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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWWSAC minutes 11.18.2024 On 12/16/2024, on a motion by committee member Crawford, seconded by committee member Churchill, the Waterways & Shellfish Advisory Committee voted 3-0 to approve these minutes as written. MINUTES YARMOUTH WATERWAYS AND SHELLFISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING November 18, 2024 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julian Mallett (Chairman), Rick Crawford, Mike Dunbar, Al Keller, Bob Churchill STAFF PRESENT: William Bonnetti, Kathryn Brooks OTHERS PRESENT: Baine and Nadine Gill, Bob Perry, Dan Ojala _______________________________________________________________________________ At 5:36 p.m. the Director of Natural Resources, Bill Bonnetti, read the open meeting law and explained the meeting audio was going to be recorded. Agenda: 1.Public Comment: There was no public comment. 2.Notice of Intent a.Daniel Ojala, Down Cape Engineering, Inc., 10 Buttercup Lane, proposed construction of stairs, fixed pier, ramp and floats The homeowner wants a dinghy dock for kayaks and canoes. There is 1’ at Mean Low Water at the float but Mr. Ojala said float stops would be used. He explains this dock is much shorter than the dock regulations require. The dock would not be the full 75’ from the neighboring dock to the east. Mr. Ojala says the old stair debris will be removed, and the float is under regulation size. They were going for a modest proposal and are also far from the channel. Mr. Crawford stated shellfishermen would not be happy about this dock. Speaking on behalf of the shellfish constable who was unable to attend, Director Bonnetti said there are concerns for shellfish, which is a year-round fishery and this spot is also a Town propagation area. He mentioned concerns for boat traffic and disturbing the bottom. A project like this would require a mitigation fee in addition to shellfish removal. The consultant asked why people could not shellfish around the docks and mentioned a large dock may have adverse effects but this would be a small dock. It could potentially allow shellfish to reproduce and repopulate the area. Chairman Mallett asked what type of craft hey would be putting on the dock and was told only self propelled crafts. Ms. Brooks added she didn’t think there was any way to regulate or prevent a certain type of craft from being on a dock once it is built. It was discussed that another dock would be a hazard to shellfishermen, but Mr. Ojala pointed out that the longer docks on either side would be hit before they hit the dock being proposed. He clarifies they would need a variance for water depth and distance to an abutting pier and are looking for a balance between shellfishermen and homeowners. Committee members voiced their concern for this project and would like to visit the site prior to voting on the project. Mr. Crawford motioned to continue this meeting until December 9, 2024. This was seconded by Mr. Churchill and the motion passed 4-0, with 1 abstention. On 12/16/2024, on a motion by committee member Crawford, seconded by committee member Churchill, the Waterways & Shellfish Advisory Committee voted 3-0 to approve these minutes as written. b.Bob Perry, Down Cape Engineering, 206 South Street, proposed construction of a pier, ramp, and float, and replacement of an existing stone revetment Mr. Perry said the original jetty from 1910 was rejected by the Conservation Commission but the Gill’s are rethinking the project. The proposed dock is in a new location at the north edge of the property. The length of 128’ is needed to reach the 3’ of water at MLW. The end of the proposed dock would also be 200’+ from the navigational channel. Mr. Perry acknowledges the dock is 48’ longer than the 80’ limit, but it is still shorter than the neighboring dock to the north. Director Bonnetti adds this area is not congested with moorings. Mr. Perry states the revetement needs to be rebuilt, and would be done in the same footprint, and they know the dock is long. Mr. Gill adds they have had a significant amount of erosion along the revetment, with an estimated 8’ being eroded within the past year or so. On behalf of the shellfish constable, Director Bonnetti adds there would need to be shellfish removal from the area. Relocating causes mortality, and a mitigation fee would also be a good addition. Mr. Churchill motioned to approve the plan with no objections. This was seconded by Mr. Crawford and the motion carried 4-0 with 1 abstention. c.Bob Perry, Down Cape Engineering, 59 Oyster Cove Road, proposed renovation/modification of an existing dock facility 35 Oyster Cover Road has deeded rights to the beach. The Conservation Commission had previous debris removed, and said they do not want a dock. The floats currently sit on the bottom at low tide, but they would be changing to a pile supported pier to address this issue. The pier would be in a similar footprint but would have reduced impact on shellfish because the floats would no longer be on the bottom. On behalf of the shellfish constable, Director Bonnetti said the elevation of the dock and removal of floats would be good to keep things off the bottom. He also wanted to confirm the easement owner is the one applying for the dock, which is correct. Director Bonnetti also said this area is conditionally approved for commercial shellfishing and would ask that any shellfish be removed from the area. Mr. Crawford added that there was no impact to shellfish or navigation and considers this new plan to be an improvement. Mr. Dunbar said he remembers this area being quite muddy. Mr. Crawford motioned to move the project to conservation because there is no impact to shellfish/navigation. Director Bonnetti confirmed last minute the water depth was not met, and Mr. Perry responded that the floats will be off the bottom although float stops are not currently proposed. The motion is seconded by Mr. Churchill and the motion passed 5-0. 3.Committee Discussion & Updates Director Bonnetti will setup a day/time to go on a site visit to 10 Buttercup. He also said the requirements for submitting a project have changed and require them to be submitted 2 weeks prior to a meeting so we can get out to the site ahead of time. Questions were asked about Friends of Bass River and the scallop project. Director Bonnetti said he doesn’t know all of the details but the Town needs to discuss bandwidth of money and staffing before On 12/16/2024, on a motion by committee member Crawford, seconded by committee member Churchill, the Waterways & Shellfish Advisory Committee voted 3-0 to approve these minutes as written. expanding the project. The seed this year came from Dan Ward’s hatchery in Falmouth. The director mentioned the bridge project on Bass River will be moving forward next year and is not sure how that will impact Packet Landing. The bid should be going out soon. Chairman Mallett asked what the reservations were on the scallop project. Director Bonnetti agreed it’s a good program but explained space on the river, access, maintenance, and finding the right depth to grow at low tide were all factors. Chairman Mallett said 11th Hour did a segment on the oyster upwellers and good job to Casaundra. Director Bonnetti said the Town is working on a dredge contract for permitting upper Bass River. Dunbar asked about the Sweetheart Creek dredging and said he noticed they were dredging the banks where there was a really good set of softshell. Director Bonnetti said dredging should only be occurring in the center of the channel and it is being cleared out in sections. He would follow up to make sure the work is being done in the right area. Mr. Crawford motions to adjourn the meeting, which is seconded by Mr. Churchill. The motion passes 5- 0 and the meeting ends at 7:18 p.m.