[CREDIT: Buckeye Brook Coalition] Buckeye Brook, one of 17 Warwick waters on the DEM's Impaired Waters List, is the subject of a recently updated report on pollutant threats. The public is invited to comment on the updated report.

WARWICK, RI — Buckeye Brook and Tributaries to Warwick Pond’s bottom-dwelling larval insects, snails, clams, worms and crayfish exist under four big pollutant challenges, according to a 2008 DEM study, and they’d like your thoughts about that.

The study, dubbed the total maximum daily load (TMDL), examined factors impairing biodiversity, specifically the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage – the scientific name for a collction of the animals living on the water bodies’ bottoms. Benthic (meaning “bottom-dwelling”) macroinvertebrates are small aquatic animals and the aquatic larval stages of insects. They include dragonfly and stonefly larvae, snails, worms, and beetles. They lack a backbone, are visible without the aid of a microscope and are found in and around water bodies during some period of their lives.

According to the study, the animals are threatened by four main factors:

Dry and wet weather violations of ambient water quality criteria for various metals (total iron and dissolved copper, lead, and cadmium) and dissolved oxygen;
Extensive growth of iron-fixing bacteria on stream substrates downstream of the TF Green Airport outfalls and the Truk-Away Landfill;
Discharges of propylene glycol from TF Green Airport– since addressed with construction of a propylene glycol treatment and diversion system at the airport, and;
Uncontrolled discharge of stormwater and related hydrologic and stream habitat alterations associated with the highly urbanized watersheds.

This is the second public comment period for the Buckeye Brook and Tributaries to Warwick Pond biodiversity TMDL. The first public comment period ended May 10, 2018. After review of the 2018 comments, revisions to the TMDL document were necessary, according to the DEM.Revisions have been evaluated and incorporated as needed into a new draft of the TMDL document.

The public is invited to submit written comments on the draft TMDL by Sept. 1, 2021 to Skip Viator at skip.viator@dem.ri.gov or via mail to Skip Viator, DEM, Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908. The public comment period opens on August 2, 2021.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

This is a test