8/22/1994 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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Page 6 Board of Selectmen Minutes August 22, 1994 Draft Letter for Approval re: Water Levels Mashpee/Wakeby Pond: Robert Sherman, Conservation Agent presented a draft letter for the Board's approval to Louis Hambly,MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife,MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Phillip Coates,Director,MA Division of Marine Fisheries and Andrew Gottlieb,Director,DEP Division of Water Supply. The letter as drafted requests assistance to provide input into matters related to appropriate water levels in Mashpee/VL7akeby Pond while protecting natural resources inherent to Mashpee/Wakeby Pond and the Mashpee River. Motion made by Selectman Caffyn to approve the draft letter for submission on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. Motion seconded by Selectman Vaccaro. VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0. U. S. Fish and Wildlife re: Proposed National Wildlife Refuge: Wildlife biologist, Mary Vartertsian was present to discuss the proposed National Wildlife Refuge with the Board. The proposed area in excess of 3000 acres would preserve increasingly rare open space on Cape Cod indicated Ms. Vartertsian. The refuge would include approximately 2600 acres of land in Mashpee and about 600 acres in Falmouth related Ms. Vartertsian. The proposed boundary includes an area around the Waquoit Bay watershed from Great Flat Pond and South Cape Beach State Park to Old Barnstable Road near the Crane Wildlife Management Area. The project has received support from Senator's Kennedy, Kerry and Rauschenbach as well as Representative Cahir and Congressman Studds indicated Ms. Vartertsian. Local and State conservation groups are also supportive of the project. Much of the land in the proposed boundary is publicly owned and managed as conservation easements noted Ms. Vartertsian. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will focus on privately owned property when funding becomes available. Lands considered for purchase will be appraised at fair market value. The agency will enter into cooperative management agreements and memorandums of understanding with public land owners indicated Ms. Vartertsian. It was noted that the Bufflehead Bay area is a priority site within the proposed refuge area.