1/12/1995 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

Home Browse Search

Mashpee Pine Barrens: This could be part of the wildlife refuge. There are six white cedar swamps found interspersed throughout the Pine Barrens, Some of the trees may be 100 years old. Town Planner spoke on funding for Fish & Wildlife. Mr. Direorio advised burns are necessary for the Pine Barrens habitat; the State may conduct prescription burns. Without fires, a lot of the fall flowers are lost. Wild Lupine is being lost to roadside hydroseedin . A resident in attendance asked if there were plans to do anything with the Santuit Pond area? Mr. Direorio stated he would like to do further studies. He was going to look at some of the bogs for vernal pool inventories; there are some sphagnum bogs. It was suggested he should look at the Santuit River. Mr. Sherman stated the Commission has mixed feelings about running bogs for profit but it does allow this type of project and funded stabilization of the banks on Mashpee River. A lot of wetlands will be lost to cranberry conversion* Ike Srala advised a majority of the bogs on the cape are in the control of one family. Santuit Pond is very shallow. The south end was a leatherleaf swamp until impounded as a reservoir in the 10's. Depth of the pond is dependent on the cranberry industry. All ponds are in the process of succession. Santuit Pond is being studied for its life cycle to find out how it i playing in the food chain. There is interest in the Painted Sunfish. The pond has active recharge. Renee Fudala advised on April 29th, there will be a walk of approximately 10 miles, starting at Farley's Camp and making way to South cape Beach. There is a lot of planning still to be done. There will be vehicles at some pick-up points along the way to return walkers to the starting point. Mr. Direorio was thanked for his presentation and excellent slides.