10/5/2020 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

Home Browse Search

there is an issue. She very politely stated that as a result of the 1989 report, Falmouth has outlawed jet skis years ago on the pond but cannot enforce it. Is the suggestion that we just accept anything Falmouth does without assessing it for Mashpee? So I conducted my assessment. Water Quality- I reviewed the 1989 report she sent,attached. Imagine my surprise when I found that the report DID NOT say that jet skis effect water quality. Regarding in-lake water use,the report said: 6.4 JR=L&U WATER U= ZONING , The bathmetry (depth profile) of Ashumet Pond naturally dividers the lake into water use zones. In regions greater than 15-foot (5 m) depth, power boats with greater than 5 hp motors would be allowed for water skiing. Shallower than 15-foot (5 m) depths are desirable for small fishing craft (5 hp or less) , sail boats or canoes. See Figure 16. The use of heavier motors in shallow areas results in stirring of bottom sediments which can adversely affect fish propagation. Along shoreline regions, designated public swimming beaches are located in Fisherman's Cove and the northern end (assuming acquisition of parcel A) . These areas are bounded by designated public fishing shorelines, usually containing cobblestone shores and scattered vegetation. The southern basin is recommended off-limits to waterskiing because of treacherous shoreline and shallows. The island region should be posted to warn boats of the shallow depths. Numerous incidents of motor and boat damage have been reported near the shores, particularly when high water barely covers the island. Within water use zoning, it is also recommended that jet skis be prohibited from the lake use. Numerous incidents of running through bathing areas have occurred during the study. The jet skis create an obnoxious noise like a, motorcycle which is decidedly louder than most submerged heavy outboard motors. Their operation is usually in conflict with small boat fishing and nearshore swimming. Although they could be consigned to the water skiing . regions, the higher waves often result in the handler's loss of control., creating a navigational danger to other power boats from the circling ski. The same report also included a table that did NOT mark jet skis as a water quality issue, see below. Take note of the key to the table that says "Definitely applicable"to noise and "May be applicable"to wildlife and traffic. There are NO marks at all in the Water Use Limitations row related to quality, erosion, or wetlands. I would say this alone makes the DNR Article submission an inappropriate and misinformed Article. 2