02/11/2019 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

Home Browse Search

3 Board of Selectmen Minutes February 11, 2019 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Public Hearing: New Shellfish Aquaculture License (Shellfish Grant), Lisa Bohnenberger, 103 River Road, Mashpee MA: (continued) Floating fine mesh bags would be used for the seed. With growth and culling,the oysters would be placed in bottom growing cages. Some floating cages would be used during the prime growing season. During the winter and inclement weather the cages would be lowered to the bottom securely tethered in protective gear. The floating gear bags will be placed to the landward side of the grant(easterly) and cages will be placed on the bottom of the seaward side (westerly) of the grant. Work will be conducted from a skiff boat. Landing will occur at Ockway Bay or at Mashpee Neck Landing. The off-loading process is relatively quick and would not delay boat ramp users. The grant is proposed to be sited to the eastern side of Ockway Bay, west of Daniels Island. There is no significant shellfish population in this area due to the muck bottom. There is no eel grass in this area. As per Division of Marine Fisheries regulations on the 1.01 acre site, less than 20% or 20,000 square feet would be used for the aquaculture grant. The area of the grant is not privately owned and will not impede any private dock areas. It is the intention of the applicant to begin the process with 100,000 oysters with a maximum of 400,000. Communication is the Selectmen's informational packet contained letters from the Harbormaster and Shellfish Departments advising this project poses no hazard to navigation,there is no encroachment to the area moorings and there are no adverse effects to native shellfish populations in the area. The Shellfish Constable also remitted communication stating the Shellfish Division does not plan to seed this area due to the absence of viable sediment. Ashley Fisher, Shellfish Constable was in attendance to further address this matter. Ms. Fisher indicated the project will offset the Town's nitrogen mitigation program, and offset costs to the Town of Mashpee in aquaculture. It is anticipated the shellfish would reduce excess nitrogen by 30% in this area. Being no further comment, the Board motioned as follows; Motion made by Selectman Gottlieb to close the Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. VOTE: Unanimous. 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Opposed, none