Happenings

Orleans Pond Coalition board meetings are conducted on the first Monday of each month at the Lighthouse Charter School in Orleans at 4 pm. Interested citizens are welcome to attend.

Orleans Town Meeting 10/27/08 approved the Draft Comprehensive Wastewater Plan. Your attendance and YES vote were crucial. Thanks for the support!

Pleasant Bay Alliance hosted Public Meeting on
Muddy Creek Resource Study

Muddy Creek is a tidal river dividing Chatham and Harwich that discharges into the main basin of Pleasant Bay. Poor water quality conditions have been documented in the Creek and are due to excessive nitrogen coming primarily from septic systems in the watershed. Nitrogen loading is compounded by limitations on flushing due to the Creek's long, narrow configuration and culverts under Route 28 which restrict flow. The draft report may be downloaded from the following website: www.chatham-ma.gov.

Questions and comments may be submitted to the Pleasant Bay Alliance through Friday, December 12, 2008. Mailing address: Pleasant Bay Alliance, PO Box 1584, Harwich, MA 02645. Email: cr@ridleyandassociates.com

Phosphorus in Household Cleaning Products

The Act relating to the distribution and sale of household cleaning products containing phosphorous was passed by both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by the governor in February 2008. Manufacturers are required to reduce the concentration of phosphorous in household dishwashing detergents to a trace quantity by July 1, 2010. Good news for our efforts to clean up our ponds!