A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-20, regarding placing free pet waste bags at additional sites around the City

City of Cambridge Department of Public Works Owen O'Riordan, Commissioner 147 Hampshire Street Cambridge, MA 02139 theworks@cambridgema.gov Voice: [phone removed] TDD: [phone removed] May 31 2022 To: Louis DePasquale City Manager From: Owen O’Riordan Re: Awaiting Report 22-20, dated April 11, 2022, regarding placing free pet waste bags at additional sites around the City and use the municipal signs at City Hall and other locations for an educational campaign on how to properly dispose of pet waste In response to the above awaiting report please be advised that on a weekly basis staff from Public Works check and refill pet waste bags at approximately 100 locations citywide. The majority of these bags are located at parks and open spaces where dog activity is most prevalent and where historically we have had issues with owners not cleaning up after their pets. Public Works staff is working closely with staff from the Animal Control Commission to identify additional locations where dispensers will be beneficial as well as areas where dog owners congregate and where bag dispensers currently do not exist. Our primary focus will be on open spaces as well as city owned properties such as schools and municipal buildings. We anticipate installing additional free pet waste dispensers this summer at several new locations. With regard to an educational campaign; as part of the city’s NPDES storm water permit we are required to distribute an annual message in the summer (June/July) encouraging the proper management of pet waste. The following is what we reported in last year’s annual reporting: • DPW with assistance for the Cambridge Water Department (CWD) and Cambridge Animal Commission (AC) continued to promote its Canines for Clean Water campaign (pledge form and pet waste bag dispenser giveaways, and brochure/poster) to inform pet owners of their responsibilities regarding pet waste management. Currently, due to COVID, the CWD set up a passive display area with dog waste dispensers, pledge information and a poster discussing the reasons why it is important to pick up after your pet. Visitors to CWD/ Fresh Pond were able to take dog waste bag dispensers. • DPW worked with MyRWA's Stormwater Collaborative on advertising pet waste messaging on Facebook and Twitter. • City of Cambridge (CoC) posted on social media the importance of picking up after your pet to protect local waterways

• The Animal Commission included an information poster with each dog license sent out in the mail about the importance of picking up after pets and impact to waterways. In the past we have also distributed “Canine for Clean Water” pet waste dispensers at our public outreach events on stormwater management (River Festival, Fresh Pond Day, PARKing Day, The Port Party, etc.) and also during the rabies’s clinic. Additionally outreach information has been added to the Animal Commission’s webpage: Scoop the Poop, and What’s the Problem with Dog Waste Attached are examples of information that has been produced and displayed. We will continue to explore additional ways to get this information out including use of City lawn signs.