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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRevised DMF Letter NOI Revised Carosotto 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 October 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 Michael Carosotto of the United States Coast Guard to remove the Collier Ledge Isolated Danger Virtual Automatic Identification System (VAIS) and the Southwest Rock day beacon Aid to Navigation (ATON) from Nantucket Sound. Collier Ledge Isolated Danger VAIS is an approximately 400-foot-wide riprap mound located 1.5 miles from Barnstable that is partially exposed during low tide. Proposed work includes removing approximately 3,600 cubic yards of material and disposing the material at an upland location. The Southwest Rock day beacon is a 60-foot wide conical-shaped stone riprap mound. Proposed work includes removing the spindle, foundation, and riprap to a level below MLLW and disposing the material at an upland location. The surrounding seafloor is approximately – 10 feet MLLW around both structures. The projects were reviewed with respect to potential impacts to marine fisheries resources and habitats. The Collier Ledge and Southwest rock areas support an active recreational fishery and provide seasonal habitat for commercially and recreationally important species such as longfin squid (Doryteuthis pealeii), black sea bass (Centropristis striata), scup (Stenotomus chrysops), tautog (Tautoga onitis) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Collier ledge functions as structured fish habitat in Nantucket Sound, an area of limited structured habitat relative to other coastal areas of the Commonwealth. MA DMF offers the following comments for consideration: • MA DMF recommends that the Collier Ledge Isolated Danger VAIS and Southwest Rock day beacon ATON remain in place. Both locations provide structured habitat for recreational and commercially important species, and access to fishing opportunities for anglers from several ports. Nantucket Sound is an area of limited natural hard structured habitat. Removing these structures would alter the existing habitat functions in these locations and could adversely affect local biodiversity. • If removing these structures is deemed necessary to maintain safe navigation, MA DMF recommends removing only the uppermost portions of riprap from each structure. Leaving the subtidal foundational riprap in place would allow for the preservation of some of the existing fish habitat while also addressing navigational safety concerns. • Upland disposal is currently proposed for riprap material targeted for removal. All of this material is suitable for artificial reefs (ASFMC and GSFMC 2004) and of particular value 2 since the riprap has been in place at the site and functioning as viable habitat for coastal fish and invertebrates. While MA DMF preference is for the material to be left in place to maintain in-kind habitat integrity, if removal is deemed necessary, some ecological benefit could be retained by contributing the material to nearby artificial reefs. Currently there are two permitted artificial reef sites in Nantucket Sound in Yarmouth and Harwich (Fig. 1) that have sufficient capacity to accept additional materials. MA DMF currently help manage and monitor these sites in partnership with the municipalities and could help coordinate material transfer to these established reefs . • To protect squid eggs, MA DMF recommends a time-of-year (TOY) restriction for any material removal and relocation activities from April 15 to June 15 to coincide with protective measures prescribed through permit condition for artificial reef deployment activity in the region (Evans et al. 2011). 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: Christine J. Perron, McFarland Johnson, Inc. Dan Del Tufo, Appledore Marine Michael Carosotto, United State Coast Guard John Logan, Mark Rousseau, Kara Falvey, Malik Neron, MA DMF Patrice Bordonaro, CZM AD/mn/kf References: Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisher ies Commissions (ASMFC and GSMFC). 2004. Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Materials. Second Edition. https://www.gsmfc.org/publications/GSMFC%20Number%20121.pdf Evans, N.T., K.H. Ford, B.C. Chase, and J. Sheppard. 2011. Recommended Time of Year Restrictions (TOYs) for Coastal Alteration Projects to Protect Marine Fisheries Resources in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Technical Report, TR -47. https://www.mass.gov/doc/time-of-year-recommendations-tr-47/download 3 Figure 1 – The locations of Collier Ledge, the Southwest Rock day beacon, the Harwich Artificial Reef, and the Yarmouth Artificial Reef.