Approved Conservation Commission Mtg Mins

Approved

Wellfleet Conservation Commission

Joint meeting with Truro Conservation Commission

Herring River Restoration Hearing

Thursday April 14, 2022; 5pm

Virtual Meeting ~ Zoom

Meeting Minutes

Wellfleet Conservation Commission Members Present: Leon Shreves, Chair; John Cumbler (who gave an statement of apparent conflict of interest in phases of the project after Phase 1 which is currently under consideration, so this will not affect his ability to participate as a member of the Commission in the current hearing; this has been approved by the Commonwealth Ethics Commission and the Wellfleet Selectboard); Barbara Brennessel (recused from this meeting as a voting member due to a conflict of interest); Michael Fisher (who gave a statement of apparent conflict of interest and also stated that this would not affect his ability to participate as a member of the Commission; this has been approved by the Commonwealth Ethics Commission and the Wellfleet Selectboard); Benjamin Fairbank (who gave a statement of apparent conflict of interest and also stated that this would not affect his ability to participate as a member of the Commission; this has been approved by the Wellfleet Selectboard); Martin Murphy

Truro Conservation Commission Members Present: Carol Grand-Irwin, Chair; Larry Loun, Diane Messenger, Mark Adams.

Others Present: Hillary Greenberg-Lemos, Wellfleet Health and Conservation Agent; Emily Bebee, Truro Health and Conservation Agent; Jessica Wall, Attorney of Anderson and Kreiger; Janet Reinhart, Wellfleet Selectboard; Brian Carlstrom, Cape Cod National Seashore; Carole Ridley, Project Coordinator of the Herring River Project; Kenneth Safir, Resident; Mr. Mumford, Resident; Barry McLaughlin, Chequessett Neck Yacht Club Manager; Thomas Bow, Resident; Martha Craig, Friends of Herring River; Joe Burke, property owner Pole Dike Road; Katherine Myers, Resident; Sarah Fleming, Ducks Unlimited; Gordon Peabody, Resident

Chair Shreves and Chair Grand-Irwin both called the meeting to order at 7:01pm

Town of Wellfleet and Cape Cod National Seashore:

575 Old Chequessett Neck Rd, Map 19 Parcel 6; 1000 Old County Rd., Map 2, Parcel 3; 360 Cole’s Neck Rd, Map 7, Parcel 27; 370 Coles Neck Rd, Map 7, Parcel 28; 0 Cole’s Neck Rd, Map 7, Parcel 48; 0 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 7, Parcel 49; 0 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 7, Parcel 50; 0 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 7, Parcel 51; 0 Cole’s Neck Rd, Map 7, Parcel 51-1; 0 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 7, Parcel 52; 0 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 7, Parcel 53; 0 Pole Dike Rd, Map 7, Parcel 54; 339 Cole’s Neck Rd, Map 7, Parcel 56-1; 0 Cole’s Neck Rd, Map 7, Parcel 62; 0 Cole’s Neck Rd, Parcel 7, Parcel 63; 0 Pole Dike Rd, Map 7, Parcel 65; 1136 Brown’s Neck Rd, Map 7, Parcel 69; 0 Pole Dike Rd, Map 7, Parcel 76; 1200 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 7, Parcel 602; 730 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 6, Parcel 4; 695 Bound Brook Island Rd, Map 6, Parcel 6; 145 Pole Dike Rd., Map 12, Parcel 224; 25 Way #672, Map 12, Parcel 235; 27 Way #672, Parcel 12, Parcel 235-1; 680 Chequessett Neck Rd., Map 19, Parcel 81-0; 133 Old County Rd, Map 59, Parcel 66 (Truro); 125 A Old County Rd, Map 59, Parcel 108 (Truro).  Various federally owned parcels within the Cape Cod National Seashore are shown on plans.

Ms. Lemos stated that everyone in the Zoom meeting would be muted since there were many people participating; people should please use the “raise hand” button for any questions or concerns.

Ms. Wall spoke to the group about the permits needed and explained to the Commissions that this is the last major permit that the Herring River Restoration Project needs to move this project forward. She spoke about the project as an Ecological Restoration Limited Project (ERLP) which is designed to restore an estuary that has been impacted by manmade influences over the past one hundred years. She gave more details about the project and the magnitude of the project’s benefits.

Ms. Wall introduced Ms. Reinhart, who has been involved in this project for many years. Ms. Reinhart spoke to the Commissions and stated that this project is a major improvement for the surrounding waters. She gave some background on the Herring River and the negative impacts on it over the years.  She then stated the benefits from restoring this area, giving some examples of improvement concerning wildlife, sea level rise, and shellfishing. She continued by listing the many agencies that are supportive of this project, thanking in particular the National Seashore, the Truro Conservation Commission, The Friends of Herring River, and the Wellfleet Conservation Commission.

Mr. Carlstrom spoke to the Commissions next.  He thanked everyone involved. He spoke about the major benefits of this project, especially improving the river’s water quality. He described the positive impacts of this project from the Seashore’s perspective. He stated that this is the largest current estuary restoration project in the Northeast.

Ms. Ridley shared her screen with the Commissions. She explained the Notice of Intent and how this will work. She spoke about the extensive commitment from the Towns of Wellfleet and Truro, the National Seashore, the Friends of Herring River, the Division of Ecological Restoration, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, and NOAA. She explained that because of these groups, this project is able to move forward. She continued by explaining that the project seeks to address decades of severe degradation caused by tidal restrictions. She explained the phases of the project.  In particular, she discussed Phase 1, which will restore over 500 acres of salt marsh. She stated that there will be a full restoration of the saltmarsh that had been lost due to tidal restriction. She explained the plans to restore the marsh by controlling the tidal flow by movable tide gates. She gave some examples of the wildlife that needs saltmarsh to survive. She explained that a portion of the Chequessett Neck Dike will be removed and the benefit to the towns. She spoke about the implementation guidance from the government. Ms. Ridley’s slides presented the project’s adaptive management process, year by year. She finished her presentation by discussing the licenses and permits the Towns need to consider and approve. She explained the specific procedures that the Commissions need to follow. She stated that the last permitting bodies in the process are the Truro and Wellfleet Conservation Commissions. Ridley continued explaining the ERLP provisions, the significant benefits to protected interests of WPA, including restoring the wetland habitats and reopening shellfish beds for farming and recreational shellfishing. Her final slide was a summary of the 5 steps that are needed to get this achieved.

The meeting moved on to questions and answers.

Ms. Lemos read the names of the people who had submitted letters to the Truro and Wellfleet Conservation Commissions and stated that these letters would be available to the public if they request a copy. There were over 30 letters in support of this project, including the state elected officials and department heads.  Among these, Ms. Lemos read the letters from State Representative Sarah Peake and State Senator Julian Cyr, both in support of the project.

Mr. Mumford stated that he represents the Board of the Friends of the National Seashore, stating he wanted to reiterate the Board’s support for this project.

Mr. Safir questioned the effects of the project on the over wash at Duck Harbor. Ms. Ridley stated that there will be better draining of saltwater over wash from that area.

Mr. McLaughlin thanked everyone for their efforts in advancing this project. He stated the CYCC will continue to be a supportive partner throughout this project.

Mr. Bow commended Ms. Ridley on her slideshow presentation. He stated that he lives in Truro and asked about the start time for Phase 1. Ms. Ridley sated they are hoping to begin construction with the Chequessett Neck Bridge at the end of 2022 and the next year will begin the golf course reconstruction, hoping to start in 2023, and then the fill of low-lying areas to begin in 2024. She stated this all depends on funding and permits.

Ms. Craig read a letter submitted by an affected small property owner stating her support for the project.

Mr. Burke spoke about the slide show bullets that referred to the quality of ground water. He asked what happens if, after Phase 1 is over, there is salt water in the aquafer with negative effects on private wells. Ms. Ridley explained that there have been extensive studies done and from those findings that is highly unlikely to happen. She stated the project has sent letters to those who might be affected, and if landowners have not received a letter, the chances are very low of their land being impacted.

Ms. Myers asked if the project could be started if all the funding had not yet been received or granted for the project. Ms. Ridley stated that yes, the project could begin.

Ms. Fleming stated that she is supportive of the project as it aligns with her company’s mission.

Mr. Carlstrom gave some details on how this project is benefitting the Seashore.

Mr. Peabody spoke in support of the project but reiterated that the project does need to go slow and is monitored closely in case something does go wrong.

Chair Shreves Moved; Fisher Seconded; and it was voted for the Wellfleet Conservation Commission to continue the hearing until May 4, 2022, at 5pm. Roll call Vote: 5-0-1

Chair Grand-Irwin Moved; Commission Member White Seconded; and it was voted to continue the hearing for Truro Conservation Commission to May 2, 2022, 5pm; Roll Call Vote: 5-0

Chair Shreves Moved; Board Member Fisher Seconded; and it was voted to adjourn for the Wellfleet Conservation Commission; Roll Call Vote: 5-0-1

Chair Grand-Irwin Moved; Commission Member White Seconded; and it was voted to adjourn for Truro Conservation Commission to May 2, 2022, 5pm; Roll Call Vote: 5-0

Meeting Adjourned at 6:50 pm