Question: In the Chesapeake Bay area, a lot of environmental legislation goes 
all the way back to the environmental impact statements. It has been a matter of people 
putting pressure on legislatures. Of course, the Federal legislature is close by and 
convenient, but there has been a great sense of awareness of the environmental quality 
and also the economic value. Of course, there is a lot more inland area, inland water too. 
Do you think that is an area that could be developed in Massachusetts, an area of interest, 
and possible societal pressure? 
R. Delanay: I think it will be, and it has to be. Obviously, from what we've 
heard today, there is a tremendous need for more research. Both the early comments are 
true, however. Historically, the research money was not being directed at that area from 
the state or the Federal government, for that matter, or from other sources. And until 
the University of Massachusetts program focused its attention physically, put itself on the 
Harbor front and focused attention on the Harbor, we really didn't have a forum or a place 
to direct that. But I think more will follow; the ball is rolling now. 
K. Castagna: I'd like to add something to that. It's my perception that there's 
a constituency to clean up Boston Harbor. I don't doubt that. There's been a tremendous 
amount of public and newspaper interest on the plight of Boston Harbor and the plight of 
the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) to operate and maintain adequate sewage 
treatment facilities for the 43 communities who are serviced by that facility. I don't 
think we mentioned that, but 43 cities and towns are serviced by the MDC. 
Many engineering studies have focused on the Metropolitan District 
Commission sewage system. There's some misconception in the public's mind between 
engineering studies and overall environmental research. This type of forum is very 
interesting to bring out the fact that there are a lot of unanswered environmental 
questions for which we need answers. In the Boston area, the public might believe that 
when you study Boston Harbor for 15 years or more without much action, why spend more 
money in research when we want action? 
Many unanswered questions need research. There's also a correlation between 
those unanswered questions and very wise management decisions that are coming up. I 
think we need to bring forth the message more clearly that there are a lot of unanswered 
questions from an overall environmental point of view. 
M. Barber: Along the same lines, how does the public health question affect 
recreation and citizen involvement? Is there any swimming in Boston Harbor at all? Are 
the beaches in Massachusetts Bay open or closed? What is the situation there and how can 
it be used to advantage? 
R. Delaney: There is swimming. However, when very heavy rain falls in the 
summer and these combined sewer overflows overflow and discharge waste into the 
adjacent water, the beaches are closed at that time. This is a serious concern. In fact, 
we've set as priorities the rehabilitation of those particular CSOs adjacent to the 
swimming beaches; this is one of our criteria. 
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