Chapter 7 - INSTITUTIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS 



Cape Cod Aquifer Management Project Final Report Page 76 



real opportunity to approach groundwater protection in a comprehensive 

 manner. The federal role in this program is one of providing a framework 

 and guidance to states and localities on the comprehensive management of 

 wellhead areas. Wellhead protection provides a new challenge and opportu- 

 nity for EPA to look at its own programs as well as to encourage comprehen- 

 sive resource based management at other levels of government. 



7.3.2 State Role 



With no comprehensive groundwater protection program at the federal 

 level, states have historically taken the initiative for developing and 

 implementing their own groundwater protection programs. The Commonwealth 

 of Massachusetts has developed a particularly aggressive approach to 

 groundwater protection; characterized by a combination of regulatory con- 

 trols and an emphasis on Zone II delineation and protection. Because of 

 its major responsibilities, the state, particularly DEQE, bore the brunt 

 of the majority of CCAMP's recommendations. At DEQE, as at EPA, the his- 

 toric emphasis on surface water over ground water is evident, particularly 

 in the Division of Water Pollution Control where a number of CCAMP's recom- 

 mendations took particular aim. Other programs such as that for landfills 

 also do not have groundwater concerns fully integrated into their program 

 purpose and scope. It is hoped that through this across-the-board examina- 

 tion of groundwater issues, DEQE will pursue a comprehensive, agency-wide, 

 groundwater program. 



7.3.3 Regional Role 



In Massachusetts, as in much of New England, county government has 

 been limited by its lack of authority. On Cape Cod, the CCPEDC and BCHED 

 fostered a strong local interest in groundwater protection, and managed to 

 play a particularly important role in filling the gap between programs at 

 the state and local levels. While lacking any enforcement authority, 

 these two agencies managed to provide public education, laboratory resourc- 

 es and a variety of other technical services to towns. CCAMP has identi- 

 fied this regional role as extremely important and one that should be 

 strengthened in bridging the state -local gap. 



7.3.4 Local Role 



The critical land-use decisions, with long-term implications for 

 groundwater protection are made at the local level. Municipalities In 

 Massachusetts, with a strong tradition of home rule have virtually com- 

 plete control over local land use and zoning. Consequently, communities 

 have particularly effective tools available to them that must be utilized 

 more aggressively for future planning. Technical assistance, enforcement 

 support, and educational outreach from other levels of government are 

 desperately needed by local boards. Most importantly, towns must hire 

 professional staff. Towns must also develop a master plan with consistent 

 zoning for the protection of future water supply needs. See Appendix P 

 for a discussion which outlines a planning process for use by towns to 

 protect groundwater. 



