Coonamessett River Trust
Restoring a River
Please help us raise the estimated $35,000 needed for legal fees. Every contribution matters!
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The polluter will make millions, leaving you with the bill to offset their pollution.
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The CRT, APCC, and local citizens are challenging a permit that allows more nitrogen to pollute Great Pond and the Coonamessett River.
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This is about more than one project—it is about protecting our waters, holding polluters accountable, and refusing to make Falmouth taxpayers pay millions to clean up pollution created by an out of town developer.
Coonamessett River Supporters!
Hold the Polluter Accountable—Not YOU!
The Coonamessett River Trust, the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, and 10 Falmouth citizens have appealed MassDEP’s wastewater discharge permit for the proposed 300-unit Saxon/Easterly development at 375 Sandwich Road.
Wastewater from the project would flow into Great Pond Estuary—an already impaired water body where excess nitrogen from septic systems is contributing to ongoing water-quality problems. An estimated 82% of the nitrogen load from septic systems must be removed to clean up Great Pond.
Falmouth is already spending more than $50 million on DEP-required sewer expansions to reduce nitrogen pollution in Great Pond. Homeowners in affected areas will be required to connect to the sewer system paying about $15,000 in betterment fees plus $5,000 to $10,000 for a sewer connection.
At the same time, MassDEP is giving the developer the green light to add even more nitrogen to the very watershed we are spending millions to protect.
MA DEP regulations require new groundwater discharges of nitrogen to be fully offset in impaired watersheds. This permit contains no enforceable requirement that the project achieve a net-zero nitrogen increase.
This is not responsible environmental stewardship. It is not fair to Falmouth taxpayers. And it is not a reasonable way to protect our waters.
This is a critical step to protect our Town but might not be the last. We may need to fight this in the future in the courts.
Any funds raised beyond our legal costs will support our education programs and scientific research
ABOUT CRT
The Coonamessett River Trust was formed in May of 2006. The mission is of the CRT is to promote and preserve the natural heritage and ecological integrity of the Coonamessett River and surrounding lands. The Trust engages in scientific, educational and recreational activities focused on the Coonamessett River.
CRT Field Guide – click to download
CRT brochure – click to download
Photo Gallery
Click on an image to enlarge
SOLD OUT - An Updated Book is in the works
Get your copy of this beautiful book, which tells the story of the cultural and natural history of the Coonamessett River Valley through the interpretive panels that will be placed along the Greenway Heritage Trail. Available while it lasts at Eight Cousins Books on Main St. in Falmouth. $40, with profits going to The 300 Committee Land Trust of Falmouth.
These signs shows the incredible support this project has received, through financial contributions, innumerable volunteer hours and donation of services. We are grateful to all of them. Click to enlarge.
