HomeMy WebLinkAboutBarnstable (Hawes Ave Culvert) to Barnstable ConComThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries
(617) 626-1520 | www.mass.gov/marinefisheries
MAURA T. HEALEY KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL REBECCA L. TEPPER THOMAS K. O’SHEA DANIEL J. MCKIERNAN
Governor Lt. Governor Secretary Commissioner Director
SOUTH COAST FIELD STATION CAT COVE MARINE LABORATORY NORTH SHORE FIELD STATION
836 S. Rodney French Blvd 92 Fort Avenue 30 Emerson Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02744 Salem, MA 01970 Gloucester, MA 01930
May 27, 2025
Barnstable Conservation Commission
367 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02601
Dear Commissioners:
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) has reviewed the Notice of Intent
by the Town of Barnstable to repair the culvert under Hawes Avenue and restore the salt marsh
area at 11 Hawes Avenue in the Town of Barnstable. The project was reviewed with respect to
potential impacts to marine fisheries resources and habitat.
The project site includes existing salt marsh vegetation. Salt marsh provides a variety of
ecosystem services, including habitat and energy sources for many fish and invertebrate species
[1-2].
MA DMF offers the following comments for your consideration:
• MA DMF supports the applicant’s proposal to restore salt marsh elevation and plant
native species throughout the salt marsh area post-construction.
• A salt marsh monitoring plan is not included in this proposal. Key details such as the
expected frequency of regular check-ins, how and who will determine if an intervention
is necessary, and what will occur if the proposed plantings are not successful within 2
years should be included in a monitoring plan.
• MA DMF would appreciate annual updates until the site is considered “restored”.
Updates should include photographs, a short narrative and should be sent to
amanda.davis@mass.gov.
• Fuel spills from refueling of construction equipment will adversely impact sensitive
resource areas. Impacts to resource areas can be avoided by prohibiting all land-based
equipment from being refueled on-site. If equipment is refueled on-site, adequate
containment and clean-up material should be required to minimize impacts.
Questions regarding this review may be directed to Amanda Davis at amanda.davis@mass.gov.
Sincerely,
Amanda Davis
Environmental Analyst
MA Division of Marine Fisheries
2
cc:
Amanda Houle, Tighe & Bond
John Logan, Kara Falvey, MA DMF
Amy Croteau, Barnstable Shellfish Constable
Patrice Bordonaro, CZM
References:
1. Boesch, D.F. and R.E. Turner. 1984. “Dependence of Fishery Species on Salt Marshes:
The Role of Food and Refuge.” Estuaries 7(4):460-468. https://doi.org/10.2307/1351627.
2. Deegan, L.A., J.E. Hughes, and R.A. Rountree. 2000. “Salt marsh ecosystem support of
marine transient species.” In: M.P. Weinstein and D.A. Kreeger, eds. Concepts and
Controversies in Tidal Marsh Ecology: Kluwer Academic Publisher, The Netherlands.
pp. 333-365