MASHPEE ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 13, 2016 - 6:30 P.M.
MASHPEE TOWN HALL – OCKWAY BAY MEETING ROOM
CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
December 9, 2015
COMMUNICATIONS
NEW BUSINESS
Town-wide Bylaw on Single-Use Plastic Bags
ACTION ITEMS UPDATE
Pond & Estuary Water Quality Monitoring: Update
Mashpee CWMP: Update on final approval and implementation
- Moonakis River Hydrodynamic Study by SMAST: approval and funding update
- Estuary Restoration/Shellfish Propagation - Update
- Fertilizer Bylaw and MDAR State-wide Plant Nutrient Regulations: Discussion of implementation, enforcement, promotion & education
Quashnet River Restoration: Update
OLD BUSINESS
Town-Wide Stormwater Management Plan: Update
Land Steward Program: Update
CORRESPONDENCE
DISCUSSION
MEETING ADJOURNMENT; Next meeting scheduled for 6:30 PM on February 10, 2016
Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes
January 13, 2016
Present: Michael Talbot, Dale McKay, Richard York, Joseph Cummings
Absent: Andrew McManus, Andrew Gottlieb
Attendees: Katelyn Cadoret, Assistant Conservation Agent
Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Talbot at 6:50 p.m.
Mashpee Town Hall, Ockway Bay Meeting Room
MINUTES:
December 9, 2015:
The minutes were deferred to the next meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS
NEW BUSINESS
Town-wide Bylaw on Single-Use Plastic Bags:
At the last meeting, the EOC voted unanimously to pursue moving forward with a bylaw proposed to restrict single-use plastic bags in the Town of Mashpee. Currently, six Cape towns and 16 towns within the Commonwealth have developed ordinances to restrict the use of single-use plastic bags.
Assistant Conservation Agent Katelyn Cadoret took on this initiative and compiled data and examples of bylaws relative to single-use plastic bag reduction. To date, the Towns of Provincetown, Wellfleet, Harwich, Falmouth, Barnstable and Nantucket have adopted ordinances relative to the use and disposition of single-use plastic bags which have significant impacts on the marine and land environment.
Members of the EOC reviewed the Provincetown Single-Use Plastic Bag Reduction Bylaw.
It was agreed with modifications the bylaw could easily apply to Mashpee. However, it was agreed that additional ordinances would be considered.
It was noted the Provincetown bylaw makes reference to the bags made of high-density and low-density polyethylene. To simplify this directive, it was determined the word “ polyethylene” might suffice.
In reviewing the proposed bylaw of Provincetown and the Town of Barnstable, the thickness of the check-out bags was considered. A single-use plastic bag is defined in Provincetown with a thickness of less than 1.5 mils intended for the purpose of transporting food or merchandise out of an establishment.
Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes
January 13, 2016
NEW BUSINESS
Town-wide Bylaw on Single-Use Plastic Bags: (continued)
Single-use plastic bags do not include plastic bags without handles which are provided for produce and meat, bags which hold prescription medication, bags with segregate food or merchandise, bags which distribute newspapers and bags used in dry cleaning establishments.
Discussion followed regarding the enforcement of such a bylaw. It was agreed establishments impacted by the proposed bylaw would require a period of preparation time from the effective date of the bylaw. A term of six to twelve months was considered. The Town of Falmouth has given a term of 18-months of the effective date of their bylaw.
In Falmouth, residents are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags when shopping. Retail stores and restaurants will have the option to offer reusable or paper bags at no charge or at a reasonable fee for each paper or reusable bag as they desire. The bylaw is enforceable by fines for first, second and third and subsequent offense.
With the impending deadline for articles to be submitted for the May Town Meeting warrant and to allow for proper notification, the EOC agreed to review proposed bylaw options in detail for consideration at the October 2016 Town Meeting. It was determined a report would be prepared for the Board of Selectmen’s review and approval. The Mashpee Chamber of Commerce would also be included in the review process regarding the proposed bylaw amendment.
This matter will appear as an agenda topic of discussion at the next EOC Meeting. In addition to the Provincetown template, the Towns of Barnstable, Falmouth and Harwich would be reviewed.
ACTION ITEMS UPDATE
Pond & Estuary Water Quality Monitoring: Update:
At the last meeting, Mr. York was asked to write a column on the quality of Mashpee ponds in
the Mashpee Enterprise. Although Mr. York has schedule constraints, he indicated he would
consider publishing an article in the future with respect to this regard.
Last month the Mashpee River was tested and there was a noted presence of thick algae bloom.
Originally it was determined this occurrence resulted from warm water temperatures.
However, the temperatures have now dropped considerably and the algae bloom is still there.
Mr. York indicated he has thus concluded the rapid algae bloom is a consequence of nitrogen loading. This circumstance can be observed at the Mashpee Neck landing.
Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes
January 13, 2016
Pond & Estuary Water Quality Monitoring: Update:
Of note, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe recently purchased a water quality monitoring
unit (sonde) for deployment in Shoestring Bay. The portable sensing unit will assist to obtain
accurate information on water quality. The advanced technology will enable the Tribe to analyze
long term results measuring temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll,
algae and pH. The Town of Mashpee also uses these types of monitoring units as well.
However, the sampling of the estuaries is manually conducted on a monthly basis and water
samples are forwarded to SMAST for lab analysis.
Mashpee CWMP: Update on final approval and implementation;
Moonakis River Hydrodynamic Study by SMAST: approval and funding update:
It was reported that all funds required for the Quashnet/Moonakis Hydrodynamic Study have been approved and funds are being collected for the SMAST study intended to be managed by the Town of Falmouth. The collection of Hydrodynamic field data will focus on the entire Quashnet Estuary with particular review of the tidal inlet and the area up-gradient of the Meadow Neck Road Bridge crossing.
Estuary Restoration/Shellfish Propagation – Update:
Work is progressing on the estuary restoration/shellfish propagation plan, a component of the Mashpee Comprehensive Wastewater and Nitrogen Management Plan for the 2016 season. It was noted the hatchery located in the Town of Dennis is under reconstruction, and on schedule for spawning. The new a new state-of-the art facility is the oldest hatchery in the U.S.
It was reported the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe aquaculture project is underway. Mr. York is assisting the Tribe in the planning and implementation process relative to the construction of oyster reefs in Shoestring Bay. It is anticipated the smaller test reefs would be fully constructed in early spring. Oysters grown by the Town of Mashpee will be used in this project.
Mr. York indicated his is now in the adaptive planning stage, a subset of adaptive management. The seed program has been working quite well with almost no mortality. With the use of upwellers Mr. York plans to grow quahog seed. The option to produce seed from Mashpee’s waters would represent a huge cost savings to the town, an estimated $1 million per year, and prevent the occurrence of disease. Also, it was been determined that 1” seed derived from other estuaries would retain 10% of nitrogen. By purchasing seed by other growers, the town would only be removing 90% of the nitrogen from the harvest of shellfish. The propagation of seed in local estuaries would target 100% of the nitrogen intended to be removed from the harvest.
It was noted the town is maintaining an aggressive crab capturing program using modified seed trays and net materials designed by Mr. York with available supplies to entrap predators.
Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes
January 13, 2016
Estuary Restoration/Shellfish Propagation – Update: (continued)
Support staff is a major component of the shellfish propagation program. By a vote of Town Meeting, the position of Water Quality Control Monitoring Technician was created to assist with the shellfish and water quality monitoring components of the CWNMP and other duties on the waterways. This position voted in October is currently in the advertising process. Additional assistants are expected to be hired soon. The assistants the town has been hiring have been good candidates. Most are local college students who have grown up in the Town of Mashpee.
Mr. York noted that growing your own shellfish is a labor intensive project, but the result is highly cost effective.
Fertilizer Bylaw and MDAR State-wide Plant Nutrient Regulations: Discussion of implementation, enforcement, promotion & education:
It was reported the Conservation Department and Board of Health would be contacted soon to discuss the implementation process of the Mashpee Nitrogen Control Bylaw and MDAR Plant Nutrient Regulations.
Quashnet River Restoration: Update:
A steering committee meeting is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, January 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ockway Bay Meeting Room at the Mashpee Town Hall to further review the Quashnet River restoration project. It was reported there is a need to continue the assessment regarding the realignment of the Quashnet River.
OLD BUSINESS
Town-Wide Stormwater Management Plan: Update: No report.
Conservation Department Report:
It was reported the Conservation Department has applied for a MassWildlife
Habitat Management grant for prescribed burning at the frost bottom habitat in the Simon Lowe
Conservation Area off Lovell’s Lane. If funding is obtained it is anticipated the town would
receive approximately $10,000.
In conservation areas at the gate locations, the town expects to install additional surveillance
cameras. Signage is planned to be added to the Child’s River area.
With regards to the Santuit Pond Preserve, the Santuit Road parking lot is now being cleared.
Santuit Road Parking lot is now being cleared for access to the Santuit Pond Preserve. CPA
funding was obtained in 2015 for trail work, to construct a 10-car parking lot and to remove the
old storage shed at the site location.
At Abigail’s Brook, the DCR in conjunction with WEBNERR have installed boulders to offset
illegal access. They have an ongoing project to improve fish passage and remove phragmites.
Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes
January 13, 2016
Land Stewards Update:
An email has been transmitted seeking interest in the Land Stewards Program. To
date the response has been favorable, and those participating in the program have interest in
the continued monitoring of their sites. The Mashpee Kiwanis Club is also looking for volunteer
work and community projects. WEBNERR has also expressed an interest for volunteerism.
Ms. Cadoret indicated she is in the process of updating the Conservation Department website
and she is creating an interactive map of trails within the Town of Mashpee.
The Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge is also working on a new trail map. A pamphlet is being developed for all wildlife refuge trails to encourage public use. It was noted the MOU for the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge was executed by the Board of Selectmen at their last meeting. The Tribe is now the final signatory required to endorse the document.
NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, February 10, 2015 6:30 p.m.
Mashpee Town Hall, Ockway Bay Meeting Room
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Mr. York to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
Motion seconded by Mr. McKay.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Talbot, yes Mr. McKay, yes Mr. York, yes Mr. Cummings, yes
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen M. Soares
EOC Secretary
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