1. Writing Sample 1
Remediation of a Phosphorous Polluted Groundwater Aquifer on Cape Cod, MA as It
Enters a Kettle Pond Using a Permeable Reactive Barrier
Introduction
The Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) is a 22,000 acre military base on Cape
Cod, Massachusetts. It has been active as a base since September 1935. MMR is located in four
towns on the Upper Cape: Bourne, Falmouth,
Mashpee, and Sandwich. For nearly sixty years
treated sewage-derived wastewater was disposed
into rapid-infiltration beds off of MMR on Cape
Cod, Massachusetts. The base’s wastewater
disposal site was relocated in December 1995.
Before the disposal site was moved, contamination
from the wastewater infiltrated into the groundwater
aquifer under the sewage beds. This aquifer is the sole
source of drinking water for the areas 200,000 year-round residents and 500,000 seasonal
residents (US EPA). The contamination plume extends from the sewage beds off of MMR
toward Ashumet Pond and Vineyard Sound (Savoie et al., 2010). As contamination from the
plume enters Ashumet Pond it creates ecological problems such as eutrophication in the pond
water. The plume has been closely monitored by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and different
methods of natural remediation have been tested on the site.
Figure 1: Location of the Massachusetts
Military Reservation. Map from MMR website.

2. Writing Sample 2
Good Harbor Beach Term Paper
Summary
The current land use planning and zoning of the Good Harbor Beach area in Gloucester,
MA is not environmentally sustainable. Much of the development is in areas of geologic hazards
that are dangerous to build on. Flooding and erosional risks effect the development in the area.
This report proposes a new, sustainable, land use and zoning plan for the Good Harbor Beach
area. If this new plan is implemented, the Good Harbor Beach area can become an are oaf
environmentally sustainable development. This proposal can be implemented while preserving
the natural environment of the Good Harbor Beach area.
Introduction
The Good Harbor Beach area is located in Gloucester, MA approximately thirty miles
North of Boston (Figure 1). Based on the geologic setting and hazards of the area, the current
land use planning and zoning is not environmentally sustainable. This paper proposes a new
zoning and land use plan for Good Harbor Beach. The new plan takes the geologic settings and
hazards of the area into consideration and works to create environmentally sustainable land use
in the study area.
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3. Writing Sample 3
Introduction
Our country’s dependence on foreign oil as our primary source of energy is a pressing
concern with implications that affect many facets of the lives of normal Americans. Dependence
on foreign oil creates problems for the economy, the environment, and national security.
Proposals have been made to extend the Keystone Pipeline so that it connects to the oil refineries
along the Gulf Coast of Texas. However, this is not the correct answer to this pressing problem.
Rather than continuing our nation’s dependence on oil, we should take this opportunity to search
for alternative energy sources and become environmentally friendly and energy independent.
America has the opportunity to become a world leader in the wide spread use of new
sources of clean, renewable energy resources. By investing in renewable energy resources, we
can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make strides towards universal use of clean
energy. While there is much support for the use of renewable energy resources, there is wide
spread support for the Keystone XL Pipeline project.
In this memorandum I will describe the history of the Keystone XL Pipeline project and
the issues that surround it. Additionally, I will outline the role I think that you should play to
garner support for wide spread use of renewable energy resources rather than building the
pipeline. It is vital that building the pipeline is not approved by Congress or the President. With
your position as a national leader and member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources, it will be prudent for you to work with Congress to ensure that research and
implementation of renewable resources is passed rather than the Keystone XL Pipeline.

4. After discussing the background of the Keystone XL Pipeline, I will discuss in detail the
current support for the keystone project. There is strong support from many prominent political
figures and a variety of interest groups. It will be essential to show these supporters that the
Keystone Pipeline is not the most effective way to curb American dependence on foreign oil. An
effective media strategy will be essential to bringing the current opposition together and swaying
those who support the pipeline. In this memo I will include a media proposal which will seek a
compromise between the two parties and establish a political middle ground.
To establish the effectiveness of these recommendations, I will outline the environmental
impacts of the Keystone Pipeline and how these impacts will be alleviated with my
recommendations.