The goal of the Clean Water Act (cwa) is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters
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- WMA water withdrawal and NPDES DISCHARGE Summary
- Shellfish Harvesting
- Primary and Secondary Contact RECREATION and Aesthetics
RecommendationsThe operation and maintenance of the tide gates at Route 139 should be investigated. To the extent possible, a natural flow regime should be restored in the Green Harbor River to improve water quality conditions and allow for fish passage. Develop a monitoring plan and conduct bacteria sampling to evaluate effectiveness of point (Phase II stormwater permits) and non-point source pollution control activities and other actions and to assess the status of the Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational uses. Continue to conduct water quality monitoring (including nutrient sampling with appropriate methodologies for brackish water where necessary) in the Green Harbor River to evaluate potential non-point sources of pollution (e.g., cranberry bogs, golf courses, developments, etc.) into the system. Develop and implement BMPs to reduce nutrient inputs as deemed necessary to improve water quality. Since Myriophyllum heterophyllum (a non-native freshwater aquatic plant species) was found to be abundant in Black Mountain Pond (at the headwaters of this segment) (see Black Mountain Pond in Table 3 of this report), determine the extent, if any, of the infestation of this non-native aquatic plant in the Green Harbor River. Green Harbor (Segment MA94-11) Location: From the tide gates at Route 139, Marshfield to the mouth of the harbor at MA Bay/Cape Cod Bay, Marshfield. Segment Length: 0.08 square miles Classification: Class SA Land-use estimates (top 3, excluding water) for the 7.7 mi2 subwatershed (including the subwatershed for MA94-10): Forest 36% Residential 33% Open Land 11% Green Harbor is listed on the 2002 Integrated List of Waters in Category 5. This segment is impaired due to pathogens and a TMDL is required (MassDEP 2003a). The Town of Marshfield manages a concrete boat ramp with three launching lanes at Town Pier Road for general access with parking for 74 trailers (MA DFWELE 2003). There is a pump-out facility at Municipal Pier off of Town Pier Road, (Brant Rock) Marshfield. The pump-out was funded by the Clean Vessel Act to provide free pump-outs (MA DMF 2003 and Burtner 2003). The ACOE performed annual maintenance dredging of the Green Harbor entrance channel in May 2003. About 35,000 cubic yards were removed to maintain the authorized 6 to 8 foot depth (ACOE 2003). WMA water withdrawal and NPDES DISCHARGE SummaryThere are no WMA water withdrawals or NPDES wastewater discharges in this segment. Use Assessmentaquatic lifeThe tide gates at the Route 139 dike restrict the natural flow/tidal flushing of Green Harbor. Fish passage is almost completely inhibited because of the tide gates (Reback et al 2004). The tide gates have been at the Dike Street location since industrial revolution times. They consist of four separate gates that will only allow flow out. Currently the local conservation agent is working with CDM to develop a plan for partial opening in one of the gates. During a previous 4-year period one of the gates was in disrepair and would not fully close. In that 4-year period a herring run reestablished itself into the upper portion of Green Harbor River (Wennemer 2005). The Aquatic Life Use is not assessed but is identified with an Alert Status because of the barrier to fish passage at the dike and the limited tidal flushing. Shellfish HarvestingThe DMF Shellfish Status Report of July 2000 indicates that Area MB3.0 (which contains this entire segment) is prohibited (MA DFG 2000 and Appendix G, Table G3). Based on the DMF shellfish growing area status, the Shellfish Harvesting Use is assessed as impaired. This closure is related to elevated bacteria counts as well as the lack of a current sanitary survey (Churchill 2005c). Although the sources of bacteria are currently unknown, discharges from municipal separate storm sewers are suspected. Primary and Secondary Contact RECREATION and AestheticsWith the exception of occasional turbidity primarily associated with the annual dredging operations, no other objectionable conditions (trash/debris, odors, oils, deposits) have been observed in Green Harbor (DeCesare 2005). The Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational are not assessed for Green Harbor but the Aesthetics Use is assessed as support based on the lack of aesthetically objectionable conditions. Green Harbor (MA94-11) Use Summary Table
* Alert Status issues identified, see details in use assessment Directory: eea -> docs -> dep -> water -> resources -> 71wqar09 dep -> Charles D. Baker Governor dep -> Charles D. Baker Governor dep -> Charles D. Baker Governor dep -> Index of Photographs dep -> Department of environmental protection one winter street, boston, ma 02108 617-292-5500 water -> Water Resource Management Planning 71wqar09 -> 2004 water quality assessment report Download 3.32 Mb. Share with your friends:
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