Hawke Lends Name Against New EPA Regs

Hawke Lends Name Against New EPA Regs
Katie Landeck
News Staff Writer

GARDNER  Mayor Mark Hawke, in partnership with nearly every mayor in the state, is rallying against proposed federal regulations to tighten permits for stormwater discharge.

“It’s unrealistic,” Mr. Hawke said. “You might as well say we don’t want you to use asphalt anymore, why don’t you pave the streets with gold?”

The proposed regulations — drafted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region One office — require all municipalities to reduce pollutants in stormwater to the “maximum extent possible” by using “best management practices.” This includes control techniques and system design and engineering methods, which could mean costly and continual upgrades as management practices improve.

To keep up, the Massachusetts Municipal Association estimates it will cost communities throu­gh­­out the state nearly $18 billion over the next 20 years. None of this will be funded by the federal government.

“This is clearly unaffordable for cities, towns and local taxpayers,” the association wrote in a letter. “Indeed, as mayors, we serve as stewards of our environment and are strong advocates for protecting and preserving our natural resources. We are proud of the environmental record of our cities — we work every day to safeguard our drinking water supplies, invest in our wastewater and stormwater systems, protect open space, reduce congestion, transform brownfields into safe productive sites, encourage the development of solar and other renewable energy sources, expand recycling and reduce solid waste, and much more.

“However, the financial burden that would be imposed by Region One’s MS4 program is exorbitant and unrealistic,” they wrote.

The letter was sent to the state’s Congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-3rd, and signed by almost every mayor in the state, including Mr. Hawke, Lisa Wong of Fitchburg and Dean Mazzarella of Leominster.

“If this goes into effect it will be cheaper to go around and fill all the manholes with cement,” said Mr. Hawke, estimating the city would have to double rates. “Over the past 10 years, we’ve put over 100 acres into protected lands … we’re a green community. We’ve done everything right and yet still we are being punished.”

The cities are not the only ones who are concerned. At the April 6 Templeton Board of Selectmen meeting, in preparation for the mandate, the board voted to put $20,000 in the budget to improve the town’s stormwater system.

Town officials regard it as an unfunded mandate and an added expense for a town that is going into budget season strapped for cash. Mr. Hawke, however, is still optimistic the regulation will not go into effect.

“When every mayor in the commonwealth signs a letter, the delegation pays attention,” he said.