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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlue Water . Riviearta Beach Management Plan draftBeach Management Plan – Blue Water / Riviera Resorts – 291 & 301 South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth – March 12, 2026 Recent Bird management and monitoring: - The Resort organization has an agreement with Mass Audubon for purposes of securing rapid response relating to the field management activities described below and as further mandated by statute. (Example attached.) Management history including nesting history – Beginning in April 2025 continuing for the summer of 2025. The 2025 summary (available on request) indicated a Piping Plover pair exhibited nesting behavior with no success. Annual updates are required on the location of past activity on-site the site that displays the location of the symbolic fencing and signage. Please the attached sketch plan showing 2025 areas. Symbolic fencing and signage shall be installed prior to April 1, the location should be based on historic nesting or suitable nesting habitat according to the above referenced sketch Threats to shorebirds: The hotel staff shall manage kites, fireworks, drones, etc. and designate what activities are not permitted; group gatherings that are scheduled shall be appropriately distant from the refuge areas as managed by the bird monitors. Unleashed dogs are not permitted on the premises. Beach games shall be sufficiently removed from refuge areas in accordance with currently specified recommended distances. Specifics for regulation and administration by the contracted bird monitor and resort management: All areas used by plovers and terns are fenced, There are designated vehicle corridors seaward of areas fenced for plovers on eggs, Vehicle use and parking shall be restricted within 100 m of unfledged chicks, including closure of vehicle corridors seaward of symbolic fencing. Trash management:  Trash and waste at the resort and on the beach shall be tightly and frequently controlled by staff to maintain a clean and presentable beach setting. Events: Functions scheduled shall be appropriately separated from refuge areas in accordance with guidelines as recommended by the bird monitor for the site. Raking: The mechanical beach rake vehicle (small tractor) use shall be minimized as governed by the resort staff in concert with the resort bird monitor and according to regulations / recommendation of the statute. Beach raking frequency - A approx. weekly based upon past practice; Efforts to minimize such activity shall be part of the day – to – day management Temporary deck - -Removal of the small deck in the event of a severe coastal storm watch shall be by way of a small vehicle and the route shall be dictated by maintaining an appropriate distance from any marked refuge area. Beach chairs, game apparatus, cabana tents shall be deployed and removed by hand carrying unless motorized transport is required. Bird monitor guidance on furniture placement location and transport shall accompany the management of these amenities. GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR MANAGEMENT WITH INFORMATIONAL BASIS FOR THE REQUIREMENT – This guideline is intended to provide a framework for the weekly beach raking activity. Wrack (“seaweed”) management: For the benefit of beach-nesting birds, from April 1 through August 31, mechanical beach cleaning that reduces the amount of wrack (seaweed and other organic debris) at the tide line should be minimized. If wrack is present in typical volumes and does not contain much human trash or present a health risk, it should be left in place. Trash within the wrack line must be removed by hand whenever feasible, leaving in place most of the wrack. If copious amounts of wrack present a health risk or are a public nuisance that necessitates removal, leave in place at least one-third of the fresh wrack from a normal tidal cycle to provide foraging and sheltering opportunities for shorebirds. Compliance/enforcement: The beach is a private resort beach, occasionally traversed along the tide line by pedestrians. The resort staff shall monitor the beach area and shall respond promptly to violations of rules and protocols such as disregard for refuge area signs, loose dogs, loose trash, uninvited guests as is expected of a private resort. / Figure 1 – Blue Water & Riviera Resorts Beach – 291 & 301 South Shore Dr. So .Yarmouth – 2025 Bird Refuge areas indicated by dark polygons as established by the 2025 Bird Monitor Field Summary.