Montigny, Markey ‘Optimistic’ Septic Regs Won’t Impact SouthCoast

State Senator Mark Montigny of New Bedford and State Representative Chris Markey of Dartmouth announced Monday on WBSM’s SouthCoast Tonight a major development regarding the controversial Title V septic regulations proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Democratic lawmakers, after discussions with the new Healey-Driscoll administration, said they were “optimistic” the proposed septic regulations would benefit the suburban and rural SouthCoast communities originally targeted by the DEP, such as Dartmouth, Westport and Acushnet, will not affect.

Markey said he anticipates the new regulations will likely focus on Cape Cod.

A robust period of public comment began late last year when Chris Michaud, director of public health for Montigny, Markey and Dartmouth, sounded the alarm about the DEP’s proposed septic regulations targeting some SouthCoast communities and all of Cape Cod, with the target to reduce nitrogen pollution in estuaries and other coastal waters.

Nitrogen pollution can cause algal blooms that kill fish and other wildlife by using up all the oxygen in the water.

South Coast officials and residents were primarily concerned that the regulations, if implemented, could result in individual homeowners incurring large financial costs to install new sewage systems that reduce nitrogen emissions.

Courtesy of MassDEP

Courtesy of MassDEP

Michaud previously told WBSM that the exact cost of these new septic systems would depend on each homeowner’s situation, but could cost residents up to $50,000 each.

SouthCoast lawmakers wrote to the DEP in December, arguing that the agency’s proposals had “many flaws” and that there was no point in lumping the SouthCoast and Cape Cod together because they have different population demographics, topographies and coastal needs have.

Ultimately, after an extended public comment period by the DEP, several additional public briefings and discussions with the Healey-Driscoll administration, Montigny and Markey said they were confident enough in what they heard from the corner office to condemn SouthCoast homeowners with ease .

Markey said that because of his work with Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll came to this conclusion.

“My conversations with the Chief of Staff to the Lt. Governor and this crew were concerned about it,” Markey said on SouthCoast Tonight. “They were aware of Chris’ (Michaud) efforts and his expertise and he really understood the ins and outs.”

“I think if you look at all of that, it’s probably more likely that these things are headed towards the Cape rather than the south coast,” Markey said.

Montigny agreed with Markey but said they will remain focused until there is an official decision from the administration.

“Whether it’s homeowners, city officials, or people like Chris and I, we’re going to be vigilant until we see this spin-off,” he said.

Montigny also drew attention to legislation he had introduced with the support of Markey, Westport MP Paul Schmid and others that would ensure homeowners would not bear the costs of the DEP’s new Title V regulations.

Karissa Hand, spokeswoman for Gov. Maura Healey, told WBSM that they continue to receive input from communities on the proposed regulations.

“Our administration continues to work with communities and local officials as MassDEP finalizes the Title V regulations,” Hand said. “We have a common goal to protect our environment and protect residents from significant cost burdens.”

Listen to Sen. Montigny and Rep. Markey’s full comments on SouthCoast Tonight:

Top news for February

As always, there is a lot going on on the south coast. Here are the most viewed messages of the last month.

Top stories for January 2023

You might also like

Comments are closed.