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Home My WebLink AboutCorrected 150CarriageRdShellfishReport1-3-23 P.O. Box 4012, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02361 617-529-3792 | www.ecrwetlands.com SHE L L FISH SURVEY REPORT TO: A.M. Wilson Associates, Inc. FROM: Brad Holmes DATE: January 3, 2023 RE: 150 Carriage Rd, Osterville, Massachusetts On July 29, 2022, Environmental Consulting & Restoration, LLC (ECR) conducted a shellfish survey within and near the approximate location of a proposed pier, ramp, and float project to be located at 150 Carriage Road in Osterville (the site). The proposed project is an accessory to an existing single-family home and is proposed to the rear of the home within the eastern portion of the site to provide recreational access to West Bay. The purpose of this survey was to determine the quantity of shellfish and quality of shellfish habitat within and near the proposed project location. The survey was also conducted to evaluate the condition of the coastal resource areas and to determine what impacts, if any, would result from the proposed project at the site. 1. Site Description The site is located to the east of Carriage Road and abuts West Bay along the eastern property boundary. The site contains a single-family residence with associated gravel driveway, well maintained lawn, landscaped areas, etc. The eastern portion of the site, to the rear of the home, consists of maintained lawn and landscaped areas with a wooden stairway that provides access to West Bay over an existing wooden bulkhead. Below or downgradient of the wooden bulkhead exists a Salt Marsh leading to the tidal flat of West Bay. The proposed pier, ramp, and float would be located within the northeastern portion of the site and would extend from the bulkhead, over the Salt Marsh, and into the tidal flat and Land Under the Ocean of West Bay. 2. Shellfish Inventory. The shellfish survey was conducted on July 29, 2022, from approximately 6:45 AM to 9:00 AM. The weather was partly cloudy and humid (approximately 80 degrees) with a light shower and little to no breeze. The survey was conducted during a low tide event with a predicted tide of 0.122 feet at 7:24 AM. It was noted that the water level indicates a higher level of low tide than usual. In order to document shellfish and shellfish habitat, a total of 18 examination plots were sampled by hand using appropriate shellfish rakes and plungers within and near the project area. Plots were conducted along three transects (transects A, B, & C,) with 6 plots per transect and spaced approximately 15 feet on center. Transect A was located approximately 10 feet north of the proposed pier, Transect B was located within the approximate footprint of the proposed pier, and Transect C was approximately 10 feet south of the proposed pier. Each shellfish sample plot was approximately 3 feet wide by 3 feet long and dug to a depth of approximately 12 inches. The shellfish survey also included visual observation of siphon holes landward of low water and seaward of low water utilizing an underwater viewfinder box. Shellfish Sampling The table on the following identifies the shellfish, description of the area and notes documented within the survey area described above: P.O. Box 4012, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02361 617-529-3792 | www.ecrwetlands.com Table 1 – Shellfish Inventory Plot Shellfish (size) Notes A1 No shellfish Plot is at the edge of the Salt Marsh near the Mean Low Water (MLW) line. The sediment is a mix of soft sand to medium sand, gravel, and small cobble. Fiddler Crab habitat and Ribbed Mussels were observed within the adjacent Salt Marsh. A2 No shellfish Plot is located just below MLW. The sediment is a mix of medium sand and gravel. Moderate level of seaweed. A3 1 Quahog (2.75”) Plot is located in approximately 18-20 inches of water. The sediment is medium sand and covered with seaweed. Please note, no Eelgrass was observed within the area. A4 4 Quahogs (2.5”, 2.75”, 3.25”, 3.5”) Plot is located in approximately 20-24 inches of water. Sediment is medium sand that is black in color with less seaweed. A5 4 Quahogs (2”, 2.75”, 3.5”, 3.5”) Plot is located in approximately 3 feet of water with sediment that consists of black organic mud/ silt sand. Seaweed is less and more Quahogs are present. A6 3 Quahogs (3”, 2.5”, 2.5”) Plot is located in approximately 3.5’ of water with sediment that consists of black organic mud/ silt sand. Total for Transect A = 12 Quahogs B1 No shellfish Plot is at the edge of the Salt Marsh near the MLW line. The sediment is a mix of soft sand to medium sand, gravel, and small cobble. Fiddler crab habitat and ribbed mussels were observed within the adjacent marsh. B2 No shellfish Plot is located just below MLW. The sediment is a mix of medium sand and gravel. Moderate level of seaweed. B3 No shellfish Plot is located in 18-20 inches of water. The sediment is medium sand and covered with seaweed. B4 2 Quahogs (2.75, 3.75”) Plot is located in 20-24 inches of water with similar sediment conditions to B3. B5 3 Quahogs (2”, 2.5”, 2.0”) Plot is located in approximately 3 feet of water with sediment that consists of black organic mud/ silt sand. Seaweed is less. B6 3 Quahogs (2”, 2.5”, 2.75”) Plot is located in approximately 3.5 feet of water with sediment that consists of black organic mud/ silt sand. Seaweed is less. Total for Transect B = 8 Quahogs C1 No Shellfish Plot is at the edge of the Salt Marsh near the MLW line. The sediment is a mix of soft sand to medium sand, gravel, and small cobble. Fiddler crab habitat and ribbed mussels were observed within the adjacent marsh. C2 No Shellfish Plot is located just below MLW. The sediment is a mix of medium sand and gravel with small cobble. Moderate level of seaweed. C3 2 Quahogs (3.75”, 2.5”) Plot is located in approximately 1.5 feet of water. The sediment is medium sand and covered with seaweed. C4 2 Quahogs (1.25”, 2.5”) Plot is located in 20-24 inches of water with similar sediment conditions to C3. C5 5 Quahogs (3.5””, 2”, 2”, 2.5”) Plot is in approximately 3 feet of water. Sediment is becoming muddy and more seaweed is present. C6 2 Quahogs (3”, 3.5”) Plot is in approximately 3.5 feet of water. Sediment consists of black organic mud/silty sand. Total for Transect C = 11 Quahogs P.O. Box 4012, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02361 617-529-3792 | www.ecrwetlands.com Throughout the sample plots ECR observed a total of 31 Quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria). The bottom appeared mostly muddy with medium coarse sand throughout the survey area. Table 2 – Shellfish Density Shellfish Total Harvested in 162 Square Feet of Plot Area (18 plots x 9 sq. ft. per plot) Number of Shellfish Per Sq. Ft. Softshell Clams 0 0 Oysters 0 0 Quahogs 31 0.191 Blue Mussels 0 0 Surf Clams 0 0 Razor Clams 0 0 The only species of shellfish found within the survey area was Quahog. A total of 31 Quahogs were found that equates to 0.191 Quahogs per foot or 1.72 Quahogs per plot (9 square feet). For more information, please refer to the photograph pages attached. Ribbed Mussels were observed at the seaward edge of the Salt Marsh as well as Fiddler Crabs within the Salt Marsh and sparse areas of Coastal Beach. The seaweed and algae were moderate to dense within the majority of the focus area but ECR did observe several Green Crabs scurrying under foot during the survey. There was no Eelgrass (Zostera marina) observed during the shellfish survey. ECR reviewed the pilings of the pier to the north of the focus area to see if shellfish or other organisms were found attached to the structure. ECR did observe a moderate amount of barnacles attached to the wooden piles starting at approximately 2 feet MLW. ECR did not observe shellfish attached to the wooden pilings. 3. Proposed Pier, Ramp & Float and Recommended Protection Measures Installation of a pier, ramp and float at the site would have temporary minor impacts on the intertidal area and Land Under the Ocean. The proposed pier, ramp and float system should be designed in accordance with MassDEP’s Guide to Permitting Small Pile-Support Docks and Piers (November 2003) to the extent possible. Time of year restrictions should be set by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to restrict activities during fish passage periods and shellfish and finfish spawning periods. Installation of the pier should also be performed using protective measures such as: • Grated or slotted decking where the pier crosses the Salt Marsh, • 3/4” plank spacing on the pier allows for sunlight penetration, • Placement of the float should be within an area of at least 2 feet Mean Low Water to minimize impacts to shellfish habitat and/or float stops should be utilized, • Allow for public access under or over the proposed structure, • Designing the pier to the shortest practicable distance including safe water depths and access to West Bay and • Should the pier employ a ramp & float, they should be stored in an upland location during the offseason. The following conditions could also be included with this project to ensure protection of shellfish at the s ite such as: • Coordination of proposed activity with the Barnstable Conservation Commission & Natural Resources P.O. Box 4012, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02361 617-529-3792 | www.ecrwetlands.com • Prior to work, the shellfish within the project area could be harvested and/or collected and transplanted at the direction of the Town of Barnstable Shellfish Warden/Biologist. 4. Summary ECR’s shellfish survey identified one species of shellfish within and near the proposed project area. The survey revealed a moderate number of larger mature Quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria) with a density of 0.191 Quahogs per square foot. The Quahogs were exclusively found below mean low water within water of approximately 1.5 to 2 feet and deeper, typical of the species. No other species of shellfish were found at this site. ECR recommends utilizing the protective measures outlined in section 3 above to avoid and minimize project impacts to shellfish habitat and wetland resource areas. For more information, please refer to the attachments included with this report. 5. Attachments • Shellfish Survey Map • Survey Photographs • USGS Site Locus Map • MassGIS – Shellfish Growing Area Map • MassGIS – Shellfish Suitability Area Map • Town of Barnstable Shellfish Rating Map • DEP Seagrass Map SHELLFISH SURVEY PLOT MAP 150 Carriage Rd Osterville, Massachusetts Source: ECR drone imagery taken during shellfish survey on 7/29/22 150 Carriage Rd, Osterville Shellfish Survey Photographs Photograph #1 – View north across the survey area just below the Salt Marsh system. Photograph #2 – View west along the approximate pier route. 150 Carriage Rd, Osterville Shellfish Survey Photographs Photograph #3- View south across the survey area from the Salt Marsh. Photograph #4 – View of the Salt Marsh located seaward of the existing bulkhead. 150 Carriage Rd, Osterville Shellfish Survey Photographs Photograph #5 – Example of quahogs found during the shellfish survey. Photograph #6 – Example of a Quahog found during the shellfish survey. The size of all Quahogs were measured and documented. 150 Carriage Rd, Osterville Shellfish Survey Photographs Photograph #7 – View of a siphone hole within the survey area identifed using a viewfinder box. Photograph #8 – View of the intertidal zone and small Coastal Beach within and near the proposed project area. This area contains Fiddler Crab habitat. 150 Carriage Rd, Osterville Shellfish Survey Photographs Photograph #9 – Example of a survey plot conducted above Mean Low Water. USGS SITE LOCUS MAP 150 Carriage Rd Osterville, Massachusetts Source: MassMapper N  SITE SHELLFISH GROWING AREA MAP 150 Carriage Rd Osterville, Massachusetts Source: MassGIS Oliver Viewer – Shellfish Growing Areas Survey Locus SHELLFISH SUITABILITY MAP 150 Carriage Rd Osterville, Massachusetts Source: MassGIS Oliver Viewer – Shellfish Suitability Areas Survey Locus TOWN OF BARNSTABLE SHELLFISH RATING MAP 150 Carriage Rd Osterville, Massachusetts Source: Town of Barnstable SITE MASSDEP SEAGRASS MAP 150 Carriage Road Osterville, Massachusetts Source: MassGIS Oliver Viewer – MassDEP Seagrass SITE