HomeMy WebLinkAboutDMF Letter Revised NOI Town of Barnstable DPW (Craigville Beach Bridge) 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
September 21, 2026
Barnstable Conservation Commission
367 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Dear Commissioners:
The Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) has reviewed a response letter and a draft of revised
project plans for the Notice of Intent (NOI) application by the Town of Barnstable Department of
Public Works for the Craigville Beach Road Bridge Repair Project within the Centerville River at
1134 Craigville Beach Road in the Town of Barnstable. Proposed work includes repairing cracks in
the retaining walls, abutments, and wingwalls, sealing bridge joints, guardrail repairs, asphalt
sidewalk patches, and placing new riprap and underlying geotextile fabric as erosion control. The
overall project also includes removal of trees from riprap and vegetation management on the
sidewalk and curbs. Proposed dredging includes the removal of approximately 50 cubic yards of
material from a 350 square foot area of salt marsh and 375 cubic yards from a 2,400 square foot
area below Mean High Water. Dredging consists of the removal of riprap and underlying
sediment prior to riprap reconstruction from these areas. Temporary cofferd ams are now
proposed around each abutment and the turbidity curtains may be removed from the scope of
the project. The project was reviewed with respect to potential impacts to marine fisheries
resources and habitat.
An estimated 350 square feet of the riprap footprint contains overlying salt marsh vegetation
including salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora). The area directly bordering the riprap
footprint also includes salt marsh vegetation. Salt marsh provides a variety of ecosystem services,
including habitat and energy sources for many fish and invertebrate species [1–2].
The area immediately downstream of the bridge is mapped as shellfish habitat for both quahog
(Mercenaria mercenaria) and soft shell clam (Mya arenaria). Land containing shellfish
is deemed significant to the interest of the Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.34) and the
protection of marine fisheries.
Several diadromous fish species use the Centerville River as migratory habitat. Specifically,
American eels (Anguilla rostrata), alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus), and blueback herring (Alosa
aestivalis) use this region as a migratory corridor in the spring and fall seasons [3].
2
The Centerville River 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:
• MA DMF supports removing the turbidity curtains from the scope of the project and
supports cofferdam placement around each abutment.
• A time-of-year (TOY) restriction is recommended on in-water work from January 15 to
June 30 to protect sensitive life stages of winter flounder, from March 15 – June 30 to
protect sensitive life stages of diadromous species, and from September 1 to November
15 to protect fall migration of diadromous species [4].
• MA DMF may be able to offer a partial spring and fall TOY restriction waiver for work
behind cofferdams provided cofferdams area installed outside of the recommended TOY
restriction period for diadromous species , are kept in place throughout the
recommended TOY restriction periods, and a Water Control and Dewatering Plan is
developed and submitted for review, comments, and approval. Water Control and
Dewatering Plans should incorporate best management practices that protect
diadromous species and minimize turbidity. Water Control plans should be sent to Brad
Chase (brad.chase@mass.gov), Michael Burgess (Michael.Burgess@mass.gov), and
Amanda Davis (Amanda.Davis@mass.gov) for review.
• A spring and fall TOY waiver can not be recommended for dredging or rip rap placement
within the Centerville River below MLW at this time.
• The NOI states an anticipated 350 square feet of permanent impacts and 1,410 square
feet of temporary impacts for a total of 1,760 square feet of salt marsh impacts. The
larger 1,410 square feet of anticipated temporary impacts has the potential to include
permanent impacts if construction activities result in marsh loss given that the temporary
impact area directly abuts the riprap construction zone. A monitoring and mitigation plan
should be developed to assess and mitigate for any construction-related impacts to salt
marsh habitat. Key details such as before and after site photos, the expected frequency
of regular check-ins, and how and who will determine if an intervention is necessary
should be included in a monitoring plan. MA DMF would appreciate the opportunity to
review and comment on a monitoring plan during the NOI phase of permitting rather
than 21 days prior to start of construction as stated in the response letter.
Questions regarding this review may be directed to Amanda Davis at amanda.davis@mass.gov.
3
Sincerely,
Amanda Davis
Environmental Analyst
MA Division of Marine Fisheries
cc:
Amanda Houle, Tighe and Bond
John Logan, Alicia Hecht, Michael Burgess, Brad Chase, Holly Williams, Matt Camisa, MA
DMF
Amy Croteau, Barnstable Shellfish Constable
Patrice Bordonaro, CZM
AD/ah
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. Evans, N.T., K.H. Ford, B.C. Chase, and J. Sheppard. 2011. Recommended Time of Year
Restrictions (TOYs) for Coastal Alteration Projects to Protect Marine Fisheries Resources in
Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Technical Report, TR -47.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/time-of-year-recommendations-tr-47/download