About the Committee

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Who We Are:
The Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Committee (BAPAC) is a coalition of four communities: Westfield, Holyoke, Easthampton and Southampton—and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), whichwork together to protect the Barnes Aquifer, an importantregional groundwater resource. Each of the four member communities is represented by three people appointed by the chief elected official. These municipal members currently represent water, planning, conservation, and community development departments. PVPC designates one representative for the committee.

What We Do:
BAPAC educates and advises local governments, citizen groups, and small businesses about groundwater protection and effects on the aquifer. The committee reviews Developments of Regional Impact within the aquifer and provides comments to approval authorities.

Where We Work:
BAPAC addresses water quality issues in the geographic area of the Barnes Aquifer, which extends through portions of Westfield, Holyoke, Easthampton, and Southampton.

Why We Were Created:
The size, importance, and inter-municipal geography of the Barnes Aquifer demands regional cooperation and regional solutions to fully protect this critical water supply. Recognizing this, PVPC and municipal officials from Westfield, Holyoke, Easthampton, and Southampton convened an initial meeting in March 1988 to discuss cooperative strategies for protecting the Barnes Aquifer. Out of this meeting grew the idea for creating a regional aquifer protection advisory committee.

When We Were Created:
On September 26, 1988, an ad hoc committee began working on a regional water supply protection strategy, and on an inter-municipal compact to formalize municipal commitments to implement this strategy. In December 1989, the chief officials of Westfield, Holyoke, Easthampton, and Southampton joined PVPC in formally committing to work together by signing the “Memorandum of Agreement for Barnes Aquifer Protection at a public ceremony. This agreement provided the mechanism for creating and maintaining BAPAC.

How We Operate:
BAPAC meets once a month to discuss issues connected with the aquifer region, with PVPC acting as facilitator. Formal votes are taken only if there is representation from a quorum of member communities. An executive committee composed of one member from each community is available to discuss Developments of Regional Impact that require comments between regularly scheduled committee meetings. Funding for BAPAC activities comes from a small annual assessment from each member community and various grant sources for specific projects.


A Sampling of Work Activities and Accomplishments:
Presented 2001 Green Awards to Constance Baker of Westfield, Barbara L. Swords of Westfield, the Kuzeja family of Easthampton, and Tripple Brook Farm of Southampton. In previous years, presented Green Business Awards to East Mountain Country Club and K-C Aviation.

Received the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's 2000 Source Protection Award in recognition of BAPAC's outstanding performance and achievement to protect the drinking water quality by protecting the source. BAPAC was one of two organizations in the state to receive the award.

Conducted water quality sampling and analysis of surface waters in the aquifer and published the report “Chemistry of Surface Waters in the Barnes Aquifer, Hampshire and Hampden Counties” (April 30, 1999) in conjunction with the Department of Geology at Smith College. The results of this sampling are to be used as a baseline in future analysis of water quality.

Published Best Management Practices to Protect Groundwater: Information for Small Businesses (March 1999) and an educational poster for groundwater protection strategies. The manual and posters were distributed to small businesses within the aquifer.

Promoted education and outreach activities, including speaking engagements at water conferences and business group meetings to discuss best management practices and other issues connected to acquifer protection.

Researched road salt management practices and produced a draft road salt policy for consideration by member communities’ Departments of Public Works.

Reviewed numerous Developments of Regional Impact within the aquifer.

Contact: Ann Capra, Senior Planner
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
(413) 781-6045