Falmouth staff say marine borings and eelgrass surveys planned as outfall permitting continues

Town staff gave an update on the outfall project and related permitting at the Aug. 28 Water Quality Management Committee meeting.

Amy, a town staff member leading parts of the outfall effort, said the town is working through permitting for marine borings and “still very much hope[s] and plan[s] to do the marine borings this winter,” while noting outstanding permitting hurdles including anti‑degradation review and the Interbasin Transfer Act. She told the committee the town has a plan for data gathering and earlier contracts for eelgrass and benthic surveys had been delayed by review and contracting timelines but staff are scheduled to perform a summer survey in the week of Sept. 16.

On survey requirements, committee members explained the state wants two seasons of eelgrass information and specific seasonal timing; the Army Corps of Engineers applies a slightly different standard. Staff said a September survey would meet Army Corps needs and likely serve as the first year of the town’s two‑year baseline for state permitting, though they acknowledged that if the state is unsatisfied another season may be required.

Budget and next steps: committee members noted the town is working with a $2,000,000 appropriation for outfall and related work; staff agreed to provide more detailed expenditure accounting at a later date. Members also questioned whether outfall capacity will constrain planned sewering; staff offered to discuss capacity and the outfall design with individual members and to provide more detail to the committee.

The town will run its own eelgrass surveys and coordinate with state aerial surveys where possible. Staff also flagged that intermunicipal coordination with Mashpee and Bourne remains important because watersheds cross municipal boundaries.