8/11/2020 WATERWAYS COMMISSION Minutes

Home Browse Search

state boat launches.In both areas loitering occurred in and around the launch zones,and pedestrian traffic became a safety issue.In response signage was ordered and awaits installation by the Department of Public Works,and Massachusetts CMR 320 public access regulations were strictly enforced by the Recreation Departments and the Department of Natural Resources -Jet Ski and Personal Watercraft use continues to be a problem on every waterbody in Mashpee. Operators are seen regularly jumping wakes,speeding through no wake zones, operating unregistered vessels, entering swim areas,and operating after 7 pm on both John's Pond and Mashpee Wakeby.A resident living on Ashumet pond reported a Jet Ski traveling at a high rate of speed towing a banana tube, which goes directly against both state regulations and Mashpee Bylaw. An article proposal was submitted to the Board of Selectman's office for the October town meeting to ban the use of personal watercrafts on Ashumet Pond. The Falmouth side of Ashumet Pond already has this bylaw in place. - The Shellfish Division has been working tirelessly to grow 11 million quahog seed at the Little River complex during the month of July. Due to the high heat this has been extremely difficult, and the crew has proven themselves to be dedicated towards our goal for clean water per:the Town's Comprehensive Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan. Quahog predator netting continues to be maintained and repaired in Great River, Hamblin Pond,and Jehu Pond.Single oysters were sent in for disease testing to Roger Williams University RI, once clean test results are received the oysters will be transported to the Mashpee River where they will be placed into oyster condos for the remainder of their grow-out period to harvest. Second year oysters are just undersized and will be ready for the November 1st oyster season at the Mashpee Neck Landing Family Area. - The upper reaches of Hamblin pond,just below the current prohibited area, failed fecal coliform testing due to the Redbrook Road dam failure. The Division of Marine Fisheries closed/extended the area further south of the current prohibited area to the harvest of shellfish. This area will remain closed until the dam is fixed or the influx of fecal coliform is reduced by flushing. None of the shellfish Aquaculture leases within Hamblin pond were affected by this closure. - Mashpee TV assisted the shellfish division with the creation of an informational/educational video to be released to the public and available on the town website. This video describes Mashpee's Shellfish Regulations as well as shellfish town and state designated areas. The final product will be released in mid-August.All seasonal and full-time Waterways Assistants participated in its creation and are excited to see what is released. - The town's YSI monitoring unit data will be assessed for phycocyanin levels to determine when the cyanobacteria bloom occurred this year. - DNR staff participated in the first two water quality sampling events of the season with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on July 8th and July 23rd. The original dissolved oxygen meters purchased by the waterways commission in the 90s have all failed and 3 new units have been ordered by the department. These three new units will be used for both the Mashpee nutrient sampling with Umass Dartmouth and for the Ponds and Lakes Stewardships annual sampling event of Santuit,Ashumet, Mashpee Wakeby,and John's Pond in mid-August. These meters will also be used to assess optimal locations to plant and lay quahog predator netting in the future. -Full-time Waterways Assistant Rachel Fordham resigned from her position to pursue a career in education. Seasonal Waterways Assistant Zoe Krouner also resigned at the end of July due to a housing issue. Shellfish Constable interviews were held and the interview panel along with the Director of Natural Resources highly recommended 1 candidate for hire. On July 30th,a conditional offer was extended to that applicant. The resignations and vacant positons have left the department extremely short staffed during its busiest time of year, but current staff have been able to step up and complete all the required tasks. A true testament of the departments perseverance and strength. - Deputized Waterways Assistants Fordham and Steinmetz patrolled Waquoit and Popponesset Bays during Shellfish Constable hiring process. Director Fisher completed vibrio compliance checks. The Hamblin Pond closure area was extended to the south due to the Redbrook Rd dam failure and subsequent elevated fecal coliform counts. - Enforcement: Violations/Citations:(1)One violation was issued during the month of July by Director Fisher for possession of shellfish seed. Written Warnings:(0)No written warnings were issued during the month of July. Verbal Warnings:(1)One verbal warning was issued during the month of July to an aquaculture grant holder for failure to inform Director Fisher about a landing. Vibrio Compliance:(7)Seven vibrio compliance checks were completed during the month of July. - Propagation:Single seed and remote set oysters were received from the Aquaculture Research Corporation on July 1st.Waterways Assistant Fordham,Seasonal Waterways Assistants,and Harbormasters set remote set bags within trays in the Mashpee River in the"Original Area"and"Southern Area."Growth of remote set oysters was monitored and it was determined that they would likely be due to be cut from the bags in early August.Single seed oysters received July 1 st were brought to Little River and placed into four silos in land tank 1 by Waterways Assistant Steinmetz to grow until they are of an appropriate size to place in condo bags in the Mashpee River.The single