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HomeMy WebLinkAbout57 Pheasant Cove Circle Summer Monitoring Report Page 1 of 3 07/11/2025 To: Brittany DiRienzo, Conservation Administrator Joseph Jerolimo, Conservation Agent 1146 MA-28 South Yarmouth MA, 02664 Summer Site Conditions Report Following Enforcement Order at 57 Pheasant Cove Circle Dear Brittany and Joseph, On March 27, 2025, an enforcement order was issued to the Lynn Rober G Trust, the owner of 57 Pheasant Cove Circle in Yarmouth, for “Unpermitted alteration of a wetland resource area and its buffer zone: Cutting and/ or removal of vegetation within the velocity flood zone, a bordering vegetated wetland, and its buffer zone.”. As part of the enforcement order conditions, ELS was contracted to produce a restoration planting plan to be submitted to the Yarmouth Conservation Commission. In addition to the restoration plan per condition #3, a brief report of site conditions is due before July 17, 2025. Below is a detailed breakdown of ELS’s unbiased assessment of the area following the removals in early March and the regrowth of both native and non-native vegetation in the bordering vegetative wetland and buffer zone, respectively. All photos were taken by ELS staff on June 23, 2025. The photo to the left shows the edge of clearing in the southernmost portion of the property. A large amount of Phragmites australis has re-grown, in addition to many areas of Iva frutescens. The foreground of the photo shows an approximately 4- foot-wide area of native vegetation, predominantly common goldenrod, that is proposed to be protected and will be outlined on the restoration planting plan. Page 2 of 3 The photo on the right shows the areas of removals from the corner of the driveway looking north- west. There is a continuation of the re-growth of phragmites as the salt marsh transitions to the bordering vegetated wetland. We propose the removal of Phragmites within the edge of the BVW to allow existing Iva frutescens to regenerate, as well as allow enough space to replant with the specified native species. The photo to the left shows more of the existing vegetated buffer strip that will remain with the exception of specific invasive and non-native vegetation that will be removed including, Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Fox Grape (Vitus labrusca), and Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiclatus). ELS will use a combination of a single foliar application, as well as removal and stump treatment, in order to ensure the eradication of invasive and aggressive species prior to planting in the fall of 2025. Page 3 of 3 Lastly, the photo on the right shows the northernmost extent of removals, where the phragmites have migrated, as well as the encroaching invasives on the buffer strip. ELS will outline all areas of proposed removal and mitigate with native species to regenerate the loss of habitat during the violation. The required split rail fencing will also be outlined on the restoration plan. In summary, the areas of cutting have regenerated both native and non-native/invasive plant material over the growing season. Through the restoration of the site, ELS will identify all invasive plants within the restoration area that will be treated and removed, while carefully maintaining all native vegetation. Following treatment and removals, native species will be planted to cover all exposed soil, and a salt-tolerant seed mix will be added to suppress weed growth and increase the native coverage of the site. ELS will submit the wetland data sheet and restoration planting plan before July 31st and will coordinate with the conservation department on a late summer treatment and removal schedule, followed by planting before October 30, 2025. Best regards, Tyler Gaudreau Principal / Owner, Environmental Landscape Solutions, LLC