Local Initiatives 



mechanisms to determine whether allowable land uses, densities, and 

 municipal practices are compatible with current knowledge of water quality 

 protection needs. 



♦♦♦Consider developing zoning or subdivision regulations which allow the 

 Planning Board to request an Environmental and Economic Impact 

 Statement (EIS) for subdivisions of 3 units or more. The EIS requirement 

 would be designed to enable towns (in cooperation with applicable state 

 agencies) to consider the cumulative impacts of development on town 

 resources and service needs. 



Results of the cumulative impact analysis would be compared with local, 

 state and federal performance standards, and should include, at a minimum, 

 provisions for determination of nutrient loading and consideration of runoff 

 and sedimentation impacts. Falmouth, Massachusetts has applied a subdivision 

 ordinance and analytical methodology which include use of a nutrient loading model that 

 account for inputs from human waste, lawn care, and road runoff. (See Special Problems: 

 Activities in other States) 



The requirements for cumulative impact analysis attached to the recommended ordinance 

 should specify: 



• an identification of developments requiring submission of an EIS (e.g. if a portion 

 or all of the proposed development lies within the watershed or zone of contribution 

 of a freshwater or coastal pond or embayment or a public water supply well 

 (existing or proposed)). 



• criteria for determination of cumulative impact (including, for example, 

 determination of the nutrient loading of the proposed subdivision and a comparison 

 to the carrying capacity of the receiving waters, and setting forth the probable 

 impact or effect of the proposed subdivision on the receiving waters (ground or 

 surface) over a period of time, assuming completion of the maximum level of 

 development proposed). 



• methodology for analysis of contaminant loading to the groundwater or to other 

 receiving waters impacting the town's or region's critical resources (including sole- 

 source aquifers, coastal and inland ponds, and embayments). 



• state or federal performance standards which must be applied in preparing an 

 analysis of the existing condition of the water body or supply, and the expected 

 change in the condition of the water body or supply as a result of the proposed 

 development 



• methodology to be applied in comparing, on a per acre basis, the contaminant 

 loading from the proposed development with: a) the existing and potential loading 

 from all other developments and acreage within the recharge area of die water 

 supply or water body; and b) the loading rate which would be expected to produce 

 critical euffophic levels or exceed applicable water quality standards in a water 

 body. 



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