251 Bay Ln Ganey Shellfish Survey 1
TO: Conservation Commission
FROM: Natural Resources, Town of Barnstable
DATE: November 18, 2022
RE: APPLICATION: To replace fixed pier tee with a ramp and float
APPLICANT: John T. & Elizabeth M. Ganey
3484 S. Silver Springs Rd.
Layfayette, CA 94549
LOCATION: 251 Bay Lane
Centerville, MA 02632
REPRESENTATIVE: John O’Dea
Sullivan Engineering & Consulting, Inc.
711 Main Street, P.O.Box 659
Osterville, MA 02655
SHELLFISH SURVEY RESULTS: A shellfish survey was conducted on November 18,
2022 at 1:50 P.M. by Elizabeth Lewis and Ryan Henry of Natural Resources. The survey
was conducted using a lined basket rake (3/8” lined mesh). The project lies in MA
Division of Marine Fisheries shellfish area SC25.0 in the Bumps River. This is a
prohibited area and closed to the harvest of shellfish.
The project area was not staked. Two transects were measured out to 80 feet from the
edge of the salt marsh. We raked a 1m2 plot every 10 feet for a total of 18 plots, taking
note of the sediment type and any shellfish present.
By the dock stairs, we observed patches of ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa) in the
marsh, along with a few eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) attached to mussels.
Outside of the plots, we noted a handful of large (4+inch) oysters on bottom and patchy
areas of “snake bite” holes indicating stout razors (Tagelus plebeius) below the surface.
Right against the marsh, the sediment is incredibly muddy and challenging to walk in.
Mixed in this mud is peat from the marsh and leaf litter. No softshell clams (Mya
arenaria) were found in the intertidal region. Progressing towards the 80 feet mark, the
sediment conditions do improve with more sand mixed in with mud. Only one quahog
(Mercenaria mercenaria) was found (3+ inches) at the last plot (80 feet) where the
Town of Barnstable
Marine and Environmental Affairs Department
1189 Phinney’s Lane, Centerville, MA 02632
Derek Lawson, Director
508-790-6273 / Fax 508-790-6275
www.townofbarnstable.us
Animal Control 508-790-6274 Natural Resources 508-790-6272
Harbormaster 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck 508-790-6272
Marinas 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck Gatehouse 508 -362-8300
Moorings 508-790-6273
2
sediment marginally improved. The shell itself was showing signs of deterioration most
likely due to these harsh sediment conditions. We did not find a significant population of
shellfish.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Overall, this area is mostly unsuitable habitat for quahogs
and softshell clams. The footprint of the pier is in a very shallow area so it will be
important to have those float stops, as mentioned in the notice of intent, so as to allow
adequate flow over the sediment in hopes one day the area will improve. At this time,
Natural Resources does not have any objections to this project.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Lewis, Shellfish Biologist
Picture 1: Silty layer of flock until about 50 feet from the marsh.
Picture 2: Sediment at the 80 foot mark. Marginally better under much smaller layer of
silt.