Environmental Resources
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Basics
The State of Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Wetlands and Watersheds, states:
Most southeastern Massachusetts estuaries are being impacted by excessive loads of nitrogen. Water quality is getting worse, and many estuaries do not meet the Massachusetts Water Quality Standards. Rapid population growth in the area has resulted in more nitrogen than estuaries can accept, causing poor water quality. Resulting problems include:
- Loss of eelgrass beds
- Algae blooms, unpleasant odors, and scum
- Fish kills
- Reductions in important animal life on the ocean bottom, such as lobster, shrimp, scallops and mussels.
The Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) determines which estuaries are being impacted by excessive nitrogen and identifies the sources of nitrogen pollution, so that communities have the scientific basis for common sense, cost-effective decisions on how to protect and restore their estuaries. TMDLs will guide the changes needed to restore water quality in these waterbodies.
TMDL Sengekontacket Pond, Oak Bluffs
Final Sengekontacket Pond Estuarine System Total Maximum Daily Loads For Total Nitrogen
TMDL Oak Bluffs
From Mass DEP:
Final Farm Pond Estuarine System Total Maximum Daily Load For Total Nitrogen
TMDL Edgartown Great Pond System
From Martha's Vinyeard Commission:
Edgartown Great Pond System Total Maximum Daily Loads For Total Nitrogen
US EPA: Tisbury Impaired Waterbody History Report
From U.S. EPA:
Tisbury Great Pond: Including Town Cove, Muddy Cove, Pear Tree Cove, Short Cove, Tiah Cove, Tississa Pond, Deep Bottom Cove, And Thumb Cove, Chilmark/West Tisbury, Martha'S Vineyard.
Click on the Listed Water ID to see a detailed waterbody report.