HomeMy WebLinkAbout250701_Beach Mgmt Plan_Smugglers Beach_25004_UPDATED
TOWN OF YARMOUTH
BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN
Smugglers Beach
Yarmouth, Massachusetts
April 2025
(updated July 2025)
Prepared for:
Town of Yarmouth
Department of Public Works
Parks Division
74 Town Brook Road
West Yarmouth, MA 02673
Prepared by:
i
BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN
Smugglers Beach
Yarmouth, MA
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1
2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS .............................................................................................. 1
3.0 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................... 3
3.1 Beach Maintenance ................................................................................................................... 4
Proactive Beach Maintenance Activities ................................................................................... 4
Reactive Beach Maintenance Activities .................................................................................... 4
3.2 Existing Beach Equipment and Typical Uses ............................................................................ 6
3.3 Emergency Procedures for Seaweed Management ................................................................. 6
3.4 Operations and Special Events ................................................................................................. 7
4.0 BEACH ACCESS POINTS.............................................................................................. 7
4.1 All Access Points ....................................................................................................................... 8
4.2 Access Points for Annual Maintenance ................................................................................... 12
5.0 PROTECTION OF SHOREBIRD NESTING HABITAT ...................................................... 13
6.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 14
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Access and Maintenance Plan
Attachment B – Rules & Regulations for Town Parks and Beaches and Park & Beach Parking Areas
Beach Management Plan Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 1 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN
Smugglers Beach
220 South Street, Yarmouth, MA
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Town of Yarmouth (the Town) Department of Public Works, Parks Division (Parks) serves
the community through the delivery of safe, healthy, accessible, quality, year-round leisure-time
experiences in addition to preserving and improving its parks and resources. An important
aspect of the Parks duties involves maintenance and management of public beach areas,
including cleaning and grooming beaches, litter control, garbage removal, restroom
maintenance, and collection of daily beach fees, as well as overall management of beaches in
collaboration with the Town’s Division of Recreation and the Division of Natural Resources. The
Town owns and manages many coastal and freshwater beaches, most of which provide the
public with year-round access to recreational opportunities, attracting both locals and visitors
with various available waterfront activities.
Smugglers Beach (also known as Bass River Beach) is Yarmouth’s most popular coastal beach,
serving residents and year-round tourists and economic activity, particularly during the summer
season. Additionally, Smugglers Beach (the Site) supports various coastal wetland resource
areas, including Coastal Beach, Coastal Dune, and Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage,
and is a valuable coastal resiliency, wildlife habitat, recreational, and tourism resource for the
Town and its residents and visitors.
This Beach Management Plan (the Plan) provides a detailed outline of proposed beach
management activities at Smugglers Beach, with overall goals including protection and
maximization of wetland resource area values; allowance of adequate public access; and
preservation of recreational values. To address these goals, the Plan details proposed
management/maintenance activities specific to the Site in a manner that is compliant with the
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Ch. 131 § 40) and the Town of Yarmouth
Wetlands Protection Bylaw (Ch. 143).
2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Smugglers Beach is a large coastal beach on the Nantucket Sound, adjacent to the Bass River,
located at 220 South Street, Yarmouth, MA (Photo 1). The site is 11 acres in total area and
additionally supports a bathhouse with restrooms, concessions, a shade shelter, a volleyball
area, multiple sitting platforms, a fishing pier, a boat ramp, lifeguard stands, and a large, paved
parking lot with 320+ total parking spaces, including 10 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
compliant spaces and 54 boat trailer spaces (Attachment A). The Town erects the shade
shelter just prior to Memorial Day Weekend (on or around May 15th) to provide sun protection
for patrons during the beach season. There is a fragmented Coastal Dune between the parking
lot and Coastal Beach and a small culvert running under the parking lot from the Bass River to
Crowell Pond. The Site borders The Ocean Club on Smugglers Beach motel resort at 329 South
Shore Drive to the west, Bass River to the east, and residential properties to the north.
Beach Management Plan Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 2 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
Smugglers Beach is a valuable coastal resiliency, wildlife habitat, recreational, and tourism
resource for the Town of Yarmouth, its residents, and visitors. Coastal Beaches and Coastal
Dunes are significant to wildlife, wildlife habitat, storm damage prevention, flood control, and
recreation. Coastal Beaches dissipate wave energy with 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 play an important role in protecting landward resource areas
and properties from storm damage and flooding by dissipating wave energy and/ or blocking
storm elevated sea levels and storm waves.
Smugglers Beach is mapped as Priority Habitat of Rare Species (PH 2156) and Estimated
Habitat of Rare Wildlife (EH 693) as classified by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species
Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (NHESP). As such, Smugglers
Beach provides important nesting habitat for state-listed shorebirds, such as Piping Plovers
(Charadrius melodus) and Least Terns (Sternula antillarum), both of which are protected under
the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act; Piping Plovers are also federally protected under
the Endangered Species Act. In 2024, a pair of piping plovers established a nest at Smugglers
Beach for the first time.
Smugglers Beach is also an important recreational and tourism resource offering almost 800
linear feet of public beach and quality amenities for residents and tourists. To maintain the
quality of the beach resource for recreational purposes while protecting the value of the coastal
wetland resource areas and rare species habitat, a balanced approach to the Site maintenance
activities must be achieved through the use of best management practices for Coastal Beach
and Coastal Dune management.
Photo 1. View looking east from the west side of Smugglers Beach.
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Beach Management Plan Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 3 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
3.0 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Management activities at Smugglers Beach include both proactive and reactive measures within
coastal dune and coastal beach, including protection/preservation, beach maintenance,
seaweed management, and oversight and care of man-made structures or amenities such as
access points/paths, fencing, and shade shelters.
Primary Coastal Dunes are the first line of defense against coastal storm flooding and serve as
a sand source to adjacent beaches. Beach grasses, drift/wrack material, 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 Coastal Dune should be preserved and protected as a
continuous, unbroken natural barrier along the length of the Coastal Beach to the greatest
extent possible. It is also important to provide controlled and managed access points for
recreational users of the Coastal Beach. The beach provides recreational benefits to all, and as
such, the Town has a vital interest in the continued protection of the Coastal Beach and Coastal
Dune areas. Protection of these interests is supported by routine annual maintenance activities
performed by the Town.
The Coastal Dunes at Smugglers Beach have undergone notable growth over the past 20
years, creating a healthy and important coastal resource; however, this growth, along with
seasonally set-aside/protected nesting habitat areas, has reduced the overall availability of
access paths and recreational areas of the beach for tourists and residents.
Figure 1. Change in Smugglers Beach Dunes between 2003 and 2024 (source: Google Earth).
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 activity of clearing
windblown sand built up along the designated access points/pathways (Access Points A
through G) as shown on Attachment A. The Town wishes to maintain the access paths at their
existing width as delineated by the sand fencing set in place at the beginning of each season.
To maintain these access points, accumulated sand will be removed using a front-end loader,
skid steer, and/or excavator 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
2003 2012 2024
Beach Management Plan Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 4 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
these access pathways, and no heavy equipment will be used below the Mean High Water
(MHW) line, elevation 2.4 feet (NAVD88).
3.1 Beach Maintenance
Beach maintenance includes both proactive and reactive measures that occur throughout the
year. All maintenance activities will be carried out to avoid negative effects on the Coastal
Beach and adjacent Coastal Dunes.
Proactive Beach Maintenance Activities
Proactive maintenance includes oversight and care of man-made structures or amenities such
as access points/paths, fencing, and shade shelters; maintenance of accumulated seaweed and
debris; and American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) plantings.
Plantings of American beachgrass would occur annually as part of the Beach Management Plan
on an as needed basis and may be proactive or reactive. Beachgrass plantings would occur
along the dune crest and back slope of the dune or along the front slope of the dune in areas
adjacent to beach access ways to improve dune stability and coastal resilience or to mitigate
dune erosion. While sand fencing is set in place along access points at the onset of each
season, the areas in proximity to the dunes will be assessed for erosion (or damage from
beachgoers) at the end of each season, and planted in March, if determined by Natural
Resources, Conservation, and DPW to be of significant concern. It is estimated that no more
than 100-200 SF of beachgrass would be planted in any given location.
Beachgrass plantings will be installed with 12-18” spacing between plugs, 2 culms per plug. If
plantings occur on the front (seaward facing) slope of a dune, spacing is increased to 36” on
center.
All proactive maintenance shall occur before April 1st to avoid negative impacts to nesting Piping
Plover and tern populations in compliance with the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act
(MESA), M.G.L. c.131A, and its associated implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00).
Reactive Beach Maintenance Activities
Seaweed serves as a critical source of food and important habitat for marine animals. Plant
debris deposited on the shoreline also provides important nutrients and organic matter for the
ecosystem. Organic matter in the drift 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.
Vegetative debris along the drift/wrack line is vital for resident and migratory shorebirds, which
feed largely on invertebrates which eat the vegetation. The drift/wrack line also catches sand
that facilitates the development and build-up of beaches and dunes, which is important for storm
damage protection and flood control.
Under normal conditions (non-emergency conditions), seaweed removal from the beach shall
be limited to the area between 15 feet seaward of the base of the primary dune and MHW
(elevation 2.4 feet NAVD88), following the above-noted best practices. Excess accumulations of
seaweed on Smugglers Beach can cause aesthetic and/or public health concerns and
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Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 5 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
management challenges, particularly during warmer weather when the material decays and
causes odor problems. Monitoring seaweed build-up and 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 and reduce the need for more
intensive mechanical raking.
Reactive beach maintenance activities are seasonal, and the season during which policy
applies is in effect during the public swimming season (third week of June through Labor Day).
Reactive beach maintenance includes removal of marine debris1 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 two (2) times per 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 15 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. It is
understood that if this provision is violated, beach cleaning will be prohibited under an
Enforcement Order issued by the Conservation Commission.
2) Removal efforts shall be focused on the areas of trash and nuisance seaweed on the
open beach area. No raking shall occur below the MHW line (within the intertidal zone),
leaving the lower drift/wrack line(s) 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 raking will be performed, if necessary, after assessments of the beach area are
conducted by Town staff. The primary focus of raking is to provide the public with a
recreational beach that is free of trash and nuisance seaweed , as well as to fill any
holes that may cause safety concerns.
5) Under ‘normal’ conditions, bucket loaders shall not be used to collect seaweed; these
vehicles can be used to transport seaweed collected by the mechanical rake.
6) All beach cleaning activities shall be carried out in accordance with the MESA
regulations in conjunction with oversight by Mass Audubon during the shorebird nesting
bird season (between April 1st and August 31st).
7) Material removed from the beach shall be deposited at an appropriate off-site facility.
1 Marine debris is 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.
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3.2 Existing Beach Equipment and Typical Uses
Table 1 below provides details on the types and typical uses of Town-owned equipment that will
be utilized to implement the Smugglers Beach maintenance activities noted in this plan.
Table 1. Existing Beach Equipment and Typical Uses
3.3 Emergency Procedures for Seaweed Management
During various times of the year, major storms could deposit excessive amounts of seaweed in
areas approved for routine maintenance activities. In the event that extreme volumes of
seaweed have accumulated at Smugglers Beach and as deemed to create a public health or
safety concern by the Board of Health, the Yarmouth Public Works staff will follow emergency
guidelines as stated in the Yarmouth Wetlands Protection Bylaw (Ch. 143 § 7).
The presence of excessive seaweed material could potentially hinder or prevent these routine
maintenance activities due to the volume of debris, and additional equipment, including a skid
steer loader and/or excavator (with suitable attachments), may be necessary to assist in
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removal. If this type of equipment use is necessary, the operators will employ the safest, most
efficient, and effective best management practices available during the execution of the removal
activities to ensure the coastal resource areas are protected as required. This procedure will
only take place after consultation with the Conservation Agent and the Director of Public Works,
and an administrative approval/sign off.
Although seaweed is a natural, organic material, once it is removed from a beach, disposal can
pose some challenges. Disposal strategies will vary depending on the potential space available
for storage and drying of the seaweed, the amount of material to be disposed of, the resources
available for disposal, and the potential ecological impacts.
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.
3.4 Operations and Special Events
The Town of Yarmouth maintains Rules and Regulations for Town Parks and Beaches
(including associated parking areas), a copy of which is also attached to the updated Beach
Management Plans as Attachment B. These Rules and Regulations include prohibitions
against several activities that may be harmful to the resource areas and habitat for various
wildlife and are enforced by the Town of Yarmouth.
Beaches remain open, with lifeguards on duty daily from 9:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Activities are
monitored on-site by staff from the Division of Natural Resources and seasonally by Mass
Audubon, as necessary in accordance with the Town’s contract with Mass Audubon. Mass
Audubon provides weekly update reports to the Town with the status of nesting birds and any
other concerns.
There are no rentals or commercial vendors allowed at Smugglers Beach other than contracted
concession stand adjacent to the bathhouse.
All requests to use public property are reviewed by Town division heads for concerns prior to
approval being granted. The Town maintains open communication to ensure that all interested
parties are informed about special events on Town beaches.
Activities during special events have an adaptive management plan to be protective of the
natural resources at Yarmouth beaches. Weekly update reports provided by Mass Audubon to
the Town are also shared with any interested parties.
4.0 BEACH ACCESS POINTS
To facilitate availability of public access to the Smugglers Beach recreational areas, annual
maintenance of the access points/paths to the beach are necessary. The Department has
identified nine access points (Access Points A through I) as described below. Locations of the
access points are shown on Attachment A.
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Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 8 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
4.1 All Access Points
ACCESS POINT A:
This is a sand-based
emergency vehicle
access, equipment
maintenance access,
and pedestrian access
point to the beach
approximately 350’ x 14’
(Photo 2).
ACCESS POINT B:
This access point is a
handicap accessible
ramp of composite
decking leading from the
sidewalk along the
western side of the
parking lot though dune
to the volleyball court
beach area and is
approximately 20’ x 8’
(Photo 3).
Photo 2. View looking south from the middle of the Access Point A path.
Photo 3. View looking northeast at Access Point B.
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Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 9 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
ACCESS POINT C:
This access point is
comprised of a handicap
accessible ramp and a
raised deck area with
benches and a set of stairs
through the dune to the
beach. The ramp area is
approximately 30’ x 5’ and
the deck area is
approximately 450 ft²
(Photo 4).
ACCESS POINT D:
This is primarily a
sand-based pedestrian
access point through
dune to the beach,
approximately 30’ x 12’,
with a boulder blocking
vehicle access;
however, it also serves
as a secondary
emergency vehicle and
equipment
maintenance access,
with temporary removal
of the boulder at times
when needed (Photo
5).
Photo 4. View looking south at Access Point C from the parking lot.
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Photo 5. View looking southwest at Access Point D from the parking lot.
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Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 10 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
ACCESS POINT E:
This access point is
comprised of a handicap
accessible ramp and a
raised deck area with
benches and a set of stairs
through the dune to the
beach. The ramp area is
approximately 40’ x 5’ and
the deck area is
approximately 425 ft²
(Photo 6).
ACCESS POINT F:
This access point is a
handicap accessible
raised wooden
boardwalk through dune,
which extends between
the southeast corner of
the parking lot and the
northern end of the
fishing pier. At the
eastern side of the
boardwalk there is a set
of stairs providing
pedestrian access to the
beach area south of the
boardwalk and another
set of stairs providing
pedestrian access to the
open sandy area north of
the boardwalk (Photo 7).
Photo 6. View looking southeast at Access Point E from the parking lot.
Photo 7. View looking east at Access Point F from the parking lot.
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Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 11 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
ACCESS POINT G:
This access point is
comprised of a handicap
accessible raised deck
area, with stairs at the
north and south sides of
the deck and benches
along the western side of
the deck. The access
allows pedestrian
passage through dune to
open sandy areas
between the Bass River
revetment/jetty and the
parking lot. The deck
area is approximately
700 ft² (Photo 8).
ACCESS POINT H:
This access point
consists of a line of
small boulders in the
sandy area along the
east side of the parking
lot, serving to allow
pedestrian access, as
well as emergency and
maintenance access
with temporary removal
of boulders as needed
(Photo 9).
Photo 8. View looking east at Access Point G from the parking lot.
Photo 9. View looking west at Access Point H from the open sandy area.
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Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 12 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
ACCESS POINT I:
This is a sandy footpath
used for pedestrian
access to the open
sandy area between the
boat ramp and the fishing
pier. A line of placed
boulders along the east
side of the parking lot
prevents vehicle access.
(Photo 10).
4.2 Access Points for Annual Maintenance
The following maintenance activities and equipment needs are anticipated for annual
maintenance of Access Points A-G:
• Maintenance Activities:
o Remove windblown sand from the walkways, ramps, stairs, and deck areas and
spread out on the beach.
o Replace/ repair snow fencing (as needed).
• Equipment Needs:
o Rubber tracked or tired skid steer, excavator, and/or front-end loader with
suitable attachments may be required to complete these maintenance activities,
with utilization of best management practices and adherence to all required
regulatory conditions.
No annual maintenance of Access Points H or I are anticipated. Temporary removal of one or
more of the boulders at Access Point H is required to allow equipment access to perform “spring
cleanup” maintenance within the open sandy area east of Access Point H.
Photo 10. View looking southwest at the sandy pedestrian path at Access
Point I.
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5.0 PROTECTION OF SHOREBIRD NESTING HABITAT
Smugglers Beach provides important nesting habitat for shorebirds as mapped by the MA
NHESP. 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. As noted, in 2024, Smugglers Beach was host to at least one
pair of nesting Piping Plovers. The following best practices have been adopted for Smugglers
Beach:
1. All areas of suitable piping plover nesting habitat will be identified and delineated by a
qualified Shorebird Monitor (Mass Audubon) 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 15th. Timing for the removal of the posts,
warning signs, and symbolic fencing will be determined by Mass Audubon, at which
point they will notify the Yarmouth Conservation Commission and DPW. Mass Audubon
staff will perform the removal of posts, warning signs, and symbolic fencing upon
approval from the Yarmouth Conservation Commission.
2. All initial (pre-season) beach maintenance (lifeguard chairs, boardwalk maintenance,
etc.) will be done before April 1st.
3. Endangered species monitoring begins when the presence of listed species is noted and
continues until the last chick has fledged, at such time Mass Audubon will notify the
Town Conservation Commission and DPW that shorebird monitoring is no longer
needed for the current season.
4. Installation of permanent and/ or temporary symbolic fencing and signage are installed
for the creation of refuge areas to protect incubating Piping Plovers or Least Terns and
their eggs. Typically, this occurs along the seaward-facing foredunes; however, potential
nesting habitat also exists near the volleyball area, which remains open for recreational
purposes. This area is monitored by Mass Audubon staff and if a plover nest or nesting
behavior is observed in or near the volleyball area, the volleyball nets will be removed,
and additional exclusion fencing will be placed as recommended by Mass Audubon.
Exclusion 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. All symbolic fencing and signage installation, adjustments, and removal
activities will be conducted by a qualified Shorebird Monitor from Mass Audubon.
5. Daily communications will occur between the Town and the qualified shorebird
monitor(s) and before any maintenance activity occurs at Smugglers Beach. The
operator of any machinery shall meet the qualified shorebird monitor(s) onsite and
discuss the current location of protected shorebird adults and chicks and any updated
information/procedures as needed to perform beach raking activities properly and safely
for the protection of the species. No raking or seaweed removal shall occur unless a
qualified Shorebird Monitor has located plovers and determined that the work can begin.
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6. All equipment, vehicles (non-emergency), and beach rakes shall not travel within 100
yards of unfledged Piping Plover or Least Tern chicks, unless the qualified monitor is
able to locate and track all unfledged chicks.
7. When unfledged chicks are on the beach, raking must be conducted with the guidance
of a qualified Shorebird Monitor who has determined the location of unfledged chicks. If,
due to imminent health or human safety concerns, mechanized cleaning must occur
within 100 yards of unfledged chicks, vehicles must be guided by a qualified Shorebird
Monitor who has first determined the locations of all unfledged chicks.
8. All use and staging of vehicles (for all non- emergency situations), including but not
limited to distributing equipment to lifeguard stations and ADA mats, must avoid areas of
symbolic fencing.
9. Trash within fenced areas occupied by beach-nesting birds should only be removed if it
presents a hazard for birds or people. It must be removed by hand. Removal should be
conducted by, or under the immediate supervision of, a qualified Shorebird Monitor who
has first determined the locations of all nests and unfledged chicks.
10. The shade shelter will be erected by the Town on or around May 15th, with direct
guidance and oversight from the qualified Mass Audubon shorebird monitor.
11. The use of fireworks is prohibited on Smugglers Beach.
12. Dogs are not allowed on Smugglers Beach from April 1st through to Labor Day.
13. Kite flying is prohibited on Smugglers Beach between April 1st and August 31st each
year.
A complete list of the current Rules and Regulations for Town Parks and Beaches and Park &
Beach Parking Areas is provided in Attachment B.
6.0 REFERENCES
Howes, B. et al. Massachusetts Estuaries Project. Linked Watershed-Embayment Model to
Determine Critical Nitrogen Loading Thresholds for the Bass River Embayment System,
Towns of Yarmouth and Dennis, Massachusetts, Final Report – April 2011. University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth, School of Marine Science and Technology and Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection.
Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Managing Seaweed Accumulations on
Recreational Beaches, Guidance from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone
Management, May 2013.
Massachusetts Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS). Accessed
March 2025 via http://www.mass.gov/mgis/.
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife. 1990. Accessed October 2024 via https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ma-
endangered-species-act-mesa-overview.
Beach Management Plan Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Smugglers Beach, Yarmouth, MA Page 15 of 15 April 2025; updated July 2025
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection. 2014. Accessed March 2025 via https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-1000-the-
wetlands-protection-act/download.
Weston and Sampson. Town of Yarmouth 2023 Open Space & Recreation Plan. July 2023,
revised June 2024.
Wood Hole Group, Inc. Yarmouth Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation
Plan. July 2023.
Yarmouth Conservation Commission. Access March 2025 via
https://www.yarmouth.ma.us/325/Conservation.
Rules & Regulations
For Town Parks and Beaches
And Park & Beach Parking Areas
Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Children under twelve (12) years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Swim only in designated areas.
THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED:
1. Unauthorized vehicles on the Beaches.
2. Malt and alcoholic beverages.
3. Discharge of firearms and/or fireworks.
4. Open fires, except in designated areas.
5. Glass containers or bottles.
6. Overnight camping or parking.
7. Animals.
8. Loud and/or boisterous behavior.
9. Selling of goods, wares and products except by authorized vendors.
10. Solicitation for any of the preceding items & real estate, condos &
timeshares.
11. Depositing of household trash in litter barrels.
12. Kite flying, ball playing, Frisbee playing except in designated areas.
13. The use of the Town boats at Town beaches, except by lifeguards.
14. The use of inflatable and floating devices in the water when the red safety
flag is flying.
15. Diving from boat loading or marine floats.
16. Gambling and games of chance.
17. Any political or other canvass, including solicitation as stated in item #9.
18. Landing or launching boats within designated swimming areas.
19. Umbrellas when the red safety flag is flying.
20. Smoking on the beaches.
21. Skateboarding in public parks and on municipally owned parking areas.
22. Fishing or surf casting in designated swimming areas.
By Order of the Board of Selectmen
Penalty for Violation is no less than $50.00 nor more than $300.00.
Adopted June 9th, 2009
ATTACHMENT B