NRAB MINUTES
September 26 2010
Attending: Riehl, Duane, Hitchcock
Guest: M Miller
Ø Meeting called to order 7.01pm
Ø Agenda accepted as written
Ø Coastal & Ponds Access
o Discussion considered the survey of the access site listed and enumerated on the Town map, based on the 1995 HMP Appendix B. It was suggested that the site could be classified into five groups based on possible actions:
§ No action – sites such as Newcomb Hollow, Powers Landing or Gull Pond which are managed and signposted by the Beach Administrator. Also included in this group are landings which already have a Town sign, such as Pleasant Point, Paine Hollow.
§ Signs needed – signs indicating “Town Landing” or “Town Way to Water” have two purposes: to indicate Town ownership (and therefore public rights) and to advertise the diversity of sites to the public. The ownership of these sites should all be without question. Sites in this groups are: Bound Brook, the Gut, Whitman, Field Point, Hiawatha Road, Breakwater, Squires Pond, Pleasant Point flats, Mound Street, Shell Street.
§ Town ownership or signage in question. These sites need more research or a site visit. Sites in this group are: Herring Pond, the Dike, near CYCC (#7), Old Pier Road, Howard Memorial Landing (#30 … private signs exist), Eastern Street South Landing (#31), Eastern Street North Landing (#32), #34, Cannon Hill (#35), Old Wharf sites, LtIsland sites, Hatches Creek, Crowell Pond
§ Project sites – these are sites where the Town might invest to produce a useful citizen waterside place. Examples: old fire station at foot of Bank, Squires Pond
§ Conservation – one site, on Williams Pond (#45) was deemed to be more valuable as conservation land than as a landing. The ConsCom should manage this.
The agreed actions were for Duane to complete the survey for landings from Old Wharf south and for Riehl to discuss costs/funding for the signage project.
Ø Ione Road. Riehl was approached by an neighborhood owner about denial of acces leading to the Cove, between parcels 28/65&66 off Ione Road. After consulting with the Town Assessor, it seems that this way is private; this is therefore not directly a NRAB issue. Riehl will advise the caller about how to proceed privately.
Ø Fisheries Issues. Duane reported on good progress with the menhaden issue. A letter to DMF urging continued action was approved 3-0 (see attached).
o Duane reported on attempts to control herring by-catch. This will be revisited in January with Jeff Hughes.
o No action on eel or trout restorations to report.
Ø Gull Pond. The Beach Administrator is proposing to the Board of Selectmen to cancel the boat rental contract at Gull Pond. The proximate issue is bank erosion at the NW end of the landing, which is where the boat rentals have been located. The NRAB discussion put this in context of possible overuse of the landing. The discussion agreed that some boat rental facility was in the interest of citizens and visitors, both for recreation and to better appreciate the qualities of Gull Pond. Pond overuse was seen as a broad-based issue, not just due to traffic brought by the rental facility. Meeting agreed (3-0) to prepare a statement for the Board of Selectmen that would propose a
reduction in both boat rentals and parking spaces (see attached).
Ø Minutes. NRAB minutes of 1/24/2011, 3/14/2011, 5/23/2011, 7/18/2011, 9/2/2011 were approved subject to minor corrections.
Ø NRAB adjourned 8.45. Next meeting is 10/17/2011
Approved: October 17 2011 Signed: John Riehl, Chair
Dr. David Pierce September 21, 2011
MA DMF
251 Causeway St, #400
Boston, MA 02114-2119
Dear Dr. Pierce:
We’re glad to see that the ASMFC Menhaden Management Board has taken a huge first step towards rebuilding Atlantic Menhaden stocks by sending out a draft addendum V which includes a 15% MSP threshold option, and a range of target options from status quo, up to and including a 40% MSP option. We applaud this bold step which acknowledges menhaden’s importance as a forage species, and on behalf of Wellfleet’s Natural Resources Advisory Board, and Shellfish Advisory Board formally request that a 15% MSP Threshold, and 40% MSP Target be adopted in addendum 5 at the upcoming ASMFC Annual meeting in Boston.
Although there’s certain to be opposition from commercial interests in any change from the status quo, those of us who care about the health of our environment, and care about the needs of the many species of fish, birds and mammals dependant upon menhaden need to be heard. We believe those predator’s needs must take precedence over any commercial interests. Healthy fish populations, both menhaden’s and the many species of fish they feed, provide a much larger benefit to our nation than could any of the small number of commodities produced from the industrial processing of menhaden.
Think of sportfishing. Now think of the many ways in which sportfishing supports our economy. Dollars spent on charter boats, in bait & tackle shops, on gas, for accommodations, and in our stores. Now think about commercial fishermen, whose livelihood depends upon a healthy stock of fish within a reasonable distance from shore. Commercial and recreational fisherman and lobsterman alike also require a steady supply of bait, of which menhaden has become increasingly important. This is just one small illustration of why increasing the biomass of menhaden is critical, and why menhaden deserve greater protection than your average fish. In fact, scientific studies from groups such as the Marine Stewardship Council recommend protecting forage species such as menhaden at a level of 75% MSP. Considering
menhaden’s importance as prime forage base for many of the fish the ASMFC is charged to protect, a 40% MSP management target seems the most sensible choice.
We’ve seen a steady decline in menhaden in our waters since 2007, to the point at which in 2010, and 2011 they’ve been virtually non-existent. As menhaden have declined, so have our seasonal fish such as bluefish and striped bass. These fish used to follow menhaden schools close to our beaches, providing easy access to sport and commercial fisherman alike. They’ve now been forced far offshore where food is more abundant.
Please do the right thing and afford menhaden the protection they deserve by enacting the strictest conservation measures as provided for in draft addendum V. All of the fish dependent upon menhaden say thanks!
Sincerely,
John Duane - on behalf of:
- The Wellfleet Natural Resources Advisory Board
John Riehl, John Duane, Ned Hitchcock
- The Wellfleet Shellfish Advisory Board
Barbara Austin, Barbara Brennessel, John Duane, Joel Fox, James O’Connell,
Helen Miranda Wilson, Rebecca Taylor.
508-237-2211
GULL POND
We all recognize the value of the ponds to Wellfleet – as natural resources and as recreational sites for residents and visitors. Finding the right balance between these two imperatives is never easy.
The Gull Pond town beach landing is the most popular of the town managed pond beaches. Some of the many popular activities include swimming, swimming lessons, boating, sunbathing etc.. Gull Pond is almost certainly overused due to this popularity.
One consequence of this heavy use, as discussed in the PMP, is shoreline erosion. At Gull Pond, this is most clearly seen at the NW end of the landing, beneath the steepest pond side bank. This is the area where boat rentals have been located. The Beach Administrator has proposed a remediation plan. NRAB supports this effort. It may be that, even after remediation, it is best to keep the extreme NW of the landing off limits.
Given our concern about pond overuse and the need for remediation, we agree that the current contract for a boat rental contract at Gull Pond should not be renewed.
However, the PMP also recognizes the value of recreational boating at Gull Pond, both as a visitor service and also from the belief that as people appreciate the ponds they will be more likely to care for them. We therefore also recommend that a new boat rental contract be negotiated, with more limited services and due respect for the fragile environment at the ponds.
Finally, we urge that a broader view be taken of Gull Pond management and control. Specifically, as recommended in the PMP, we ask that limits also be placed on the number of vehicles allowed to park at Gull Pond. Neither of these steps will be popular. Each is, in its own way, unfair to the individual pond user. However, we have a responsibility to also protect the resource: the steps recommended are in that direction.
BoS, Sept 27 2010
NRAB AGENDA
Monday September 26 2011
7 pm, THHR
Ø Coastal & Pond Access
- Review of Town Access map
- Field work
- Paine DVD
- Issues to address: general principles
- Actions
- Funding
Ø Fisheries Issues
- Menhaden; comment letter
- Herring
- Wellfleet restoration plans
Ø Other issues
Ø Minutes
Ø Next meeting: October 17
*****************
Ø Addenda
o Gull Pond Boat rental
o Ione Road way
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