Application for Community Preservation Funding
Submit to: Community Preservation Committee
Wellesley Town Hall
525 Washington Street
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482
Name of Applicant Natural Resources Commission and the Recreation Commission
Contact Person Janet Bowser, NRC Director, 431-1019 ext. 290
Sponsoring Organization, if applicable Board of Public Works, Friends of Morses Pond
Mailing Address NRC, Wellesley Town Hall, 525 Washington St., Wellesley 02842_
Name of Proposal Morses Pond Restoration Feasibility Study Date October 7, 2003
CPA Category (circle all that apply): Open Space Historic Preservation Recreation Community Housing
CPA Funding Requested $130,000 Total Cost of Proposed Project $130,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: In describing the project, please include answers to the following questions. Applications will be returned as incomplete if all relevant requested information is not provided. Include supporting materials and exhibits as necessary.
Morses Pond Restoration Feasibility Study FY05 CPA Request
Submitted Jointly by the Natural Resources Commission and the Recreation Commission
Introduction
Morses Pond is the Town's most visible and significant natural resource. It serves as the Town's most prominent recreational resource, its aquifer serves as a vital source for the Town's public water supply and its ecosystem provides habitats for numerous species of aquatic plants and animals.
Morses Pond is a 103-acre, shallow eutrophic pond. Three principal tributaries draining a watershed of more than 5,300 acres, feed Morses Pond. The tributaries include Jennings Brook, Bogle Brook, and Boulder Brook. Water leaving the pond discharges to Paintshop Pond, Lake Waban and ultimately to the Charles River. Land use within the watershed is largely residential with extensive commercial development along Route 9. Because of this land use pattern around Morse Pond, and due to its large watershed, the health of the pond is in accelerated decline, and the Town must take action now before it is too late.
Morses Pond is used extensively for recreational purposes including swimming, boating, skating, bird watching, nature field trips, year-round fishing, and the paths along the pond are well used as part of the Town’s trail system. The pond exhibits symptoms of eutrophication including recurrent algal blooms, reduced transparency, and dense aquatic vegetation growths that have impaired recreational water uses and important aesthetic and wildlife habitat functions. The Morses Pond aquifer is also the location of a major component of the Town's water supply system. The Morses Pond well system is comprised of three gravel packed wells that draw water from the Morses Pond aquifer.
Because of the importance of Morses Pond as a multiple use resource, the Town, through the dedicated efforts and cooperation of various Departments, Boards, Commissions, and residents, has actively worked towards the management, restoration, and protection of the pond. Since the mid 1960's, various in-lake management efforts including the use of algaecides (copper sulfate, alum), weed harvesting, and limited dredging have been employed to control problems with algae and rooted aquatic plant growth. In addition, a short-term pilot study involving phosphorus inactivation (using aluminum sulfate, a coagulant), was conducted in 1997, but this project did not produce the desired results. Despite these intermittent efforts, the health of the pond and its environment has been in rapid decline, and if not addressed in the immediate
future, we may lose this valuable resource forever. The applicants for this project are the NRC and the Recreation Commission. Together, they are submitting this proposal for the development of a Morses Pond Restoration Feasibility Study that will allow the Town to move forward in developing an action plan for restoring the pond. For more information on the history and issues affecting Morses Pond, please see the enclosed NRC brochure on Morses Pond labeled Exhibit A . For a map of Morses Pond showing areas of critical concern, see the attached Exhibit B . Please see the attached photographs in Exhibit C showing extensive invasive plant and algae growth throughout the pond.
This project is the first phase of three phases in the NRC’s established Pond Restoration Master Plan Process ( see attached Exhibit D for a summary of the Pond Restoration Master Plan Process). This Pond Restoration Master Plan Process was developed in conjunction with the Dept. of Public Works, and was endorsed in a resolution approved unanimously by Town Meeting in March 1998. As a result, successful restoration projects have been completed at Reeds Pond (restored in 1998), Bezanson Pond (restored in 2001) and Rockridge Pond (restored in 2003). Additional Town ponds scheduled to be restored include Morses Pond, Town Hall Duck Pond, State Street Pond, Abbotts Pond and Longfellow Pond.
Project Eligibility for CPA Funding
The applicants, the NRC and the Recreation Commission, believe that this project meets the majority of criteria for CPA funding as outlined in the “Decision Guidelines” on page 3 of the “Community Preservation Plan,” that was approved by the CPC on June 30, 2003. These guidelines form the basis for the CPC’s application questions that are answered below. This project encompasses two of the CPA’s four allowed purposes: enhancement and preservation of both open space and recreational resources. In addition, the applicants believe that this project will both maximize the impact of CPA funds on the financing of, and optimize the community preservation results of, the project as described below. The applicants also believe that, in accordance with the CPC’s memorandum
dated May 22, 2003, regarding the CPC’s policy to “bank” the majority of CPA Funds, this project meets all three criteria identified for consideration for funding in FY05:
1.Demonstration of an immediate need and/or preservation of an important opportunity.
This project addresses the immediate need to develop restoration options to improve and enhance Morses Pond as open space and as a recreational resource. This need is immediate, and if action is not taken shortly, portions of the pond may become wetland resources that will be difficult, due to nature and wetlands law, to “reclaim” as pond surface water. In addition, the increasing and dramatic spread of aquatic invasive plants and algae further support the immediate need for a feasibility study that will outline a course of action for the restoration of Morses Pond.
2. Funding of studies that are required as a preliminary step in bringing forward a larger project in the future. The Morses Pond Restoration Feasibility Study is required as a preliminary step in bringing forward the larger Morses Pond Restoration Implementation program. Please see the attached Exhibit G for a summary description of the Morses Pond Restoration Master Plan process, and Exhibit H for a more detailed summary of this process including costs.
3. Small, well justified projects where there is not another established funding source. While the NRC will include this project in its FY05 Capital Funding request, given the projected FY05 budget deficit, it is questionable whether capital funding will be available for this project.
1. Goals: What are the goals of the proposed project? Who will benefit and why? How will success be measured?
Summary of Project’s Goal: The goal of this project is the development of a Morses Pond Restoration Feasibility Study that will expand upon and supplement past studies and reports to assess existing pond conditions. This information will then be used to identify and evaluate short and long-term options for restoring the pond and maintaining its health in the long-term. The pond’s eco-system has been in sharp decline due to excessive growth of algae and invasive aquatic plants, which have severely impacted the recreational and environmental resources of the pond. Please see section 2 below for a more detailed discussion as to causes of this problem and why this project is needed.
The restoration options that will be evaluated in the feasibility study may include, but are not limited to, dredging, conventional excavation, draw down, dilution, flushing, surface covers, mechanical removal, etc. In addition, the feasibility study will identify costs associated with all restoration options, and specific restoration recommendations will be made for implementing restoration options based on the most feasible and cost-effective approach. It is important to note that various restoration options may have differing and potentially adverse impacts on the various uses of the pond. The multiple and sometimes conflicting uses of the pond have created many of the issues that the feasibility study will address. For example, invasive weed removal may increase algal blooms since the weeds can uptake nutrients that would
otherwise cause the blooms. Similarly, chemical treatments of the pond that may kill weeds may also jeopardize drinking water quality. Therefore, an important goal of the feasibility study will be to evaluate the restoration options to determine the degree of compatibility between the restoration options and the multiple uses of the pond.
Who will benefit and why: All town residents will benefit from the restoration of the pond, which will improve the recreational use of the pond and protect the pond’s natural resources and environment. For more than 75 years Morses Pond has been available to Wellesley residents as a place for aquatic activities and active and passive recreational uses. It also provides one of the Town’s most beautiful scenic vistas. Today, Morses Pond offers swimming activities, boating, a park and picnic amenities, and individuals visited the Morses Pond Beach over 23,000 times this past summer. The programs offered at the beach include a summer day camp, swimming lessons, aquatic safety training and the School Department’s Wings Program. In addition, the pond is used year-round for fishing, and countless
number of residents use the pond and its environment for kayaking, sailing, walking, skating and nature field trips. Due to the pond’s accelerating decline, however, many of these uses are now limited or, in the case of sailing, are virtually impossible.
How success be will measured: The success of the feasibility study will be measured by the accuracy and completeness of the study’s recommendations, which will be made in consultation with town officials, town residents and environmental professionals. Specific work product timelines with benchmarks for monitoring progress in attaining goals and tasks will be developed. At least one public forum will be held to solicit public input and address the public’s concerns regarding this project. The Town managers for this project will be Town Engineer Stephen Fader and NRC Director Janet Bowser, who will work with the project’s consultant to evaluate the project’s progress on a regular basis.
2. Community Need: Why is this project needed? Does it address needs identified in existing Town plans?
This feasibility study is needed in order to address the causes for the accelerating decline of Morses Pond as both a recreational resource and a unique environmental resource. While past studies have examined a range of issues affecting the pond, much of this information needs to be updated in order to determine restoration feasibility options and to provide recommendations for environmentally sound pond and watershed management techniques for Morses Pond.
The Problem: Morses Pond is Dying from Phosphorous Overload
Eutrophication is the aging process of ponds. Over a long period of time plant nutrients increase in bodies of water and eventually the pond fills in and dies. Eutrophication is accelerated by human activities, such as the use of chemical inorganic fertilizers or the use of detergents containing phosphates. Phosphorus, from organic and inorganic materials, soil particles, fertilizer, road dust, motor oil and car washes is transported by surface water. This is the primary problem in Morses Pond. When the ponds we enjoy begin to die, we must become concerned. This is what we want to correct now, before it's too late.
Why Phosphorous is a Threat to the Water Quality of Morses Pond
Phosphorous, a natural element found in rocks, soils, and organic materials, is essential for plant growth. When introduced by human activities, such as fertilization of lawns, plants and gardens, high concentrations of phosphorus overload ponds and contribute to their demise. When phosphorus content increases, algae feed on it and deplete oxygen levels. The loss of oxygen in the bottom waters frees phosphorus previously trapped in the sediments - and the vicious cycle continues. Algae blooms turn the water green and cloudy. Unpleasant odors and fishkills result from phosphorus overload. Ponds become less attractive aesthetically and recreationally.
Milfoil, an example of an exotic weed now common to Wellesley and New England, grows rapidly in a high phosphorus environment, and has taken over most of Morses Pond, as has the invasive water chestnut plant and fanwort. These aquatic invasives choke out the more desirable native species of aquatic plants, depleting the pond's oxygen levels, resulting in fishkills.
Reducing phosphorus levels will reduce milfoil and other fast growing exotic weeds. Native aquatic plants, such as grasses and pond lilies will flourish and encourage a healthy fish population. See the enclosed DPW Brochure entitled “Wellesley’s Ponds and Phosphorous” for more information.
What are Invasive Species?
Morses Pond contains a wide variety of plants and animals that are essential parts of the pond’s ecosystem. Many species originated here in New England and are well adapted to our climate and to the other species that live here. Other species have been brought here from other parts of the country and the world. When they are introduced into our region, these imported species are called "exotic" or "non-native". Because the local ecosystem did not develop natural ways to control exotics, (animals, pathogens or other plants to limit their growth and spread), their populations have increased very rapidly. When a native or non- native species is able to dominate or significantly alter an area's ecology, it is considered an "invasive species". Many native plants cannot compete
for space or food with invasive species and are crowded out or eliminated from the area. And, since the invasive species often does not provide an optimal source of food or nesting areas for native animals, the area can lose its original variety of plants and animals. See the enclosed NRC brochure entitled “Pond Menace” and the State brochure entitled “Invasive Plants” for more information.
How are Invasive Species Harming Morses Pond?
• Invasive plants are growing rapidly in the pond, and the dense mats of vegetation they form can restrict boating, fishing and swimming, and sometimes make the waterway entirely impassable (see Exhibit C for photos showing extensive invasive/algae growth in pond).
• The spread of invasive species can cause native species to decline, and the animals that depend on them must either relocate or perish. This is reducing the biological diversity of the pond and disrupts the delicate balance of the environment.
• The aesthetic appeal, recreational value and surrounding property values of the pond may quickly decline as the exotic invasive species takes over.
• Once exotic plants are established they are almost impossible to eradicate. The Town must be committed to halting the spread of invasive species and repair the damage they cause.
The Feasibility Study will Address Needs Identified in Existing Town Plans.
The need to protect and restore Morses Pond has been identified in the following Town plans, reports and studies by:
Community Preservation Act Study Committee (see “Community Preservation Act Study Committee Report, Feb. 2002” sections on open space and recreation);
Community Preservation Committee (see “Community Preservation Committee Report, June 2003” goals under “Open Space” and “Recreation” sections);
Board of Public Works (see complete listing of BPW reports under “Feasibility Reports” section 10 below);
Recreation Commission (see “Morses Pond Annual Algae Monitoring Reports,” “Morses Pond Beach Improvement Plan, 2001,” and “Recreation Needs Survey and Forecast”);
Planning Board (see 1994 Comprehensive Master Plan, p. 37, 41, 55,57); and
Natural Resources Commission (see “Morses Pond Management Update for the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission,” by Ken Wagner, Ph.D., Certified Lake Manager, (Nov. 2002), “Open Space and Recreation Master Plan”(1999), “NRC 5-Year Capital Budget Plan for FY04-08” and “Pond Restoration Master Plan, 1998.”
3. Community Support: What is the nature and level of support and/or opposition for this project?
This project is supported by the Natural Resources Commission, the Recreation Commission, the Board of Public Works, the Morses Pond Collaborative, and the Friends of Morses Pond Association ( see Exhibit E for Letters of Support from the Board of Public Works and the Friends of Morses Pond Association). In addition, over 300 residents from throughout the Town have signed a Citizens Petition in support of this feasibility study project, which documents the community’s broad-based support and concern for the health of the pond. (see Exhibit F for copies of the Citizens Petitions).
4. Budget: What is the total budget for the project and how will CPA funds be spent? All items of expenditure must be clearly identified and back-up documentation provided. Distinguish between hard and soft costs. (NOTE: CPA funds may NOT be used for maintenance.) Include a two to five year budget, if appropriate.
The total budget for the development of a Morses Pond Restoration Feasibility Study is $130,000, and includes the items of expenditure outlined below as identified in the “Morses Pond Management Update” Nov. 2002, prepared for the NRC by Dr. Ken Wagner, Ph.D., Certified Lake Manager. The work product resulting from this study will include an assessment/update of existing pond conditions, an evaluation of short and long-term restoration options (i.e. dredging, draw down, conventional excavation, dilution, flushing, surface covers, mechanical removal, etc.). Costs associated with all options will be assessed, and specific restoration recommendations will be made for implementation. For more information, see Exhibit G showing all costs and their associated phases of work to be included in the study, as well as
Exhibit H for a more detailed eight (8) year budget and timeline of the complete Morses Pond restoration process.
Restoration Feasibility Study Cost Items
Since the Town has over 20 years of accumulated monitoring data and studies on Morse Pond (see Section 9 below for references), the development of a comprehensive feasibility study will incorporate all existing information with additional new and updated information that is needed in order to determine the most appropriate and feasible restoration and management actions. The cost for the development of a restoration feasibility study that will evaluate all short and long-term restoration options and recommendations for environmentally sound pond and watershed restoration and management techniques for Morses Pond is $130,000, which will include the following specific components and associated costs:
The Feasibility Study will include an evaluation of all short and long-term restoration options based on current supporting data, with associated costs. The consultant for this project will meet regularly with town project managers and will participate in at least one public forum and present recommendations and solicit feedback from town residents. Although much information already exists on restoration options, the following two areas require substantial new assessment and evaluation: 1) Drawdown Options Assessment will include information on hydrology, bathymetry, water supply, target plants and non-target organism; and 2) Dredging Feasibility Assessment: will include information on hydrology, bathymetry, sediment quality and quantity, and disposal options. Approx. cost is $78,700.
In addition, the following additional scientific and technical information is needed in order to
adequately assess the pond’s existing conditions so that informed feasibility and management
options can be evaluated:
Watershed management: Assessment of water and pollutant loads from defined sub-basins or itemized and specific sources within the watershed with site specific targeted load reductions. Approx. cost is $20,000.
Assess alum treatment effectiveness: monitoring of water column phosphorus, alkalinity and pH in the northern and southern basins. Approx.cost is $5,000.
Algaecide treatment: Tracking of algal populations on a weekly basis. Approx. cost is $1,000.
Biomanipulation: Conduct a fish survey, and an additional assessment of the zooplankton community (May/June and Aug./Sept.). Approx. cost for the fish survey is $20,000, while the zooplankton analyses cost is $300.
Assessment of all plant control techniques: Detailed mapping of the distribution and density of all plant species. Approximate cost is $5000.
Total Cost of Project: $130,000
5. Funding: What funding sources are available, committed or under consideration? Include commitment letters, and describe any other attempts to secure funding for this project.
The applicants will actively seek state and federal grant opportunities to supplement any CPA funds used for this project. The applicants will also seek capital funding through the Town to off-set any funds needed for the study but not funded through CPA funds. In addition, the applicants will work with the Friends of Morses Pond Association to pursue possible fundraising activities and private contributions for this project as well as the long-term restoration project. Because a small portion of the pond is owned by the Town of Natick as well as by private individuals, contributions from these sources will be pursued for the long-term restoration project.
Grants to be pursued by the applicants include:
Mass. Lakes and Ponds Grant Program, administered by the State Division of Conservation Services. $10,000 maximum grant. Since Wellesley received this grant in 2000, chances for a repeat grant are slim, but the NRC will apply in spring 2004 for funding for the feasibility study.
Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Up to 50% matching grant per project. Since 1965, Mass. has received a total of $90 million for public projects. Application deadline for FY05 projects is 8/29/04.
Potential Private Foundation Grant Sources include: Belden Fund; Fund for the Preservation of Wildlife and Natural Areas; Global Greengrants Fund; Heinz Endowment; McCune Charitable Foundation; Mass. Environmental Trust; McKnight Foundation; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; New England Grassroots Environment Fund; Pew Charitable Trusts; Richard Ivey Foundation; Rockwell Foundation; Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment; Sweet Water Trust; and the Weeden Foundation.
6. Timeline: What is the schedule for project implementation, including a timeline for all critical elements? This should include the timeline for expenditures, receipt of other funds and/or other revenues, if any.
See Exhibits G and H for a complete project implementation timeline and budget for the implementation of the feasibility study and all subsequent components of the Morses Pond Restoration Process. It is anticipated that this project will be completed within a 6-8 month timeframe once a consultant is chosen.
7. Implementation: Who will be responsible for implementing the project? Who will the project manager be? What relevant experience does the proposed project manager have?
The NRC and DPW will have primary responsibility for implementing the project and overseeing the consultant’s work. Town Engineer Stephen Fader and NRC Director Janet Bowser will serve as project managers. Both Mr. Fader and Ms. Bowser have extensive experience managing large environmental projects, and for the past five years have worked in partnership in developing and implementing the NRC’s Pond Restoration Master Plan, which includes successful restoration projects at Reeds Pond (restored in 1998), Bezanson Pond (restored in 2001) and Rockridge Pond (restored in 2003).
8. Maintenance: If ongoing maintenance is required, who will be responsible and how will it be funded? Please include a detailed five year budget.
There will be no new maintenance costs associated with this project, however, the eventual implementation of the Morses Pond Restoration Master Plan will result in the need for an on-going long-term pond management program that may necessitate increased maintenance. While these maintenance costs cannot be identified at this time, the applicants recognize that the Town will need to identify a dedicated source of funding (other than CPA) for any on-going maintenance needs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Provide the following additional information, if applicable.
9. Further Documentation: Documentation that you have control over the site, such as a Purchase and Sale Agreement, option or deed.
In 1931 the Town purchased 122 acres in the vicinity of Morses Pond from the Boston Ice Company and the Boston and Albany Railroad. Fifteen acres were set aside for the Water Department. In 1935, using funds from the Federal Relief Emergency Agency, a beach was developed on a portion of the pond. In 1954 management of the beach was turned over to the newly formed Recreation Commission. The NRC and DPW share joint jurisdiction over the majority of the Pond. Because the Town acquired ownership of different parcels of Morses Pond over a period of time, there are several deeds granting ownership to the Town with specific jurisdiction to the NRC and the BPW. These deeds are in archival files with the NRC, DPW and may be obtained upon request as needed.
10. Feasibility Reports: Any feasibility reports, renderings or other relevant studies and material.
See Exhibit I for a summary of each of the below referenced reports/studies that are relevant to the feasibility study and restoration of Morses Pond. Complete copies of each report may be obtained by contacting Janet Bowser, NRC Director.
Past Morses Pond Reports/Studies
Ken Wagner, Ph.D., Certified Lake Manager. Nov. 2002. Morses Pond Management Update for the
Wellesley Natural Resources Commission.
ESS. 2000. Morses Pond Monitoring Report, 1999. Wellesley, MA
ENSR. 1997. Bogle Brook Phosphorus Inactivation Pilot Project. Northboro, MA.
Past Morses Pond Reports/Studies (continued)
Fugro East. 1994. Morses Pond Planning Project. Northboro, MA.
IEP. August,1989. Morses Pond Tributary Study. IEP, Northboro, MA.
Coffin, C. March, 1987. Morses Pond: A Study of Physical, Chemical and Biological Conditions from 1975 - 1986, and Lake and Watershed Management Practices. Boston University, Boston, MA.
Camp, Dresser and McKee. March 1981. Flood Insurance Study: Boulder Brook, Fuller Brook, Caroline Brook and Rosemary Brook. CDM, Boston, MA.
Camp, Dresser and McKee. March 1981. Morses Pond Outlet Study. CDM, Boston, MA.
IEP. 1980-92. Morses Pond Water Quality Monitoring and Management Evaluation Study (Annual Reports). IEP, Northboro, MA.
Carr, J.B. November 1979. Integrated Iron and Nitrogen Control for Lake Restoration. USEPA, Boston, MA.
Camp, Dresser and McKee. January 30, 1975. Report to the Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts on Morses Pond Eutrophication Study. CDM, Boston, MA.
Carr, J.B. May 1975. Chemical Treatment Plan for Management of Morses Pond for the Summer of 1975. Carr Research Laboratory, Inc., Wellesley, MA.
Allen, M. January 1973. Wellesley Pond and Stream Water Quality Study, Summer 1972. Wellesley College, MA.
Allen, M. October, 1973. Wellesley Pond and Stream Water Quality Study, Summer 1973. Wellesley College, MA.
Cortell, J.M. October 1964. A Bio-engineering Study at Morses Pond for the Town of Wellesley. Cortell Associates, Waltham, MA.
11. Zoning Compliance: Evidence that the project does not violate any zoning by-laws or any other laws or regulations, including environmental, and/or plans to obtain necessary approvals.
Since this project involves only a feasibility assessment and study of the pond’s conditions and environment, it does not require any regulatory permits or approvals and will not violate any laws or regulations.
12. Other Information: Any additional information that might benefit the CPC in consideration of this project.
See Exhibit A for a map of Morses Pond showing areas of critical concern, and Exhibit C for photos showing invasives and sedimentation build-up in the pond.
END OF APPLICATION
| 