HAI-MVRHS-MVC Closing 041521 (reduced)

Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School April 15, 2021 – MVC Public Hearing HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? Dr Grady Miller NC State University Professor & Extension Specialist Crop and Soil Sciences Turfgrass Management • Agronomy Fellow - Agronomy Society of America • TPI Educator Award - Turf Producers International • Speaker /Presenter • Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) • Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation • Education • Louisiana Tech University - B.S in Agriculture • Louisiana State University - M.S in Agronomy & Soils • Auburn University - Ph.D in Agronomy & Soils in 1995 • Publications • Managing Bermudagrass Turf • Roadside Turf Management Guide • Design, Construction, and Management of Bermudagrass Athletic fields • Published over 500 articles dealing with all phases of turfgrass management Dr Grady Miller – NC State University * Information from NCSU bio, Dr Miller is not part of the MVRHS design team HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? Maximizing The Durability of Natural Grass Fields (Dr Grady Miller - NC State University) Ensure adequate drainage Select a durable turfgrass Document field use & condition Limit field use if necessary Dr Grady Miller – NC State University HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? Maximizing The Durability of Natural Grass Fields (Dr Grady Miller - NC State University) Ensure adequate drainage Select a durable turfgrass Document field use & condition Limit field use if necessary Dr Grady Miller – NC State University HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? “Expect significant thinning & wear” MVRHS Existing Field Use Diagram HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? This is what 1167.5 hours per year looks like on your Field Hockey field MVRHS Field Hockey Field - Fall 2019 – Game Day HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? This is what 952.5 hours per year looks like on your Bus Lot field MVRHS Bus Lot Field - Spring 2019 – Game Day HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? This is what 917.5 hours per year looks like on your JV Baseball Outfield HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? This is what 667.5 hours per year looks like on your track & field HUNTRESS Sports Why we need a synthetic turf field? MVRHS Proposed Field Use Diagram HUNTRESS Sports HUNTRESS Sports HUNTRESS Sports One Synthetic Turf field can withstand the use of three (3) natural grass fields MVRHS Synthetic Turf Field 1885 annual use hours = Natural Grass = 600 hours Natural Grass = 600 hours Natural Grass = 600 hours A synthetic turf field is a “workhorse” which takes the burden of heavy play off all remaining natural grass athletic fields HUNTRESS Sports Q What is the alternative to a Synthetic Turf Field? A If the MVC denies the use of a synthetic turf field, MVRHS may have to find a place to construct two (2) more natural grass fields to accommodate the existing use Area & Area are the only locations available at the MVRHS campus to expand and build two more natural grass fields Due to Title and ADA requirements, these fields would need to include roadways, parking, lighting, irrigation and associated site improvements MVRHS chose NOT to pursue this option as it clear cuts mature forested areas and has a significant impact on our closest residential abutters One synthetic turf field is the preferred alternative HUNTRESS Sports Q What is the alternative to a Synthetic Turf Field? A If the MVC denies the use of a synthetic turf field, MVRHS may have to find a place to construct two (2) more natural grass fields to accommodate the existing use Two additional natural grass fields will provide increased nitrogen load and irrigation demand to the Lagoon Pond and Sengekontacket watersheds Nitrogen Load: Over 500 pounds/year Irrigation Demand: Additional 2.0m gallons of water drawn from our watersheds MVRHS chose NOT to pursue this option One synthetic turf field is the preferred alternative HUNTRESS Sports Q What the peer review consultants have to say? “All schools interviewed highlighted one of the most important benefits of the synthetic turf field was the alleviation of pressure on the remaining natural grass fields” – Page Horsley Witten Group – MVC Peer Review Report Dated: September 12, 2020 HUNTRESS Sports Q What the peer review consultants have to say? “Based on our review and the current regulatory standards for PFAS in Massachusetts, there are no significant risks associated with the discharge of PFAS from the synthetic turf field into groundwater.” (Page 15) TetraTech – MVC Peer Review Report Dated: February 26, 2021 HUNTRESS Sports Q What the peer review consultants have to say? “…no significant risk is associated with direct contact, incidental ingestion, and/or inhalation of these materials (Brockfill) in the synthetic turf components for these compounds.” (Page 13) “Therefore, there are no significant risks associated with direct contact, incidental ingestion, and/or inhalation of the Greenfield Turf…” (Page 13) TetraTech – MVC Peer Review Report Dated: February 26, 2021 HUNTRESS Sports Q What the peer review consultants have to say? “We agree with the (TetraTech) report conclusion that the overall risk to human health through a direct contact exposure with the field components is de minimis.” (Page 5) “From a toxicology perspective, the analytical data supports the Tetra Tech conclusion that the field is safe to play on.” (Page 6) Horsley Witten Group – MVC Peer Review Report Dated: March 12, 2021 HUNTRESS Sports Q What the peer review consultants have to say? Ron Myrick of TetraTech offered the following as a response to a question from one MV Commissioner: “I will only say that I wouldn’t be overly concerned if I had a well near a synthetic turf field And my town, Dover Sherborn, does have a synthetic turf field that has been there for about 10 years It is a conservative town that is concerned about their water,” TetraTech – MVC Peer Review Consultant MVC Public Hearing – April 1, 2021 HUNTRESS Sports 8% 92% 92% of the project costs provide for the following: Natural Grass Field Improvements New 400m Running Track & Field Events Grandstand, Pressbox & Sound System ADA Accessibility Title IV Compliance Pedestrian & Vehicular Safety Improvements Stormwater & Regenerative Landscape Improvements HUNTRESS Sports Thank You Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School April 15, 2021 – MVC Public Hearing HUNTRESS Sports