Endangered turtle populations near Sprague’s Cove have declined, and continue to decline, according to Wayne Ferguson, a resident on Jenney Street who represented 21 other Jenney Street residences on September 24 before the Marion Conservation Commission.
“That nesting habitat was lost to the [Sprague’s Cove] system,” said Don Lewis, a wild life expert, sea turtle rescuer, and founder of Cape Cod Consultants. Unbeknownst to the developers and the Town, said Lewis, the nesting habitat of the diamondback terrapin and the Eastern box turtle was converted to another use, and now residents are uniting to restore a small area at Silvershell Beach to lure the turtles back – a turtle garden of sorts, at no expense to the Town.
The turtle garden would consist of a 1,800 square-foot sandy rectangle in the middle of the field, on conservation land owned by the Town to the south side of the walkway. The area would be in full-sun exposure, and the sand eight inches deep.
“That seems to be their original nesting area,” said Lewis. “The goal is to get all of the gals to migrate to that sand.”
Providing an area as close to the salt marsh as possible, while preventing the need for turtles to cross the road, is essential. Lewis said turtle experts would gather any eggs from the Silvershell Beach/Sprague’s Cove vicinity and relocate them to the turtle garden where they will hatch, with the new location imprinted on the new generation so they will return there to lay eggs in the future.
Lewis stated that this method was successfully applied off Swift Beach in Wareham and at other areas on Cape Cod, resulting in the restoration of the species.
“It will guarantee the survival of the species in [the] cove,” said Lewis. “We really think it’s a win for the Town,” continued Lewis. “A win for the habitat, a win for the cove.”
ConCom members had no objections to the proposal; however, more details are required, as well as a Notice of Intent application in order for the project to move forward.
“Conceptually, I don’t have a problem with it,” said Chairman Norman Hills. “I guess I would say let’s proceed and see what some of the details are.”
The Jenney Street residents have agreed to cover the cost of the planning process, establishment, and maintenance of the turtle garden, which the residents hope to have completed next year.
In other matters, the commission granted a negative determination for David and Linda Nielson of 203 Front Street to repair a seawall.
According to Engineer David Davignon, work undertaken by Tabor Academy affected a Town-owned drainage pipe that contributed to the erosion of the seawall. The seawall is now in danger of collapsing on the pipe. In addition to the seawall repair, proposed work includes removing the pipe Tabor Academy installed, and replacing it with a new pipe of a smaller size.
The commission also granted a negative determination to Shawn Nolan of 55 Bullivant Farm Road to install a 20-foot by 40-foot in-ground swimming pool, with the condition that the pool is never drained into a nearby pond.
A request for determination for Kathleen Mahoney of 40 Dexter Road to construct a 12-foot by 15-foot patio, install a row of boulders along the wetlands line, and other yard work was continued until October 8 due to the lack of a quorum. Steven Gonsalves, an abutter, recused himself from voting, leaving only three remaining commission members present.
The matter of Thomas Stemberg of 114 Point Road to demolish several existing structures to construct a single-family home, pool, pool house, tennis court, driveway, and walkways was continued until October 8 at the applicant’s request.
The next scheduled meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is October 8 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.
By Jean Perry
