Harwich Shellfish & Marine Water Quality Committee

Members present: Frank Sampson, Mike Cienava, Tom Leach, Heinz Proft

Members absent: Mike Dempsey, Bob Dowling, Charlie Beggs

Meeting called to order by acting chairman Tom Leach - 3:15pm

• Frank Sampson presented a Town-Wide Water Quality Management Task Force CHARGE for discussion. The Committee agreed it was a valid topic, that progress can be made, and outlined the possibility of merging/reclassification of the SMWQ committee and possibly a new commission/committee. One possible direction would be a new WATER QUALITY AND SHELLFISH COMMISSION with a membership of approximately 10 people (or more) with a Shellfish subcommittee. This commission would take on the topics of the related committees: shellfish issues; pond & groundwater issues; and most importantly determining how the Town must go about laying plans for an appropriate sewer system(s). It was the consensus of those present that the merger of the two or more committees makes sense and would be beneficial to having 4-5 committee dealing with localized water issues.
• Heinz Proft discussed the Summary of Water Quality Data 2000 that had been handed out to each member. All 2000 samples are now accounted for (from Banrstable Health Lab) and is available on the Harbor web page www.capecod.net/harbormaster.
• Heinz Proft and Frank Sampson mentioned a Water Quality Monitoring Grant that they will hopefully submit. The primary goal of the grant is to obtain funds to acquire water sampling equipment and kits for a possible citizen’s volunteer group.
• Tom Leach and Heinz Proft gave a summary of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries open/closure dates for Harwich shellfishing areas. It was discussed how these dates have affected opportunities for shellfishing in Harwich.
• Frank Samspon gave a review of the Flax’s Pond aeration/windmill project and his projection on how that program may undergo changes.
• Tom Leach presented a letter to the committee in regards to a possible bulkhead repair off of Chase Rd. - Herring River. It was agreed that the party submitting the letter should be allowed to continue and submit a formal request and plan for such a project.

*Meeting adjourned 5:15pm

Members present: Heinz Proft, Bob Dowling, Charlie Beggs, Tom Leach

Members absent: Mike Dempsey, Mike Cienava, Frank Sampson

Others present: Walton Mcaughern, Mr. and Mrs. Flak

Meeting called to order by acting chairman Tom Leach - 1515

• Minutes from the April 27^th meeting were handed out.

• Peter and Leah Flak brought attention to the bird problem at Muddy Creek. A three page summation of their situation was submitted to our committee. This cormorant problem was determined to be a significant issue and should be pursued.

• Tom Leach informed the committee that a Coastal Zone Management grant was awarded in the amount of $15,000 in order to utilize a storm drain. Tom also mentioned the placement of 4 test wells in Round Cove.

• Heinz Proft gave a summation of the 2000 water sampling program. He mentioned that he has received results from the Barnstable County Health Lab for sampling dates 6/22, 7/6, 7/22, and is still waiting for the 8/17 and 9/14 sample results.

• Tom Leach displayed a schematic for a dock/pier possibility from LISA PEDCINI. I t was clear that much more information is needed before something like this could come to fruition in Wychmere Harbor. The committee also expressed a concern that the area in question is part of a family shellfishery.

• Tom Leach and the committee discussed the unusual but NOT harmful algae bloom that took place this summer in Allen , Wychmere, and Saquatucket Harbors.

• A possible test plot for oyster settlement was discussed by the group. The area underneath the old clam bar in Wychmere Harbor could be power washed clean and tested vs. a control area to determine whether Oysters would significantly prefer such a substrate to settle on. The possibility of bagged shells was also mentioned.

• Bob Dowling mentioned some crab/fish traps in Round Cove that should be investigated. It was unclear as to their purpose or to whom they belonged. Heinz Proft volunteered to incorporate that into a future Shellfish Patrol of his.

• Heinz Proft reviewed the Shellfish Lab seeding plan for this fall which included Herring River, Allen Harbor, Wychmere Harbor and Round Cove. Pleasant Bay was discussed as well.

• Tom Leach suggested developing a "web group" for the committee. This would enable the committee, and others, to better communicate and discuss issues.

*Meeting adjourned 1700