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Bantam Watershed coalition urges municipalities to support phosphorus‑reduction projects
Summary
Bantam Watershed presenters told NHCOG their TMDL monitoring shows phosphorus is driving algae blooms; they asked towns to partner on best‑management practices, riparian buffers and grant applications to reduce loading.
Representatives of the Bantam Watershed Coalition presented to the council on May 14, outlining monitoring results and a plan to reduce phosphorus inputs that have led Bantam Lake to become eutrophic.
Presenters summarized the state’s 2020 total maximum daily load (TMDL) for the lake and said three watershed outlets — the West Branch River outlet, the Bantam River/Banna Pond outlet and Little Pond outlet — are the largest contributors of phosphorus. They reported three years of monitoring at six watershed sites that closely matched the TMDL projections.
Coalition members described best‑management practices (BMPs) that can cut phosphorus loads, including riparian buffers on properties that drain directly to streams and targeted stormwater interventions near golf-course greens and other high‑runoff areas. They showed grant-funded projects and asked municipalities to collaborate on applications and to consider adopting a “take the pledge” public campaign to reduce nutrient inputs.
The presenters said Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has designated Bantam Lake a heritage lake and assigned staff to assist the coalition; they asked local inland-wetlands commissions and public-works departments to coordinate on grant opportunities and site work.
Board members expressed support and asked staff to post the coalition materials and to arrange follow‑up sessions for inland-wetlands commissions and other local officials.
