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S <br /> Mr. York described the nitrogen from septic systems being cleaned out by the sandy ground <br /> water, leaving clean nitrogen that then fertilizes the bays,'encouraging algae and seaweed <br /> growth. Shellfish filter the algae, and incorporating the nitrogen into themselves. Mr. York <br /> stated that, at harvest size, an oyster could contain 1/2 gram of nitrogen and has filtered at least <br /> twice as much algae as the oyster's weight at h rvesting. Mr. York confirmed that the Mashpee <br /> River project demonstrated that risk had been inirnied and value had been generated by the <br /> Mr.Tribe's sale of oysters at .5 each. r. York added that 2 million oysters contained 1 ton of <br /> nitrogen and was worth $1 million. The cost to treat 1 ton of nitrogen would cost millions of <br /> dollars. There was question regarding the removal of shellfish and it was clarified that the farms <br /> were operating on their own because the Town distributes grants and shellfish licenses. The <br /> Ton-operated shellfish fans were funded by the sale of shellfish permit fees and the County. <br /> Mr. York stated that the ultimate goal was for the shellfish population to increase in such great <br /> numbers that they would spavin and become self-sustaining. Mr. York stated that there was <br /> some success last year in Popponesset Bay. <br /> Mr. York recounted that Mashpee's oyster fishery was lust in the 1980s due to oyster diseases. <br /> The Town project was initiated to restore the oyster fishery and with the help of the MEP <br /> reports, was able to place in context of the mitigation ofeutrophication and reduction in nitrogen <br /> loading. The love salinity in A4 shpee River prevents oyster diseases and most predators and <br /> fowl, making it the lowest risk location to grog oysters. The greatest harvest occurred in 2008 <br /> with 520,000 oysters, with 260 kg of nitrogen, representing %of the 5,900 kg of nitrogen <br /> reduction needed to meet the TA4DL for Mashpee River. Additionally, there have been no fish <br /> kills since the establishment of the oyster beds in the xiver. Mr. York also stated that the oyster <br /> waste was being converter to nitrogen gas by bacteria becoog non-reactive. The Tribe' <br /> commercial farm was located at the mouth of the Mashpee.River, covering both areas of a <br /> fishery and farming. Mr. York explained that fishery was hunting and gathering whereas <br /> farming was for commercial purposes. The Chair clarified that individuals could fish for the <br /> shellfish whereas they could not take there from the Tribe's farm. Mr. York noted that the goal <br /> of the fishery would be that they be managed in order to become,self-sustaining. If the oysters <br /> were not harvested, there would be no economic benefit from fishery jabs or shellfish sales, with <br /> money being routed locally. Mr. York added that it was also part of the Town's economic plan. <br /> Chuck Green noted that the Tribe had also considered creating a reed along with collecting and <br /> harvesting, but removal of the oysters and replanting seed had resulted in spawning throughout <br /> the bay, adding that the nitrogen was also being reproved with the oysters. Mr. Lyons inquired <br /> about bacteria in the Mashpee River and Mr. York responded that the bacteria was caused by <br /> road run-off and wildlife, and much had already been cleaned up. Road run-off control projects <br /> have been in process in Mashpee. Regarding seeding,Mr. Howes stated that most shellfish <br /> projects.in Buzzards Bay involved seeding and were necessary to re-establish the population, as <br /> in Weli#leet. Mr. Howes also described Falmouth's plans and their use of funds to pursue <br /> aquaculture and identify the amount of credit that would be received from DEP/EPA. Mr. <br /> Howes also noted water quality issues occurring in the sumer as compared to the cold <br /> temperatures of the Winter. Mr. York summarized that the Town fishery was intended to Offer <br /> family, non-commercial fishing and that the Tribe would expand their production in their, more <br /> costly, commercial operation. <br /> Chairman Fudala inquired whether there was a figure available to test the model and incorporate <br /> the information into Mashpee's CWW and Mr. York stated that solid numbers were available <br />