HomeMy WebLinkAboutDMF letter Cowan to Barnstable ConComThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries
(617) 626-1520 | www.mass.gov/marinefisheries
MAURA T. HEALEY KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL REBECCA L. TEPPER THOMAS K. O’SHEA DANIEL J. MCKIERNAN
Governor Lt. Governor Secretary Commissioner Director
SOUTH COAST FIELD STATION CAT COVE MARINE LABORATORY NORTH SHORE FIELD STATION
836 S. Rodney French Blvd 92 Fort Avenue 30 Emerson Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02744 Salem, MA 01970 Gloucester, MA 01930
June 6, 2023
Barnstable Conservation Commission
367 Main Street
Barnstable, MA
02601
Dear Commissioners:
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) has reviewed the Notice of Intent
(NOI) by David and Cynthia Cowan to construct a fixed height permanent walkway at 79 7th
Avenue within the Halls Brook 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].
The Halls Brook has been identified by MA DMF as diadromous fish passage, migration, and/or
spawning habitat for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) [3].
MA DMF offers the following comment for your consideration:
• A new fixed height permanent walkway has the potential to negatively impact nearby
wetland resources and fisheries in a variety of ways [4]. While some of these impacts can
be avoided or reduced with best management practices, others are unavoidable and will
result in permanent impacts to salt marsh habitat and associated fisheries access. Support
piles will directly displace salt marsh 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. The
support piles and adjacent footprints will likely not be accessible to commercial or
recreational fisheries.
• MA DMF conducted two field studies to assess the relationship between shading, marsh
growth, and dock design; these studies collectively indicated that a height-to-width
(H:W) ratio of 1.5:1 between the base of horizontal stringers and salt marsh reduced
shading and marsh loss relative to the typically required 1:1 H:W ratio [4-6]. Current
plans do not meet the 1.5:1 H:W ratio recommendation. MA DMF recommends
establishing a minimum 1.5:1 H:W ratio for pier decking across the full extent that
overlies the marsh.
Drafted 2016; Updated 2023
2
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:
Mark Burgess, Shorefront Consulting
John Logan, Emma Gallagher, MA DMF
Robert Boeri, CZM
References:
1. 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
2. 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.
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
5. Logan, J.M., A. Davis, C. Markos, K.H. Ford. 2018. “Effects of docks on salt marsh
vegetation: An evaluation of ecological impacts and the efficacy of current design
standards.” Estuaries and Coasts 41:661–675. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-017-0323-1
6. Logan, J.M., S. Voss, A. Davis, K.H. Ford. 2018. “An experimental evaluation of dock
shading impacts on salt marsh vegetation in a New England estuary.” Estuaries and
Coasts 41:13–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-017-0268-4