HomeMy WebLinkAboutNarrative 2.17.2026Project Narrative
Notice of Intent
1 South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth
Red Jacket Resort
Beach Maintenance
The area subject to this Notice of Intent is land in South Yarmouth on the immediate shore of Nantucket Sound, a
tidal water body on the south side of Cape Cod. The specific project area is a Coastal Beach that is used
recreationally as a high-density bathing beach for the vacation facility known as Red Jacket Resort.
Since the year 2000 the beach area has been regulated by an Order of Conditions authorizing beach maintenance in
the form of beach sediment nourishment and beach raking. (DEP File No. SE83-2230.) Beach raking occurred
routinely and sediment replenishment had been a practice prior to 2020 and other Orders of Conditions preceded
SE83-2230 for beach work. The beach sediment is of suitable quality overall and residual upland source sediment
characteristics (coarser fragments) appear in both recent samples tested for grain size. Sources for future
sediment include both dredged material and upland sand deposits.
The Order of Conditions for the beach maintenance work expired in 2025. The applicant is seeking to re-permit
activity similar to the activity permitted in the former Order. A site plan is attached showing the late 2025
topographical conditions of the beach and dune areas with general specifications for the proposed activity. An
access route that is indicated on the plan, traditionally used for the beach access, is the designated route for the
small rubber-tired tractor that pulls the beach rake. Less frequently, the access route would be utilized for
deliveries of suitable beach sediment and this sediment would be added during a time of year that would be out of
phase with the growing season, a rare species restricted term or recreational season.
The proposed sediment replenishment activity is beneficial for perpetuation of the sediment supply on this beach
with the presence of continuous seawall protection measures and the beach maintenance activity can be assessed
as less intensive as the daily crowded beach use. Sediment replenishment is not an immediate concern currently
and inclusion in this application is a sound choice for contingencies.
The mapped dune deposits may be stationed off to avoid disruption from raking. Segments of simple lathe sand
drift fence along the visible dune toe is suggested and the resort management expressed interest in doing so.
A sieve report is attached indicating the grain size of the existing beach sediment. As mentioned, residuals of past
upland source material are evident. Screening to 3/8 minus grain size is advised. The specification for local
sourced replenishment sand is typically better than the DEP state standard for beach nourishment. Typically,
upland source material on Cape Cod for suitable sand has approximately 2% to 3% fines where the upper DEP
limit is 10%. The material resulting from beach maintenance raking will be placed temporarily where indicated
adjacent to the seawall in an alcove slated for this purpose and disposed of on a frequent basis to avoid any sort of
nuisance. Disposal shall be in accordance with any applicable regulations for brush, leaves, seaweed etc.
Storm water management is addressed in the NOI in a manner commensurate with the project. Although no
specific exemption from storm water standards is applicable, the nature of this work as a beach management
project with the location on a coastal beach within the flood zone, sends the activity into the category as a form of
“redevelopment” the closest applicable category and from there the standards relate to appropriate prosecution of
the maintenance activity, care of machinery, collection and confinement of trash and appropriate disposal of
resulting material.