HomeMy WebLinkAboutBeach Management Plan REV 3.26.20261
BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN –RED JACKET RESORT BEACH
MANAGEMENT PLAN - 1 SOUTH SHORE DRIVE, SOUTH YARMOUTH
MARCH 26 , 2026
General
• An annual pre-season meeting will be conducted with the applicable Resort
staff and the Conservation Agent. Any maintenance or recreational activity
not specifically addressed in this Plan shall be discussed, and at the
discretion of the Conservation Agent, may necessitate a written request for
approval by the Conservation Commission.
• Specific references to “The Guidelines” refer to “Guidelines for Managing
the Recreational Use of Beaches to Protect Piping Plovers, Terns and Their
Habitats in Massachusetts – 1993. The Beach Management Plan includes
these guidelines by reference. This guideline shall be available to the
Resort staff. A copy of the Order of Conditions (DEP File No. SE83- 2522)
shall be available to resort staff.
• Reference to “vehicle” or “motorized equipment” in this Management Plan
refers to a mid-sized, 4 Rubber-tire) wheeled tractor towing a beach rake or
a trailer. No other vehicles are permitted.
• The 100-yard clearance from unfledged bird nesting area can constitute a
200-yard diameter protective zone.
• Vehicle access to the beach is through the established drive route on the
east side of locus.
• Sand ruts cause by any vehicle use shall be raked out.
1. State-listed Species Monitoring & Habitat Protection: The Resort (Applicant)
has the responsibility of protecting breeding Piping Plovers that occur on The
Red Jacket Beach Resort property. Regular monitoring for the presence of Piping
Plovers and terns must be conducted by a qualified shorebird monitor, as
determined by the Division, during the period April 1 – August 31. Prior to April
1st, areas of Piping Plover nesting habitat must be delineated with symbolic
fencing and warning signs. These areas shall remain fenced if viable eggs,
unfledged chicks, or territorial or courting Piping Plovers are present. All fenced
areas shall be managed in accordance with The Guidelines. If the Applicant does
not have a valid COI & CMP then recreational use and management must fully
comply with The Guidelines and be implemented with the protection measures
specified in this BMP. Contact NHESP for COI or CMP application.
2. Sand fencing – Sand fence (lathe-type) shall be employed subject Conservation
and NHESP oversight to cordon off vegetated dune areas where Yarmouth
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Conservation condones the placement of such fence. Sand fence location shall
be subject to control by NHESP. Sand fence shall be specifically addressed in
relation to any future beach nourishment. (see below)
3. Beach Raking & Grooming: To protect state-listed species, all winter beach
clean-up must occur prior to April 1. Any raking/grooming during April or May can
only occur if a qualified monitor, as determined by the Division, first has
determined the locations of all territorial birds and those territories have been
fenced and are excluded from raking so as not to deter pre-nesting birds. If state-
listed nesting birds are present during April 1 – August 31, then raking shall occur
as detailed below and in accordance with The Guidelines.
a. 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 shall be minimized in the vicinity
(±100 yd) of symbolically fenced areas. If wrack is present in typical
volumes and does not contain much human trash or present a health risk,
it shall be left in place. Trash within the wrack line shall 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. These judgments on proportionality shall be in coordination
with the Yarmouth Conservation staff.
b. When unfledged chicks are present on the beach, beach raking/grooming
shall only be conducted when a qualified shorebird monitor is present to
determine locations of unfledged chicks and ensure that raking equipment
remains at least 100 yards away from unfledged chicks.
c. If, due to imminent health or human safety concerns, mechanized raking
must occur within 100 yards of unfledged chicks, vehicles shall be guided
by a qualified shorebird monitor who has first determined the locations of
unfledged chicks and ensure that raking equipment remains at least 100
yards away from unfledged chicks.
4. Motorized Equipment: All motorized equipment on the beach during April 1 –
August 31 shall comply with the Guidelines.
a. All vehicle use must avoid areas of symbolic fencing.
b. When unfledged chicks are present on the beach, any vehicle use shall
only be conducted when a qualified shorebird monitor is present to
determine locations of unfledged chicks and ensure that motorized
equipment remains at least 100 yards away from unfledged chicks
5. Beach Nourishment: Beach nourishment and associated activities (e.g.,
staging, grading, and equipment access) shall not occur during the period April 1
– August 31, to protect breeding shorebird species.
a. Nourishment Slope: As proposed, all nourishment shall have a maximum
slope of 10H:1V.
b. Sand Fence - Sand fencing shall not be erected in areas of beach
nourishment, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Division.
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c. As per the Order of Conditions should beach conditions change to warrant
beach sediment additions, additional elevation transects shall be
submitted to document the contemporary beach condition and
consultation with Yarmouth Conservation staff regarding required
procedures.
6. Fireworks: Fireworks shall be prohibited on beaches where plovers or terns nest
from April 1 to August 31 per the Guidelines, unless otherwise approved by the
Division and in accordance with the USFWS GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING
FIREWORKS IN THE VICINITY OF PIPING PLOVERS AND SEABEACH
AMARANTH ON THE U.S. ATLANTIC COAST (1997).
7. Kites & Drones: Kite flying & drones shall be prohibited within 200 yards of
nesting or territorial adult or unfledged piping plovers or terns from April 1 to
August 31 per the Guidelines.
o Recent and Ongoing Bird Management and Monitoring: - The Resort
organization shall have an agreement with Mass Audubon for purposes of
securing rapid response relating to the field management activities described in
this Management Plan and as further mandated by statute. The agreement shall
be provided to the Yarmouth Conservation file and if needed to NHESP prior to
April 1 of any given year.
o 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.
o Annual updates are required on the location of past activity on-site
the site that displays the location of the symbolic fencing and
signage. An example of this is the attached Figure 1 showing 2025
areas.
o Symbolic fencing and signage shall be installed prior to April 1 on
any applicable year; the location should be based on historic nesting
or suitable nesting habitat according to the last season’s records.
o Threats to shorebirds: The hotel staff shall manage the prohibition of
kites, fireworks, drones, etc. and designate what activities are and are not
permitted, and locations for permitted activities. Group gatherings that are
scheduled shall be appropriately distant from the refuge areas as
managed by the staff and as needed, bird monitors in accordance with
The Guidelines. Unleashed dogs are not permitted on the premises.
Beach games shall be sufficiently removed from refuge areas in
accordance with The Guidelines.
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o Trash management: Trash and waste at the resort and on the beach shall be
frequently monitored and controlled by staff to maintain a clean and presentable
beach setting. Removal of food waste on the beach is a priority.
o Events: Functions shall be appropriately separated from refuge areas in
accordance with guidelines or as recommended by the bird monitor for the site.
o Raking: The mechanical beach rake vehicle (small tractor) use has been on-
going, monitored, and shall be minimized as governed by the resort staff in
concert with the resort bird monitor and according to regulations and
recommendations of The Guidelines.
o Wrack and seaweed handling – Wrack and seaweed shall be promptly
disposed of, composted or otherwise in accordance with standard practice for
such materials.
o Beach chairs, game apparatus, cabana tents shall be deployed and removed
by hand carrying unless motorized transport is required due to an emergency.
The Guidance, Bird Monitor and the presence of birds / refuge areas will dictate
furniture placement location and transport.
o Compliance/enforcement:
o The beach is a private resort beach, with staff, occasionally traversed
along the tide line by pedestrians.
o 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, prohibited activities as is
expected of a private resort.
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Red Jacket Resort Beach 1 South Shore Dr. – 2025 Bird refuge areas indicated by dark polygons
as established by the 2025 Bird Monitor Field Summary