4/7/1997 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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The Shellfish Constable contends that the area suggested by the Harbormaster is a designated family shellfishing area (albeit unproductive and little used) so cannot be used for a grant. we think if it is not productive and not used, thea it should be up for re- designation to another purpose to make it useful. Other more productive areas in the bay could be designated family areas in compensation if this area is granted to someone. our view is that tradeoffs should be made to accommodate multiple needs. At our 4 April meeting, which was re-scheduled from 1 April due to the storm, we further discussed alternative locations. Jim Peters was unable to attend due to a conflict in schedule, but we learned from Rick York that the Tribal Council planned to maintain the original proposal as is. In the absence of alternative locations to be considered, vire voted against the grant as currently described. In summation, one objective of the waterways Commission is to promote the maximum use of the waterways for multiple purposes with minimal interference with each other. The 8 acre area as proposed does not meet that objective. The specific problems we foresee with this location are discussed in Attachment 1. k Moratorium on Grants or other Aquaculture Areas Recommended Dealing with this proposal has pointed out that the Town of Mashpee has no waterways related regulations,policies, or guidelines pertaining to the aquaculture industry, or for shellfish grants. Further, the Commonwealth has issued a revised law MGL Chapter 130 which pertains to shellfish grants that we received on 4 April. dile have yet to read the entire law,but it should guide our gown regulations and policies along with Chapter 91. we recommend that the Town of Mashpee consider a moratorium on any additional grants (especially for a 10 year period)or any other aquaculture areas until we sort out what we are doing. In a motion unanimously adopted by the waterways Commission on 4 April 1997, we recommend that no further shellfish grants or other aquaculturf, areas b approved until appropriate sections on the topic are developed and included in the Coastal Resources Element of the Local Comprehensive Flan. Through that planning and review process, the Town can arrive at a consensus on how to deal with these issues. We also need to devise a system of fees and thresholds of performance in accordance with MGL Chapter 130 as pertains to shellfish grants, we believe that the Town should benefit from any allocations of waterways to private or commercial interests. without thresholds of performance that give the Town the opportunity to revoke a license, individuals could tie up por ions of the waterways for no useful purpose for 10 years. Very T'rul y.Yours Janes P. Hanks, Chairman cc: Executive Secretary Harbormaster Shellfish Commission S h ll i sh Constable Wampanoag Tribal Council 'waterways Commission Planning Board Planning Department File Page 2