11/13/2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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3 Board of Selectmen Minutes November 13, 2017 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Request for Letter of Support - Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan Amendment, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance: A proposed letter to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director of the New England Fishery Management Council dated November 13, 2017 was presented to the Board of Selectmen for approval. The letter would allow the Town of Mashpee the opportunity to comment on Amendment S relative to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. Herring are noted to be a base of a healthy ecosystem and necessary for profitable fisheries. It is important that management measures recognize the value of herring as forage fish. Work done to develop a buffer zone in nearshore regions around Cape Cod represents an important step in the regional transition to an ecosystem based fisheries management approach. The Council is urged to obtain public input, and establish a buffer zone around Cape Cod. Motion made by Selectman Gottlieb to send the letter of support for the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan Amendment as proposed by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE: Unanimous. 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb,yes Opposed, none Water Quality Presentation, Brian Howes, University of Massachusetts: Dr. Brian Howes,UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology gave an overview of the summer of 2016 results relative to the Water Quality Monitoring Program for the Popponesset Bay and Waquoit Bay Estuaries. In attendance was Donald McDonald of the Mashpee Waterways Commission. Dr. Howes indicated the Mashpee Water Quality Monitoring Program has been an ongoing collaboration with the Town of Mashpee, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Coastal Systems Program within the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology. The monitoring program is comprehensive, and it is an important part in determining the level of success through consistent collection of testing data obtained from over 30 site locations. The goal of the project is to sustain a continuing assessment of the nutrient related water quality of the Waquoit Bay and Popponesset Bay estuaries to regulatory standards (TMDL's), and to monitor improvements in water quality resulting from restoration efforts. Restoration efforts include oyster propagation, dredging, nitrogen removals from freshwater systems and wastewater treatment, etc. These goals would maintain the natural state of Mashpce's beaches, safe for swimming and boating at all times.