“Bay Watch” Group will Open Office in Plymouth
BOSTON, MA — Cape Cod Bay Watch will celebrate the opening of its new office in historic downtown Plymouth by inviting the public to an open house Friday, September 7, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. The office is located at 58C Main Street, Plymouth MA.
The recently launched campaign will provide education and information to local residents and tourists about the fragile ecosystem of Cape Cod Bay and how it is being threatened. Cape Cod Bay Watch (CapeCodBayWatch.org) is particularly concerned about the impact of the cooling system of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, located on Plymouth Bay, and its cycling of 510 million gallons of water a day from the bay.
“The bay supports the fishing industry and aquaculture, tourism and recreation, because of its unique qualities and there are many people and organizations working hard to protect its marine aquatic life so we can have a vibrant and healthy Bay,” said activist Pine duBois of the Jones River Watershed Association. “This office will provide us with a place to bring our findings together and share it with the public.”
Cape Cod Bay Watch is a campaign of affiliated non-profits and individuals who are working to protect the health and welfare of the bay and its ecosystem.
JRWA & Pilgrim Watch: Third Appeal to NRC
May 14, 2012: Group Appeal to NRC, Docket 50-293LR
Jones River Watershed Association, Inc. (JRWA) and Pilgrim Watch (PW) today filed a third legal challenge in front of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to Entergy’s once-cooling water withdrawals and pollution of Cape Cod Bay.
Entergy is violating state and federal water pollution control laws; lacks two state approvals that are prerequisites to relicensing; and the PNPS environmental impact statement is invalid. The application for relicensing Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (PNPS) should, and must, be denied because Entergy cannot satisfy NRC regulations.
JRWA has already filed multiple contentions with the NRC for review of impacts to Cape Cod Bay’s natural resources; and is working with Pilgrim Coalition to encourage state agencies to act. Our senators and representatives are doing what they can to ensure the safety of the people and environment of southeastern MA; but citizen support is still crucial.
This is your opportunity to speak! Please show support for more conscientious oversight and safety fixes of the Pilgrim Power Station. For more information and to get involved, visit:
Whale Sightings Near Nuclear Station Raises Concern
PLYMOUTH, MA — The international organization, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), and the local groups, Jones River Watershed Association (JRWA) and Pilgrim Watch, called for a thorough investigation of pollution impacts on North Atlantic right whales from Entergy’s Pilgrim nuclear reactor in Plymouth, following recent whale sightings about a half mile off shore of the station on Cape Cod Bay. On April 17, three North Atlantic right whales, among the most endangered large whales on earth, were spotted swimming in front of the Pilgrim reactor. Consistent sightings of right whales off Plymouth have been reported since late November: www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/surveys
Since it began operating in 1972, Entergy’s nuclear station has been sucking in and discharging up to 510 million gallons per day of polluted cooling water into Cape Cod Bay in the same area of the western shore where whales are being seen. The known pollutants include chlorine, biocides and water that is up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. While conservation groups are urging officials to explore the situation, Entergy is asking the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for permission to continue these operations for another 20 years.