HomeMy WebLinkAboutGeotextile_Replacement_PLan_4-22-2025
April 22, 2025 Job No. 2023-0169-00
Yarmouth Conservation Commission
Attn: Brittany DiRienzo, Conservation Agent
1146 Route 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
By Hand Delivery and email: bdirienzo@yarmouth.ma.us
Re: SE83-2431 Geotextile Bag Replacement Protocol
Restoration & Maintenance of Rebuilt Portions of Primary Coastal Dune
Great Island Homeowners Association, Applicant
0 Great Island Road, Yarmouth, MA
Map 7 Parcel 1 and Map 10 Parcel 1
Dear Commissioners and Staff:
In accordance with the Order of Conditions SE83-2431 for dune nourishment and the installation of geotextile bags
in the Coastal Dune along Great Island Road, this letter is intended to satisfy Special Condition No. 18 by establishing
a protocol for the replacement of the northern array of geotextile bags:
A detailed plan is required to be submitted for the fiber roll replacement strategy of the larger section including the
threshold for replacement. The plans must be heard by the board and approved prior to replacement and should
prioritize the quickest replacement possible with fiber rolls to increase resilience of the array and keep monitoring
and maintenance consistent across the roadway. This plan should be submitted as soon as possible, by January 1,
2025, in the event damage is sustained this winter and replacement is needed.
The northern section of geotextile bags will be monitored regularly throughout the year and following storm events.
As required by Special Condition #19, monitoring reports will be submitted in the fall and spring, and monthly
updates will be provided during the winter season (December through February). The monthly updates will provide
photos of the geotextile bags and reports of any damage. In the event that damage to the geotextile bags results
in a visible tear greater than 24 inches in length to more than four (4) adjacent bags, or more than four (4)
consecutive bags lose greater than one-half of their sand fill, the array will be considered compromised, and steps
will be taken to replace the geotextile bags. When either of the replacement thresholds is triggered, a minimum
50 ft length of the geotextile bags will be replaced with 20-24 inch diameter coir fiber rolls (depending upon
commercial availability), anchored in place using duckbill anchors and cables. The fiber rolls will then be covered
with clean sand of a compatible grain size to the adjacent beach and planted with beach grass. The design for the
fiber roll array will follow the design approved by the Conservation Commission for the southern stretch of
geotextile bags (see Plan entitled “Revised Design for Roadway Protection & Rebuilding of Primary Coastal Dune
Along South Area at Great Island Road, West Yarmouth, MA”, dated 09/12/2024).
The Great Island Homeowners Association (GIHA) will alert the Conservation Commission when a replacement
threshold has been triggered. As required by Special Condition #4, a pre-construction meeting will be held with the
Commission, selected contractor, and project team not less than 24 hours in advance of the work. Upon completion
of the work, the GIHA will notify the Commission via a letter with dates of construction, photos, and volume of sand
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cover placed. All work will adhere to the time of year restrictions listed in Special Conditions #20 and #24 for the
protection of horseshoe crabs and protected shorebirds.
It is our hope that this satisfies the Commission’s requirements under the Order of Conditions and acts as a
reassurance that the work will be performed under the highest quality standards to protect the resource areas.
If you have any questions, or require any additional information, please call me at (508) 495-6225, or send an email to
lfields@woodsholegroup.com.
Sincerely,
Leslie Fields
Coastal Geologist/Project Manager
MLF/jkw
cc: MassDEP/SERO – Wetlands & Waterway: sero_noi@mass.gov
MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife – NHESP (hard copy and via MESAReview@mass.gov)
Yarmouth Waterways/Shellfish Committee
Cynthia Richards, Great Island Homeowners Association
Great Island Realty Trust