Resources of Falmouth, Massachusetts
- NEW Winter 2011 Newsletter
- NEW FACES Position Paper on Wastewater
- NEW Scientific Panel Confirms Scientific Validity of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project Findings on Cape Water Pollution.
- NEW Buzzards Bay Coalition Files Appeal of the Wastewater Permit Issued to the West Falmouth Water Treatment Plant. View the appeal.
- The Boston Globe reports on the Cape's Water Pollution Troubles.
- FACES' Annual Meeting - August 4th, 7 pm, Waquoit Boat House
- Summer 2011 Newsletter
- Sewer Socials
- 2011 FACES Science Fair Winners
- Falmouth Coastal Working Group Report
- MA Estuaries Reports
- TMDL Reports
- The Town of Falmouth 5 Year Strategic Plan
- FACES Annual Meeting Presentation Of Sewering Challenges
- The Federal Government Cannot Be Tapped To Fund Wastewater Systems On The Cape
FACES Is Offering Sewer Socials
Wastewater (nitrogen) pollution of bays, salt ponds and estuaries poses a serious threat to Falmouth's economic and environmental future.
Photo Credit: Pieter Beck
In an effort to help citizens better understand the problem, the current status of town efforts to combat it, and possible solutions, FACES offers sewer socials to neighborhood associations and other interested groups. Sewer socials consist of one or two board members giving a brief overview of the current status of the issue and answering questions. Sewer socials can be as short as 15 to 20 minutes or as long as the group wishes.
In the summer of 2011, FACES board members and Falmouth Wastewater Superintendent, Jerry Potamis, have spoken to hundreds of concerned citizens at a variety of neighborhood association meetings, including Salt Pond Association, North Falmouth Village Association, Davisville Civic Association, East Falmouth Village Association, and Sippewissett Association. More sewer socials are schedule for this fall with additional organizations.
If you or your association are interested in knowing more about the wastewater problem in Falmouth, what the town is doing about it, and how you can get involved and be part of the solution, please contact FACES and schedule a sewer social.
FACES held its 2011 Annual Meeting onThursday, August 4th from 7 - 9 pm at the WBNERR Boat House.
Martha's Vineyard wildlife biologist, Luanne Johnson, gave a wonderful talk on 'The Secret Lives of Local River Otters." Learn more about Ms. Johnson's work by clicking here.
FACES President, Chris Neill, gives an update on FACES' recent work on the wastewater issue in Falmouth during the 2011 Annual Meeting. Photo Credit: Pieter Beck.
The FACES board also honored the Pond Watch Volunteers for their commitment to monitoring water quality in Falmouth's waters, and Board President Chris Neill gave an overview of FACES' engagement in the wastewater issue in town. Delicous refreshments were enjoyed by all.
Please click here to see the Annual Meeting Flyer.
FACES 2011 Science Fair Winners
Each year, FACES awards two $250 prizes to high school science fair participants at Falmouth High School and Falmouth Academy whose projects focus on local water quality. 2011 winners were Lily Kayne-Myett and Sarah Sherwood of Falmouth High School, who shared a prize for their joint project: 'Beach profiling at Chapoquoit Beach,' and Nicholas Russell of Falmouth Academy for his research into the effects of different fertilizer concentrations on the growth of Chlorella in Alga GroTM.
FACES Environmental Leadership Award Renamed
The Board of Directors of the Falmouth Associations Concerned with Estuaries and Saltponds (FACES) has recently awarded the annual Falmouth Environmental Leadership Award to David R. Palmer of Waquoit. Dave Palmer was selected as this year’s recipient for his many years of tireless leadership in the establishment of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) and to restore the Quashnet River basin. He also served as the first Chairman of the Ashumet Plume Citizens Committee and for many years as the President of FACES in addition to his many charitable contributions to supporting several students at the Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole.
The Directors wanted to make his contributions to improving the environment a standard that more people would strive to reach. Accordingly, the Directors voted unanimously to rename the annual award the David R. Palmer Environmental Leadership Award in Dave’s honor so he is the first recipient of the new award.
Objectives
The objectives of FACES are:
- to educate and inspire property owners to help preserve the environment and natural resources of the estuaries and salt ponds of Falmouth, Massachusetts;
- to combat and prevent pollution of these estuaries and salt ponds through proactive consultation with Town planners, environmental scientists, engineers and studies of existing conditions;
- to publicize problem areas via meetings, newsletters and news releases; and,
- to alert local, county and state officials to the urgent need for corrective measures and the critical importance of mobilizing community support for such measures.