08/28/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 Update: • Herring Warden Mr. McManus provided an update on the Healing Warden operations. He reported that all three heavy nuns are running on minimal flow, and additional removal of boards is not feasible without impacting local water levels. He noted that mid-to-late summer low flows are typical, but recent droughts have been increasing in severity and duration over the past several years. To maintain flow, marine fisheries staff and Dan assisted in clearing the channel leading to the Mill Pond fish ladder, which is crucial for juvenile heiring migration. If flow cannot be maintained due to low water tables, herring may be forced to overwinter in the ponds until sufficient precipitation restores flow. Flow is critical as it attracts both juvenile and adult heiring to the fish ladder, facilitating both in-migration and out-migration during spring. Mr. McManus emphasized the urgent need for rain to sustain these flows. Update: • Harbor Management Committee Mr. McManus provided an update on the Harbor Management Committee. He reported that public comments on the final draft of the Harbor Management Plan have been finalized and the public comment period has ended. The next stage is to submit the draft to the state for review under Chapter 91 to incorporate their input. Ultimately, the plan will be presented to the town in its final form. No specific timeline has been established, but the process is approaching the stage for promulgating the final version of the Harbor Management Plan. Update: • Mashpee River Restoration Mr. McManus provided an update on the Mashpee River Restoration. The project is still in the conceptual design phase with consensus from the town. The tribe appears to be in favor of dam removal, which is the planned approach. The restoration will focus on recreating a naturalized stream channel to the greatest extent feasible. Certain sections, such as where the river passes under Route 130, will require modifications and may retain some structural elements, but other areas of the channel will be fully restored to a naturalized condition. Update: • Santuit Pond Fish Ladder—NRCS Mr. McManus stated that a fishway is planned next to the Santuit Pond fish ladder to improve fish passage. Final plans are still in development. Update: • Guided Nature Tours —June Schedule Not Discussed Update: • Tribal Co-Management Focus Group Not Discussed