HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ.S. Trust 183 Bay Shore, Shellfish Survey 1
TO: Conservation Commission
FROM: Natural Resources, Town of Barnstable
DATE: October 28, 2024
RE: APPLICATION: Proposed Dredging Plan
APPLICANT: Jason Stone Trust
183 Bay Shore Rd.
Hyannis, MA
LOCATION: 183 Bay Shore Trust
Hyannis, MA
REPRESENTATIVE: Roy E. Okurowski P.E.
WRS Engineering LLC
467 Ocean Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
SHELLFISH SURVEY RESULTS: A shellfish survey was conducted on October 25,
2024, by Shellfish Biologist Elizabeth Lewis and Seasonal Shellfish Assistants Aydan
Craveiro and Amanda Lee. Low tide occurred at 1:29PM (+2.0ft.) with the survey
occurring between 12:45 and 1:35PM. Sample plots (3 sq. ft.) were examined for
substrate type, shellfish, and habitat suitability. Five transects were done, spaced 10ft.
apart beginning at the end of the pier (right in the middle). These were then spaced 10 ft.
out from the middle on either side and again 20ft. out on either side, creating 5 transects
going in line with the pier to cover the entire footprint of the proposed project. During the
survey, the homeowner warned us not to “dig too deep” near the boat lift due to the
electrical wires running throughout. Out of safety concerns and not knowing how deep is
too deep, especially with a metal rake, this critical part of the survey was not completed.
Quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria) were harvested using a basket rake with a 3/8” lined
mesh to retain any seed shellfish. Sediment remained consistent throughout the sample
plots consisting of large grain sand, small amounts of blackened sediment below, and
shack/rocks mixed throughout. No softshells (Mya arenaria) were observed in the survey
area.
Town of Barnstable
Marine and Environmental Affairs Department
1189 Phinney’s Lane, Centerville, MA 02632
Derek Lawson, Director
508-790-6273 / Fax 508-790-6275
www.townofbarnstable.us
Animal Control 508-790-6274 Natural Resources 5 08-790-6272
Harbormaster 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck 508-790-6272
Marinas 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck Gatehouse 508 -362-8300
Moorings 508-790-6273
2
There is not a significant amount of quahogs within the footprint. Only 4 quahogs were
found in total and a conch, though remember a portion of the survey was not completed.
Sizes of quahogs ranged from seed, less than half an inch, to over 3 inches. The quahogs
were healthy. I would have like to have sampled within where the dredging would occur,
but I do believe the results would be similar; there is not a significant population of
shellfish in this location despite great substrate.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Since there is not a significant population of shellfish
located within the proposed footprint, this proposed project will not have a significant
impact on the populations. However, I would like a couple things to be considered in the
future:
One of the construction protocols states that, “the shellfish will be removed and stored
until after dredging and replaced in the same location”. This is actually against our
regulations. This is considered wet storage, §407-8-E, which is prohibited within the
Town of Barnstable. A contractor is not permitted to remove shellfish; this needs to be
done by Natural Resources. Fortunately, I do not believe there is enough shellfish located
here to warrant the removal from this location, but I would like all to be aware that this is
not one of Natural Resources accepted protocols.
Secondly, if dredging is allowed to occur for the purpose of the boat lift, the opposite side
of the dock does not need to be dredged too. This seems like an unnecessarily large
footprint for this purpose when the goal of the project is only for the boat lift to have
more water and the boat to get out on a lower tide. This is setting a precedent for
dredging additional square footage outside of the goals of a project. I do understand the
boat lift portion is to revert the depth back to what it was when the boat lift was put in
and to prevent the current boat from scouring the bottom. Natural Resources does not
currently have an issue with dredging the boat lift area and a pathway for the boat to go
into deeper water due to the boat probably already impacting the bottom as it is currently
set up. Despite not having an existing population of shellfish, the substrate is conducive
to settlement and recruitment of shellfish and the dredging footprint should be limited to
only what is needed as to not set a precedent. If the East side of the dock is for another
boat to also be there in deeper water, this needs to be addressed separately and be
transparent to the project goals.
Natural Resources does not support this project as proposed.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Lewis, Shellfish Biologist