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2019 Permitting <br />The Conservation Department and Conservation <br />Commission processed a total of 231 permits in 2019. <br />The breakdown is as follows: <br />Orders of Conditions: <br />49 <br />Amended Orders: <br />11 <br />Requests for Determination <br />49 <br />Certificates of Compliance <br />111 <br />Extension Order Requests <br />6 <br />Emergency Certifications <br />1 <br />Enforcement Orders <br />4 <br />Total permits processed: <br />231 <br />Permitted projects typically involve demolition <br />and reconstruction of existing homes, additions, <br />landscaping, hardscaping, vista pruning, docks/piers, <br />sea wall construction and/or repairs and hazardous tree <br />removals. <br />The 2019 Conservation Commission: <br />The Mashpee Conservation Commission lost one <br />full time member in 2019 (Stephanie Simpson), <br />bringing the total number of full time commissioners <br />to five. We have two alternate commissioners. The <br />commission is seeking 2 additional full time members <br />and two alternate members. Contact the Conservation <br />Department if you are interested in volunteering to join <br />the commission. <br />Americorps Cape Cod: <br />Americorps Cape Cod provided much needed <br />volunteer labor for the Conservation Department in <br />2019. Projects included removal of downed trees <br />throughout many conservation parcel trail systems, <br />herring run maintenance, pollinator garden upkeep, <br />trail maintenance and environmental outreach and <br />education. Americorps Cape Cod continues to provide <br />invaluable assistance to the Mashpee Conservation and <br />Natural Resources Departments. <br />Conservation Projects: <br />There were several projects that took place in <br />2019, including new signage created for the Mashpee <br />River Woodlands South parking lot. We've improved <br />information on several conservation land kiosks, <br />including signage informing the public of hunting <br />season. A grant from the Natural Resources <br />Conservation Service (NRCS) paid for a hydrologic <br />and hydraulic study of the Johns Pond Spillway to <br />determine if the spillway is of adequate size. The study <br />will be reviewed by the Conservation Department and <br />NRCS to determine any actions that may be necessary <br />to upgrade or improve conditions at the Johns Pond fish <br />ladder, including erosion control. <br />Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge Trail Maps <br />and History Book: <br />One of the most highly anticipated projects of <br />2019 is the finalization of the new trail maps for the <br />refuge. An established committee worked tirelessly to <br />collect the necessary data to formulate a new refuge <br />trail map that is beautiful in design and layout, <br />including QR codes that link to informational videos <br />highlighting various areas of the refuge. This project <br />along with a history book of the Mashpee National <br />Wildlife Partnership Refuge are two projects that have <br />been a long time in the making and we are very proud <br />to see come to fruition. <br />Upper Quashnet Restoration: <br />The upper Quashnet river restoration project <br />officially got underway in 2019. The conservation <br />commission entered into a phased contract with <br />Horsley Witten Group to manage and oversee initial <br />phases of this important restoration project. The <br />primary goals of this project are to improve <br />anadromous fish passage and cold water fishery habitat <br />as well as wetland restoration and public access in the <br />upper Quashnet bog complex. The first two phases of <br />this project involve data collection and analysis of <br />existing data and conceptual design at 50% level. Once <br />these phases are complete, the next phases will be <br />implemented. <br />Sampsons Mill Rd culvert replacement: <br />A major upgrade was made to an undersized road <br />culvert on the Santuit River. The new box culvert <br />replaced an old culvert pipe, dramatically improving <br />flow and fish passage in this area of the lower Santuit <br />River. Stormwater collection improvements were also <br />made on both sides of the road. <br />Public Outreach & Education: <br />Assistant Conservation Agent, Katelyn Cadoret, <br />has taken over the public outreach and education duties <br />of the Conservation Department. Katelyn has <br />organized, scheduled and given several educational <br />presentations over the last year to a variety of local <br />groups, associations and organizations. Topics include <br />the importance of planting native pollinator species, the <br />volunteer herring count program and on the Mashpee <br />124 <br />