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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeagull Beach Rake Application Narrative 2-14-2024 updated 4-22-2024 TOWN OF YARMOUTH BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN SEAGULL BEACH February 14, 2024 Updated April 22, 2024 Prepared by Town of Yarmouth Public Works P a g e | 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE 1 2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS 1 3.0 WORK BEACH MANAGEMENT 1 3.1 DUNE MANAGEMENT 2 3.2 BEACH MAINTENANCE 3 3.3 SEAWEED MANAGEMENT 5 4.0 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR SEAWEED 6 5.0 BEACH ACCESS POINTS 8 6.0 NESTING HABITAT 9 7.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS APPENDIX A – WPA A-1 APPENDIX B - MAP (SEAGULL BEACH, YARMOUTH MA) A-2 APPENDIX C – CERTIFIED ABUTTER NOTIFICATION LIST A-3 APPENDIX D - ASSESSORS MAP A-4 P a g e | 2 Town of Yarmouth, Seagull Beach 1.0 Purpose The purpose of this plan is to define how the Town of Yarmouth will manage Seagull Beach so that it may protect and maximize its resource area values while providing adequate public access and preserving its recreational value. 2.0 Existing Conditions Seagull Beach is located along the shoreline of Nantucket Sound and is a valuable coastal resiliency, wildlife habitat, recreational, and tourism resource for the Town of Yarmouth and its residents and visitors. Coastal barrier beaches and dunes are significant to wildlife, wildlife habitat, storm damage prevention, flood control, and recreation. Coastal beaches dissipate wave energy by their gentle slope, their permeability, and their granular nature, which in turn, permit changes in beach form in response to changes in wave condition. Coastal Dunes are important because they protect landward properties from storm damage and flooding by dissipating wave energy and/or blocking storm elevated sea levels and storm waves. Seagull Beach is mapped as Priority Habitat of Rare Species as classified by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Seagull Beach is an important nesting location for both Piping Plovers and Least Terns, both of which are protected by state and federal regulations. Seagull Beach is also an important recreational and tourism resource offering almost half a mile of public beach and quality amenities for residents and tourists alike. To maintain the quality of the beach resource for recreational purposes while protecting the value of the coastal resource, a balanced approach to beach maintenance activities must be achieved. This balance can be achieved using the best management practices for beach and dune management. Jurisdictional areas onsite include Barrier Beach-Coastal Beach, Barrier Beach- Coastal Dune, Land under the Ocean, and Land subject to coastal storm flowage- the Velocity zone. 3.0 Work - Beach Management 3.1 Dune Management Primary dunes are the first line of defense against coastal storm flooding and provide sand to adjacent beaches. Beach grasses, wrack, and other vegetation on the dunes trap sand and store it as a future sediment supply for the beaches. To protect public and private property, the primary dune should provide as continuous and as unbroken a barrier for the entire length of the beach as possible. It is also important to provide controlled and managed access points for recreational users of the beach. The beach provides recreational benefits to all and as such the Town has a vital interest in the continued protection of the beach and dune area. The Town may perform annual routine maintenance to achieve this. P a g e | 3 The dunes at Seagull Beach have experienced significant growth over the past 20 years creating a healthy and important coastal resource. Dune growth, along with the seasonally set-aside areas for nesting habitat, has reduced the available access paths and recreation area of the beach for tourists and residents. Figure 1. Change in Seagull Beach Dunes over the past 18 years. In the past, the Town has carried out small scale dune maintenance to limit further dune expansion. This included the excavation of the un-vegetated toe of the dune and redistribution of the sand onto the main beach area, and the clearing of windblown sand within the access paths to the beach. This activity can have a destabilizing effect on the dune and negatively impact habitat for nesting shore birds. Therefore, this practice is no longer allowed, and the dune system shall be allowed to migrate naturally. The exception to this is the proposal to clear of windblown sand build up along the designated access pathways A through E as shown on Figure 2. The Town wishes to maintain the access paths to their previous width as delineated by the sand fencing in place. Sand will be removed using a front-end loader or skid steer and all care will be taken to minimize impact to dune stability and vegetation. No heavy equipment will be used on or within 15 feet of the toe of the dune outside these access pathways, and no heavy equipment will be used below the Mean High Water (MHW) line 3.2 NAVD88. Figure 2. Extent of dune maintenance activities 2022 3.2 Beach Maintenance P a g e | 4 Beach maintenance includes both proactive and reactive measures that occur throughout the year. All maintenance activities will be carried out to avoid negative effects to the beach and dune resource areas. Proactive maintenance includes oversight and care of man-made structures such as access points and fencing, and beach grass planting. All proactive maintenance shall occur before April 1st to avoid negative impacts to nesting plover and tern populations in compliance with the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) regulations. Seaweed provides an important habitat and a critical source of food for marine animals. Plant debris deposited on the shoreline also provides important nutrients and organic matter for the ecosystem. Organic matter in the wrack line (the area where items from the sea are deposited on the shore between high and low tides) provides food and habitat for small crustaceans and several other species, which then provide food for fish, crabs, and nesting and migrating birds. The wrack line also catches sand that helps build up beaches and dunes, important for storm damage protection and flood control. Accumulations of seaweed on beaches, however, can cause management challenges, particularly in warmer weather when the material decays and causes odor and fly problems. Reactive beach maintenance includes removal of marine debris (defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment) in order to provide the public with a litter free beach, removal of excessive amounts of fly infested seaweed that has been declared a health hazard by the Health Department, and emergency measures in the wake of severe weather events. Beach cleaning will be carried out seasonally beginning in mid-March using a tractor with a towable beach rake to remove debris. Removal activities will be conducted on an ‘as needed’ basis but generally not more than twice a week and every effort will be made to remove as little sediment from the beach as possible. The following best practices for beach cleaning shall be followed: 1. All machinery used on the beach shall remain at least 10 feet seaward of the dune toe to protect the stability and ecology of the dune area. The toe of the dune is the location of a visible break in slope and is not necessarily occupied by dune vegetation. If it is discovered that the 10-foot buffer to the dune toe has been breached, the Commission will issue an Enforcement Order, and beach cleaning will become prohibited. 2. Removal shall be focused on the areas of trash and nuisance seaweed on the open beach area. No raking shall occur below the daily high tide line (within the intertidal zone), leaving the wrack line to provide a seed source, nutrient source, and foraging habitat for shorebirds and to help build the beach and dunes. 3. The mechanical rake shall be set to only skim the surface to avoid scraping or moving beach sediments. 4. Beach inspections will be conducted by staff prior to raking, to determine whether use of the mechanical rake is necessary, if not necessary it will not be used. The primary focus of raking is to provide public with seaweed and trash free environment and to fill any holes that may cause safety concerns. 5. Under ‘normal’ conditions, bucket loaders shall not be used to collect seaweed but can be used to transport seaweed collected by the mechanical rake. P a g e | 5 6. All beach cleaning activities shall be carried out in accordance with the MESA regulations in conjunction with Mass Audubon during the nesting bird season, between April 1st and August 31st. 7. Material removed from the beach shall be deposited offsite, since trash and non-organic material is always present. Figure 3. Tidelands jurisdiction Chapter 91 Historic high water yellow line ---- MassMapper 3.3 Seaweed management Under normal conditions (non-emergency conditions), seaweed removal from the beach shall be limited to the area between ten feet seaward of the base of the primary dune and mean high water and should comply with the above best practices. Excess accumulations of seaweed on Seagull Beach can cause aesthetic and/or public health concerns particularly during warmer weather when the material decays and causes odor problems. Monitoring of seaweed build-up and P a g e | 6 removal of a portion of the fresh seaweed material by hand on a regular basis during periods of high accumulation may help to control the amount of seaweed that accumulates over time. 4.0 Emergency Procedure for Seaweed Management In the event of extreme volumes of seaweed accumulation, that is deemed to create a public health or safety concern Yarmouth Public Works staff will follow emergency guidelines as stated in the Bylaw when necessary. Although seaweed is a natural material, once it is removed from a beach, disposal can pose some challenges. A disposal strategy shall be developed by Town staff responsible for the management of the property and agreed by the Conservation Commission, prior to the summer season. Disposal strategies will vary depending on space available for storage and drying of seaweed, the amount of material to be disposed of the resources available for disposal, and ecological impacts. During various times of the year major storms could deposit excessive amounts of seaweed in predefined maintenance areas. This can hinder routine maintenance where the previously approved Beach Cleaning process is not suitable due to the volume of debris, additional equipment may be necessary to assist in removal. This may include a loader, skid steer with suitable attachment and an excavator with suitable attachment using the safest, most efficient, effective best management practices. This procedure will only take place after consultation with the Conservation Agent and the Director of Public Works, and an administration sign off. Table 1: Existing Beach Equipment and Typical Uses P a g e | 7 5.0 Beach Access Points Access Point A: Is an elevated wooden handicap accessible walkway running approximately 185’ long x 14’ wide through dune to beach leading to a floating wooden walkway and/or Mobi Matt extending approximately 100 feet out onto beach. Access Point B: Is a sand-based emergency vehicle access, equipment maintenance access, and pedestrian access point to the beach approximately 110’ x 14’. Access Point C: Is a sand-based pedestrian access point to the beach approximately 120’ x 12’. Access Point D: Is a sand-based pedestrian access point to the beach approximately 211’ x 14’. Access Point E: Is a sand-based pedestrian access point to the beach approximately 385’ x 12’. Annual Maintenance Access Points A-E: Remove windblown sand from walkway and spread out on beach. Replace/Repair snow fencing as needed, in the same footprint or narrower. A No. of TOY Owned Equip. Vehicle Type Typical Uses 1 Barber Surf Rake (or "Sweeper") Clearing of small, man-made debris off beach; removes minor wash over of seaweed. Levels and grooms sand. 1 John Deere Loader (rubber tired) Used to assist with access point maintenance, placement of walking aid mats, repair of floating walkway, repairs to lifeguard stands, to assist with removal of storm debris, emergency rescue efforts (ie. marine mammal) 1 Caterpillar Skid Steer w/suitable attachments Used to assist with access point maintenance, placement of walking aid mats, repair of floating walkway, repairs to lifeguard stands, to assist with removal of storm debris, emergency rescue efforts (ie. marine mammal) 1 John Deere Tractor (rubber tired) Tows Barber Surf Rake, fills in deep holes. 1 John Deere Mini Excavator (rubber tired) Used to assist with access point maintenance, placement of walking aid mats, repair of floating walkway, repairs to lifeguard stands, to assist with removal of storm debris, emergency rescue efforts (ie. marine mammal) 1 Kubota Excavator (rubber tired) Used to assist with access point maintenance, placement of walking aid mats, repair of floating walkway, repairs to lifeguard stands, to assist with removal of storm debris, emergency rescue efforts (ie.marine mammal) 2 Ford F-250 4X4 trucks Used for beach maintenance, fencing repairs and installation, life guard chair maintenance. P a g e | 8 loader, skid steer with suitable attachment and an excavator with suitable attachment using best management practices may be required for this operation. Access Point F: Is a sand-based emergency vehicle access, equipment maintenance access, and pedestrian access point to the beach approximately 431’ x 21’. Annual Maintenance Access Point F: No annual maintenance is done to this access point. Access Point G: Is a sand-based pedestrian access point to the beach approximately 375’ x 4’. Annual Maintenance Access Point G: No annual maintenance is done to this access point. Figure 4. Aerial view of requested maintenance area and access points 2023 6.0 Nesting Habitat Seagull Beach is an important nesting location for both Plovers and Terns, both of which are protected by state and federal regulations. The Town of Yarmouth participates in Mass Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program to monitor, manage, and protect Piping Plover, Least Tern, and Common Tern nesting populations on Yarmouth’s public beaches. The following best practices have been successfully adopted for Seagull Beach: 1. All areas of suitable piping plover nesting habitat will be identified and delineated with posts and warning signs or symbolic fencing on or before April 1st. Suitable nesting habitat for all species of terns should be identified and delineated on or before May 15. 2. All beach maintenance (lifeguard chairs, boardwalk maintenance) will be done before April 1st. 3. Endangered species monitoring begins when the presence of listed species is found and continues until the last chick has fledged. P a g e | 9 4. Installation of permanent and/or temporary symbolic fencing and signage are installed for the creation of refuge areas to protect incubating Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) or Least Terns (Sterna antillarum)and their eggs. The fencing is maintained if the eggs are viable. Once hatching begins, the symbolic fencing is modified to allow free movement of the chicks. If unfledged chicks move outside the delineated symbolic fencing, then the boundaries of the protected area can be adjusted. 5. Daily discussions will be with a qualified shorebird monitor and before any work activity occurs at Seagull beach. The operator of any machinery shall meet the qualified shorebird monitor(s)onsite and discuss the current location of plover adults and chicks and provide any update information as needed to perform beach raking activities properly and safely. No raking and seaweed removal shall occur unless a qualified shorebird monitor has located plovers and determined that the work can begin. 6. No raking shall occur within 100 yards of any unfledged piping plover or tern chicks. No raking shall occur between100 and200 yards of any unfledged piping plover chicks unless a monitor is present to determine the location of the chicks and to ensure that the raking equipment remains at 100yards away from it. 7. The use of fireworks is prohibited on Seagull Beach. 8. Dogs are not allowed on Seagull Beach from April 1st through to Labor Day. 9. There shall be no vehicular access into or through delineated nesting habitat. 10. Kite flying is prohibited on Sea Gull Beach between April 1stand August 31 st each year. 310 CMR 10 and Yarmouth Bylaw Performance Standards Barrier Beach-Coastal Beach The proposed work will have no adverse effect by increasing erosion, decreasing the volume, or changing the form of any such coastal beach or an adjacent or downdrift coastal beach since special care will be taken to avoid removal of sand from the beach during raking. The access paths are required for safe access and emergency access to the beach area. The intertidal zone will be avoided in all beach raking. Barrier Beach- Coastal Dune The proposed work will not have an adverse effect on the coastal dune since all work will take place at least 10 feet outward from the toe of any dune. No vegetation will be disturbed, and sand will not be removed from the dunes. There will be no adverse effect on the habitat of rare species due to the standards set forth to protect those species onsite and collaboration with Mass Audubon. Land under the Ocean No work is proposed in land under the ocean, the intertidal zone will be avoided for all work except when otherwise approved for emergencies. P a g e | 10 Land subject to coastal storm flowage- The Velocity zone. There will be no adverse effects to the flood control values of the area. No structures are proposed.