HomeMy WebLinkAboutBass River Golf Course Cart Path Bridge - Response to Comments 3 - ConecoDecember 13, 2023
Town of Yarmouth
Yarmouth Conservation Commission
Attn: Brittany DiRienzo, Conservation Administrator
1146 Route 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Re: NOTICE OF INTENT RESPONSE TO CONERVATION COMMISSION QUESTIONS AT
THE NNOVEMBER 16TH HEARING - BASS RIVER GOLF COURSE BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT
DEP FILE NO. 083-2404
Dear Ms. DiRienzo and Conservation Commissioners:
Listed below are responses to the questions posed by Commission Members at the November
16th public hearing and updates to the design in response to the Commissions questions and
comments. The comments are in regard to the Notice of Intent (NOI) submittal for the proposed
cart and pedestrian path bridge on the Bass River Golf Course. The Commission’s questions
and some additional discussion items are numbered below as 1 to 3. The Coneco responses are
listed in Bold.
1.Is the bridge deck solid or will there be gaps between boards?
We asked the bridge manufacturer about this, and their response is that the entire
bridge is a monolithic piece that is completely factory bonded. It comes as a single
unit that is lifted into place on top of the helical piles. No screws or bolts are used
except to attach the guard rail. On the plans the decking appears to be 12-inch-wide
planks, but that is just an architectural feature.
2.Can the bridge be made so that there is more space under it so that the salt marsh gets
more light?
In our original NOI submittal for this project (September 6th submittal, DEP File
Number 083-2404 issued September 11th) the first bridge layout proposed replacing
the former bridge in its original location and dimensions. The proposed bridge was
a 26 feet 6 inches long by 8 feet wide span with additional marsh plantings on either
side of the paths where the bridge met the original landing points. This project was
reviewed by the Conservation Agent and redlined for changes that resulted in
lengthening the bridge to 37 feet long and 8 feet wide and removing any marsh
disturbance (including the plantings). This was the proposed project that was
submitted to the Conservation Commission and discussed on November 16th. After
our first meeting with the Commission the bridge project has been revised again.
The current proposal is to build a 48 feet long by 6 feet wide bridge. This current
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rendition eliminates all marsh disturbance by raising the bottom bridge cord
elevation to roughly 9-10 inches above the marsh elevation at the point of crossing
the upslope edge of the salt marsh. The decrease in width will also provide more
light penetration under the bridge whose orientation is SSE to NNW allowing for
ample sunlight through the day.
310 CMR 10.32(4) and the Town’s bylaw both state “Notwithstanding the provisions
of 310 CMR 10.32(3), a small project within a salt marsh, such as an elevated
walkway or other structure which has no adverse effects other than blocking
sunlight from the underlying vegetation for a portion of each day, may be permitted
if such a project complies with all other applicable requirements of 310 CMR 10.21
through 10.37.” As proposed this project complies with this performance standard.
This increase in height and length has significant impacts on the bridge and scope
of work. The new bridge will require a larger crane (potentially in the “ten-wheel
category”) for transport and placement and could require a temporary access road.
The height increase also requires the addition of handrails plus concrete curbs on
either side of the raised approach and departure paths. The paths must be raised
to meet the new elevation of the bridge. Finally, the new bridge will be more costly
than the originally proposed direct replacement structure.
3. Discussion about previously developed Riverfront and mitigation in Riverfront Area.
As we discussed in our previous submittals and at the November 16th hearing, the
areas where the bituminous concrete, shell, and gravel paths are on either side of
the crossing meet the definitions of previously developed Riverfront Area because
of the lack of top soil (310 CMR 10.58(5)). Work in previously developed Riverfront
Area should attempt to result in an improvement to the Riverfront and not be located
any closer to the river than under existing conditions. This project meets both of
those standards.
The project proposes restoration of previously developed Riverfront area by the
removal of several cart paths in the Riverfront that will no longer be needed after
the original crossing is restored.
Our suggested plant list for Bass River cart path restoration includes:
Low Height Shrubs
1. Sweet Fern, Comptonia peregrina
2. Beach Plum, Prunus maritima
3. Pasture Rose, Rosa Carolina
Medium Height Shrubs
1. Red Chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia
2. Northern Bayberry, Myrica pensylvanica
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3. Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra
Tall Shrubs
1. Staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina
Small Trees
1. Shadbush, Amelanchier canadensis
2. Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana
Also an appropriate native seed mix will be sown on the restored areas.
Approximately 90 linear feet of path (about 540 square feet) on the green side of the
creek and 275 linear feet of path (about 1,650 square feet) on the tee side of the
creek will be eliminated and restored.
Summary
Replacement of the cart bridge that traverses the par three 18th hole salt marsh is important for
several reasons. First, this project is proposed to eliminate a public safety issue. When the
damaged bridge was removed a few years ago, golfers (both those in carts and those walking the
golf course) were forced to follow a path through the woods following the east bank of the tidal
creek to the point on the 13th golf hole where they could cross to the west of the creek because
the creek is contained in a culvert under the 13th hole fairway. Upon exiting the woods the golfers
are directly in line with the tee shots of the golfers playing the 13th hole. This unsafe condition
would be eliminated by replacing the former bridge. Second, this restored crossing benefits golf
“pace of play” and allows for the golfers starting “tee time” and initial spacing to stay more
consistent. If holes take longer to play, then a backup of players can occur on previous holes,
placing them more in danger from players behind them. And third, the experience of crossing
the tidal marsh via the bridge connects players with the seaside character of Bass River Golf
Course and with that the origins of golf on the linksland of Scotland. Golf has a storied history
that many golfer appreciate, even if subliminally.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at 508-944-0479 should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Toohill, PWS, CE, CERP
Sr. Environmental Scientist
cc: MassDEP SERO
Scott Gilmore – Bass River Golf Course, Town of Yarmouth
Timothy Gerrish – Gardner+Gerrish
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Nicholas Hebel - Coneco
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