07/22/2019 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Agenda Packet

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: TOWN OF MASHPEE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Mashpee Town Hall 16 Great Neck Road North �•'sr?ii�i;i G��' Mashpee,Massachusetts 02649 Telephone--(508) 539-1409 MEMORANDUM June 28, 2019 TO: Rodney C. Collins, Town Manager Board of Selectmen FROM: Ashley Fisher, Shellfish Constable RE: Recommendation for a Moratorium to be put in place on the issuance of new Shellfish Aquaculture Licenses Description The Shellfish Commission is recommending that a moratorium be put in place on the issuance of new Shellfish Aquaculture Licenses with exception to applications that are currently underway. - Lisa Bohnenberger, Mark Burtis, Scott Matoian, and Thomas Smith. Background The moratorium is requested to remain in place until the Shellfish Aquaculture Rules and Regulations are updated and approved by the Board of Selectman. The Aquaculture License Application Procedures are also in need of amendment to coincide with current state requirements. During the moratorium the Shellfish Commission will produce an updated Aquaculture License Area Availability Map for prospective applications to compliment the Town's Comprehensive watershed Nitrogen Management Plan. These areas will be surveyed and deemed areas of least conflict to residents and the natural resources alike. Recommendation The Shellfish Commission voted at their meeting on May 22, 2019 to put in place a moratorium until such date that the Board of Selectman have approved the updated Aquaculture License Area Availability Map,the updated Shellfish Aquaculture License Regulations and Application Procedures. Pros and Cons The proposed moratorium would give the Shellfish Commission time to revise these current documentations for Shellfish Aquaculture including regulations for current aquaculture license holders and new applicants. These revisions will be in the best interest to the Mashpee Residents to ensure the longevity of our natural resources and aesthetics of our beautiful bays. The moratorium, while in place, would prevent any new prospective aquaculture applicants from applying for a shellfish aquaculture license for the purposes of shellfish farming within the town of Mashpee.