03/23/2020 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Agenda Packet

Home Browse Search

TO)AN OF MASIVEE DEP../�R.MMNT OF NATURAL RESOURCES rQ Mash pee Town Hall .' 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee,Massachusetts 02649 Telephone—(508) 539--1409 MEMORANDUM Date: 3--19-20 To: Rodney C. Collins, Town Manager Board of Selectmen FROM: Richard York,DNR Director RE: Ockway Town Dock Shellfish Upweller Town Meeting Article Description. The Town Meeting Article for shellfish upwellers at the Ockway Bay Town Dock includes the addition of 2 shellfish upweller dock floats, 1 piling, and the installation of electrical power and water service to a pedestal attached to one of the floats. The purpose is to grow quahog seed for continued implementation of the shellfish component of the Comprehensive Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan(C)ANMP) for restoration of water quality and for shellfish to be harvested for food in the Ockway and Popponesset Bay areas. The floats would be the same design as the existing upweller floats at the Little River Town dock with flush decked hatches for the upwellers so that they function and look like regular dock floats with no restrictions to foot traffic. The public could.fie, allowed on the floats, or a gate could installed to restrict public use to the existing floats. one of the 9' x 20' floats would be added to the end of and in line with the existing float that is farthest from shore with the new piling on the end of the new float. The other float would be.attached to the on north side of the first new float along the 20' length so that it does not interfere with use of the ramp. The electrical power and water fittings on the pedistal can be locked to prevent unauthorized use. The system would only be operated during the summer and early fall. The power could be used in the winter to operate de-icers such energy efficient bubblers to prevent ice from damaging or pulling up the pilings which has been a problem in the past at this site. d This Back around; project is needed to grow quahog seed for continued implementation of the shellfish: � � component of the CWNMP. The plan calls for quahog seeding in Ockway Bay and Popponesset Creek. The upwellers are needed to grow seed to a large size for planting in-the fall. Larger seed has higher survival. Quahog seeding in the Great River, Little River and Hamblin Pond areas in recent years has improved water quality with reduction of total nitrogen measured during water quality monitoring documented in the SMAST reports. Recommendation; Amend the May Town Meeting article for the addition of shellfish upwellers at the Ockway Bay Town Bock to increase the request to $62,300 as detailed in the attached revised article. Pros: water quality improvement and increased shellfish resources to be harvested for food. Potential for more dock space for boats at the Ockway Bay Town Landing. Increased DNR presence at the landing. Cons: Expenditure of$62,300.