Recommended Plan

The Recommended Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report (May 2015), recieved its certificate from Executive Office of Energy and Environmenal Affairs (EOEEA) as part of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on July 31, 2015. The plan includes phasing, implementation and monitoring approaches to allow the Town(s) to focus on areas of the PPA that are currently developed and producing wastewater nitrogen load.

The purpose of the Recommended Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report (RP/FEIR) is to present the recommendations of the planning process to address the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) established for Popponesset Bay and Waquoit Bay’s eastern basin, and to discuss the mitigation measures and implementation approach for Mashpee (and its neighboring communities within the project planning area) to address these needs as identified in previous documents. These recommendations as they relate to Mashpee will then be managed through the Town of Mashpee.

The Document consists of 10 Chapters and several Appendicies (See "Documents & Resources Page). 

  • Chapter 1 reviews the background and MEP findings
  • Chapter 2 summarizes how these efforts are consistent with CCC 208 Planning 
  • Chapter 3 reviews the public outreach program
  • Chapter 4 summarizes the framework and evaluations of the plan
  • Chapter 5 summarizes the Draft Recommended Plan
  • Chapter 6 presents the final recommended plan
  • Chapter 7 summarizes the environmental evaluations
  • Chapter 8 presents the Draft Section 61 findings and mitigation measures
  • Chapter 9 presents the phasing and implementation approach
  • Chapter 10 outlines the adaptive management program

The plan focuses on implementation of Shellfish Aquaculture in Popponesset Bay (including Mashpee River, Ockway Bay, Shoestring Bay) and Hamblin and Jehu Ponds (including Great and Little Rivers) as part of the initial phase of work.

In addition, traditional wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in areas of the Mashpee River Watershed and Quashnet River Watershed are proposed to address areas where shellfish aquaculture is not anticipated to be able to achieve the nitrogen TMDLs.

The implementation is envisioned in the following three categories:

  • Short-Term initiatives
  • Phase 1 Implementation (5 Year): approximately 2017 to 2021
  • Long-Term Implementation and Adaptive Management: 2022 to 2041 and beyond

Short Term Initiatives and Phase 1


Please see Documents and Resources for the full text of the document.

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South Cape Surf