FCW To Publish ‘Chatham Blue Pages,’
Guide To Preserving Water Resources

by Tim Wood

            CHATHAM --- Preserving the town’s salt and fresh water resources is the mission of the Friends of Chatham Waterways.  But as recent studies have shown, those resources are in trouble, and it’s going to take more than the 300 members of the non-profit group to restore coastal and inland waterways to good health.

            To enlist the help of the rest of the town’s residents and property owners, FCW is publishing the “Chatham Blue Pages,” a 60-page four-color book subtitled “A Guide To Protecting Cape Cod Waters.”

            The book, expected to be available this summer, includes tips for saving water and other resources as well as explanations of complex issues such as wastewater, septic systems and the Cape’s sole-source aquifer, all written in non-technical language.

            “It’s really kind of a comprehensive little booklet so people will know more about conservation of animals, land and water,” said FCW co-president William Coleman.

            Coleman, George Olmsted and Marie Williams are working on raising the $36,000 to $40,000 cost of publishing the booklet and distributing it to every household and business in Chatham.  Other FCW members are contributing to the editorial side of the project.

            Last year, the Orleans Pond Coalition published “The Orleans Blue Pages,” which was modeled on “The Island Blue Pages,” published by the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group and the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah.  That, in turn, was an adaptation of the “Puget Soundbook,” which was produced by the Marine Science Society of the Pacific Northwest with a grant from the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority's Public Involvement and Education program (it can be found at www.forsea.org/pugetsoundbook/).

            All contain similar information geared toward the specific geographic area.  Coleman said 20 of the 60 pages in the “Chatham Blue Pages” will be produced by FCW and dedicated specifically to Chatham.

            The book is part education and part practical guide toward living a more water-resources friendly lifestyle.  There are chapters on conserving water, good hazardous waste practices, recycling, responsible landscape practices, alternate water-friendly cleaners for the home, good boating practices and a section for kids.  There are also several pages of resources for further information and study.

            “Many of these are really small things that we think are important,” said Coleman.

            FCW began planning the booklet two years ago, he said.

            “We have been talking about this for three years, having seen the booklet that was put out on the Vineyard.  We thought they were really very helpful for the average homeowner and business,” he said.

            Coleman and his committee began canvassing selected businesses last week to solicit support for the project.  A mailing was slated to go out to residents this week describing the booklet, outlining its goals and seeking financial support. The names of contributors will be listed in the inside back cover of the book, Coleman said. FCW will underwrite some $5,000 of the cost.

            The response so far has been encouraging, he said, given the economic climate.  He cited the case of a 13-year-old summer resident who donated his bar mitzvah gift money to the project.

            The booklet is particularly timely given the town’s wastewater management push, Coleman said.  At May’s annual town meeting, voters will be asked to approve $59 million to begin the process of expanding the town’s wastewater management plant and collection system as outlined in its comprehensive wastewater management plan. The plan calls for eventually sewering the entire town, at an estimated cost of $300 million, in order to restore the health of coastal estuaries suffering from an overabundance of nutrients, especially nitrogen. 

            Coleman said he sees the “Chatham Blue Book” as a supporting document for the wastewater project, which will help homeowners and business owners become more “savvy” about the underlying ecological issues.

            “Our mission is better, cleaner water,” Coleman said.  “Every little bit we can do to maintain good quality water is right down our alley.”

            Plans call for getting the book into the hands of property owners, residents and business owners in August.

3/26/09