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HomeMy WebLinkAbout270 East Bay Road, Laura Beth Trust Shellfish Survey 1 TO: Conservation Commission FROM: Natural Resources, Town of Barnstable DATE: December 23, 2025 RE: APPLICATION: (N.O.I.), Proposed Boardwalk, Pier, Ramp and Float. APPLICANT: Laura Beth Trust, Trustee 364 Wianno Avenue Realty Trust 39 Marshall Street Brookline, MA 02446 LOCATION: 270 East Bay Road Osterville, MA 02655 REPRESENTATIVE: John O’Dea P.E. Sullivan Engineering & Consulting, Inc. 711 Main Street Osterville, MA 02655 SHELLFISH SURVEY RESULTS: A shellfish survey was conducted on December 16, 2025 by Shellfish Biologist Elizabeth Lewis and Shellfish Technicians Jessica Ciarcia and Cecelia Dunham. The survey took place from 3:30PM to 4:10PM with a +0.9 low tide occurring at 3:55PM. Sample plots correlate with the distance seaward from the last stake in the marsh. The centerline (transect B) for the survey runs from this stake in the marsh out to the stake in the water (at 54 ft.) indicating the end of the proposed project . 5 feet to West is transect A; 5 feet from the centerline to the East is Transect C. From the edge of the saltmarsh to the stake in the water is 47ft. Please see attached survey results for more detail. Harvest by basket rake (approx. 3/8” mesh) was conducted on all sample plots. No steamer holes were observed on site. The water depth ranged from 0 inches to a maximum of 5 inches. There was very little water throughout the proposed site. A healthy population of wild oysters was found within several of the plots, not just the ones along the shoreline like we anticipated. One healthy, chowder sized quahog was found. The substrate at the location is a little tacky on the top 1-2 inches of sediment, but quite firm underneath. Town of Barnstable Marine and Environmental Affairs Department 1189 Phinney’s Lane, Centerville, MA 02632 Derek Lawson, Director 508-790-6273 / Fax 508-790-6275 www.townofbarnstable.us Animal Control 508-790-6274 Natural Resources 5 08-790-6272 Harbormaster 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck 508-790-6272 Marinas 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck Gatehouse 508 -362-8300 Moorings 508-790-6273 2 ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The proposed project is located in the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries designated growing area DMF/SC24.0; classified as conditionally approved. This area is highly conducive to the settlement and recruitment of shellfish. East Bay has an abundance of resources that can be utilized for both commercial and recreational use and access to this shoreline is very easy for all shellfishers making it a desirable area. The footprint of this pier overlays significant shellfish habitat. The area has a shellfish rating of 8 out of 10 and is one of the few places left in town producing wild oysters. Furthermore, the centerline of this project is located less than 8 feet from the Town of Barnstable’s propagation area where we are in the second year of growing remote set to bring an oyster population back to East Bay. We have been considering moving more oyster growing endeavors (singles) to this shoreline as we run from disease in the Three Bays system. This area is extremely accessible and has a firm bottom. The proposed project is so close that all of our gear and animals would need to be moved for this project to be built. The site plan given with the N.O.I. does not accurately depict the location of our gear and proximity to the project. I have attached pictures for your reference. This pier, ramp and float will extend 47 feet into the water and not be able to be used half the time because there is only 5 inches of water at the deepest point on a +0.9ft. tide. This means that on an average low tide of 0ft., the area would be dry. Half of the tides are below average and therefore more than half the time, there would be no water to put in a non-motorized vessel and they would still need to walk out to reach water. The vessel would be sitting on bottom. The easier solution to this problem is actually using the ramp that is located a little over 300 feet away from this location. Since the ramp is paved, this also provides a firm walking surface. Several dingys are stored alongside the ramp as well and is a very convenient option. Natural Resources is firmly against this project. This habitat is highly rated, would impact shellfish aquaculture significantly, and destroys habitat to still reach very little water. Any vessels attached to the side of this dock would be sitting on bottom and scouring out the significant habitat. Sincerely, Elizabeth A. Lewis, Shellfish Biologist 3 4 5 Picture 1: View From Edge of Marsh Picture 2: View of Survey Area 6 Picture 3: View of End of Project Stake Next to Gear Picture 4: Depth Reference to Boot at End Stake (Exact Low Tide, +0.9ft)