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Home My WebLink AboutDMF commentsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (617) 626-1520 | www.mass.gov/marinefisheries MAURA T. HEALEY KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL REBECCA L. TEPPER THOMAS K. O’SHEA DANIEL J. MCKIERNAN Governor Lt. Governor Secretary Commissioner Director SOUTH COAST FIELD STATION CAT COVE MARINE LABORATORY NORTH SHORE FIELD STATION 836 S. Rodney French Blvd 92 Fort Avenue 30 Emerson Avenue New Bedford, MA 02744 Salem, MA 01970 Gloucester, MA 01930 August 8, 2024 Yarmouth Conservation Commission 1146 Route 28 South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Dear Commissioners: The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) has reviewed the Notice of Intent (NOI) by William Hearn to construct 4’ wide and 24’ long pier, ramp, and a 6’x 28’ float within the Bass River at 104 River Street in the Town of Yarmouth. The project was reviewed with respect to potential impacts to marine fisheries resources and habitat. The project site lies within salt marsh vegetation. Salt marsh provides a variety of ecosystem services, including habitat and energy sources for many fish and invertebrate species [1-2]. The project site lies within mapped shellfish habitat for bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), American oyster (Crassostrea virginica), northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria), and softshell clam (Mya arenaria). Waters within the project site have habitat characteristics suitable for these species. Land containing shellfish is deemed significant to the interest of the Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.34) and the protection of marine fisheries. A shellfish survey by Paul Mancuso and Conor Gilbertson on March 26, 2004 found soft shell clam, quahog, and American oyster within the project site. The Bass River has been identified by MA DMF as a diadromous fish passage, migration, and/or spawning habitat for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), white perch (Morone americana), and American eel (Anguilla rostrata) [3]. The Bass River acts as winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) spawning habitat. Winter flounder enter the area and spawn from January through May; demersal eggs hatch approximately 15 to 20 days later. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has designated winter flounder spawning habitat as a “Habitat Area of Particular Concern” (HAPC). In the previous stock assessment, the winter flounder stock was classified as overfished with spawning stock biomass in 2019 estimated to be only 32% of the biomass target [4]. Spawning stock biomass in 2021 was estimated to be 101% of the biomass target based on a new recruitment stanza focusing only on the past twenty years [5]. Given the new status of the winter flounder stock, every effort should be made to protect the species and its spawning habitat. MA DMF offers the following comments for your consideration: 2 • A new pier and float have the potential to negatively impact nearby shellfish resources and fisheries in a variety of ways [6]. While some of these impacts can be avoided or reduced with best management practices, others are unavoidable and will result in permanent impacts to salt marsh habitat and associated fisheries access. Support piles will directly displace shellfish habitat, and piles may cause further indirect impacts that negatively affect bordering shellfish habitat. Leachates from any pressure-treated wood used for support piles or decking may also negatively impact nearby shellfish. Associated boating activity could result in prop dredging if the float is installed in insufficient water depth relative to the size of vessels using the structure. The pier, float, and adjacent footprints will likely not be accessible to commercial or recreational fisheries. • If approved, any activities requiring a barge should be restricted to 2 hours before and after high tide to prevent barge grounding in mapped shellfish habitat. • Fuel spills from refueling of construction equipment will adversely impact sensitive resource areas. Impacts to resource areas can be avoided by prohibiting all land-based equipment from being refueled on-site. If equipment is refueled on-site, adequate containment and clean-up material should be required to minimize impacts. Questions regarding this review may be directed to Amanda Davis at amanda.davis@mass.gov. Sincerely, Amanda Davis Environmental Analyst MA Division of Marine Fisheries cc: Hannah Raddatz, BSC Group John Logan, Malik Neron, Kara Falvey, Holly Williams, Matt Camisa, MA DMF Casaundra Healy, Yarmouth Shellfish Constable Patrice Bordonaro, CZM References: 1. Boesch, D.F. and R.E. Turner. 1984. “Dependence of Fishery Species on Salt Marshes: The Role of Food and Refuge.” Estuaries 7(4):460-468. https://doi.org/10.2307/1351627. 2. Deegan, L.A., J.E. Hughes, and R.A. Rountree. 2000. “Salt marsh ecosystem support of marine transient species.” In: M.P. Weinstein and D.A. Kreeger, eds. Concepts and Controversies in Tidal Marsh Ecology: Kluwer Academic Publisher, The Netherlands. pp. 333-365 3. MA DMF. MassGIS Data: Diadromous Fish. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massgis- data-diadromous-fish. Accessed February 8, 2023. 2023. 4. ASMFC. 2020. Southern New England Mid-Atlantic Winter Flounder 2020 Assessment Update Report. http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/6008bd822020_SNE- MA_WinterFlounderAssessmentUpdate.pdf 5. ASMFC. 2022. Southern New England Mid-Atlantic winter flounder 2022 Management 3 Track Assessment Report. Compiled June 2022. https://apps- nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/saw/sasi.php 6. Logan, J.M., A. Boeri, J. Carr, T. Evans, E.M. Feeney, K. Frew, F. Schenck, and K.H. Ford. 2022. A review of habitat impacts from residential docks and recommended Best Management Practices with an emphasis on the northeastern United States. Estuaries Coasts 45: 1189–1216. https://www.mass.gov/doc/dock-bmp- recommendations/download