HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT Barnstable LCP Natural Resources Chapter - for 2-22-24Barnstable LCP – DRAFT Natural Resources
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NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION
Why Natural Resources Matter
The Town of Barnstable is rich in natural resources which center around water, water-dependent
resources, and habitat. High-quality natural resources are part of the Town’s aƩracƟon for residents and
visitors, but they are also suscepƟble to polluƟon from various land uses and acƟviƟes and are
increasingly vulnerable to changes in climate. Barnstable residents’ and visitors’ conƟnued appreciaƟon
of natural resources requires acƟve stewardship, protecƟon, and restoraƟon of clean water and
ecosystems.
Natural resource planning is criƟcal for ensuring:
Quality of life for humans, including clean air, clean water, and the ability to enjoy the outdoors
Healthy ecosystems for animals and plants to thrive
Climate change resiliency, including storm surge protecƟon, marsh migraƟon, carbon
sequestraƟon, and myriad other benefits
For all these reasons and more, the protecƟon of water, wetlands, open space, forests, and other natural
habitats is criƟcal for Barnstable’s future.
Please see SecƟon 3: Natural Systems of the ExisƟng CondiƟons Report for more detailed informaƟon on
groundwater, marine waters, freshwater lakes and ponds, wetland resources, open space, and habitat.
DATA SHEET
[Insert Data Sheet Graphics]
Natural Resource Actions Since 2010
The Town of Barnstable last adopted its LCP in 2010. A great deal of work was put into the development
of that plan, and it has been acƟvely implemented over the past fourteen years. Below is a high-level
overview of some notable implementaƟon achievements related to Natural Resources.
Plans
The 2010 LCP called for the creaƟon and adopƟon of several new or updated plans, many of which have
been addressed since then.
Lake Wequaquet Management Plan (2013)
Provides an analysis of phosphorous loading to the five basins in Lake Wequaquet and includes a
management plan as well as recommendaƟons for further studies.
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Floodplain Management Report (2015)
IdenƟfies floodplain management and climate adaptaƟon acƟons to reduce and avoid flood-related
damage and disrupƟon to the community.
Comprehensive Dredge Plan (2017)
IdenƟfies Town-wide dredging needs and prioriƟes and establishes a long-term dredging plan for the
future.
Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) (2018)
Provides a blueprint to guide the Town’s plans, investments, policies and regulaƟons in support of
protecƟng and enhancing open space and recreaƟon resources.
Stormwater Management Program Plan (2019, updated 2022)
Describes and details acƟviƟes and measures to be implemented in order to meet the terms and
condiƟons of the municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) permit.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Plan (2019, updated 2022)
IdenƟfies sources of non-stormwater discharges impacƟng the Town’s municipal separate storm sewer
system and provides recommendaƟons for removing illicit sources.
Massachusetts Piping Plover Habitat Conservation Plan Certi ϐicate of Inclusion Request
2020 Sandy Neck Beach Park (2020)
Proposed management plan related to recreaƟonal acƟvity in proximity of piping plover habitat at Sandy
Neck Beach Park.
Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) (2020)
Provides a town-wide, state approved, science-based approach to protecƟng Barnstable’s coastal waters,
ponds, and drinking water by managing nutrient polluƟon from wastewater. The plan calls for an
expansion of the Town’s wastewater infrastructure (sewers) as well as other innovaƟve and nature-based
approaches such as inlet dredging, cranberry bog conversions, and the use of nitrogen removing sepƟc
systems. Through its CWMP, the Town has begun a town-wide Nutrient Management Plan. This plan
includes an assessment process to establish wastewater alternaƟves to restore and protect coastal
waters.
Hazard Mitigation Plan (2022)
IdenƟfies the town’s risk and vulnerability to potenƟal natural hazards and recommends miƟgaƟon
strategies and acƟons aimed at reducing the loss of or damage to life, property, infrastructure, and
natural, cultural, and economic resources. Specifically, this plan assesses the potenƟal impacts of
hurricanes, winter storms, shoreline change/coastal erosion, earthquakes, drought/wildfire, and dam
failure and idenƟfies properƟes, resources, and criƟcal faciliƟes which may be impacted by these hazard
events.
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Long Pond Marstons Mills Management Plan (2022)
Provides a diagnosƟc assessment of nutrient inputs to Long Pond, quanƟfies phosphorus inputs to Long
Pond, and recommends a management plan to address those inputs and improve Long Pond water
quality.
Shubael Pond Management Plan (2022)
Provides a diagnosƟc assessment of nutrient inputs to Shubael Pond, quanƟfies phosphorus inputs to
Shubael Pond, and recommends a management plan to address those inputs and improve Shubael Pond
water quality.
Projects & Initiatives
The 2010 LCP called for many strategies and acƟons for the Town to pursue related to Natural Resources.
Below is a summary of some of these key achievements.
Community Preservation Act (CPA) Open Space & Recreation Efforts
Funds raised through the CPA have been used by the Town to expand open space and recreaƟon
resources. These funds have been used to acquire lands or conservaƟon restricƟons for open space,
conduct studies needed to finance recreaƟon projects, and repair and improve exisƟng recreaƟonal
faciliƟes, among other things. A full list of CPA projects can be found in the ExisƟng CondiƟons Report
under SecƟon 3. Natural Systems (pages 24-25).
Land Protected in Perpetuity
The Town has made progress in expanding the amount of permanently protected land in Barnstable
since 2010. The amount of open space in Barnstable that is protected in perpetuity is 11,469 acres as of
2022. This is an increase of 524 acres, or nearly five percent, from 2010 to 2022. A full breakdown of
conservaƟon lands by type and by owner can be found in the ExisƟng CondiƟons Report under SecƟon 3.
Natural Systems (pages 25-27).
Habitat Restoration & Fire Protection
Improvements that have taken place since 2010 include controlled prescribed burns for wildlife habitat
restoraƟon and forest fire fuel reducƟon, removal of dead pines on Old Stage Road, maintaining 33 acres
of fields for habitat protecƟon, and fire prevenƟon at Seabury Farms ConservaƟon Area, West Barnstable
ConservaƟon Area, and Bridge Creek ConservaƟon Area. Cleared two addiƟonal acres, grassland
restoraƟon project Bridge Creek ConservaƟon Area FY2012. Fire management improvements Old Jail
Lane ConservaƟon Area FY2012. Completed improvements to fire access road in West Barnstable
ConservaƟon Area for emergency response. FY2014. Fire plan and controlled burn at Crocker Neck
ConservaƟon Area – Wildlife habitat restoraƟon and forest fire fuel reducƟon FY2016 and FY2017.
Control burn West Barnstable ConservaƟon Area Wildlife habitat restoraƟon and forest fire fuel
reducƟon FY2019 and FY2020.
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Lakes & Ponds
The Town’s freshwater management program includes efforts to evaluate and address elevated nutrient
levels, monitor and control harmful algae (cyanobacteria) and other ecological impairments and manage
invasive species for the purposes of promoƟng healthy pond ecosystems, protecƟng human health, and
supporƟng recreaƟon and enjoyment. As reflected in the secƟon above, the Town has insƟtuted a pond
management program that evaluates ecological health and stressors for priority ponds, and offers
recommendaƟons for management and restoraƟon of these resources.
ImplementaƟon of the CWMP will have a long-term beneficial effect on fragile freshwater ecosystems;
sewer installaƟon is prioriƟzed around Lake Wequaquet to restore the health of this 673 acre resource.
Other management techniques being implemented include alum treatments and aerators to control
harmful algae blooms (four alum treatments since 2010), a floaƟng wetland in Long Pond, Centerville, as
well as efforts coordinated by the numerous private lake and pond associaƟons =The Town annually
manages the growth of Hydrilla and Fanwort, two invasive non-naƟve plants in several freshwater ponds
including MysƟc Lake, Middle Pond, Long Pond, and Lake Wequaquet through a combinaƟon of
mechanical means (diver assisted sucƟon harvesƟng and mats) and controlled applicaƟon of aquaƟc
herbicides.
Wetlands
Local and State Wetlands RegulaƟons protect the value and funcƟon of wetlands and related watershed
resources. In 2012, the Town, through its ConservaƟon Commission, updated regulaƟons pertaining to
protecƟve buffer zones, adding landscape requirements to filter pollutants, enhance value to wildlife,
and manage flooding. Local regulaƟons regarding private docks and piers, as well as short outhauls,
have been updated or adopted to balance the recreaƟonal value and ecological fragility of wetland
resources.
Stormwater Management
Stormwater management is an ongoing effort in Barnstable through mulƟple programs designed to
assess and prioriƟze sites to improve operaƟon and maintenance of exisƟng systems and install new
green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). These improvements are carried out through drainage
improvements during the annual Road Program maintenance, stormwater improvements to impaired
ponds Capital Improvement Plan, and grant funding. Completed in June of 2022, the Three Bays
stormwater management project was achieved in collaboraƟon with the AssociaƟon to Preserve Cape
Cod (APCC) and Horsley WiƩen Group to plan, assess, design, permit, construct, and maintain green
infrastructure best management pracƟces (BMPs) within the watershed. The project completed a
watershed scale assessment to establish a comprehensive stormwater management plan that idenƟfied
and prioriƟzed sites for potenƟal stormwater retrofits. Funding was obtained to complete nine green
infrastructure BMPS including three bioretenƟon areas, a sand filter, a gravel wetland, and four dry
swales.
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Wildlife
The Natural Resources Division works at safeguarding healthy ecosystems to promote ecological balance
and species protecƟon. Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, enabling natural systems to
adapt to and recover from environmental pressures and disturbances. The Natural Resources Division
has been working with Mass Audubon and other stakeholders and has recently installed 15 osprey
nesƟng plaƞorms on town and private property. Providing addiƟonal nesƟng sites for breeding osprey
greatly reduces conflicts that arise when the osprey search for nesƟng sites and promotes biodiversity.
AddiƟonally, the town works on restoring and improving sensiƟve habitats for endangered species which
is crucial for wildlife conservaƟon.
The Town has worked on mulƟagency projects to restore secƟons of five herring runs. The Town is
working at culvert replacement, fish ladder restoraƟon and restoraƟon of natural migraƟon routes.
Coastal Resiliency & Climate Mitigation
The Town of Barnstable has been analyzing coastal resiliency soluƟons for protecƟng Sandy Neck Beach
Park’ s public access infrastructure. To date, two alternaƟve analyses have been conducted by private
consultants which included mulƟple public outreach sessions. The resulƟng plan involves retreaƟng
infrastructure from the coastline and creaƟng primary dune resiliency via ecological restoraƟon. Final
design and permiƫng will be completed in this phase of the project.
Ocean Resources
The Natural Resources Division has several projects aimed at improving river herring passage to
spawning areas within the town. The implementaƟon of fish-friendly infrastructure facilitates their
migraƟon and enhances access to criƟcal spawning areas. These projects have shown posiƟve impacts
to river herring populaƟons by restoring their natural migraƟon routes and contribuƟng to healthier
aquaƟc ecosystems. Funding for these projects was awarded by USDA Natural Resources ConservaƟon
Service and Cape Cod ConservaƟon District and includes improvements to water flow structures, fish
ladders and wetland restoraƟon.
The Natural Resources shellfish propagaƟon program grows shellfish to supplement natural shellfish
populaƟons. Shellfish play pivotal roles in ecosystem health, water quality, and habitat preservaƟon.
Shellfish efficiently remove excess nutrients and sediment which in turn improve water quality. The
program has tripled quahog producƟon and doubled oyster producƟon since 2012. The department has
made concerted efforts to perform habitat assessments in sensiƟve marine habitats to protect and
preserve these vital areas.
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ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES
The natural resources of Barnstable face a myriad of issues and opportuniƟes that range from water
quality to climate change. These challenges are not uncommon to other communiƟes across the state.
However, they are of criƟcal importance to Barnstable to address as a town that is bounded on both the
north and south sides by water and that conƟnues to seek to balance growth and development with
resource protecƟon.
Coastal Resiliency
The impaired water quality of the Town’s sensiƟve embayments is directly related to pollutant loading
from a number of development related sources including on-site sepƟc systems and stormwater runoff.
With so much of Cape Cod’s biodiversity and local economy reliant on the health of these coastal waters,
ensuring their health is criƟcal to future prosperity. The impacts of these pollutant sources may also be
exacerbated by conƟnued sea level rise. Study has shown a clear relaƟon between rising ocean levels
and rising groundwater levels far inland.1 This has important ramificaƟons for managing both wastewater
and stormwater, potenƟally limiƟng the ability to effecƟvely recharge and treat these polluƟon sources.
Barnstable has long stretches of coastline both on Nantucket Sound and Cape Cod Bay, creaƟng
considerable vulnerabiliƟes related to natural hazards, climate change, and sea-level rise. The Town’s
Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) clearly describes the vulnerabiliƟes to the
Town’s wastewater collecƟon system and addiƟonal efforts to address coastal hazards are underway,
including retrofits to exisƟng sewer lines and designing new lines to be more resilient to projected
hazards. The Sandy Neck Barrier Beach parking area, for example, has undergone significant scenario
discussion and requires relocaƟon farther from the coast in response to paƩerns of erosion. Regarding
roadway infrastructure, Barnstable is one of 10 communiƟes working with the Cape Cod Commission to
develop strategies for low-lying roads that are showing increased vulnerability to coastal storms and sea
level rise.
1 Walter, D.A., McCobb, T.D., Masterson, J.P., and Fienen, M.N., 2016, PotenƟal effects of sea-level rise on the depth
to saturated sediments of the Sagamore and Monomoy flow lenses on Cape Cod, Massachuse Ʃs (ver. 1.1, October
18, 2016): U.S. Geological Survey ScienƟfic InvesƟgaƟons Report 2016–5058, 55 p.
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Figure 1: Threats to pond quality including presence of aquaƟc invasive species, contribuƟon of nutrients from sepƟc system
discharge and ferƟlizer/ pesƟcide applicaƟon, and contribuƟon of nutrients or increased erosion and flow from impervious
surfaces. Phosphorus and nitrogen are nutrients of concern and have the potenƟal to come from any or all of these sources.
Nitrogen easily flows through the soil and into groundwater, while phosphorus may be bound in the soil or pass through
depending on soil type and condiƟon.
Source: Cape Cod Ponds and Lakes Atlas, Figure 13, prepared by Cape Cod Commission, 2021, 78.
Climate Change
Climate change has the potenƟal to impact residents’ way of life and the natural systems of Barnstable.
As a community with over 170 miles of shoreline, more intense weather paƩerns could mean flooding,
heat waves and seasonal drought threatening infrastructure, landscapes, ecological systems, and
residents2. Barnstable’s Community Resilience building workshop idenƟfied low-lying infrastructure,
emergency access during weather events, wastewater, and uƟlity failures as some of the most
concerning challenges. Sea level rise projected as a result of climate change would also further impact
eelgrass in Barnstable salt marshes, responsible for important ecological benefits such as nitrogen
removal, carbon sequestraƟon, and support of commercial fishing.3 Delicate environments like cranberry
bogs and herring runs would also feel the impact of rising ocean waters.
2 Barnstable Community Resilience Building Workshop Summary of Findings – Municipal Vulnerability
Preparedness Program, 2019.
3 Cape Cod Climate AcƟon Plan, prepared by the Cape Cod Commission, July 2021.
hƩps://www.capecodcommission.org/resource-
library/file/?url=/dept/commission/team/climate/Shared%20Documents/Climate%20AcƟon%20Plan/Cape-Cod-
Climate-AcƟon-Plan.pdf
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Water & Ocean Resources
Groundwater
The Cape Cod aquifer is designated as a Sole Source Aquifer under the Safe Drinking Water Act by the
Environmental ProtecƟon Agency (EPA), a designaƟon that requires Federally funded projects to assess
project impacts to the aquifer. The Town of Barnstable is evaluaƟng opƟons for developing new
groundwater supplies to meet regulatory requirements and future needs for potable drinking water,
both in Hyannis, which is served by the Water Supply Division of the Barnstable Department of Public
Works, and throughout the rest of Barnstable, which is served by the Barnstable, Cotuit, and Centerville-
Osterville- Marstons Mills Water Districts. This is complicated by the fact that the Town’s groundwater
system is replenished enƟrely by precipitaƟon and the level of the water table fluctuates seasonally due
to evaporaƟon, precipitaƟon, and water withdrawals. Barnstable’s Community PreservaƟon CommiƩee
(CPC) conƟnues ongoing conversaƟons with the Fire/Water Districts about wellhead protecƟon and open
space acquisiƟon to ensure that no development should occur in Zone 1s (i.e. within a 400-foot radius of
a future public supply well) and that lands within both the Zone I and Zone II area be acquired where
possible and feasible.
As the Town experiences an increase in year-round populaƟon coupled with a decrease in land area
suitable for water supply development, the need to balance groundwater withdrawals with local effects
on the aquifer’s saltwater boundaries, wetlands, and surface water resources will require careful
planning for future water supply development.
Freshwater Lakes & Ponds
Freshwater lakes and ponds in the Town of Barnstable are significant scenic, recreaƟonal, and wildlife
habitat resources. The Town of Barnstable has 163 freshwater ponds, 90 of which are one acre or more.
Twenty-seven ponds are greater than 10 acres and are considered “Great Ponds'' under state
regulaƟons. CollecƟvely, ponds occupy 1,912 acres within the town. Freshwater ponds are parƟcularly
sensiƟve to addiƟons of phosphorus, which is associated with development and land uses close to a
pond (such as wastewater, ferƟlizer, and stormwater sources). Buffering pond shorelines from
development is an effecƟve strategy for protecƟng freshwater ponds and lakes by taking advantage of
the soil’s ability to absorb and store phosphorus. Pond and lake stewardship in Town includes the
Department of Public Works, ConservaƟon Division and other organizaƟons including private lake and
pond associaƟons, the Pond and Lake Stewardship (PALs) Program, the Barnstable Clean Water CoaliƟon
(BCWC), the AssociaƟon to Preserve Cape Cod, and the Cape Cod Ponds Network.
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Wetland Resources
Barnstable is home to over 14,300 acres of wetland resources, including ponds and lakes, marshes,
beaches, wooded wetlands, and cranberry bogs. The Great Marshes area, protected by Sandy Neck, is
the largest salt marsh on Cape Cod, and is a state designated Area of CriƟcal Environmental Concern
(ACEC). Protected buffers around wetland resources provide important habitat and assist in the
management of pollutants, trapping or arresƟng nutrients and sediment before they can flow into
wetlands and clog or impair them. Increasingly important, wetland buffers preserved from development
will help to store increased stormwater runoff as the climate changes and will allow wetlands to migrate
as changes in groundwater height and increased precipitaƟon events occur. Barnstable is home to over
three hundred isolated wetlands, with many being cranberry bogs. Some cranberry bogs are an ac Ɵve
part of the Cape Cod economy while others are abandoned or protected as open space. There are also
37 cerƟfied vernal pools in Barnstable; these small environments are unique because they can recharge
local aquifers and provide for a diverse set of animals with condiƟons ranging from saturated, dry, or
frozen.
Cranberry bog acquisiƟon and restoraƟon offers mulƟfaceted benefits. First, it enhances water quality
by promoƟng natural filtraƟon processes at headwaters to ponds and streams. Addi Ɵonally, restored
cranberry bogs contribute to healthier ecosystems by supporƟng diverse plant and animal life.
RestoraƟon of these habitats oŌen involves implemenƟng water storage which can help with localized
flooding during extreme weather events and can play a role in climate change miƟgaƟon. It is important
that the Natural Resources Division has a say in the acquisiƟon of these important resource areas.
Open Space & Recreation
Habitat
Habitats provide many benefits to humans through the ecosystem services they provide, such as
recreaƟonal access, filtering of nutrients or air quality, provision of food and other needed resources,
and miƟgaƟng the threats from natural hazards. BioMap, a statewide habitat mapping tool developed by
MassWildlife and The Nature Conservancy, idenƟfies 15,107 acres of CriƟcal Natural Landscapes (CNLs)
within Barnstable. There are many threats to these habitat resources.
The subdivision of large tracts of land, for example, oŌen replaces naƟve vegetaƟon with impervious
surfaces and lawns and fragment remaining habitat. The Town conƟnues to enforce the Resource
ProtecƟon Overlay District, which maintains a minimum lot size of two acres in most areas of Town.
Increased water withdrawals from the water table are another threat to habitat, negaƟvely impacƟng
delicate wetlands and freshwater shorelines. FluctuaƟng water levels support unique species; however,
lower pond levels could disturb habitats.4
4 Cape Cod Watershed Assessment and AcƟon Plan, ExecuƟve Office of Environmental Affairs, 2004, 17.
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Threats also include climate change, invasive species, and the reducƟon of natural disturbances. Natural
disturbances, such as wildfire or severe storms, are necessary to maintain the diversity of vegetaƟon
groupings that define that area’s woodlands, heathlands, and coastal plain pond shores.5
Barnstable’s challenge, along with the rest of the region, is to find ways to protect remaining
undeveloped lands, manage habitat to support diverse vegetaƟon, and target invasive species incursions.
Conservation & Recreation
Among the implicaƟons of growth is a loss of open space and associated natural resources. The need to
plan for and address open space for recreaƟon and resource protecƟon remains one of the top prioriƟes
in Barnstable today.
Approximately 29% of the area of the town is open space protected in perpetuity (11,469 acres). This is
an increase of 524 acres from 2010 to 2022. Areas held by the water districts for drinking water
protecƟon represent a large porƟon of the remaining undeveloped land in Barnstable. Land acquisiƟons
along Route 6 make up the “backbone” of the Town’s conservaƟon lands and contribute to regional
green infrastructure. ConservaƟon efforts conƟnue to focus on smaller corridors running north-south
and linking to the larger conservaƟon greenway along the moraine. Property acquisiƟons along
Barnstable coastlines support highly producƟve ecosystems, provide popular recreaƟon opportuniƟes,
and preserve the scenic quality of the seashore.
AddiƟonal open space exists without protecƟon or with limited protecƟons. OpportuniƟes to purchase
land in the watersheds of sensiƟve or impaired water bodies, parƟcularly as buffers between the water
body and surrounding land uses, can minimize polluƟon threats and should be prioriƟes for future public
acquisiƟon.
Resource management problems include illegal trash dumping, unauthorized motorized off-road vehicle
use, and vandalism on conservaƟon and other open space parcels. The cleanup and disposal of illegally
dumped material is a nuisance and an added cost burde n to the Town. Such acƟviƟes also pose
environmental hazards. Despite enforcement efforts by the Natural Resources Division and Police
Department, unauthorized vehicle use is a conƟnued problem. Agencies remain vigilant in their
monitoring at sites of illegal dumping and in prosecuƟon of violators. The ConservaƟon Commission and
ConservaƟon Program, as well as the Property Management Division have been very proacƟve in
protecƟng conservaƟon and open space lands from unauthorized vehicular access and illegal dumping
with locked gates and large boulders.
The Town’s Open Space and RecreaƟon Plan, adopted in 2018, helps guide the maintenance and
expansion of the Town’s open space and recreaƟonal resources.
5 Ibid.
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GOALS & STRATEGIES
Groundwater
Maintaining and improving the quality and quanƟty of groundwater remains a major and ongoing goal
for Barnstable, not only to ensure a sustainable yield of high-quality drinking water but to maintain a
healthy environment. UlƟmately, the Town will strive for a long-term goal of achieving an untreated
water supply.
Strategy: ConƟnue to conduct long-range land use and capital faciliƟes planning for future
provision and protecƟon of Barnstable’s public water supply.
The Town will conƟnue to partner with independent water districts to analyze data and
implement plans to acquire future wells and associated lands before development
occurs and designate Zones of ContribuƟon and Wellhead ProtecƟon Zones for future
public supply wells.
Strategy: ConƟnue to prioriƟze the public acquisiƟon of lands within 400 feet of a future public
supply well (Zone I), as well as Zone II areas most suscepƟble to contaminaƟon.
Strategy: PracƟce water conservaƟon measures to help ensure adequate water supply.
The Town’s Water Supply Division will conƟnue to manage its Water ConservaƟon
Program, providing educaƟon and free water conservaƟon products to the public.
Strategy: ConƟnue to implement the Town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan as it
relates to the protecƟon of drinking water, parƟcularly in the idenƟficaƟon and treatment of
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) such as PFOS.
Strategy: ConƟnue to prioriƟze expansion of the public water supply where private wells are
vulnerable to contaminaƟon from wastewater effluent, saltwater intrusion or other
contaminants.
Strategy: Ensure, in addiƟon to the state’s permiƫng determinaƟons, that all water supply wells,
public and private, are located to avoid water withdrawal impacts on ponds, streams, coastal
embayments, and wetlands.
Prevent groundwater mining or overdraŌ and ensure that withdrawals do not exceed
the safe yield of the aquifer.
Ensure that public and private supply well pumping does not cause saltwater intrusion.
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Marine Waters
The unique mariƟme character of working harbors, coastal villages and other developed areas should be
protected and, if possible, enhanced. Development in high hazard areas should be limited in order to
minimize the loss of life and structures, and to reduce erosion and other environmental damage
resulƟng from storms, natural disasters, and sea level rise. Coastal water quality and habitat must be
maintained and improved to allow shellfishing and recreaƟon as appropriate, and to protect coastal
ecosystems which support shellfish, finfish, and other coastal wildlife and naƟve coastal plants. Manage
the compeƟng uses of marine waters, including fishing, fowling, boaƟng, swimming, and public access to
the shore.
Strategy: Control erosion in barrier beaches and coastal banks to the greatest extent possible to
protect important wildlife habitat and recreaƟonal ameniƟes and provide storm surge protecƟon.
Use natural soluƟons to improve the resiliency of our public beaches and ways to water.
Incorporate DEP wetland regulaƟons, as amended, to ensure such review is compliant with state
law.
Strategy: Buildings and infrastructure in areas of projected sea level rise should be designed for
protecƟon from flooding as well as to minimize risk to human health and safety.
Strategy: ConƟnue to refine and implement strategies for complying with the Total Maximum
Daily Loads (TMDLs) established as part of the MassachuseƩs Estuaries Program (MEP). Refine
plans to address the new Title 5 SepƟc System and Watershed permit regulaƟons, including
updates to the CWMP and filing for watershed permits, as needed.
Strategy: Protect environmentally fragile areas and reduce nitrate-nitrogen loading in marine
recharge areas.
Strategy: Update and expand the scope of the Town’s Coastal Resource Management Plan (2009)
to provide guidance for the various compeƟng uses of all the Town’s harbors and coastal
resources, including marine services and faciliƟes, fisheries and aquaculture, natural resources,
coastal landforms, coastal structures, and coastal land uses.
The Town will explore opƟons for the zoning of coastal waters as a mechanism for
balancing and regulaƟng compeƟng interests such as protecƟng habitat, protecƟng
overall coastal water quality, and providing coastal access for passive and ac Ɵve water
dependent recreaƟonal acƟviƟes.
Consider moratoriums on new docks and moorings unƟl the plan is updated, in order to
evaluate the effects of these structures on shellfish and other habitat.
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Strategy: ConƟnue to expand the Ways to Water program, to re-establish and/or designate
through appropriate legal means tradiƟonal rights of way to marine waters to ensure that these
are not lost or abandoned. ConƟnue to develop and maintain maintenance, signage, and
outreach programs, including GIS mapping for posƟng to the Town website and internet sites.
Strategy: Accomplish the Sandy Neck Beach Park coastal resiliency project.
Strategy: ConƟnue to idenƟfy and protect the Town’s remaining eelgrass beds.
Freshwater Lakes & Ponds
To the greatest extent possible, the water quality of Barnstable's freshwater water bodies should be
maintained to standards that support living organisms appropriate for the lake or pond, and allow
recreaƟon for the surrounding neighborhood, Town residents, and other recreaƟonal users.
Strategy: Wherever possible, land within 100 feet of any freshwater lake or pond should be
maintained in its natural, vegetated condiƟon. Where significant populaƟons of rare, endangered
or threatened species have been idenƟfied, every effort should be made to ensure permanent
control over these buffers through acquisiƟon by the Town or a conservaƟon organizaƟon
through acquisiƟon, conservaƟon restricƟon or deed restricƟon.
Strategy: Within lake and pond recharge areas, development or redevelopment located within
300 feet of freshwater water bodies shall conƟnue to be required to meet criƟcal nutrient loading
standards. Where exisƟng development exceeds idenƟfied criƟcal loading standards for a fresh
water recharge area, redevelopment should maintain or improve exisƟng levels of nutrient
loading.
Strategy: ConƟnue to expand the Ways to Water program, to re-establish and/or designate
through appropriate legal means tradiƟonal rights of way to freshwater lakes and ponds to ensure
that these are not lost or abandoned. ConƟnue to develop and maintain maintenance, signage,
and outreach programs, including GIS mapping for posƟng to the Town website and internet sites.
Strategy: Maximize the ecological health of the Town’s 5 herring runs.
Wetland Resources
Preserve and restore the quality and funcƟons of Barnstable's coastal and inland wetlands. Reclaim filled
or non-funcƟoning wetlands where possible, including cranberry bogs. Preserve, and restore where
feasible, the quality and funcƟons of isolated lands subject to flooding and in need of addiƟonal
protecƟon, including vernal pools.
Strategy: Where the size of the lot permits, a buffer of at least 100 feet from the edge of coastal
and inland wetlands, including isolated wetlands, shall be maintained in an undisturbed, natural
state to protect the natural funcƟons of these areas, including but not limited to miƟgaƟon of
Barnstable LCP – DRAFT Natural Resources
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stormwater impacts and wildlife habitat value. Where the lot size does not permit a 100 foot
buffer, the maximum feasible buffer shall be maintained but in no case shall this buffer be less
than 50 feet. The ConservaƟon Commission may require a larger buffer to protect sensiƟve areas
or where the site condiƟons such as slopes or soils suggest that a larger buffer is necessary to
prevent adverse impacts.
Strategy: ConƟnue state and federal grant funded measures to restore impaired ponds, salt
marshes and estuaries.
Strategy: ConƟnue to idenƟfy, cerƟfy, and map vernal pools, and ensure that they are not used for
stormwater management.
Habitat
Prevent loss or degradaƟon of criƟcal wildlife and plant habitat, minimize the impact of new
development on wildlife and plant habitat, maintain exisƟng populaƟons and species diversity, and
maintain areas which will support wildlife’s natural breeding, feeding, and migraƟon paƩerns.
Strategy: In mapped SensiƟve Habitat Areas, clearing of vegetaƟon should be limited. In areas
that have mulƟple habitat aƩributes, no clearing or cuƫng of vegetaƟon should be permiƩed. In
less sensiƟve areas, clearing may be permiƩed, but will be limited to the minimum area needed
for building construcƟon, roads, driveways and accessory structures, and as needed for safe sight
distances. In any other undeveloped areas, clearing and alteraƟon of topography should be
minimized, with appropriate vegetaƟon planted as needed to enhance or restore wildlife habitat.
Strategy: In undeveloped areas outside SensiƟve Habitat Areas, clearing of vegetaƟon and
alteraƟon of natural topography shall be minimized, with appropriate vegetaƟon planted as
needed to enhance or restore wildlife habitat and serve as carbon capture to help miƟgate
climate change.
Strategy: ConƟnue to expand the establishment of greenways and wildlife corridors of sufficient
width to protect edge species and species that inhabit the interior forest through the protecƟon
or acquisiƟon of large unfragmented areas and the enforcement of open space residenƟal
development. Wildlife should be provided with opportuniƟes for passage through developed
areas where such opportuniƟes will maintain the integrity of wildlife corridors.
Strategy: ConƟnue to acƟvely maintain wildlife habitat through controlled prescribed burns,
removal of dead trees and brush, etc.
Strategy: Evaluate proacƟve planning and permiƫng to protect endangered species habitat while
sƟll providing recreaƟonal opportunity to the public.
Explore opportuniƟes to increase aquaculture on the south side of Town.
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Establish a living list of naƟve and climate resilient tree and shrub species of all sizes that can
thrive in current and future climate condiƟons projected for the region, paired with a list of
complementary best pracƟces for planƟng and maintenance. The tree and shrub list should also
have guidance for urban vs rural streetscaping and for open space environments. AddiƟonally,
this list will prioriƟze local species and forestry pracƟces that maximize the benefits of tree
canopy development (ex. carbon capture, energy savings, polluƟon miƟgaƟon, stormwater surge
protecƟon, urban agriculture, recreaƟon, etc.). Establish mechanisms for ongoing care and
maintenance of canopy trees with an emphasis on educaƟon and civic parƟcipaƟon.
Open Space
The Town will pursue the goals of its Open Space and RecreaƟon Plan, adopted in 2018, including:
Protect and maintain a maximum amount of open space to enhance environmental protecƟon,
recreaƟonal opportuniƟes and community character.
Use land protecƟon to protect water supply, protect fresh and marine surface waters, preserve
historic, scenic and cultural resources, and provide opportuniƟes for farming and agriculture.
Provide diverse recreaƟonal opportuniƟes and access throughout Barnstable and ensure that
the current and future needs of all user groups are met appropriately.
Provide adequate public access to and safe enjoyment of the Town’s open space and
recreaƟonal resources and programs, parƟcularly its fresh and marine shoreline areas.
Promote greater coordinaƟon and communicaƟon about community open space and recreaƟon
needs within government and among stakeholder groups in the Town
Strategy: The Barnstable Open Space and RecreaƟon Plan (OSRP) is incorporated herein by
reference. The Town will pursue the objecƟves and implement the acƟons laid out in Sec. 9.3 of
the OSRP.
Other Regulations and Processes
The Town will consider regulaƟons that place more responsibility on property owners regarding
environmentally sound pracƟces, and lead by example with its own pracƟces, including, but not limited
to:
Requirements or incenƟvizes for ecological landscaping and the reducƟon of lawn areas.
Requirements for vegetated buffer zones/wildlife corridors along water bodies.
Bans on ferƟlizer.
RestricƟons on irrigaƟon.
Investment in staff Ɵme and training to properly enforce exisƟng and new regulaƟons.
Adopt processes that ensure the parƟcipaƟon of Natural Resources staff in the early stages of the
development approval process and in the planning for conservaƟon land acquisiƟon.
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MAPS
Mapping is an important tool for visualizing natural resources policies. The maps below can help the
community see where development should be moderated or prohibited to protect important natural
resources.
Please see the ExisƟng CondiƟons Report for a fuller range of maps.
Map X: Wellhead Protection Areas
[Use Map 3.1 from the ExisƟng CondiƟons Report]
Map X: Open Space by Level of Protection