HomeMy WebLinkAboutBarnstable-810 Wakeby Road Wetlands ReportWendell Wetland Services
105 Montague Road
Wendell, MA 01379
(978) 544-5607
ward.ves@gmail.com
November 7, 2019
Mr. Asa Smith
Environmental Scientist
Renewables & Environmental Science
Atlantic Design Engineers, Inc.
Via email
Re: Proposed Solar Site, 810 Wakeby Road, Marstons Mills MA
Dear Mr. Smith:
As requested, Wendell Wetland Services (WWS) visited the above referenced site on
October 23, 2019 in order to identify any wetlands that are protectable under the
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. chapter 131, section 40) and
Regulations (310 CMR 10.00). Based upon a walk of the entire site, identified as Map 15,
Lots 4, 5, and 52, it is my professional opinion that there are no wetlands on the three
parcels that are proposed for solar development. I also walked the boundaries of the
properties and did not observe any off-site wetlands that appeared to be within 100 feet
of the site. While I am qualified to render an expert opinion on wetlands, only the
Barnstable Conservation Commission, or the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) on appeal, can make the final determination of the
extent of the wetland resource areas on the site.
Evaluation Methodology
The methodology employed in evaluating the presence or absence of wetlands utilized
both vegetation and hydrology as outlined in the Regulations at 310 CMR 10.55 and in
the DEP handbook Delineating Bordering Vegetated Wetlands under the Massachusetts
Wetlands Protection Act (1995). Hydrophytic Vegetation is based upon the US Fish and
Wildlife Service’s National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands (1988), as well as all
plant species listed in the Act. Wetland hydrology includes a high water table, water -
stained leaves, and hydric soils. Hydric soils were determined based upon the
interagency document Field Indicators for Identifying Hydric Soils in New England, Version
4 (2016).
Site Description
The property is located to the north of Wakeby Road, and is primarily an abandoned
sand and gravel quarry. There is an undisturbed fringe, primarily along the western
property line, that is underlain by sandy, very well drained soils and is vegetated by
plant species such as pitch pine (Pinus rigida), oaks (Quercus spp.) and greenbrier
(Smilax rotundifolia). The interior of the site is composed of sparsely vegetated sand and
gravel and pioneer plant species such as staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) and Japanese