00 p.m. The meeting locations are posted at the town
halls.
Joan F. Sozio
Secretary
Easton
John Grant
William Hardin
Wayne Southworth,
Mansfield
MEMBERS
Chairman
Deborah Graham
Linda Sohn
Edward Tartufo, Vice-chairman
Norton
Peter Mackesay
Katherine+Romero
Marc Rousseau
Foxborough
Timothy Higgins
Daniel Iagatta
Joan Sozio, Secretary
Sharon
Jack Sulik
Allyson Walsh