Lake Garfield Pollution Control

Runoff Project

Two components of a project that addresses sediment and phosphorus pollution in Lake Garfield are underway. Conceptual design plans to capture and treat stormwater drainage from the Hupi Road area on the north side of the lake are nearly complete. Once ready, these plans will be added to the drafted Lake Garfield Watershed-Based Plan, which will be made available for public review on the town website possibly during June.

The overall project is funded by a grant awarded from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection under the Federal Clean Water Act to help protect and restore streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. With help from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, the Town of Monterey will use the project designs and the watershed-based plan to apply for and competitively secure another Federal Clean Water Act grant referred to as Section 319 funding. If awarded, the grant will allow Monterey to create permit-ready design plans and in turn implement “green infrastructure” such as sediment=trapping technology and a bioretention system called a “rain garden” in the Hupi Road area. This will reduce runoff pollution into Lake Garfield that can lead to harmful algal blooms and poor water quality.

Stay tuned for further updates

— Courteny Morehouse, Senior Planner, Berkshire Regional Planning