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FRIENDS OF LONG POND
  • Home
  • 2022 Test Results
  • Take Action!
  • About Our Pond
    • Purple Loosestrife
    • Historical Pond Data
  • Why We Love Our Pond

 The mission of Friends of Long Pond Marstons Mills
is to educate, advocate and advance remedies
to restore the health of Long Pond for
safe use by residents and wildlife.
Watch a recording of the 2/1/23  neighborhood Zoom meeting at:
drive.google.com/file/d/1s52T-WRoPZZ5wq9XPO7sBr8wEjFK-e4r/view  


Welcome to a New Year of hope for Long Pond!

There’s been some exciting progress toward implementing solutions to our pond’s cyanobacteria problem. 
These include:
  • the Town's efforts to pilot floating treatment wetlands and biochar filtration socks in Long Pond (currently obtaining quotes and investigating Conservation approvals.)
  • possible funding from the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center ("MASSTC") and Friends of Long Pond MM to supplement the purchase and installation of phosphorus-reducing septic systems, urine diversion toilets or urinals, incineration toilets, or composting toilets.  
 
We all want to protect our home’s value and enjoy a healthy pond.  Please review the following links and email amym@longpondmm.org if you would like to participate in a site visit to MASSTC, the Green Center in Falmouth or the Centerville home of a resident with a phosphorus-reducing septic system.

​issuu.com/greencenter/docs/_least_expensive_innovative_alternative_i_a_wast
​undercurrent-productions.com/portfolio/how-composting-toilets-could-save-cape-cod/


Click on the "Take Action!" tab for a summary of these solutions.

Our Focus:

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​CYANOBACTERIA MONITORING AND ALERTS 


​For the past 3 summers, we have hired the Association to Preserve Cape Cod to conduct pond testing.  This summer APCC will be testing weekly at the north and south ends of the pond.

​Results from the sampling at these locations as well as at the Long Pond Farms Association Beach are posted under the "2022 Test Results" tab every Wednesday or Thursday.

​
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​EDUCATION TO REDUCE INPUTS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO CYANOBACTERIA OVERGROWTH 

We inform homeowners of ways in which they can help to reduce the flow into our pond of phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients which contribute to cyanobacteria overgrowth.  These are detailed under the "Take Action" tab and include:
  • Inspecting and pumping septic systems every 2-3 years
  • Using phosphate-free cleaning products
  • Refraining from using garbage disposal or flushing chemicals.  ​Instead, taking hazardous waste to the Barnstable Transfer Station
  • Refraining from using fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
  •  Planting buffer strips of native plants and trees​
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​ACTION TO IMPROVE LONG POND'S WATER QUALITY


​We look for opportunities to take direct action to improve the water quality of our pond. 

During Summer 2022, we removed Purple Loosestrife (an invasive species) so that native plant and animal species can flourish.  This work will continue in early Summer 2023.

We advocate for action by the Town of Barnstable such as the replacement of problematic storm drains (2021), requistion of a comprehensive study of Long Pond (2021), review of the resulting report (2022) and implementation of solution(s) in 2023.


Please support our efforts by becoming a member or renewing your membership. 
Send your check for $25 or more to
Friends of Long Pond Marstons Mills at P.O. Box 514, Marstons Mills, MA 02648-0514 or scroll down under the "Take Action" tab to pay via credit card or PayPal. Thank you!

Latest news:
​January 2023:  The Town is awaiting a quote to pilot floating treatment wetlands and Biochar filtration socks in Long Pond.  Friends of Long Pond MM is applying for a large grant to help neighbors take steps to reduce the flow of phosphorus  from our septic systems, which has been causing our cyanobacteria blooms.

December 2022:  The Town presented a summary of SMAST's Diagnostic Assessment and Management Plan for Long Pond in a Zoom meeting on 11/29.  Here is the link to a recording of the meeting: streaming85.townofbarnstable.us/CablecastPublicSite/show/10273?channel=1
The report and Town recommendations are available
HERE.
Friends of Long Pond Marstons Mills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax. 
​Established in 2020, our 2022-23 board consists of 7 members:

Amy Mesirow, President                         David Abelman, Clerk                     Joanna Chodes                 Steve Kreth
Chris Young, Vice President                    Steve Shuman, Treasurer             Brett Goldberg

Our mailing address is:  Post Office Box 514, Marstons Mills, MA  02648-0514

Contact: 
 amym@longpondmm.org

Listen to this beautiful song inspired by our pond in winter.  It was written, choreographed and sung by our board member Chris Young: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHl-O6qtFaI&ab_channel=StoneFlowers

    Click here to find out how you can support us.
    Contact Friends of Long Pond Marstons Mills
    If you would like to be added to our email list for updates, if you have questions or suggestions, or if you want to volunteer to help, we'd love to hear from you!

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  • Home
  • 2022 Test Results
  • Take Action!
  • About Our Pond
    • Purple Loosestrife
    • Historical Pond Data
  • Why We Love Our Pond