Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:31:16 EST

Subject: Lake Nipmuc Association Stormwater

Alan took me up to the lake and showed me more places where the sediment from Rte. 16 drainpipes have filled in considerable portions of shoreline. This is totally unacceptable and someone out there has some answers. I will also contact COLAP (Congress of Lakes and Ponds) to see what they know.

Shirley

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:23:57 EST

Subject: Lake Nipmuc Association Stormwater

As I mentioned last WQM day, I'm on our Lake Nipmuc Association Stormwater Committee and I'm wondering if you (or anyone) might have any ideas on how to handle this problem. It involves 9 or 10 catch basins on Rte. 16 that are hooked up to pipes that drain directly into Lake Nipmuc. Rte. 16 is a state road but Mass Highway never cleans or maintains these and the town isn't allowed to touch them. Our Highway Supervisor has tried to get them to do something for years but to no avail. The sediment, sand (mixed with road salt) from one pipe has completely filled in an inlet and from another has built up a peninsula 20 ft. wide that extends 20 ft. into the lake. During a recent rain, I observed a lot of oil slick and cigarette butts coming out of the pipe. I have pictures of everything. The state seems to have a rather schizophrenic policy here. On the one hand, They have numerous regulations to keep our water bodies free from pollution and on the other, they are, at least in this case, the biggest polluters.

Could Tammy help here? Maybe some pressure from DEP might get some action. I think we could get a grant for filtering systems but that means town involvement and, as far as I know, the state doesn't allow that.

Hope you, Maggie and family had a great Thanksgiving and I'll see you at the December meeting. Shirley