NEW BEDFORD
Action New Bedford is already taking and should continue in 2008 to protect and improve Bay health:
- Modest improvements in reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) of raw sewage to Harbor.
- Participation in regional Oil Spill prevention efforts and in local spill response planning.
- Pushing for a more timely cleanup of toxic PCB contamination and restoration of public uses for New Bedford Harbor.
What New Bedford Can Do:
1. Reduce Nitrogen Pollution
- Work with Fairhaven and Acushnet to reduce nitrogen pollution to Inner New Bedford Harbor. In the next few months, the Massachusetts Estuaries Project will release its restoration plan for the Inner Harbor.
- Be prepared to comment on the need for nitrogen pollution reductions from the Fairhaven Wastewater Treatment Facility in its upcoming NPDES permit renewal as it is a significant contributor to the nitrogen pollution in Inner New Bedford Harbor.
2. Eliminate Bacterial Contamination
- Aggressively pursue sources of funding to continue to remediate combined sewer overflows of raw sewage to New Bedford Harbor and Clarks Cove.
- Explore the use of vacant spaces as park/stormwater treatment projects to disconnect the City storm drains from the sewer system.
- Develop Boat Waste Pumpout Service for commercial and recreational boaters in New Bedford Harbor.
- Work to reduce bacterial and nutrient pollution from the Buttonwood Park area to Buttonwood Brook and Apponagansett Bay.
3. Manage Oil Pollution in New Bedford Harbor
- Establish a Bilge Oil Collection Facility for all commercial boats in New Bedford Harbor to fight ongoing small ‘mystery’ oil spills.
4. Expand Protection for Wetlands and Stream Buffers
- Establish ‘No-Build Setbacks’ around freshwater wetlands for all new construction. Falmouth, Bourne, Carver and Rochester all require construction setbacks from wetlands to protect these natural pollution filters.
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