HomeMy WebLinkAboutPerry Recommendation. 04.20.23
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CAPE COD ENGINEERING, INC.
Robert M. Perry, P.E.
P.O. Box 1517
East Dennis, MA 02641
Tel 508-385-1445 / Fax 508-385-1446
bobperry@capecod.net
April 19, 2023
Town of Yarmouth
Conservation Commission
1146 Route 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
RE: Enforcement Order – Great Island Homeowners Association – Great Island Rd. Causeway Sand fill
To the Conservation Commission,
Cape Cod Engineering, Inc. is providing a general recommendation for addressing the interest in vegetation
restoration of the sand filled zones at the very edge of the Great Island Rd. paved road causeway. The discreet
eroded areas were affected by additions of sand fill in response to concerns for roadway stability immediately
following the December 22, 2022 coastal storm.
Efforts to acquire planting services have run into the approximate end of beach grass planting season with
supply scarce and higher risk of losses. NHESP activities appear to have cordoned off a segment of the nearby
area. GIHA General Manager Craig Fleming explained to me his recent discussion with Brittany DiRienzo that,
with concerns of hotter weather coming soon, lack of a practical watering source, that planting of a dense beach
grass array and / or any other vegetation may best wait for next late fall.
A site visit, today, April 20 showed that the various shrubs along the road where the sand fill application was
narrow are growing through the sand and showing robust growth. This narrow strip, after the upcoming
growing season can be re- evaluated and the upper area currently lacking vegetation planted with Am.
Beachgrass. A broader area of sand fill just east of the narrower strip will require a broader, dense installation
of Am. Beachgrass on a typical pattern, 2 culms per hole, 12-inch o.c. spacing. Opportunities do exist to
augment the vegetation to enhance stability but the seaward-facing unstable slope of the length of sand fill
appears impractical to plant due to direct exposure.
Images follow to help clarify the above recommendations.
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Figure 1 – The narrow strip of sand fill immediately along Great Island Rd. pavement. The area seaward of the
vegetation was heavily eroded in Dec. 2022. Predominant Rugosa roses are expected to grow through the growing
season. Weather permitting, Am. Beachgrass can be installed along the upper tier approx., 3 ft. wide.
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Figure 2 – This broader sand fill area. This broader area approx. 6 to 7 ft. width, 90 ft. length is eligible for a Am.
Beach grass installation weather permitting. Sand fill, in abundance, was not placed in areas where any
meaningful width of vegetation remained.
The Association wishes to remain engaged to follow up on opportunities to enhance the stability of the area.
Sincerely,
Cape Cod Engineering, Inc.
Robert M. Perry