8/7/1995 WATERWAYS COMMISSION Minutes

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14ASHPEE WATERWAYS C014MISSION MINUTES AUGUST 7l 1995 c MMIS IOME S PRESENT: Jim Hanks , Berg Gordon, Herb Silver, Fred Fordham, Dan -Homeyer, William Rowland, Don Lund. Also Present: ' Perry Ellis, Harbormaster Rick ora , Shellfish Warden CALLTO ORDER: The meeting was cal led, to order - at 7 : 00 p,m, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Residents from Pirates- Cove and Bayberry Village were present to discuss the poor condition of the 1 ashpee River and to state they want action taken to improve it. Edward Baler of Pirate ' s cove distributed a letter asking g that the Waterways Improvement Fund be reserved for dredging of the ashpee River, that additional_ funding sources be identified, and that no dredging at the tip of Pop onesset Island occur without remedial dredging of the Mashpee River first or simultaneously. Dredging should be a priority because of the high fecal coliform counts, algae blooms {caused by an influx of nitrogen and other nutrients ) , and the slow rate of flushing in the River. The River is closed to shellfishing due to its problems. ) Edward Sinkiewicz of Pirate' s cove noted h has watched the' River decline for 36 years , and he brought pictures for comparison. He asked that the River be cleaned up. lob Flemin-9 noted that at high tide there is- no flow, you cannot see bottom, and it smells like an open sewer. Paul Lunnsden stated that he already voiced his comments to the Selectmen and commented on the red and brown colors in the River from algae. fir. silver noted -that Ockway Bay has the same problem, and he shares their sentiments. Mr. Hanks thanked the ' residents for making the public aware of the deterioration of the River, and the Commission will try to help. He noted that although some of the problems. in the River have been caused by nitrogen from septic systems,. cranberry bogs , lawns , country clubs and s tormwa ter run f f f , the purview of the Waterwa'y ' s Commission is limited to dredging. The obstacles to dredging the Mashpee River are- the high costs for the work and the permits needed to perform the dredging. Mr. Lund noted everyone is in favor of dredging, but the State has no money. Dr. Gordon stated the .last dredging in 1987 figures were: $150 , 000 State, $50 , 000 Waterways Improvement Fund, $75 , 000 "Save Pop onesset Bay. " The maintenance dredging done in 1991 and 1993 was paid by "Save Po ponesset Bay. " fir. Ellis noted that it is difficult to get funds from the State because Poi ponesset Bay is not considered a port that supports ships or fishinq vessels . Mr. Hanks noted that unless documentation exists indicating the River was dredged in the past, it will be difficult to get permits for the work. He is following up on one that exists to 1996 with the intent