Table of Contents Executive Summary Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………………………..…i List of Maps……………………………………………………………………………………………………....iii List of Tables………………………………………………………………………………………………………iv References………………………………………………………………………………………………………...vi Acronyms………………………………………………………………………………………………………….xi I. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................I-1 A. Non-point Source Pollution .................................................................................................................I-3 B. Millers River Watershed Study Area...................................................................................................I-4 C. Natural Resource Characteristics.........................................................................................................I-5 D. Community Profiles.............................................................................................................................I-7 II. Natural Resource Characteristics............................................................................................................II-1 A. General Descriptions of the Subwatersheds .......................................................................................II-1 B. Topography.........................................................................................................................................II-3 C. Soils....................................................................................................................................................II-7 D. Water Features..................................................................................................................................II-10 1. Surface Waters..................................................................................................................................II-10 2. Wetlands...........................................................................................................................................II-14 3. Floodplain.........................................................................................................................................II-17 4. Vernal Pools .....................................................................................................................................II-20 5. Outstanding Resource Waters...........................................................................................................II-22 E. Vegetation, Wildlife and Endangered Species..................................................................................II-23 Rare Wildlife and Endangered Species ....................................................................................................II-24 F. Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.........................................................................................II-31 III. Water Quality ....................................................................................................................................... III-1 A. 303(d) Listed Waters ........................................................................................................................ III-3 IV. Land Use Characteristics...................................................................................................................... IV-1 A. Existing Land Use ............................................................................................................................ IV-1 B. Land Use Changes and Trends ......................................................................................................... IV-5 C. Protected Open Space..................................................................................................................... IV-10 D. Development Potential (Build-out Analysis Results) ..................................................................... IV-12 E. Infrastructure .................................................................................................................................. IV-14 1. Water Supplies................................................................................................................................ IV-14 2. Waste Water Disposal .................................................................................................................... IV-22 3. Bridges and Roads.......................................................................................................................... IV-28 F. Potentially Harmful Land Use Practices......................................................................................... IV-38 1. Underground Storage Tanks........................................................................................................... IV-38 2. Landfills and Illegal Dumping Areas.............................................................................................. IV-42 3. Hazardous Waste Sites ................................................................................................................... IV-45 4. Winter Road Maintenance, Salt Storage and Snow Dumping Areas.............................................. IV-46 5. Vehicle Maintenance Yards and Auto Salvage and Junkyards....................................................... IV-47 6. Septic Systems................................................................................................................................ IV-49 7. On-site Sewage Systems................................................................................................................. IV-50 8. Road Runoff and Combined Sewer Overflows .............................................................................. IV-50 9. Sand and Gravel Operations ........................................................................................................... IV-51 10. Significant Streambank Erosion ................................................................................................. IV-52 11. Forestry Cutting Operations ....................................................................................................... IV-52 12. Agricultural Practices ................................................................................................................. IV-53 13. Golf Courses............................................................................................................................... IV-54 14. Airports....................................................................................................................................... IV-54 15. Land Development ..................................................................................................................... IV-55 G. Pollutant Loading Analysis............................................................................................................. IV-56 V. Stream Team Nonpoint Source Assessments ........................................................................................ V-1 1. Otter River Shoreline Survey............................................................................................................. V-3 i Prepared 7/30/02 by Montachusett Regional Planning Commission Franklin Regional Council of Government 2. Tully River Shoreline Survey ............................................................................................................ V-9 3. Middle Millers River Field Check for Winchendon, Athol, and Orange......................................... V-13 VI. Assessment of Water Quality Protection Measures.............................................................................. VI-1 A. Protective Measures.......................................................................................................................... VI-1 B. Municipal Assessment of Protection Measures ................................................................................ VI-4 Worcester County..................................................................................................................................... VI-10 Ashburnham ........................................................................................................................................... VI-10 Athol....................................................................................................................................................... VI-11 Gardner................................................................................................................................................... VI-12 Hubbardston ........................................................................................................................................... VI-14 Phillipston............................................................................................................................................... VI-14 Royalston................................................................................................................................................ VI-15 Templeton............................................................................................................................................... VI-15 Westminster............................................................................................................................................ VI-16 Winchendon...........................................................................................................................................