HomeMy WebLinkAboutDMF Letter NOI Beker to Barnstable ConCom (1)The 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
May 28, 2024
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
by Harvey and Jayne Beker to reconstruct and widen a boardwalk over saltmarsh adjacent to
North Bay at 290 Bridge Street in the Town of Barnstable. The project was reviewed with
respect to potential impacts to marine fisheries resources and habitat.
The project site includes mapped shellfish habitat for northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria)
and softshell clam (Mya arenaria). Waters bordering the project site have habitat characteristics
suitable for these species. Land containing shellfish is deemed significant to the interest of the
Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.34) and the protection of marine fisheries. Land
containing shellfish is deemed significant to the interest of the Wetlands Protection Act (310
CMR 10.34) and the protection of marine fisheries.
The project site abuts salt marsh vegetation. Salt marsh provides a variety of ecosystem services,
including habitat and energy sources for many fish and invertebrate species [1-2].
MA DMF offers the following comment for your consideration:
• A footpath is present to provide water access. MA DMF encourages the applicant to use
or alter the footpath above mean high water instead of widening a boardwalk over salt
marsh for water access.
• Repair of the structure should be within the same footprint as the existing structure. Any
expansion of the footprint will result in the loss of shellfish habitat and salt marsh habitat.
• 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 [3-5]. Current
plans show a decking width of 4 feet and about 1 foot of clearance between the lowest
stringer and salt marsh. Current plans do not meet the 1.5:1 H:W ratio recommendation.
Questions regarding this review may be directed to Amanda Davis at amanda.davis@mass.gov.
Sincerely,
Drafted 2016; Updated 2023
2
Amanda Davis
Environmental Analyst
MA Division of Marine Fisheries
cc:
John O’Dea, Sullivan Engineering and Consulting, Inc.
John Logan, Matt Camisa, Kara Falvey, Malik Neron, MA DMF
Patrice Bordonaro, CZM
AD/mn/kf
References:
1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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