 Image by Jeannette Hinkle courtesy of the Cape Cod Times Improving water quality in ponds starting to gain momentum says panel at regional summit
Doug Fraser Cape Cod Times View CommentsThe health of local ponds or lakes is something Cape Cod residents and visitors take more personally than they do marine water bodies, Andrew Gottlieb, executive director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, said. "People have a much more emotional, direct relationship … They talk about going to my pond," observed Gottlieb speaking at an online forum on existing water quality in freshwater ponds and lakes Tuesday afternoon. The forum was part of this year's OneCape Summit, hosted by the Cape Cod Commission on Monday and Tuesday. "There is a chance to harness a motivated public to stop pollution and improve water quality," Gottlieb said. Click Here For Full Story in the Cape Cod Times.  On August 19, 2021, the Cyanobacteria Advisory at the Schoolhouse Pond public landing was REMOVED by the Brewster Health Department after two weeks of monitoring and water sampling by the Brewster Ponds Coalition. The Cyanobacteria algal levels have dropped to a low risk level for swimming and other recreational water activities.
The Brewster Ponds Coalition (www.brewsterponds.org) and the Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod (www.apcc.org) continue to monitor our freshwater ponds in Brewster, and in partnership with the Town of Brewster Health Department will provide timely notification to residents of potentially harmful algal blooms. For additional information, please visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water . If you have any questions please contact: Marty Burke - marty.burke@brewsterponds.org (508) 344-7174 For additional information, please visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water. The Brewster Ponds Coalition www.brewster.org  The BPC 2021 Annual Meeting took place on Saturday, August 14th under the big tent at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church just east of Nickerson State Park on Rt 6A. Brian Baumgaertel, Director of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) in Sandwich spoke about the advances in spetic systems that are now removing both nitrogen and phosphourus from wasterwater before it leaches into our groundwater. Thes important innovations are in the pilot stage right now and grants are available for Brewster property owners who wish to participate. View video above or on the BPC YouTube channel. The meeting was well attended by more than 60 members and guests and Brian's talk was inspiring. Pictured top left BPC Board, top center from l to r 2021 Splash Award winner Chuck Madansky, Citizen Science Team Leader Marty Burke & BPC President Susan Bridges, top right BPC Pond Education Team, bottom left Brian Baumgaertel, bottom center large attendence, bottom right BPC President Susan Bridges.
 Image courtesy of William F Pomeroy Ride moved to Friday, September 3, 9:30 - 1PM due to predicted bad weather on Thursday On Tour #3, the Cycling Group will start from the Cape Cod Rail trail parking lot across from the Hot Chocolate Sparrow on Old Colony Way in Orleans. We will head east on the CCRT through Orleans and into Eastham, passing Herring, Depot, and Minister Ponds to stop for a rest at the town line in Wellfleet. A fun ride further out on the Cape! Meet-up instructions will be provided prior to the event. For greatest safety and enjoyment, the group is keeping the rides on the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) and away from the summer traffic and cars. The plan is for each tour to tackle different sections of the CCRT so we can take in new scenery and travel much of the trail throughout the summer.
*FREE to BPC members. All others $10 contribution. BPC Membership starts for as little as $25. Click here for more information about BPC membership.  Save Blueberry and Sol’s Ponds will hold their 9th annual Yard Sale on Saturday, August 14th from 9AM to 3PM. (Rain date: Sunday, August 15th 9-3)
The event will be held at various locations in the Blueberry Hills and Millstone Village neighborhoods. Both neighborhoods are off Millstone Road, the first at Blueberry Pond Drive and the second at Lund Farm Way. Shoppers will find furniture, art, books, household items, toys, games and puzzles, collectibles, tools, jewelry, and more. There will also be several raffles for golf packages and gift cards to local businesses. This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Save Blueberry and Sol’s Ponds Association that invests in projects to improve the water quality of our ponds. Sponsored by BPC Business Partner Supfari Adventures Proceeds Benefit the Brewster Ponds CoalitionTour guides will provide an overview of kettle ponds, Punkhorn history and the health of the Mill ponds. Naturalist Peter Trull will talk about pond wildlife. The Mill Ponds are some of the most studied ponds on Cape Cod. Learn about these amazing eco-systems.
WHEN & WHERE Saturday, August 21 - 9:30 AM-12 Noon Rain/wind date*: Sunday, August 22 At Upper Mill Pond PARTICIPATION COSTS $75 per person Pre-Registration Payment Required *Please be flexible for paddle date/time changes since weather can be tricky! This is a no-refund, no-cancellation event since reservations are extremely limited. Twelve (12) people max can participate. Kayaks will be provided. Some double-seat kayaks are available. Paddlers may elect to bring their own kayak, however the contribution remains the same. Meetup instructions will be provided prior to the event. YOUR GUIDES Peter Trull is a wildlife specialist, author and photographer. He is the author of eight books on Cape Cod Natural History including An Illustrated Guide To the Common Birds Of Cape Cod. Ryan Burch is a lifelong nature and water steward. He is co-owner of SUPfari Adventures Cape Cod with his wife, Juliette, and is the Senior Shellfish & Natural Resource Officer for the town of Brewster. Luke Foley is an outdoor guide and adventure photographer with over 25 years of professional outdoor guiding and instruction. Luke has a wide range of experience including 28 years with Eastern Mountain Sports. Participants should reserve quickly since these events always sell out!  On Friday August 6, 2021, a Cyanobacteria Advisory at the Schoolhouse Pond public landing was posted by the Brewster Health Department due to visible Cyanobacteria mats at the landing and adjoining areas.
Out of an abundance of caution and until further notice, people and pets should avoid contact with the pond water in those areas and any other areas with a visible algal mat. Do not ingest or get pond water in your mouth. Additional testing is scheduled over the next two weeks. The Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod (www.apcc.org) and the Brewster Ponds Coalition (www.brewsterponds.org) continue to monitor our freshwater ponds in Brewster to provide timely notification to our residents of potentially harmful algal blooms. The BPC will report back when the pond is to be reopened. Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your animals have a sudden or unexplained sickness or signs of poisoning. If you have any questions please contact: Marty Burke - marty.burke@brewsterponds.org (508) 344-7174 For additional information, please visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water. The Brewster Ponds Coalition www.brewster.org  Sign up today for the BPC Annual Meeting happening Saturday August 14th outside under the big tent at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church, 3600 Main St (RT 6A just east of Nickerson State Park) from 9-11AM. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP if you have not yet already done so. PLEASE BRING A FOLDING CHAIR ! Keynote speaker, Brian Baumgaertel, is the director of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic Sytem Test Center (MASSTC) in Sandwich, the nation’s premier third-party testing and research facility for innovative/alternative on-site septic treatment technologies. Brian will talk about several innovative alternative septic systems being tested at the facility, including the “layer cake” projects that actually remove nutrients from wastewater and avoiding groundwater contamination. He will also tell us about some of the other interesting projects being tested at the center including floating wetlands and wastewater hydroponics. We’ll be outside under the big tent where there will be plenty of room for social distancing. Coffee and pastries will be served. This event is FREE to BPC members. Suggested contribution is $10 for non-members.
The meeting will include a brief discussion of BPC goals and accomplishments, a financial summary and the introduction of Board members, followed by an informative and timely discussion about alternative septic systems. Images courtesy of William F Pomeroy The BPC Cycling Group got together for the second ride of the season on July 29 — a fun ride on another beautiful day! The starting point was the Cape Cod Rail Trail on Long Pond Road with the group heading east past Ocean Edge, Nickerson State Park, Namskaket Creek, and into Orleans with a rest stop at the Hot Chocolate Sparrow. After refreshments and chat we headed back along the trail and home. The 13 mile ride was easy and enjoyable for all riders. Our third ride is scheduled for Thursday September 2, so mark your calendars and click here to sign up. Special thanks to Marty & Sandy Burke who organize these rides!
 Seymour Pond has tested LOW for the two consecutive test dates (7/19 and 7/26) subsequent to the cyanobacteria bloom posting date of 7/16. In accordance with the MA DPH guidelines, the advisory posting was REMOVED on Friday July 30, which is two weeks from the posting date of Friday July 16.
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