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Home My WebLink AboutDMF Comment Letter NOI Bluefield LLC to Barnstable ConComThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (617) 626-1520 | mass.gov/MarineFisheries Maura T. Healey Governor Kimberly Driscoll Lt. Governor Rebecca L. Tepper Secretary Thomas K. O’Shea Commissioner Daniel J. McKiernan Director July 28, 2026 Barnstable Conservation Commission 367 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601 Dear Commissioners: The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) has reviewed the Notice of Intent (NOI) by Bluefield LLC., to construct a seasonal ramp and float within Cotuit Bay at 571 Old Post Road in the Town of Barnstable. The project was reviewed with respect to potential impacts to marine fisheries resources and habitat. The project site overlies salt marsh vegetation. Salt marsh provides a variety of ecosystem services, including habitat and energy sources for many fish and invertebrate species [1-2]. Cotuit Bay has been identified by MA DMF as diadromous fish passage, migration, and/or spawning habitat for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), American eel (Anguilla rostrata), and white perch (Morone americana) [3]. The project site lies within mapped shellfish habitat for northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria). Quahog were observed within the project site during a shellfish survey conducted by John O’Dea on October 1, 2024. Waters within the project site have habitat characteristics suitable for this species. Land containing shellfish is deemed significant to the interest of the Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.34) and the protection of marine fisheries. Cotuit Bay acts as winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) spawning habitat. Winter flounder enter the area and spawn from January through May; demersal eggs hatch approximately 15 to 20 days later. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has designated winter flounder spawning habitat as a “Habitat Area of Particular Concern” (HAPC). Every effort should be made to protect the species and its spawning habitat. MA DMF offers the following comments for your consideration: • This is the first opportunity MA DMF has been offered to comment on this project. • A new pier has the potential to negatively impact nearby shellfish resources and fisheries in a variety of ways [4]. While some of these impacts can be avoided or reduced with best 2 management practices, others are unavoidable and will result in permanent impacts to shellfish habitat and associated fisheries access. Support piles will directly displace shellfish habitat, and piles may cause further indirect impacts that negatively affect bordering shellfish habitat. Leachates from any pressure-treated wood used for support piles or decking may also negatively impact nearby shellfish. Associated boating activity could result in prop dredging if the float is installed in insufficient water depth relative to the size of vessels using the structure. The support piles, float, and adjacent footprints will likely not be accessible to commercial or recreational fisheries. • Grounded floats can disturb bottom sediments, resulting in turbidity and direct impacts to benthic habitat. To minimize impacts, MA DMF recommends that the bottom of a proposed float be at least 2.5 feet above the substrate over shellfish habitat at MLW [4]. The float and float stops as proposed does not maintain this minimum clearance at MLW. MA DMF recommends installing float stops to maintain a 2.5-foot clearance above the substrate at MLW. • If approved, any activities requiring a barge should be restricted to 2 hours before and after high tide to prevent barge grounding in marine habitat. • After the lower steps on the salt marsh are removed, salt marsh plantings could be installed to help the salt marsh revegetate and recover from direct impacts. • 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 cc: John O’Dea, Leah O’Dea, Sullivan Engineering and Consulting INC John Logan, Alicia Hecht, Holly Williams, Matt Camisa, MA DMF Amy Croteau, Barnstable Shellfish Constable Patrice Bordonaro, CZM AD/ah 3 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 3. MA DMF. MassGIS Data: Diadromous Fish. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massgis- data-diadromous-fish. Accessed February 8, 2023. 2023. 4. Logan, J.M., A. Boeri, J. Carr, T. Evans, E.M. Feeney, K. Frew, F. Schenck, and K.H. Ford. 2022. A review of habitat impacts from residential docks and recommended Best Management Practices with an emphasis on the northeastern United States. Estuaries Coasts 45: 1189–1216. https://www.mass.gov/doc/dock-bmp- recommendations/download