FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Richard Steves, Sandy Broyard, Donald Poole, Virginia Dyer, Caitlin Jones, Bruce Bartels and Chuck Hodgkinson. Also attending were Warren Doty, Tom Rancich, Bob Davis, Patrick Fogleson and Chris Murphy. Andrew Fischer, Dick Smith and Pam Goff were absent.
The meeting came to order at 12:30 PM. Mr. Steves appointed Mr. Poole and Ms. Jones as voting members for the day’s agenda. No site visits were required.
1. DISCUSSION BOB DAVIS FOR THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (ACOE): Mr. Davis (ACOE Department of Resources Specialist) introduced his team and summarized the plan to survey Quansoo Beach and Tisbury Great Pond for unexploded WWII munitions. This is just phase one of a program that may take several years to complete – as done with Nomans. No permits are required due to the Federal permitting exemption. The ACOE wanted to discuss the program with the Commission to understand any concerns regarding the affected resources and the wildlife and shellfish habitat of the area. He distributed a letter dated 11/28/07
from the NHESP outlining the state-listed rare species that have been found in the vicinity of the site. The methods, materials and timing of the first phase were discussed at length. Approximately 98 percent of the ferrous and non-ferrous surveying in the Tisbury Great Pond will be done with a floating scanner which will not be dragged across the bottom. The Commission’s concern is with the protection of the extensive shellfish habitat and beds. All metallic “hits” on the scanner will be analyzed by scientists to determine whether or not munitions may be the cause. Approximately one percent of these identified “hits” are excavated. A four-foot square area is excavated on the pond bottom to a maximum depth of four feet when a potential munitions “hit” is explored. If an unexploded bomb is found it will be removed from the site or
exploded on site if it is deemed too sensitive for handling. Bombs weighing up to one hundred pounds may be in the area.
All potential munitions surveyed along the ocean shoreline and approximately 100 yards out to sea will be immediately excavated or exploded due to the ever-changing shoreline, bottom contours and currents.
The on-land surveying will be done with a hand-pushed scanner. The brush will be cleared to a height of six inches for this scanner. Munitions handling procedures on land will be the same as in the pond.
The Commission thanked Mr. Davis for explaining the plan. It recognized that it has no official jurisdiction over the program but outlined the following concerns:
1. Advance notice should be given to the Shellfish Constable if any bottom disturbance in the pond will affect shellfish beds.
2. Its primary land-based concerns are for protecting the wildlife and bird habitats; salt marshes and wetland resources.
3. If possible, no beach grass on the dunes will be disturbed or mowed in any fashion.
Mr. Davis thanked the Commission for its time and will do everything possible to address its concerns. No work will be done until access permission is granted from the affected property owners.
2. DISCUSSION WARREN DOTY FOR THE MV SHELLFISH GROUP; MUSSEL AQUACULTURE; VINEYARD AND RHODE ISLAND SOUNDS; SE 12 – 580: Mr. Doty explained history of this program and the Order of Conditions that was issued to allow the test and expansion of the off shore mussel aquaculture in two areas: 10-acres in RI Sound off of Nomans; 15-acres in Vineyard Sound. The testing has been successful. Mr. Doty, representing Alec Gale would like to expand the Vineyard Sound program from the one test line to a total of ten lines covering five of the fifteen approved acre zone. He added
that the test had a 5 percent concentration of pea crab. After reviewing the on-going conditions for expansion a motion was made to approve the request. The motion was seconded and approved with five in favor and one abstention (Ms. Dyer).
3. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE; ERIC B. RYAN; SE 12 – 489; AP 33-76.2: Chuck H. summarized the Order that allowed a portion of the driveway to be paved with concrete and the installation of a buried propane tank. He added a site visit was performed with the engineer Reid Silva and the propane tank was placed in the approved location. A motion was made to accept the inspection report and approve the Certificate of Compliance. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
ADMINISTRATION: The September 1 meeting minutes will be reviewed at the October 6th meeting.
The following document was signed:
Certificate of Compliance Eric B. Ryan; SE 12 – 489; AP 33-76.2.
Commissioners Broyard, Jones and Poole agreed to register for the October 23 MACC training at MassBay Community College in Wellesley. Chuck H. will check with Mr. Fischer to see if he has already taken Units 1 and 3 and will make the final registration commitments.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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