History

The Falmouth Associations Concerned with Estuaries and Saltponds (FACES) was incorporated January 7, 1994 as a tax exempt Corporation. The purpose of FACES is "to educate and encourage the residents to preserve the environment and natural resources of the estuaries and salt ponds of Falmouth, Massachusetts, and to combat and prevent pollution of these estuaries and salt ponds through consultation with environmental scientists and engineers, study of existing conditions, publicizing problem areas via meetings, member newsletters and newspaper releases, alerting local and state officials to the need for corrective measures and mobilizing community support".

In the last couple of years, FACES has undergone a refocus of the direction it wants to take. The early organizers were from the southern coast of Falmouth so emphasis was on those coastal waterways. With the nitrogen overloading of West Falmouth Harbor came the realization that nitrogen pollution was a town-wide problem. Accordingly, FACES now has association and individual members representing every area of Falmouth. FACES supported the work of the Ashumet Plume Citizens Committee and was the driving force behind the Falmouth Friendly Lawn Program. FACES volunteers developed the Program with the assistance of O'Sullivan Communications who produced the many visuals for the program.

FACES role is now shifting to the bigger picture of wastewater management in Falmouth as the State has started issuing their Estuaries Reports. The MEP reports for Bournes, Green, Great, Oyster and Little Ponds plus W. Falmouth Harbor have been received by the Town. In addition, the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) draft reports have been issued (see the Reports tab). These TMDL reports spell out the reduction in nitrogen loading required to return each pond back to a satisfactory condition. The bottom line is nitrogen in the ponds is going to have to be reduced dramatically to meet the State guidelines. To accomplish this means sewering the most densely populated areas of Falmouth. In order to accomplish this in the most cost effective and timely manner, FACES has been urging the Town to develop a town-wide comprehensive wastewater management plan as the Town's remaining coastal ponds will have Estuaries and TMDL Reports developed by the State with the conclusions probably the same in the other coastal ponds. In addition, FACES is urging the Town to pick up the responsibility of the Falmouth Friendly Lawn Program.

FACES will continue to educate the public concerning the deteriorating health of our coastal ponds by participating in seminars, public displays at events and as guest lecturers at non-FACES organizational meetings. At the same time FACES is expanding its membership base in order to accomplish its goals.