License Plates Fund CCS Water Quality Monitoring Program

August 10, 2017 — The Center for Coastal Studies Water Quality Monitoring Program has been awarded a $37,484 grant by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) to study sources of nitrogen in coastal waters of Cape Cod.

This funding will allow the Center to use stable isotope analysis to identify the relative quantities of nitrogen originating from different human activities in six coastal embayments.

“Nitrogen loading from fertilizers, sewage and other sources in our waters is costing Cape Cod millions of dollars,” said Center President and CEO, Rich Delaney. “This information is crucial to determining the effectiveness of the various management practices that are being used to preserve and protect the Cape’s coastal ecosystems.”

MET Program Director Kim Tilas announced that the trust will provide around $500,000 in grants to 15 organizations this year, thanks to motorists who choose to purchase one of the Trust’s specialty license plates.

“Trust plates, including our signature Whale Tail Plate, are the only specialty plates that exclusively fund environmental initiatives,” said Tilas. “When you purchase a specialty plate for $100 from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) the $40 specialty plate fee is donated to the Trust to fund water-focused environmental programs.

Supporting the environmental programs funded by the Trust in the community is easy: when you purchase or lease a new car or renew your registration with the RMV, simply choose one of three environmental plates – the Right Whale and Roseate Terns, the Leaping Brook Trout or the Blackstone Valley Mill.

The standard registration fee for a Massachusetts plate is $60. The special plate fee is an additional $40, tax-deductible every two years) for a total cost of $100. Every time you renew your registration that $40 goes to the Trust.

For more information or to purchase a plate visit your local RMV or order a plate online. To learn more about the Massachusetts Environmental Trust , the programs it supports, and the specialty license plate offerings visit www.mass.gov/eea/met.