Orleans Pond Coalition

Orleans, Massachusetts

Dedicated to the health of Orleans waterways for over 20 years.

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📌 Important Upcoming Town Committee Meetings

January 30, 2018 By Orleans Pond Coalition

Update on Uncle Harvey’s Pond

Tuesday, February 6th at 7 pm Orleans Town Hall, Nauset Room

The Marine and Fresh Water Quality Advisory Committee, after considering a wide range of alternatives, recently voted to recommend the use of alum in Uncle Harvey’s Pond to control the phosphorous that contribute to the blooms of dangerous cyanobacteria in the water. The study of Uncle Harvey’s Pond found that 67% of the phosphorus load is generated by existing sediment in the pond. Alum treatment is often the “go to” strategy for moderate to severely impaired lakes and ponds caught in the grip of toxic algae growth. Alum works by binding phosphorus in the water column and converting it into an aluminum phosphate compound that cannot be used by algae or weeds as food. As the alum settles to the bottom of the pond, it forms a “cap” that can absorb additional phosphorus as it is released from the sediments below. This remediation strategy is not reversible.

Alum treatments are considered safe when properly applied in low pH environments like Cape ponds, and many Cape ponds and lakes have been treated with alum over the years without any apparent toxicity.

It is important to understand that any pond remediation technique has limited effectiveness, especially when watershed sources of pollution such as septic systems are unchecked. Every strategy has different costs and degrees of public acceptance. The trick is to balance the three factors of effectiveness, cost and community consent. You may have heard or read about differing opinions and concerns in the community about the safety and potential long-term effects of alum.

If you have questions about alum, we urge you to attend this meeting with the Marine and Fresh Water Quality Advisory Committee and learn more.

Update on Aquaculture Project In Lonnie’s Pond

This is a workshop for the Board of Selectmen on the management plan for Lonnie’s Pond to be held with the town’s Shellfish and Waterways Advisory Committee and the town’s consultants, AECOM. As the oyster aquaculture demonstration project is approaching the end of its third year, decisions must be made as to whether the oyster project is sufficiently promising as a nitrogen-removing strategy for our terminal ponds and how the project will be structured going forward.

Attend in person or tune in on Channel 18 to hear the discussion on aquaculture developments.

Save The Dates for the Brewster Ponds Coalition

The Brewster Ponds Coalition has announced their Winter Talk Series for February 8th, 15th and 22nd.
Freshwater Ponds: Jewels of Cape Cod
Three Talks Presented by APCC Experts
February 8, 15, and 22, 2018  6:30-8:30 PM
Brewster Ladies Library Auditorium
1822 Main Street, Brewster MA
To register or to find additional information, check out the Brewster Ponds Coalition web site.

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About Orleans Pond Coalition

Orleans Pond Coalition, Inc. is a volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the saltwater estuaries and freshwater ponds and lakes of Orleans. Our work includes offering educational programs to encourage mindful land use practices, sponsoring water quality research, working with community, regional and state organizations to formulate constructive policies to protect our … Learn More

Our Mission

Orleans Pond Coalition is dedicated to the protection and health of our shared watersheds, estuaries, ponds and lakes.

Orleans   Pond   Coalition
PO Box 2485
Orleans, MA 02653

info@orleanspondcoalition.org

OPC is a volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the saltwater estuaries and freshwater ponds and lakes of Orleans, MA.

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