Regrettably, water quality in our freshwater ponds and lakes is declining. Several groups, including the Cape Cod Commission, The Orleans Marine and Fresh Water Committee, and the Orleans Pond Coalition have been collecting and analyzing data to pinpoint causes of the decline and to identify remedies that have been put in place, and/or are being considered for future remediation. The Orleans Citizens Forum will be exploring these efforts at its March 27 Forum on Freshwater Quality on the Cape and in Orleans, in particular.

The following questions will be addressed by the panelists:

• What does the data tell us about the health of our freshwater ponds and lakes?
• What are the problems causing a downward trend in water quality and what has created them?
• What actions have been taken to mitigate these concerns?
• What additional actions are being planned?
• How can citizens help?

Panelists will include:

• Heather McElroy, a planner at the Cape Cod Commission, working to develop appropriate tools and policies to help address the region’s natural resource and land use challenges. Her work has contributed to many regional projects focused on improving communication, knowledge, and action on natural resource and climate change issues on Cape Cod.
• Tara Nye Lewis, Cape Cod Commission’s Water Resources Analyst, provides technical expertise, analysis and decision-support to towns and the public on planning and regulatory issues related to water resources.
• Rich Levy, Chair of the Orleans Marine and Fresh Water Committee (OMFWC) will discuss how the Committee monitors and protects the Town’s marine and freshwater resources and uses its rich scientific database to inform decisions and make recommendations.
• Eric Spengler, President of the Orleans Pond Coalition, joined OPC in the Spring of 2020 and assisted on the Sarah’s Pond Oxygen Demonstration Program. He will address the work of OPC and share what we can do as citizens to help protect our shared waters.

Walter North will moderate the panel discussion.

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The forum will be videotaped and posted online within a few days after the forum. You can bring your questions to the forum or email them in advance to info@orleanscitizensforum.org. We look forward to seeing you on March 27.

We are an all-volunteer independent non-partisan organization that provides public forums on topics important to our quality of life. Visit OrleansCitizensForum.org and support us in keeping Orleans informed.