Lets not further pollute our local water ways

This article was originally written by Les Costa. I posted it on the Barrington Patch today. The article can be seen at this link.

The below identifies the root of our concerns about pollution of the Palmer River resulting from the multi-unit rental apartment complex proposed for the Sowams Nursery in Barrington.

These concerns formulate the groundwork for our continued insistence on the need for expert, unbiased analysis of the land for which the project is proposed, the sewer lines that run along the river through the adjoining wetlands, and the totality of ecological impact by such a massive subdivision on a relatively small piece of buildable property.

The BPW Watershed

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has chartered all states within the U.S. to identify all waterbodies (rivers, brooks, stream, ponds) and determine if they are polluted in any manner i.e., contain sources of bacteria, and/or unsatisfactory levels of nitrogen and low dissolved oxygen

• Rhode Island has identified its waterbodies and the sources of pollution within most of the state's waterbodies. The Palmer River, being one of many, is considered an “impaired”waterbody due to pollutants. Storm water runoff has been identified as a carrier for introducing pollutants to the waterbodies.
• A Barrington-Palmer-Warren River Watershed Plan (BPW) has been developed as a result of the collaboration between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP), watershed associations, nongovernment agencies and local citizens. Their collaboration was crucial in selecting management strategies to solve pollution problems in the Barrington-Palmer-Warren (BPW) watershed.
• The charter of the BPW Watershed Plan is to protect drinking water sources, reduce closure of shellfish beds and beaches, and protect fish and wildlife habitat by controlling the introduction of pollutants, particularly that due to storm water runoff. The BPW Watershed Plan identifies the Palmer River with the worst ranking (#5) regarding water quality impairment.
• There are many corrective actions that have been written into the BPW Watershed Plan for the purpose of solving the existing pollutant problems and as well as required preventive actions. RIDEM, the Town of Barrington and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to mention a few, have been tasked to solve the problems identified within the BPW Watershed Plan.
• A critical concern is that a developer, East bay Community Development Corp. (EBCDC), is attempting to obtain authority from Barrington town officials to construct a multi-unit rental apartment complex along the Palmer River (Sowams Nursery property). The Palmer River is currently fraught with pollutants, and the proposed construction will surely contribute to the already existing storm water runoff problem and enhance pollution of the BPW watershed. There is also potential danger to the Palmer River regarding incapacity and structural inadequacy of the sewer system and the effects from flooding upon that system and, consequently, the watershed.

Too many stakeholders (RIDEM, MDEP, watershed organizations etc.) have worked diligently since the early 1990s to develop means to reduce the volume of pollutants within the areas.

Is watershed construction of a multi-unit rental apartment complex on the Palmer River in the best interests of our already environmentally polluted Palmer River?

We think not.

What can you do?

Do you want to get involved or have questions or comments? Great! Please contact wweepers@gmail.com or post a comment here. And be sure to look for more announcements about upcoming meetings.