HomeMy WebLinkAboutViolation Correspondence
Grant, Kelly
From:Mark Stoever <mcstoever@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, January 22, 2021 11:31 AM
To:Grant, Kelly
Subject:172 Blue Rock Road, South Yarmouth Violation
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Dear Ms. Grant, I’m writing as the property owner of and in reference to the site at 172 Blue Rock Road, South
Yarmouth, MA.
I attended last night’s Conservation Meeting as an NOI for the property was being presented to replace the existing
bulkhead, dock and access staircase.
I understand there was a discussion regarding unpermitted cuttings in the vegetation area of the coastal
bank. Unfortunately, during this section I was unsuccessful attempting to join the discussion’s audio using the chat
button. I apologize for this, as I could hear the details of the discussion and wished to provide some context.
By way of background, my wife and I purchased this property in February of last year (our first waterfront) and have
been assessing the required work more broadly to restore the entire coastal/ resource area and increase habitat.
I’m sure by the pictures and site visits, you can see sadly this property and unfortunately those directly adjacent to it,
has suffered from many years of neglect, particularly the coastal area. Although, there are few along the river which
provide inspiration so hopefully more of us are able to do our part.
Our sole intent is to restore and rejuvenate this entire area within our property line, including the vegetation.
I clearly intended to do this work in compliance with conservation, and as you know you helped us early in the year
begin to remove some of the larger hazard trees on the site which we considered most likely to fail and do more harm to
the eroding area while we were in the planning stages.
I understand I have violated parts of the mid to upper bank areas where I have attempted to prune several of the
existing vegetation.
First, my only motive was trying to improve things until the broader work could begin. I cannot speak of the previous
occupants but like the bulkhead, the vegetation area was and is just a mess. There were overgrown shrubs and broken
small trees covering large sections of the access stairs and abutting landings, making an already unsafe situation even
more hazardous. I believed by cutting these back while waiting for the redo, I was limiting any potential safety risks.
Second, in addressing the safety issues, I also saw in the broader mid to upper areas of the bank, there were so many
broken limbs throughout, with significant debris strewn about from what is likely a compounding buildup over several
years. I believed much of this lower vegetation wasn’t growing and where I saw that I attempted to prune it thinking at
least for the interim time between the rebuild, I was helping reignite growth and habitat which perhaps falsely, I
believed was what I should be doing as the property owner.
We had already planned to have the entire vegetation area restored by professional erosion control as part of a phased
implementation. It just made sense to us do so after the bulkhead and new access stairs were completed, so we could
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restore all areas of disruption together. And so, my actions were motivated by the belief I was stop gapping and
preventing any further regression in the area.
Regardless, clearly my ignorance of the regulation and inexperience with wetlands is no excuse, and I see that clearly by
yours and the committee’s reaction last night.
You have our assurance we will act immediately in accordance with how the commission wishes to proceed and only be
guided by those professionals we hire to represent the best interests of the conservation and our mutually aligned
goals.
Respectfully,
Mark Stoever
66 Osgood Road, Sterling, MA 01564 (off cape)
781-354-8092
mcstoever@gmail.com
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