02/12/2024 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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91 Mashpee Select Board Minutes February 12, 2024 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Discussion and Al�roval ofNon-Renewal of Aruaculture Grant #014; Michael Ronhock: Sc.. Department of Natural Resources: Ashley Fisher, Director of Natural Resources was in attendance to recommend the Board accept the non -renewal of Michael Ronhock's Aquaculture Grant #014. Ms. Fisher indicated that production levels have not met the minimum requirements for the past several years. Communication was received from Mr. Ronhock dated November 6, 2023 relinquishing his grant in Great River for 2024. All cages, bags, anchors, and marker floats have been removed from site. The aquaculture grant will be offered to the next applicant on the currently permitted site. Motion made by Selectman Weeden to accept the non -renewal notice for Aquaculture Grant #014 held by; Michael Ronhock as presented. Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. VOTE: 5-0. Unanimous. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Cotton, yes Selectman O'Hara, yes Selectman Sherman, yes Selectman Weeden, yes Selectman Wyman -Colombo, yes Opposed, none Mash ee„Water ; uali�':1f MonitoringmPrggrargUpdate: Ed Eichner, TMDL Solutions, School of olog Marine Science and TechnrSMASTUruversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth Ed Eichner from the School of Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) updated the Select Board on the results of the Mashpee Water Quality Monitoring Program, and nutrient related health of the estuaries during the summer of 2022. As noted, increased nitrogen loading is the major threat to estuaries on the Cape and on a world-wide basis. Nitrogen enrichment causes significant impairments. To restore degraded estuaries, nitrogen management is recommended through increased tidal exchange, control of watershed resources and increased nitrogen removal in transport. Water quality studies in this review involve the Waquoit Bay and Popponesset Bay estuaries. Assessments from monitoring and sampling over the past decade show elevated nitrogen levels and impaired nutrient related water quality throughout both systems. Documentation reports continuous bottom dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll concentrations as well as a historic eelgrass loss and severe degradation of infauna communities. Eelgrass is a successful key in restoring TMDL threshold levels. Conditions have worsened over time. Recommendations imposed by the Mass DEP include; reducing watershed nitrogen loads to threshold levels, to demonstrate the success of alternatives, and to provide a detailed monitoring plan.