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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.9.25 draft waterways minutesMINUTES YARMOUTH WATERWAYS AND SHELLFISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING January 9, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julian Mallett (Chairman), Rick Crawford, Bob Churchill, Al Keller, Ellie Lawrence, Mike Dunbar STAFF PRESENT: William Bonnetti, Kathryn Brooks, Casaundra Healy OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Ojala, Kieran Healy, Roger Cahoon Jr., Jimmy Warrama _______________________________________________________________________________ At 5:34 p.m. the Director of Natural Resources, Bill Bonnetti, read the open meeting law and explained the meeting audio was going to be recorded. Agenda: Public Comment: There was no public comment. Continued Notice of Intent Daniel Ojala, Down Cape Engineering, Inc., 10 Buttercup Lane, proposed construction of stairs, fixed pier, ramp and floats Mr. Ojala came back with a revised plan proposing just a pier. The pier is shorter than what was proposed previously and still allows for steps down the bluff. Ms. Lawrence commented about the kayak rack, listed as option on the plan, and once a vote goes through the rack would also be approved. Mr. Churchill makes a motion to recommend this project for approval which is seconded by Mr. Crawford. The motion passed 5-0. Notice of Intent Hannah Raddatz, BSC Group, 146 Mayflower Terrace, proposed construction of a pier, ramp, and float system, and stone revetement replacement Kieran Healy from BSC Group presented the project explaining they want to fix the existing stone revetment and are looking for a length variance on the 114’ dock to get the correct water depth. Constable Healy brought up the shellfish survey noting nobody ever contacted the DNR office prior to the survey. Director Bonnetti explained the DNR office would like to have communication prior to these surveys and in this particular case there was a question about the survey. Constable Healy said she can’t verify the population based on a survey that doesn’t cover the full length of the project. The survey was deemed incomplete. Mr. Healy said he is happy to go out and will let the office know prior to surveying. Mr. Keller said he would like to see docks kept to the 80’ regulation. It was discussed that a shorter dock would then need a variance on water depth. Mr. Crawford added that float stops could potentially be used should they seek a variance for water depth, and he understands the reason the dock is so long. Mr. Healy said in the past they would have proposed dredging for this project to achieve the depth, but that is much harder to get permitted. Mr. Crawford motions to not recommend this project due to the length of the dock, which is seconded by Mr. Keller. The motion passes 5-0. The homeowner, Mrs. Kelley, says she just wants to repair and replace, not change anything. Ms. Brooks clarifies this would be considered a new structure, and not repairs, subjecting the dock to the current regulations. Mr. Healy asked the committee if the dock was shortened, would that be entertained? The committee said they would like to see a new plan. The previous motion was amended by MR. Crawford, and the new motion was to allow this project to be continued until the next meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Keller and the motion passed 5-0. Paul Mancuso, BSC Group, 172 Pawkannawkut Drive, proposed bulkhead with pier, ramp, and float The project was presented by Kieran Healy, BSC Group. Ms. Lawrence said the area can’t be dredged to put in a float, and Mr. Healy said the whole area has been dredged regularly/recently and is man made. It was clarified the dock runs parallel to the bulkhead to allow for more space than the docks on Kelp Lane. Ms. Lawrence said her main concern is the dredging but that will be something Conservation will regulate. Mr. Healy said this project will not add any more obstacles to the area than what is already there now. Mr. Crawford agreed with that statement. Ms. Lawrence made a motion to recommend the project as presented, which was seconded by Mr. Keller. The motion passed 5-0. Approval of Meeting Minutes 12/16/2024 Mr. Crawford motions to accept the meeting minutes as written. Mr. Churchill seconds the motion and the motion carried 4-0. Committee Discussion & Division Updates Updates started with a recap of a meeting the Chairman, Shellfish Constable, and Director had with Sea Grant. They got good feedback but found out the deadline for one of the grants had already passed. It was recommended to pick an idea for a project and return to Sea Grant to discuss details and they could figure out the money and researchers from there. The goal would be to find a project that is realistic, beneficial, and won’t spread DNR resources too thin. Bacteria prevention in oysters, how to keep birds off cages, testing how much of a particular bacterium is present to get a baseline, and predator management were all discussed. DNR would like to prevent future emergency closures because it has widespread impacts to shellfishermen. The chairman suggested we ask the shellfish community to voice their top problems and see if there is a research project that could help alleviate these issues. The Director had no more updates on the bridge other than the bid keeps getting pushed out. The Division is planning to dredge the bar on the Dennis side of Bass River near the Route 28 bridge and pump that down to West Dennis Beach. An excavator was also removing a sand bar down near Colonial Acres Beach. Mr. Crawford motions to adjourn the meeting, which is seconded by Mr. Churchill. The motion passes 5-0 and the meeting ends at 6:59 p.m.