Archived Early Reports, Old Newsletters, Important Early Correspondence, Hard to Find Gray Literature

Selected Correspondence

Below we have placed selected correspondence by the Buzzards Bay NEP that may be of interest. Additional correspondence and reports may be found on other pages on the Buzzards Bay NEP website. For example, correspondence related to the development or implementation of nitrogen management strategies can be found on the Nitrogen page. Some early town-specific correspondence can be found on the town information pages.

The Buzzards Bay Project began in 1985 and the program preceded its designation into the National Estuary Program in December 1987.

Buzzards Bay Project Management Committee Meetings 1985 to 1989

First newsletter of the Buzzards Bay Project (December 1985)

1987 BBNEP TAC Science Meeting Agenda

Designation of Buzzards Bay as an NEP on December 20, 1987

January 1988 NEP joint state-federal designation announcement event

1988 Bacterial Contamination of Shellfish – Fact Sheet #1

Photo of signed Buzzards Bay pledge poster from June 29, 1990 drafted CCMP announcement event
On June 29, the Buzzards Bay Project released its draft CCMP. After this kick-off event, there were subsequent meetings around the bay to receive comments and inputs on the document. The CCMP was not finalized and approved by the state until December 1991.  EPA approved the CCMP in April 1992.

1990 DEP support letter for CCMP

1992 EPA approval letter for CCMP

Hurricane Bob reconstruction guidance to municipalities 1991

Buzzards Bay Project Toxic Use Reduction Program 1992-1996

BBP Toxic Use Reduction Program 1994 Governors award Johnson&Johnson

Origins of the Buzzards Bay Citizen Monitoring Programs
The Buzzards Bay NEP worked with the Westport River Watershed Alliance and the Buzzards Bay Coalition to establish the first citizen-based water quality monitoring programs in Buzzards Bay. This February 1991 proposal developed by the NEP and submitted to to Mass Environmental Trust, laid out the strategy. Unfortunately, the Trust was only able to fund the Westport River monitoring component, and additional funds were not awarded by EPA. However, because the bay-wide monitoring program was viewed as a worthy goal , at the request of the NEP Director Joe Costa, the Buzzards Bay NEP Management Committee agreed to fund the baywide monitoring effort and Town Watch program in the spring of 1991. In the Fall of 1991, the NEP provided funds to the Buzzards Bay Coalition for a monitoring coordinator, and funds to a WHOI scientist (Brian Howes) to outfit the program, train volunteers, and conduct laboratory testing of water samples. The first sampling began in the spring of 1992.

The Mattapoisett Holly Woods Road Subdivision Case (1993) -12 kb PDF.
This letter (the first of nine pieces of correspondence by the Buzzards Bay NEP), and a wetlands appeal by the Buzzards Bay NEP, eventually led to a series of actions that resulted in a developer of a residential subdivision agreeing to redelineate the wetlands on a 90+ acre subdivision. It turned out that 60+ acres of wetland were overlooked in the original wetland permit filing with the Town of Mattapoisett, and under an agreement with DEP, fill was removed from wetlands.

A 1994 update on the Mattapoisett Holly Woods Road Subdivision Case with graphics -119 kb PDF.
A good summary of a dramatic series of actions.

Correspondence at start of BBP involvement with Town of Falmouth Bogs (1996) -12 kb PDF.

1997 Buzzards Bay MOU
1997 Memorandum of Understanding between the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, The Buzzards Bay Coalition, and the Buzzards Bay Action Committee

Interesting 2000 correspondence on definition of the boundary of Buzzards Bay and its watershed.

2005 updated Buzzards Bay MOU
In the Spring of 2005, during their respective board meetings, both The Buzzards Bay Coalition, and the Buzzards Bay Action Committee adopted this update of the 1997 MOU.

Reports are interspersed throughout our website. On this page we list some older gray literature reports and references that might otherwise be hard to come by, or not linked on our other pages.

ETI MOU (MOU between the Commonwealth and the U.S. Air Force for the operation of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center)

2003 noteworthy West Falmouth tidal restriction correspondence.

Early Buzzards Bay NEP Technical Reports and Funded Studies

Alber. 1988. _Shellfish_in_Buzzards_Bay_BBP_88_02

Aubrey Consulting. 1991. Determination Flushing Rates Hydrographic Features Selected Buzzards Bay Embayments 1991

Banta et al. 1991. Benthic respiration and nitrogen release in Buzzards Bay

BBNEP 1993-1996 Toxics Use reduction Options Newsletters

Buzzards Bay NEP. 1997. Biennial Report

Buzzards Bay Project. 1991. Federal consistency report

EPA 2002 program evaluation

Buzzards Bay NEP 1997 Correspondence big picture overview of BBP funding and organization

BBNEP BBAC – 2000 Bilge Sock Report

BBPNEP. 2001. Protecting nitrogen sensitive embayments through land conservation: A demonstration in two Buzzards Bay embayments (close-out report to MassDEP)

BBNEP. 2000. Hix Bridge Tidal Restriction Report

Brown and Gale (Battelle) 1986. Identification_and_Collection_of_Historical Data_Interview Sheets Historical Data Volume II Interview Sheets BBP-88-9

Brown et al. (Battelle) 1987. Identification and collection of historical data for Buzzards Bay Massachusetts Task II Summary of Literature

BU Hydrogeology Unit. 1986. Bacterial Water Quality Survey East Branch Westport River 1987

Buttman. Report 89-17: USGS Current Observations in Buzzards Bay: 1982-86

Butman 1988 Current observations Buzzards Bay 1982-84

2009 Regional Open Space Plan

Costa, J. E., B. L. Howes, A. Giblin, and I. Valiela. 1992. Monitoring Nitrogen and indicators of nitrogen to support management action in Buzzards Bay, p. 497-529. In McKenzie et al.(eds) Ecological Indicators, Elsevier, London

Costa et al. eds. 1994. A Synthesis of Pollutant Inputs to Buzzards Bay
Chapter 1: Pathogen Issues in Buzzards Bay by D. Jay Grimes and George Heufelder
Chapter 2: Nutrients and the Trophic Status of Buzzards Bay by John Kelley, Ivan Valiela, and Douglas Hersch
Chapter 3: Toxic Chemicals in Buzzards Bay: Sources, Fates, and Effects by John Farrington and Judith McDowell Capuzzo
Chapter 4: Characterization of pollutant inputs to Buzzards Bay by Christine Werme, Brigitte Hilbig and Anne Giblin

Costa 2013 (ed.).Living Resources of Buzzards Bay: Synthesis reports produced for the 1991 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, 2013 Redux, Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program Technical Report, Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, October 18, 2013. 98 pp.
Chapters:
Giblin, A., and K. Foreman. 1990. The Habitats of Buzzards Bay.
Grice, F. 1990. The Buzzards Bay Lobster Resource and Fishery.
Grice, F. 1990. The Buzzards Bay Shellfish Resource and Fishery.
Grice, F. 1990. The Finfish Resources of Buzzards Bay.
Payne, P. M., C. Coogan, F. Wenzel, M. A. Buehler, and A. L. Hankin. 1991. Status and Assessment of the Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Species of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts: An Historical and Present Overview
Poole. A. 1990. Waterbirds of Buzzards Bay.

DEP. 1989. Buzzards Bay Research Bacteriological Data Report. BBP Report 89-19.

DEP. 1989. (DEQE._1987), Buzzards Bay Sediment Data Report 1985 1986 BBP 89-15

Duerring (DEP). 1989. Buzzards Bay caged mussel pilot bio-monitoring study 1987-1988

Fish 1987.  Computer Enhanced Modelling Tidal Velocities BBP_89_18

Germano, F. 1992. The history of shellfish bacterial closures in Buzzards Bay 1900 to 1992.

Geise et al., 1987. Passive retreat mass coastal upland due relative sea level rise

Gil (DEP). 1989. Buzzards Bay cranberry bog input study

Heufelder. 1986. Bacterialogical Monitoring in Buttermilk Bay

Heufelder & Rask. 1987. Survival transport enteric bacteria viruses nearshore marine environments

Heufelder & Rask. 1988. Survival and Transport of Enteric Bacteria and Viruses October 1988

Hillman et al. 1987. Ratios edible tissue whole body PCB concentrations flounder lobster New Bedford Harbor

IEP. 1990. Sea level rise implications action plan Buzzards Bay

Moore (SRPEDD). 1987. Inventory of Local Regulations BBP-88-01

Moog. 1987. Hydrogeology and Freshwater Influx of Buttermilk Bay BBP-88-10

Metcalf and Eddy. 1989. Nonpoint source management plan watershed Phinneys Harbor Bourne Massachusetts 1989

Metcalf and Eddy. 1989. Non-point source management plan watershed Snell Creek Westport Massachusetts 1989

SRPEDD. Technical resource manual. BBP Report 89-11.

SRPEDD_1990_Improving local government through better interboard communication

Turner et al. 1999. Nutrients eutrophication harmful algal blooms Buzzards Bay

SES. 1991. Town of Dartmouth Buttonwood Brook watershed draft management plan

SRPEDD: sample bylaws regulations bbp 89 12

SRPEDD. 1989_Sample_Bylaws_and_Regulations_BBP_89-12

SRPEDD. 1988. Report 89-11: Technical Resource Manual, A reference for Buzzards Bay Communities

SRPEDD. 1989 Land Use Changes Buzzards Bay area 1951 1984

Tripp. 1985. Buzzards Bay bibliography reference scientific technical reports 1985

Valiela, I. & Costa, J. E. 1988. Eutrophication of Buttermilk Bay, a Cape Cod coastal embayment: Concentrations of nutrients and watershed nutrient budgets. Environmental Management 12: 539-553. (funded by the Buzzards Bay NEP)

Weiskel et al. 1998. Coliform Contamination of a Coastal Embayment. Environmental science and Technology.

Weiskel and Howes. 1989. The Impact of Septic Effluent on groundwater quality Buttermilk Bay Drainage Basin, Massachusetts Part II: Nutrients

Hard to Find Buzzards Bay Gray Literature and Data

BBNEP? Pollutant Loads by NPDES permit limits early 1990s

Bay State Environmental Consultants. 1988. Diagnostic feasibility study management buttonwood pond New Bedford MA 

BBP summary NPDES permit info maps circa 1990

Collings et. al. 1981. Effects power generation living marine resources Cape Cod Canal (excerpt)

CZM. 1982. PCB_pollution_in New_Bedford

CZM. 1985. Barrier Beaches, Salt Marshes, and Tidal Flats. Massachusetts coastal resources

DEQE. 1975. Buzzards Bay wastewater discharge water quality survey part c 1975

DEQE. 1976. Buzzards Bay water quality data part a 1975

DEQE. 1976. Buzzards Bay water quality management plan 1976 part d

DEQE. 1986. Buzzards Bay water quality survey data 1986

DEQE. 1987. Water quality data 1986

DEQE. 1978. Buzzards Bay 1975 77 Wastewater Discharge Data Part B

DEQE. 1982. Buzzards Bay Outer New Bedford Harbor Special Water Quality Study 1980.

DEQE. 1980. White Island Pond Water Quality Study

DEQE. 1987. Buzzards Bay sediment data report 1985 1986

DEQE. 1987. Buzzards Bay 1986 Water Quality Report for Buzzards Bay (cover appears to be in error)

DMF. 1968. Study of marine resources of the Westport River

DMF. 1977. Massachusetts coastal lobster fishery statistics

DMF. 1978. Massachusetts coastal lobster fishery statistics technical series no 14

DMF. 1979. Massachusetts coastal lobster fishery statistics technical series no15

DMF. 1981. Massachusetts lobster fishery statistics

DMF._1982._Lobster_Trap_Sampling_Program

DMF_1984_Black_Gill_Shell_Disease_Lobster

DMF. 1986. Relationship suspended sediment bacteria east westport river 1986

EM._2000._Nitrogen_for_ Bearing_Cranberries_in_North_America

ENSR 2002 Diagnostic Feasibility Study New Bedford Reservoir Acushnet

EPA Estuaries_on_the_edge (Buzzards_Bay section excerpt)

Fogarty. 1983. Distribution abundance american lobster Homarus americanus larvae New England 1974 79

Gallivan. 1991. Controlling onsite wastewater pollution in Buzzards Bay

Hall. 1979. Occurrence salmonella vibrio parahaemolyticus New Bedford area Buzzards Bay

Howes, B. L. 1992. Water quality monitoring of Aucoot Cove, Massachusetts. Unpublished data report.

Kelly. 1978. Metal concentrations macrobenthos New Bedford Harbor evaluation (masters thesis)

Stratton. 1978. Environmental assessment polychlorinated biphenyls near New Bedford municipal landfill

Summerhayes et al. 1977. Fine grained sediment industrial waste distribution New Bedford 76

Turner. 1989. Seasonal study plankton larval fish water quality Buzzards Bay

USGS Map of Buzzards Bay sediments and sediment types.

Wei. 1986. Installation evaluation permeable pavement Walden Pond state reservation

Wilkes and Cember. 1993. Cornell University’s Atlas of Precipitation Extremes for the Northeastern United States and Canada

Early Oil Spill Studies

Farlow. 1981. Long Term Effects of Florida Oil Spill

Early PCB studies and Data

Metcalf & Eddy. 1983. Acushnet Estuary PCBs Data Management Final Report 1983

Wastewater Facility Plans, Reports, and Data

See related DEP and DEQE reports above.

EPA. 1991. Wastewater treatment facilities New Bedford Final EIR Executive Summary

New Bedford WWTF sludge data and info circa 1990

New Bedford City Council WWTF-1990-1992

PSG Aquatech Wastewater Analyses New Bedford WWTF 1992

PSG Wastewater Analyses New Bedford WWTF 1993

MA Fisheries Reports of David Belding

Belding, D.L. 1921. A Report Upon the Alewife Fisheries of Massachusetts. (10 MB pdf file)

Belding, D. L. 1909 A report upon the mollusk fisheries of Massachusetts. Wright & Potter, Boston, MA, 234 pp.download pdf of 598 page version, 22.4 MB) or download pdf of 350 page version, 41.8 MB).

Belding, D. L. 1910. A report upon the scallop fishery of Massachusetts. including the habits. life history of Pecten irradians, its rate of growth, and other facts of economic value. Wright & Potter Printing Co., Boston. 150 pp. download pdf (11.4 MB)

Belding, D.L., 1910. Scallop studies on Cape Cod, MA, Mass. D.M.F. report, 200 pp.

Belding, D.L. 1910. The growth and habits of the sea clam (Mactra solidissima). Rep. Comm. Fish. Game Mass 1909 Publ. Doc. 25:26-41.

Belding, D. L., 1911. The life history and growth of the quahaug (Venus mercenaria). Ann. Rep., Comm. Fish and Game, Massachusetts, 1910, pp. 18-128.

Belding, D. L., 1911. The Lobster Fishery. A Special Report Including Suggestions for Uniform Laws Made to the Legislature of Massachusetts by the Commissioners on Fisheries and Game. download pdf (3.6 MB)

Belding, D. L. 1911. A report upon the quahaug and oyster fisheries of Massachusetts, including the life history, growth and cultivation of the quahaug (Venus mercenaria), and observations on the set of oyster spat in Wellfleet Bay. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Contribution #12: 134 pp. (This might have been the actual internal report in 1911, but the 1912 copy by Wright and Potter is the one that was widely distributed.)

Belding, D.L. 1912. (Reprint 1964) A report upon the quahog and oyster fisheries of Massachusetts. Mass. Div. Fish. Game, 134 pp.

Belding, D.L. 1921. A report upon the alewife fisheries of Massachusetts. Marine Fisheries Ser. No. 1. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. 135 pp. download pdf (16 MB)

Belding, D.L. 1921. (Reprint 1964) A report upon the alewife fisheries of Massachusetts. Mass. Div. Fish. Game, 135 pp.

Belding, D. L. 1930. The soft-shelled clam fishery of Massachusetts: including the natural history of the soft-shelled clam and a discussion of sewage pollution and shellfish. Boston: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dept. of Conservation, Division of Fisheries and Game, Marine Fisheries Section, 65 p. ill. (Marine fisheries series ; no. 1) (also cited as 135 pages, probably from when the figure plates are counted)

Belding, D. L. 1931. The quahaug fishery of Massachusetts: including the natural history of the quahaug and a discussion of quahaug farming. [Boston] : Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dept. of Conservation, Division of Fisheries and Game, Marine Fisheries Section, 41 p. : ill. (Marine fisheries series ; no. 2).

Belding, D.L. 1931. (Reprint 1964) The scallop fishery of Massachusetts. Mass. Div. Fish. Game , 3:51.

Belding, D.L. 1931. The Quahaug Fisheries of Massachusetts. Marine Fisheries Series No. 2. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, 4l pp.

Local Historical Accounts & Municipal Histories

Bliss. 1988. Colonial Times on Buzzards Bay

Bryant et al., 1879. Rochester Official Bicentennial Record

Church 1716/Drake, 1827. History of Philip’s War, (Indian war of 1675-76)

Crapo. 1912. Certain Comeovers Vol I (SE Mass family and town histories)

Excerpt 1815 Massachusetts Historical Collection pages on description of Carver.

Griffith, H. S. 1913. History of the Town of Carver Massachusetts. (17 MB pdf file)

Leonard. 1908. Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, Massachusetts (Town Histories)

Tilden. 1908. 50th Anniversary of Mattapoisett

National documents with limited availability