HomeMy WebLinkAboutNarrative 4.1.2026Notice of Intent Jeffrey Chizmas,66A River Street,South Yarmouth
Performance Standards Narrative,Alternatives Analysis,and Construction Protocol
Property Description
The property is located on the Bass River;a tidal river on Nantucket sound.The property is located on the west
shore,approximately 4,000 feet inland from Nantucket Sound.The site is fairly level,with a dwelling that was built
in 2019 (assessors records).The site incorporates a vegetated buffer between the beach and the back yard,with the
pier traversing this area.There is an existing permitted pier (SE83-1913),issued in 2012 with a Chapter 91 license
(DEP #13277),issued in 2012.The pier extends approximately 144 feet from the concrete bulkhead,and
approximately 104 feet beyond MHW.The pier is in good condition and does not require any maintenance work at
this time.There is beach grass fronting the bulkhead,and a coastal beach.There does not appear to be any salt marsh
on the property.
Project Description —Proposed float modification
The existing 8’x24’float is permitted and licensed.From the end of the pier,there is an existing 3’x 16’ramp thatleadstothefloat.The purpose of the project is to modify the float and lengthen the ramp to meet the new float.The
existing permitted 6’x24’(192 sq.ft.)float is proposed to be longer,but narrower,with less total square footage than
the existing float.The landward edge of the new 5.5’wide float moves seaward 2.5 feet,and the float lengthens from
24’to 34’(187 sq.ft.).It is anticipated that the float will be constructed in two sections.The piles will be relocated
to secure the new float position.The ramp will require changing from 16’long to 20 feet long to meet the new edgeofthefloat.The new project will not extend further seaward than the existing float.There are 2 existing piles to
secure the float.However,the license plans show three piles.Therefore,the existing two piles will be relocated as
shown on the plan,and a third will be added as shown.This configuration will still match the license.Since there is
no increase in the square footage or the seaward location of the structures,this project will qualify for a minor projectmodificationfortheexistingChapter91LicenseatDEP.
Resource Area Determination
The project site is located on Bass River,a tidal river which flows to and from Nantucket Sound.Mean High Water
and Mean Low Water elevations can be obtained from the Army Corps Profiles,(Tidal Profile #9),and indicate the
elevations in NGVD which exist at the mouth of the river.For this site,there is historical data from the previous
dock filing that determined MHW to be at elevation 1.3’(NAVD88),and MLW to be at elevation -1.5’
(NAVD88).
Riverfront Area —N/A
Since the project is located seaward of MHW,there is no work proposed in the riverfront area.
Navigation
The location of the existing float will not extend further into the waterway than it does now.Therefore,there will be
no impact to navigation along the waterway.
Alternatives Analysis for the Riverfront Area (Discussion of Options)
The project as proposed changes the existing float to make it narrower,but longer.As such,the following analysis
is offered to describe the available options for this project.
Option 1:Do nothing
If nothing is done at this site,the float will remain.The owner states that he has mobility issues,and has difficulty
when getting to the float to traverse and tie up the boat (he does this solo)during the tide currents,and the boat slips
along the float too quickly,not giving him enough time to secure two lines before the boat slips away from the float.
The “do nothing”option does not help to fix this situation,and therefore is not the desired or chosen option.
Option 2:Change the float,but move it landward.This option was not discussed.The permits in place allow dredging
and maintenance dredging due to the area silting in from the tidal currents.Moving the float landward only reduces
available depths and would require more frequent dredging.Therefore,this option was not considered.
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Notice of Intent Jeffrey Chizmas,66A River Street,South Yarmouth
Option 3:Project as proposed.The changes to the float and ramp allow the float to be longer to give the owner more
time to successfully dock the boat.The longer float occupies less total square footage than the previous float,and is
under the 200 square foot maximum allowed by the bylaws.Potential shading is reduced for environmental benefits.
The project can be permitted at the local level and only requires a chapter 91 minor project modification to the
existing license.Therefore,this is the preferred and chosen option.
Performance Standards
The project proposes the permitting of a minor change to the existing ramp and float to provide better access when
docking.The ramp and float lie within several resource areas which include Land Under Ocean and Land Containing
Shellfish.Each resource area is addressed below separately.The project as proposed will not have any significant or
permanent adverse effects to the surrounding resource areas as applied to both the Wetlands Protection Act and the
Yarmouth Wetlands bylaws.
Land Under the Ocean —There is no work proposed for the pier;only the ramp and float and the relocation of
existing piles.Projects not included in 310 CMR 10.25(3)which affect land under the ocean shall if water-dependent,
be designed and constructed,using best available measures,so as to minimize adverse effects,and if non-water-
dependent,have no adverse effects,on marine fisheries habitat or wildlife habitat caused by alterations in water
circulation,destruction of eelgrass (Zostera marina)or widgeon grass (Rupia maritina)beds,distribution of grain
size,changes in water quality,including,but not limited to,other than natural fluctuations in the level of dissolved
oxygen,temperature or turbidity,or the addition of pollutants;or alterations of shallow submerged lands with high
densities of polychaetes,mollusks or macrophytic algae.The pier,ramp and float are water dependent,and the
proposed project will not have any adverse effects because there is no change in the scope of the project;only a
minor modification to the existing ramp and float.Therefore,the work can be conducted and permitted to minimize
adverse effects to the listed interests in accordance with 310 CMR 10.25 (6),and Yarmouth Wetlands Protection
Regulations,section 2.07.
Land Containing Shellfish —The proposed float is a reduction from the existing permitted float and will not
negatively affect land containing shellfish.The project also includes construction protocols to minimize grounding.
The project as proposed eliminates any impacts to this resource,and will have no negative effects on the following
interests:
(a)alterations of water circulation;
(b)alterations in relief elevation;
(c)the compacting of sediment by vehicular traffic;
(d)alterations in the distribution of sediment grain size;
(e)alterations in natural drainage from adjacent land;or
(f)changes in water quality,including,but not limited to,other than natural fluctuations in
the levels of salinity,dissolved oxygen,nutrients,temperature or turbidity,or the addition of pollutants.
By following these proper design and construction protocols,Therefore,the pier,stairs and float can be permitted
under 310 CMR 10.34 (4)through (8),and Yarmouth Wetlands Protection Regulations,section 2.08.
Construction protocol
The work to replace the ramp and float is limited to relocating two piles,and adding a third (previously authorized)
pile to secure the new float.The ramp and float are fabricated off site,and then transported by skiff to the site for
installation.The piles will be driven from a working barge,and then the float will be secured first,and then the
new ramp installed.
Pile Driving is limited to mechanical means only,and from a working barge.The barge shall not come in contact
with the bottom,and operate in enough water to avoid grounding.If stored at the site,the barge shall be stored in
sufficient water to avoid grounding at low tide.
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Chizmas —Modification of Existing Permitted and Licensed Float —66A River Street