From the Bourne Enterprise · October 10, 2025 · By Owen Drury Sullivan
Bourne acted just ahead of the July 7, 2025 deadline in the state’s 2023 nitrogen rules. It filed a notice of intent with MassDEP on June 17, which gives the town about five years to secure a watershed permit for its nitrogen-sensitive Buzzards Bay watersheds. The filing also spares homeowners there from the state requirement to install nitrogen-reducing septic systems within five years. By the article’s account, homeowners had faced costs of up to $33,000 each.
The town administrator said Bourne has $200,000 from Town Meeting and will seek $100,000 more in MassDEP grants, but expects the work to cost well over $300,000. She also warned that the state can take enforcement action if a town misses its permit conditions. The same timetable applies to Falmouth, Mashpee and Sandwich, which filed notices for Waquoit Bay.
This is CPWB’s summary of a news article. The full article and its photos are published by the Bourne Enterprise.
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