2017-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The biggest change in water quality was in Report of the Santuit Pond where an algae bloom occurred after Department of extremely heavy rain (7) on July 7. The water had Natural Resources been clear for several years after installation of the SolarBee water circulators to limit phosphorous from the pond bottom (the largest source causing algae To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the blooms). Phosphorous in storm water runoff from the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: watershed caused the bloom (the SolarBees were not designed to control phosphorous in runoff). The bloom Acting DNR Director Richard York was died off in December and settled to the bottom. A appointed permanent Director, and Brian Everett was return to clearer water is predicted for 2018 because the hired as Shellfish Constable in 2017. To facilitate SolarBees should limit the phosphorous coming from implementation of the Comprehensive Watershed the decomposed algae on the bottom. There were no Nitrogen Management Plan (CWNMP), Assistant fish kills in the ponds or estuaries. There were no Conservation Agent Katelyn Cadoret was assigned to harmful algae blooms in the estuaries(no repeat of the work part-time on shellfish propagation with the DNR. Pseudo-nitzschia shellfishing closure in 2016). Planning Department Administrative Assistant Maria Silva was assigned to work also with the DNR, Harbormaster Alec Turner reports that the 2017 assisting Cynthia Bartos,Administrative Assistant for boating season was a busy one. The weather was the Conservation and Natural Resources Departments. excellent for the majority of the summer, and boaters took full advantage of this. Mashpee offers a great Implementation of the shellfish component of the variety of areas for boaters who are looking to spend CWNMP to restore water quality in the estuaries the day at the beach, cast for their favorite gamefish, progressed under propagation team leader Ashley or just go for a relaxing cruise. Johns Pond and Fisher with the planting of 8 million quahog seed. Very Mashpee-Wakeby Lake were the busiest patrol areas. small (2 mm) quahog seed from the ARC hatchery There were many complaints about reckless operation grew larger(up to 1")in our upwellers and trays before of personal watercraft on both ponds. Our office dealt planting in the fall. This is the highest number of with these complaints accordingly through safety quahog seed ever planted in a single year in Mashpee inspections and citations. Watercraft not in compliance (or other towns). A total of 2,133 bags of oyster seed with Massachusetts State boating laws were removed set on shell from the hatchery were transferred to the from the pond and not allowed to return until the vessel Mashpee River and grew well (133 bags were funded was in full compliance with all safety and registration by Barnstable County). Another 2,000 bags of oyster requirements. Although the Harbormaster Division seed set on shell at the hatchery were transferred to adhered to a stringent patrol schedule on the ponds, a Shoestring Bay and grew well. It was the second and serious accident did occur on Johns Pond between two final year of the EPA Healthy Communities grant to personal watercraft. One of the victims,who sustained restore oyster beds in Shoestring Bay awarded to the serious injuries,had to be taken via Med-Flight to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's Natural Resources closest trauma center. Thankfully,both of the parties Department. involved in the accident made a full recovery. Making sure your vessel has all necessary safety equipment and More shellfish permits were issued (1,246) than planning ahead is extremely important. Being aware any previous year. Quahogs continued to be the most of the weather forecast as well as your vessel's abundant shellfish with increased numbers from seed capabilities is something that should always be grown in the propagation program. Families were considered before each day of boating. If all the proper pleased with the harvest of oysters from the steps are taken and adequate planning is followed,the propagation program. Scallop season was a chances of being in a boating related accident or fatality disappointment with hardly any to be found due to the are statistically much lower. There were 583 mooring unavailability of seed from the hatcheries the last permits issued in 2017. couple of years. Next year should be better because the Town of Falmouth was able to plant scallop seed in Waquoit bay in 2017. 127