NRAB Minutes September 5, 2002
Attending: Glenn Shields, Paul Conor, Doug Franklin, Lezli Rowell, John Riehl
Also Present: Bill Walton, Rex Peterson, Suzanne Thomas
S. Thomas summarized concerns about the public impact on the sluiceway area and beach between Gull and Higgins Pond. A remedial plan was proposed that included installation of a public toilet, parking restrictions and public education, and Lezli Rowell advised the NRAB that under its enacting Town Meeting article, section 3 mandates the "identification of natural resources within the Town of significant importance ... to take appropriate action as necessary to protect those resources;" any pond management intended to mitigate environmental impact to the sluiceway between Gull and Higgins ponds need also address entire shoreline. L. Rowell discussed the impacts created by pondshore property owners which privately
store and moor canoes, kayaks and sailboats with a footprint of use at least equal to that of the lease rental, the impacts of such property owners clearing aquatic and pondshore wetland vegetation to create 'curb-cuts' and the many unperrnitted docks and structures around the ponds.
The need for a long-range plan was noted. The NRAB's Spring, 2002 draft "Natural Resources Information" pamphlet, intended as public education and for distribution through the Beach Sticker program, was given as suggested language to Suzanne Thomas.
Considering its responsibilities to protect natural resources in Wellfleet, the NRAB voted 5-0 to support the remedial plan before the Board of Selectmen.
The issue of voting rights in the Harbor Planning Group was considered. It was stated that these rights should be for citizen volunteers only to avoid conflicts of interest with the staff members of the HPG. The contrary point of view was that the HPG would be more effective working group if all members participated on an equal basis and that, in any case, all were dedicated to the well-being of Wellfleet.
The NRAB noted that a draft Shellfish Management Plan has been issued by the Shellfish Constable. Public comment and advice about this draft is needed. The Shellfish Advisory Committee (SAC) has expressed desire to manage that feedback process. The NRAB supported that desire while emphasizing that it was the NRAB that retains final responsibility for the plan. An NRAB delegate to the SAC was needed. Mr. Riehl was proposed for this position. Lezli Rowell made a motion that the SAC be asked to manage the public hearing feedback process on the draft plan and to report that feedback and its own recommendations to the NRAB. Motion was seconded, with confirmation of Mr. Riehl as NRAB delegate to SAC,
carried 5-0.
The meeting of the HPG is scheduled for 4pm on October 9, at Town Hall, at which time a representative from the Planning Board will have been chosen to join the HPG.
Respectfully,
John Riehl
Prepared as amended by vote, Dec. 3, 2002
by L Rowell, accepted by vote April 1, 2003.
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