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3) Correspondence Materials Regarding Quashnet River Pro'ec : Alex Hackman from the MA <br /> Division of Ecological Restoration had issued comments and offered a lot of insight and good <br /> ideas in regards to Mashpee's approach to the Quashnet River realignment. It is more of a <br /> process based approach rather than targeting different species and catering to those species. <br /> The Agent is in process of organizing a meeting with Doug Allen from Haley&Aldrich, Mike <br /> Minior from AFCEE, Jim Rassman from WEBNER, members of the Tribe and as many <br /> Commissioners that can attend. Vice Chairman Shaw asks how many members the Agent <br /> anticipates for the oversight committee and Agent McManus is unsure but would like to limit it to <br /> seven members (same as Concom Commission). Mr. Sweet mentions that Doug Allen has been <br /> with the program for some time but there seems to be some conflicting opinions in regards to the <br /> language. Agent McManus states that Mr. Allen was thrilled to read Alex's comments and had <br /> even stated that the comments were a bit of an "eye opener". It basically pointed out that this <br /> project should be looked at as a whole restoration project and not to focus on a specific species <br /> like brook trout or an anadromous fish run, as Steve Hurley has been doing. Alex's comments <br /> tend to broaden everything as not only a major realignment but a wetland restoration. The Agent <br /> mentions that AFCEE has come into some new funding for continued studies as far as river <br /> realignment, soil test boring and other diagnostic studies. Vice Chairman Shaw inquires how <br /> many more studies before they see some action and Agent McManus says that they want to find <br /> this out as well at the meeting. Mr. Sweet states that Alex has directed us in a different direction <br /> which expands some of the complexity of the project. The Agent agrees and states that Haley & <br /> Aldrich's approach mostly involves berming up the sides of the river to create a fast flowing <br /> channelization. Possibilities could be opening the Red Maple Swamp abutting the K-2 bog and <br /> incorporating that flow into the system to allow more nutrients in and make it a more processed <br /> based approach instead of just a rigid channel that is going to be bermed up and focusing on <br /> brook trout as well as anadromous fish passage. Alex suggests using the surrounding eco. <br /> system to the greatest extent possible so that you have a river system similar to what it used to be <br /> prior to the conversion to cranberry bogs. <br /> Discussion on Quashnet River Oversight Committee: Agent McManus recommends sending out <br /> requests for presentations from companies that specialize in these types of projects if it is felt that <br /> the Commission is not getting any more confidence in what is trying to achieve at these meetings. <br /> There is a company called Interfluve who specializes in river realignment projects. The Agent <br /> states that he could could organize this and target the companies. He believes that the number <br /> one priority is to identify basic goals like improving flow, cover, habitat and water temperatures. <br /> The members of the committee would have to realize what it is they want to achieve and what is <br /> necessary to get it. Other items that need to be considered when discussing with consults and <br /> Committee members is a planting plan, expansion into the wetland; what was a cranberry bog at <br /> one time and what are the best way to accomplish these things. <br /> AFCEE is required under the Order of Conditions to return the bogs to their pre-existing <br /> conditions which consist of removing all existing berms and restoring the failed berm to its pre- <br /> existing condition. Not all of the berms need to be removed and Mike Minior had indicated that <br /> the funds can be used towards whatever rehabilitation approach that is taken to realigning the <br /> river. The funds are to be used mainly for the realignment only. There are a number of programs <br /> through places like the US Fish and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, Nature Conservatory, Coastal Zone <br /> Management, DEP and many more that have a lot of funding Opportunity for the wetland <br /> restorations of the rest of the bogs. <br /> 4) Update on Proposed Herring Run Walks: Agent McManus informs the Commission that he has <br /> been in contact with some members of the tribe and Natural Resource Council regarding the <br /> 5 <br />