The commission began with a decision to approve the notice of intent for ecological restoration on Wear Road. This project aims to remove tidal restrictions and replace undersized culverts, enhancing public access to bordering vegetative wetlands, salt marshes, riverfront areas, and coastal banks. The work will be subject to specific conditions, such as seasonal restrictions to protect eels and diadromous species, with the possibility of waiving one restriction if control measures are established prior to work commencement. The commission emphasized the need for bi-weekly onsite checks during the project execution, a stipulation that members found agreeable, leading to a unanimous vote to accept the notice.

Following this, Cape Cod Engineering’s Bob Perry presented another approved project for a bulkhead replacement on Pleasant Street. The commission listened as Perry plans to replace a deteriorating marine seawall using a small marine barge for construction and restore the area with beach grass and native rose species. The project will be conducted at low tide, with materials being removed in segments, and was met with satisfaction from commission members, resulting in another unanimous approval.

Attention then turned to the proposed stormwater retrofit project on Grove Street, introduced by Nate Weton of the Yarmouth Department of Public Works. This project is part of ongoing efforts to mitigate nutrient excess in local water bodies by addressing polluted stormwater runoff. Collaborating with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod and the Horsley Whitten Group, the team aims to reduce impervious surfaces and enhance public access to water, particularly impacting Lewis Bay and Hyannis Harbor. April Vopes from the Association highlighted the importance of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels, while Janelle Vary described the project goals of improving water quality and reducing pollutants.

The Grove Street plan involves creating a bio-retention area to manage stormwater runoff, using native, salt-tolerant plants to filter nutrients. The design includes features such as a bike rack, educational signage, and pathways to the beach. The project aims to complement local initiatives like the Bay View Bog project, designed with a two-foot separation from the estimated seasonal high groundwater to mitigate adverse impacts.

A discussion ensued regarding the project’s integration with ongoing local efforts and its potential environmental benefits. Concerns were raised about maintaining beach accessibility and the necessity of certain project elements, such as sand fencing, which prompted debate about their effectiveness during storms. The commission members engaged in dialogue about the project’s implications, recognizing its restorative nature and potential to inform future interventions.

The meeting also addressed compliance issues, including an enforcement order related to disturbances at a beach managed by the Anglewood Beach Condo Association. The commission noted that significant sand and vegetation disturbances had been observed, linked to the removal of a chain link fence. In response, the commission recommended restoring the beach to its original grade and replanting vegetation. Jessica Demar, representing the association, acknowledged the challenges faced and expressed a commitment to follow regulations, seeking clarification on the process to submit a Request for Determination of Applicability for new fencing work.

In addition to these discussions, the commission reviewed a stormwater management permit application for National Grid, linked to tree removal and site preparation for a new liquefied natural gas tank. The project passed peer review but raised concerns about tree loss, prompting members to advocate for potential replanting efforts. National Grid clarified operational requirements necessitating the clearing but acknowledged the commission’s environmental concerns.

The meeting concluded with administrative matters, including the approval of previous meeting minutes and a review of draft regulation updates.