Project Organizational Profile and Staff Information
BBNEP Staff
Identity: A state advisory and technical assistance unit within the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (MCZM), with a mission to protect and restore the environment of Buzzards Bay and its watershed.
Principal Customers: Municipal Boards of Health, Conservation Commissions, Planning Boards, Boards of Selectman, citizens, nonprofits.
Services: Financial support, GIS support and analysis, project development, stormwater mapping and monitoring, plan review, permitting assistance, technical evaluations, planning, environmental analysis.
Cost: Free!
Who can help you at the Program?
Dr. Joe Costa is is Executive Director of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program. Besides overseeing and administering the program, he provides technical assistance on nitrogen loading assessment and management, water quality analysis, watershed planning, build-out and watershed nitrogen loading analysis, data analysis, salt marsh mapping and elevation surveys, GIS support, and use of LiDAR data. Joe’s research in Marine Ecology, particularly nitrogen loading effects on eelgrass beds and coastal ecosystems was used to establish the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s citizen water quality monitoring program Baywatchers, and he was the lead in the creation of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center, operated by Barnstable County Health since 2001. He was also the lead in establishing the Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative in 2017, and the long-term salt marsh monitoring program in 2019.
Email: Joe.Costa@mass.gov
774-377-6000
Alicia Grimaldi is the EPA Project Officer for the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, and is responsible for administering EPA’s side of things. Alicia is a Physical Scientist at EPA, and is also the Coordinator for the Beach Monitoring Program, burial at sea, and aquatic invasive species.
Kevin Bartsch is one of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program’s Stormwater Specialists. He has a master’s degree in Watershed Science and over 30 years of experience in GIS and natural resources. Kevin has a wealth of knowledge in MS4, public utility infrastructure, asset management, soil erosion, natural resource management, and open space protection. At the Buzzards Bay NEP, he works with municipalities and the Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative to document and manage stormwater structures, maintains water quality data collected for stormwater monitoring, and provides NEP project support.
Email: Kevin.Bartsch@mass.gov
774-377-6003
Bernadette Taber is one of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program’s Stormwater Specialists. A long-time former employee of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service detailed to the Buzzards Bay NEP office since 1991, Bernie re-joined the Buzzards Bay NEP after leaving federal service in 2015. Bernie evaluates and develops engineering solutions for stormwater remediation in both agricultural and urban environments. Bernie has reviewed many engineering plans at the request of Buzzards Bay municipalities, and has also developed the preliminary stormwater and habitat restoration designs identified in collaboration with Buzzards Bay municipalities and their contractors.
Email: Bernadette.Taber@mass.gov
774-377-6004
Sarah Williams is the BBNEP’s Regional Planner. She aids municipalities and program partners on land use and watershed planning, land conservation, build out analysis, habitat restoration, and mapping. She is also responsible for the administration of the Program’s Municipal Grant Programs. Sarah was also a former member of the Fairhaven-Acushnet Land preservation Trust.
Email: Sarah.Williams@mass.gov
774-377-6002
Dave Janik is the BBNEP’s Grants Management Specialist. He assists municipalities to help develop project ideas for applications to state and federal grant programs. As the former CZM South Coast Regional Coordinator, Dave brings with him a wealth of knowledge and a strong relationship with municipal staff and officials.
Email: David.Janik@mass.gov
774-377-6005