Herring River Restoration Project
Technical Committee
Meeting Minutes 05/16/06
Attendees: Chair Gordon Peabody, John Portnoy, Stephen Spear, Bob Hubby, Carl Breivogel, Tim Smith, Diane Murphy, John Riehl, Hillary Greenberg, Andy Koch, Jack Whalen, Joel Fox, and Andrew Petty.
Chair Gordon Peabody called the meeting to order at 1:21 pm.
Bob Hubby moved to approve the meeting minutes of April 25, 2006 with amendments; seconded by Tim Smith; passed 11-0.
Andrew Petty, Wellfleet’s new Assistant Conservation and Health Agent was introduced.
Public Comments: There were no public comments. Hillary Greenberg read a letter into the record from Dennis Murphy of 465 Old Chequessett Neck Road requesting they be made aware of any impact which may occur near or on their property.
Gordon Peabody presented a flow chart of the proposed process for the restoration and requested the committee members to review it and fill in any blanks. He stated once the subcommittee reports were presented and complete, the HRTC could move forward with greater speed.
Peabody requested the archive sub-committee members to review all e-mails which have been sent regarding HRTC and forward a copy to Bob Hubby. These will then be archived be given to the Town Clerk for record keeping. He requested everyone bring one hard copy to the next meeting. Discussion took place regarding e-mails between subcommittees and the public records law, and the approved subcommittee reports will serve as the legal report.
John Portnoy gave an overview of a published scientific study on fecal coliform located in the lower Herring River
A Liaison Sub-Committee was created as well as an Access Sub-Committee. Peabody stated how important it is to work with liaison groups (i.e. Harbor Management). Discussion also took place regarding the management plans such as maintaining parking areas and establishing public access areas. Peabody requested the committees continue with the cataloguing of action items.
Truro Field visit: Gordon Peabody, John Portnoy, Jack Whalen and Joel Fox, as well as the Truro Conservation Agent participated. This was an informal meeting. Discussion took place regarding impacts such as bacteria and vegetation loss. Joe Fox suggested a representative from Truro become a member of the HRTC at this time to avoid any issues in the future. Portnoy stated there may be concerns regarding private property and beaches and the salt marsh. Bob Hubby moved to create a conceptual letter addressed to the public officials and citizens of Truro to inform and educate them on the restoration, including an informational sheet and a copy of the full technical report; seconded by Joe Fox; passed 11-0. Gordon Peabody motioned for an amendment to the letter to include acreage
in the Town of Truro; and include a map; Moved by Joel Fox; seconded by Bob Hubby. Agent Greenberg will be the contact person.
Impact Issues Report
John Portnoy discussed culverts in the Upper Bound Brook area. He identified 17 culverts total.
An article in the “Provincetown Advocate” dated January 30, 1975 was distributed. A draft dated 05/16/06 by John Portnoy “Important Events in the History of Herring River, Wellfleet” was also distributed, as well as an environmental impact study. The Impact subcommittee needs to contact an additional abutter who expressed concerns about the restoration.
Administration Issues Report
Bob Hubby gave an overview of the 10 subcommittees which compiled the responses which came out of the April 25, 2006 technical committee. A handout was provided to committee members. Items 1 through 9 deal with stakeholder questions/concerns, and item 10 deals with administration issues. He reported there was a meeting with the National Seashore on May 2, 2006 which covered item 10 to discuss the administrative. The Superintendent of the Seashore gave his support and stated he has made his superiors at the Washington level aware of the project. There was discussion about “who” owns the dike and who will be responsible for the maintenance.
Stakeholder Issues Report
The report was distributed to the committee. The final report will be complete after receiving the National Seashores input.
Grants & Funding Issues (Consultant Tasking)
Tim Smith distributed material regarding the process in selecting a consultant. A discussion took place including if the consultant will include the construction process. The Pole Dike area was discussed regarding resident’s well issues and utilizing the railroad bed, which the consultant should be made aware of. Smith stated the consultant will be attending the HRTC meetings and working closely with the committee. He gave an overview of the tasks the consultant would be expected to do and the timelines. There will be a review process of candidates and interviews. Tim Smith will forward the proposals for members to review prior to the next meeting. Discussion took place among the committee on how best to formulize questions for the consultants prior to the
interviews. It was determined there would be a couple of hours preparation time prior to the meeting which will be scheduled for June 22, 2006.
Development of Oversight Committee / Flow Sheet Coordination of Overall Issues
A new committee will be overseeing the entire project for the next several years. The committee made recommendations on the tasks as well as who would be on the new oversight committee.
Issues and Protocols to be addressed by second MOU
A round table discussion took place regarding what the committee would like to include in the second MOU. Some of the items identified were:
1. means of the Over Site Committee appointment
2. Terms of the Over Sight Committee appointment
3. Role of the CCNS
4. Role of Wellfleet
5. Role of Truro
6. Responsibility of CCNS
7. Responsibility of Wellfleet
8. Responsibility of Truro
9. Specific incremental restoration goals
10. Specific criteria for incremental restoration
11. Protocol for review
12. \Duration of the Over Sight Committee
13. Protocol for adaptive management
14. Mechanism for administration
15. Decision making protocol
16. Role of the Over Sight Committee
17. Hatches Harbor will be considered as a model
Gordon Peabody motioned to adjourn the meeting at 4:30 pm; seconded by Joel Fox; passed 10-0.
Respectfully submitted
Christine Bates
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