Buzzards Bay Coalition advocacy has resulted in an order by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) that Bay View Campground on MacArthur Boulevard in Bourne fix its wastewater discharge practices and comply with the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act.

During its active season, the 407 camp sites at Bay View Campground release more than 36,000 gallons of sewage each day into the groundwater just upgradient of Phinneys Harbor, which is significantly polluted by nitrogen from wastewater.

The Campground’s discharge of untreated wastewater has been and is an egregious violation. Last year, the Coalition alerted Bay View that its violation of state and local regulations must be addressed.

In the complete absence of any independent enforcement action by the Commonwealth, the Coalition hired legal counsel and insisted that MassDEP finally take immediate action. This spring, the Coalition called on MassDEP to require that the campground secure the legally-required permit for its sewerage and wastewater disposal system, which is nothing more than a hodge-podge of outdated and inadequate tanks, leach pits, and cesspools.

MassDEP recently issued the Administrative Consent Order, and the owner of the campground signed it.

“We are pleased to have finally caused this problem to be addressed. This is a great win for the Bay and for fairness as our communities along the Bay plan for huge costs related to cleaning up wastewater pollution. Bay View Campground has been allowed to pollute Phinneys Harbor with its untreated sewage discharge for decades in violation of local, state, and federal laws. Now, its cleanup can become part of Bourne’s efforts to restore local water quality and shellfish beds,” says Coalition President Mark Rasmussen.

Beyond ensuring that the campground’s use of cesspools stops immediately, the campground must invest in a wastewater treatment system that complies with the law’s nitrogen limits.

However, despite the clear requirement that Bay View must comply with the law, MassDEP gave the campground a deadline that will allow them to pollute Phinneys Harbor for a long time before coming into compliance.

“The compliance timeline set by MassDEP is immensely disappointing. Despite the clear violation of the law and without appropriate regard for public health and the environment, MassDEP has given Bay View more than 8 years to fully comply with this order,” says Rasmussen. “This comes at the same time as the agency is pushing towns and homeowners to upgrade septic systems on much more aggressive timetables.”

Bringing the Campground into compliance with the law would make Phinneys Harbor safer for recreation, shellfishing, and wildlife. It could also significantly benefit the financial interest of the Town of Bourne, because the town is required to significantly reduce nitrogen to Phinneys Harbor to meet EPA-approved levels.

A birds-eye view of Bay View Campground in Bourne.