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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMonitoring report 2025 MONITORING REPORT DEP File Number: SE 83-2352 Project Address: 183 Route 28, Yarmouth, MA 02673 Date of Field Assessment: 11/4/25 Assessment Period: Oct 2024 – Oct 2025 Project Documents: The Cove at Yarmouth Plan Showing Proposed Site Improvements by Coastal Engineering Company, dated 8/16/2022 The Cove at Yarmouth Restoration Plan A by Crawford Land Management, dated 8/17/2022 The Cove at Yarmouth Restoration Plan B by Crawford Land Management, dated 8/17/2022 Project Overview This permit was filed as an after-the-fact NOI to rectify land management activities completed by the resort without permission from the Yarmouth Conservation Commission, including cutting existing vegetation and adding fill in several areas along the top of the coastal bank. Work approved under this permit included removing fill and restoring grade to its pre-existing condition, revegetating areas of illegal cutting with native vegetation, as well as connecting existing downspouts to collector pipes and subsurface drywells. Project Activities Completed During this Assessment Period Since our last assessment, two maintenance visits were completed. One in mid-November 2024 and another in mid-June 2025. These visits prioritized treating invasive or non-native vegetation, removing any dead fallen debris, adjusting tree guides, hand pulling weeds, and maintaining any erosion control materials. Additionally, one storm check was completed in mid-October 2025 which found no damage or erosion. Assessment of Current Site Conditions Invasive Species Management Overall, control of both invasive and non-native species within the restoration area is likely above 95%. The maintenance visits completed within the assessment period focused mainly on weedy species such as mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris), and curly dock (Rumex crispus). All these species have been successfully controlled with only minor maintenance. Foliar applications of approved wetland-safe herbicide have proven to be effective in controlling any instances of weedy species that have grown from seed in the soil seed bank or from remaining roots in the soil. The only state-listed invasive species present at the time of this assessment is shrub honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii). Sporadic instances persist along the border of the naturalized area at the eastern edge of the restoration area. Foliar application or cut and wipe treatment with wetland approved herbicide should control these instances and prevent their spread into the restoration area. Restoration Planting Establishment At the time of this assessment, restoration plantings have performed well overall and most shrub specimens planted were alive and healthy, showing signs of growth and colonization. All but three trees planted within the restoration area remain alive and show healthy bud formation before dormancy. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) has established extremely well within the entire restoration area, forming dense, tall colonies. The two species that have had only moderate success establishing are black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and bayberry (Morella pensylvanica). There is evidence of damage due to browsing on some species, particularly the black chokeberry, but some specimens have been able to withstand browsing and send out new growth. Any plantings which have not survived are expected to be replaced in 2026. Seed germination rates increased over the course of this assessment period, but some bare areas remain. These areas will be overseeded as necessary with approved native seed mix. It will be important to continue maintenance activities to establish a native groundcover layer on any bare areas. Anticipated Activities to be Completed Next Monitoring Period Over the next monitoring period, CLM anticipates completing the following activities: • Evaluating the project area in early spring for occurrences of species requiring an early season maintenance treatment. • Continuing maintenance visits during the growing season (May – October) to target invasive, aggressive, and annual weed species. • Overseeding the restoration area as needed to establish a native vegetative groundcover. • Pruning of restoration plantings, as necessary, to remove any dead material to promote new growth. • Re-planting any specimens that have not survived. Recommendations for any Changes in Land Management Techniques One section of the coastal bank outside of the drainage remediation area has experienced persistent washouts. Basic erosion control measures should prevent any more sediment from washing away while permanent engineering solutions to the drainage problem in this area are derived. Representative Project Area Photographs The northern portion of the restoration area from opposite sides. November 2024 (after leaf- off). Views facing Mill Creek show healthy restoration plantings during a June 2025 maintenance visit. Southern portion of the restoration area. Healthy red maple trees among restoration shrubs. Seed germination has improved over the assessment period, but some areas remain bare. June 2025. Another view of the southern portion of the restoration area facing north. Most planted shrub species are healthy and established. June 2025 Little bluestem forming dense colonies all over the northern portion of the restoration area. November 2025. Arrowwood viburnum growing taller while establishing and colonizing. November 2025. The southernmost portion of the restoration area. Black tupelo trees showing healthy bud formation before dormancy. Poor seed germination in this area. November 2025.