HomeMy WebLinkAboutpublic support for farm 8.8.2025A. Rick Binaco
Binacoinc@aol.com
Wharf Beach area of Barnstable Harbor inlet, Cape Cod Bay
[Date]
To: Conservation Commission and Select Board of Yarmouth, MA
Subject: Support for Proposed Goat Farm Adjacent to [Name] Salt Marsh
Dear Members of the Conservation Commission and Select Board, I am writing in support of
the proposed small-scale goat farm on the parcel adjacent to the [name] salt marsh on Cape
Cod Bay. My position is based on established environmental science and Best Management
Practices (BMPs) that can ensure the farm operates in harmony with the marsh ecosystem.
Pathway Matters More Than Raw Waste Volume Scientific data show that nutrient impact
depends greatly on how waste enters a water body. For example, marine mammals such as
dolphins release all of their urine and feces directly into the water—on the order of 5–6 kg per
animal per day—resulting in an immediate nutrient load. In contrast, a goat’s daily manure (»
2.5–3.2 kg wet weight) is deposited on land, where soil and vegetation naturally filter,
transform, and immobilize much of the nitrogen before it can reach tidal waters. Best
Management Practices Protect Water Quality If the farm incorporates standard BMPs, the
risk of marsh contamination is minimal: - Vegetated buffer strips (³ 50–100 ft) between
livestock areas and the marsh to intercept runoff and absorb nutrients. - Fencing to prevent
animals from entering the marsh edge or tidal flats. - Covered manure storage on an
impermeable pad with regular composting or removal to stabilize nitrogen and reduce
pathogens. - Rotational grazing to avoid over-concentration of manure in any single area. -
Stormwater controls such as swales or sediment traps to slow and filter runoff. These
measures are well-supported by U.S. EPA guidance and Massachusetts agricultural
extension research as effective in preventing nutrient and pathogen pollution from livestock
operations. Compatibility with Salt Marsh Protection Goals Salt marshes are indeed
sensitive to excess nitrogen, which can lead to algal blooms and habitat degradation.
However, the science is clear that with proper land-based management, the nutrient delivery
from 20 goats is orders of magnitude less direct, and more controllable, than the constant
discharge from marine animals in the water. By requiring BMPs as permit conditions, the
Commission can both protect the marsh and allow a small, sustainable farm that benefits the
community. I respectfully urge the Commission and Select Board to approve the proposal with
the above BMPs in place. This approach balances environmental protection with responsible
agriculture, preserving the integrity of our marsh while supporting local land use and heritage.
Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
A. Rick Binaco
Binacoinc@aol.com
Wharf Beach area of Barnstable Harbor inlet, Cape Cod Bay