Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission
Press Release
CONTACT: Anne Capra, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, phone: 1 (413) 781-6045
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2007
Mass. Environmental Trust Grant to Fund BAPAC Project
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), in partnership with the Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Committee (BAPAC), will use a grant of $11,000 from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to reduce potential contamination threats to the Barnes Aquifer and reduce the risk to human health from contaminated private wells.
After identifying and mapping all domestic and monitoring wells, project staff will work with well owners to prioritize monitoring wells for closure to reduce the risk of aquifer contamination from high risk land uses around abandoned, unsecure wells, and with municipalities to develop strategies for expanding public water service to all domestic wells affected and potentially affected by trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination.
The extensive mapping and research component is being performed under the supervision of Professor Robert Newton in the Geology Department at Smith College.
This grant is part of more than $1.5 million being awarded to more than 50 organizations this year through the purchase of specialty license plates. Massachusetts Environmental Trust plates, including the signature Whale Plate, are the only specialty plates that exclusively fund environmental initiatives, according to Trust Executive Director Robbin Peach. With purchase of a plate from the Registry of Motor Vehicles, half the registry fee is donated to the Trust to fund water-focused environmental education and protection programs.
To preserve environmental education, conservation, or public awareness efforts funded by the Trust, motorists can choose a Whale Plate when purchasing a new car or renewing registration. Plates cost $76.00, including a $40.00 tax deductible donation to the Trust, with a renewal fee of $81.00 every two years. To order a plate online, visit www.mass.gov/rmv, or log onto www.massenvironmentaltrust.org to learn more about the Trust, the programs it supports, and specialty license plate offerings.
BARNES AQUIFER PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BAPAC)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Contact: Anne Capra, Senior Planner, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Phone: 1 (413) 781-6045
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), which work together to protect the Barnes Aquifer, an important regional 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 (DRI) within the aquifer and provides comments to approval authorities. DRI reviews evaluate both the proposed use and its potential for aquifer contamination and, provisions within the site plan for treatment and infiltration of clean stormwater. DRI comments evaluate the proposed project’s level of compliance with the local aquifer protection zoning bylaw and recommends Best Management Practices for aquifer protection that may have been overlooked by the proponent.
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:
Reviewed and commented on 72 Developments of Regional Impact within the aquifer since 1996.
Received a grant from Clean Water Fund to update the BAPAC website located at www.pvpc.org/bapac/index.html
Conducted three rounds of private well sampling in the area of Routes 202 and 10 in Westfield and Southampton to assess road salt contamination.
Distributed the Barnes Aquifer Toolkit, a guide to aquifer protection, to member communities.
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 aquifer protection.
Researched road salt management practices and produced a draft road salt policy for consideration by member communities’ Departments of Public Works.