HomeMy WebLinkAbout592 Popponessett Rd Shellfish Survey 1
TO: Conservation Commission
FROM: Natural Resources, Town of Barnstable
DATE: December 31, 2022
RE: APPLICATION: To construct and maintain stairs, a timber boardwalk, pier,
ramp and float
APPLICANT: John & Pamela Layton
26 Longmeadow Drive
Westwood, MA 02090
LOCATION: 592 Poponessett Road
Cotuit, MA 02635
REPRESENTATIVE: Charles Rowland
Sullivan Engineering & Consulting, Inc.
711 Main Street, P.O. Box 659
Osterville, MA 02655
The proposed project at 593 Poponesset Road, Cotuit lies within Division of Marine Fisheries
designated growing area DMF/SC20.2; classified as prohibited and closed to the harvest of shellfish.
While several species of shellfish are native to this area, this part of Shoestring Bay is severely
compromised and not conducive to the settlement and recruitment of most shellfish.
Due to thick ice at the time, it was a challenge to survey the area. Every step involved breaking ice and
then sinking one to two feet in the mud. The sediment is quite thick and anoxic most likely throughout
the entire footprint of the proposed project, though we were only able to safely make it about 30 feet
from the shore. Directly along the shoreline were two oysters, Crassostrea virginica, and ribbed
mussels, Geukensia demissa, lining the salt marsh.
My largest concern for this project is the water depth. This corner of Shoestring Bay is shallow and
recently had another pier permitted. Due to the low water depth, it was suggested that the float have float
stops so it would not rest on the bottom. If there is any hope for this bay to be revitalized, this would be
an important step so as to not continue to degrade the bottom.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Lewis, Shellfish Biologist
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 508-790-6272
Harbormaster 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck 508-790-6272
Marinas 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck Gatehouse 508 -362-8300
Moorings 508-790-6273