HomeMy WebLinkAboutMEPA comment letter
October 28, 2022
Bethany Card, Secretary
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Attention: MEPA Office
Page Czpiga, Aquaculture SRP Request
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Project Name: Bois Aquaculture
Proponent: Joel Bois
Location: offshore Pine Island in Lewis Bay, Yarmouth
Project Description: Shellfish Aquaculture in Lewis Bay
Document Reviewed: Aquaculture Special Review Procedure Request Form
EEA File Number: n/a Aquaculture SRP
NHESP Tracking No.: 22-41397
Dear Secretary Card,
The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries &
Wildlife (the Division) reviewed the Aquaculture Special Review Procedure Request (SRP) Form for the
proposed shellfish aquaculture project off Pine Island in Lewis Bay, Yarmouth, MA and would like to
offer the following comments.
The proposed project site has been mapped as Priority Habitat and Estimated Habitat according to the
Massachusetts Natural Heritage Atlas (15th Edition), for state listed Tern species and Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus) a state-listed Threatened species. These species and their habitats are protected
pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (M.G.L c. 131A) and its implementing
regulations (MESA, 321 CMR 10.00). Rare wetland wildlife is protected pursuant to the rare species
provisions of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act regulations (WPA, 310 CMR 10.37). This
project requires a direct filing with the Division for compliance with the Massachusetts Endangered
Species Act (MESA 321 CMR 10.00).
Based on the information contained within the SRP form and in advance of a formal filing pursuant to
the MESA, it is anticipated this project could be conditioned to avoid a prohibited Take of state-listed
species. The Division anticipates that any state-listed species concerns can be addressed during the
MESA review process.
The Division will not render a final decision until all required MESA filing materials are submitted by the
proponent to the Division. As our MESA review is not complete, no alteration to the soil, surface, or
vegetation and no work associated with the proposed project shall occur on the property until the
Division has made a final determination.
If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Amy Hoenig, Endangered Species Review
Biologist, at (508) 389-6364 or Amy.Hoenig@mass.gov. We appreciate the opportunity to comment on
this project.
Sincerely,
Everose Schlüter, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
cc: Yarmouth Board of Selectmen
Yarmouth Conservation Commission
Yarmouth Planning Department
DEP Southeast Regional Office, MEPA