Everyone near and far knows the importance of protecting Marion’s environmentally sensitive coastline and associated wetlands. In order to keep protections in place, it sometimes takes a Philadelphia lawyer – or in the case of Marion, a Conservation Commission member – willing to go the extra mile.
On May 25 during the Marion Conservation Commission meeting, commission member Jeffrey Doubrava explained his recent efforts working with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.
Correspondence from the agency asked the town to consider whether or not it wanted to place three locations along the shoreline into either “system units” or “other protected area.”
As Doubrava untangled the governmental language for the other commission members he said, “No one is ever going to build on them – ever.” But, the Planting Island Causeway, Aucoot Cove, and areas near the Kittansett Club, which are currently protected coastal areas into perpetuity, could receive additional protections, he said.
Doubrava said that if the town wished to label these locations as system units, they would be exempted from receiving any federal monies, such that might be needed in the event of natural disasters. There are also additional layers of restrictions on how the areas may be used.
If, however, the town elected to place them in the category of “other protected area,” the only additional restriction the state would put on them would be, “We couldn’t buy flood insurance,” Doubrava said.
The commission pondered which direction would be the best course of action for the town, especially given the protected status the areas enjoyed for many years. After deliberation, the commission chose to request other protected area, since it would give the town “more flexibility” if needed in the future.
Vice Chairman Joel Hartley thanked Doubrava for his work in the matter and asked him to draft a letter of response to Marine Fisheries for review by the commission at the next meeting.
In other matters before the commission, a Notice of Intent filing by the Town of Marion for reconstruction of a 337-foot stone seawall at Sprague’s Cove received a Positive Determination. An Order of Conditions was issued, which included limited use of erosion controls in the salt marsh.
Tim Lynch, 8 West Avenue, received a Negative 2 determination for his RDA filing for construction of a new egress landing with stairs.
Alexis Popik, 1 Shore Drive, also received a Negative 2 determination for the construction of an osprey platform in accordance with the Mass Audubon Society’s Osprey Project.
“This is a good thing you’re doing,” said Hartley.
Commissioner member Cindy Callow advised the commission that she had reviewed a potential mini-grant application from the Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipality, but felt that some required information could not be completed before the deadline of June 2. She also said that the grant application most likely would have to be approved by the selectmen, who would not be meeting before the deadline date. The other commission members asked her to request an extension to the deadline. Callow agreed.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 8 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Town House meeting room.
By Marilou Newell