Two-year pier ban proposed – News – The Barnstable Patriot – Cape Cod & Islands
David Still at the Barnstable Patriot reports the Barnstable Association of Recreational Shellfishermen and Cotuit town councilor Rick Barry are trying again on the pier ban that was defeated by a minority vote of the town council in January.
“A more limited pier and dock ban with a two-year sunset provision will be considered as a compromise to a more extensive proposal that failed to gain the support of the town council last month.
Under the latest proposal, a two-year ban on new docks would cover portions of the three bays area only. The idea is to would allow time to develop a harbor management plan for the area.”
I am sympathetic to the ban, but also affected by it. My family’s house lies in the proposed area and we want a seasonal dock in front of our house to host a dingy, but that wouldn’t be allowed. I talked to the head of the conservation commission and he said scientifically speaking, there’s absolutely no problem with this kind of dock and their commission has never once rejected a proposal to put one in because the environmental impact is negligible.
What bothers me is as I try to get in touch with Councilman Barry I can’t and they won’t respond to my emails. If this policy isn’t being based off scientific data and reports, what is it based off of then?
Seasonal docks are very different from permanent structures — some argue they cause more damage being installed and taken down, disturbing the bottom — others say they’re okay because they are shorter, usually don’t involve pressure treated wood which can leach all sorts of nastiness.
http://www.healthybuilding.net/arsenic/index.html
Knowing your family’s property there is little to no shore access required by clammers, and others with business on the beach and little to no foot traffic from Cordwood to the Oyster Company landing on Little River Road.
I’d take the ConComm chief’s remark with a grain of salt — one can make a lot of obvious scientific claims — shade on bottom, post disruption, prop dredging. My arguments are based on property rights.
1. Massachusetts should roll property lines back to the high tide line from the low. The wet zone should be in the public domain as it is dynamic and necessary for commerce and passage.
2. A pier is a public taking of public water. I can’t sail through it. I can’t row through it. I certainly am not allowed to stand over “my” water on top of your dock, but yet your dock is over my water.
Solution — do what the old timers did — pulley on a pole with a loop of rope and a pennant to the dinghy.