HomeMy WebLinkAboutNHESP LetterSeptember 11, 2025
Griffin Beaudoin
Town of Barnstable
367 Main Street
Hyannis MA 02601
Barnstable Conservation Commission
230 South Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
RE: Applicant: Griffin Beaudoin, Town of Barnstable
Project Location: 307 Millway Road
Project Description: Barnstable Harbor Mid-Entrance Channel and Blish Point Boat Ramp Maintenance
Dredging Project
DEP Wetlands File No.: 003-6296
NHESP File No.: 25-19681
Heritage Hub Form ID: RC-95304
Plan Reviewed: TOWN OF BARNSTABLE, BARNSTABLE HARBOR "MID-ENTRANCE CHANNEL AND BLISH POINT BOAT
RAMP ACCESS CHANNEL MAINTENANCE DREDGING PROJECT"
Plan date, signed May 29, 2025, prepared by Foth
Dear Commissioners & Applicant:
The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (the
“Division”) received a Notice of Intent with site plans (dated signed May 29, 2025, prepared by Foth, revised date
N/A) in compliance with the rare wildlife species section of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act
Regulations (310 CMR 10.37). The Division also received the MESA Review Checklist and supporting
documentation for review pursuant to the MA Endangered Species Act Regulations (321 CMR 10.18).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Maintenance dredging of the Barnstable Harbor Mid -Entrance Channel and Boat Ramp Access Channel to the
previously authorized depths via mechanical dredging. Material removed from the access channel will be utilized
for at an approved upland disposal facility or offshore at the Cape Cod Bay Disposal Site.
WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT (WPA)
The purpose of the Division’s review of the proposed project under the WPA regulations for state-listed rare
wetland wildlife is to determine whether the project will occur within the actual Resource Area Habitat and will
result in short- or long term- adverse effects to the Resource Area Habitats.
Based on a review of the information provided and the information that is currently contained in our database, the
NHESP No.Page 2 of 225-19681 September 11, 2025 Issued
Division has determined that this project, as currently proposed, will not adversely affect the actual Resource Area
Habitat of state-protected rare wildlife species. Therefore, it is our opinion that this project meets the state-listed
species performance standard for the issuance of an Order of Conditions.
Please note that this determination addresses only the matter of rare wildlife habitat and does not pertain to
other wildlife habitat issues that may be pertinent to the proposed project. When filing for any associated
renewal, extension, or amendment of the WPA Orders of Conditions, the Applicant shall contact the Division for
written response regarding impacts to Resource Area Habitat of state-listed wildlife. A renewal, extension or
amendment of an Order of Conditions does not renew, extend or amend the MESA authorization.
MASSACHUSETTS ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (MESA)
The MESA is administered by the Division and prohibits the Take of state -listed species, which includes actions that
“in reference to animals, means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, hound, kill, trap, capture, collect, process,
disrupt the nesting, breeding, feeding or migratory activity or attempt to engage in any such conduct, or to assist
such conduct, and in reference to plants, means to collect, pick, kill, transplant, cut or process or attempt to
engage or to assist in any such conduct. Disruption of nesting, breeding, feeding or migratory activity may result
from, but is not limited to, the modification, degradation or destruction of habitat of state-listed wildlife species”
(321 CMR 10.02). The purpose of the Division’s review under the MESA regulations is to determine whether a
Take of state-listed species will result from the proposed project.
Based on a review of the information provided and the information that is currently contained in our database, the
Division has determined that this project, as currently proposed, will not result in a prohibited Take of state-listed
rare species. This determination is a final decision of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to 321 CMR
10.18. Any changes to the proposed project or any additional work beyond that shown on the site plans may
require an additional filing with the Division pursuant to the MESA. This project may be subject to further review if
no physical work is commenced within five years from the date of issuance of this determination, or if there is a
change to the project. The authorization for work is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
Please note that this determination addresses only the matter of state-listed species and their habitats. If you have
any questions regarding this letter please contact Emily Holt, Endangered Species Review Assistant, at
Emily.Holt@mass.gov, (508) 389-6385.
Sincerely,
Jesse Leddick
Assistant Director
cc:Priscilla Geigis, MA DCR
DEP Southeast Region
Maddy Goggin