Conservation commission allows hay bales but denies broader RDA approvals for Wheeling Avenue dune work

Courtney Byrd, vice chair of the Falmouth Conservation Commission, presided over an extended discussion Jan. 8 about temporary dune protection at two neighboring properties on Wheeling Avenue and whether hay bales should be allowed under a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA).

The commission voted to accept staff'recommended negative determinations under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Falmouth Wetlands Bylaw for work at 20 and 21 Wheeling Avenue, but then separately voted to allow a narrow, positive finding that permits the temporary use of hay bales at each property during the winter protection projects.

Why it matters: The two properties sit against a concrete revetment at the mouth of Falmouth Harbor where commissioners and staff said the shoreline is actively eroding. The central question was whether hay bales, stacked and staked along the revetment top, do more harm than good to the dune and beach grass, or whether they provide necessary short'term protection during winter storms.

Staff and commission concerns, and the applicant's response Alyssa (Conservation staff) told the commission staff recommended a "negative 3 under the state and a negative 2 under the bylaw" for the work but recommended a separate "positive 1 for the use of hay bales" only after resource boundaries were confirmed. Jen (Conservation staff) clarified that prior permits for snow fencing had not included hay bales.

Maria Hickey, principal of Maria Hickey & Associates Landscapes, said the firm has used hay bales on nearby properties for about 10 years and argued they reduced dune loss. "The 12 inches of damaged beach grass, which can be replanted every year, is far less detrimental to the dune than losing 15 feet of the dune," Maria Hickey said, describing the installation she proposes as two hay bales stacked and staked with roughly half the bale sitting on the wall and half on the dune.

Commissioners weighed maintenance and durability issues. Maury said hay bales in the V zone would be saturated by salt water and that he had not seen a long history proving their effectiveness; he favored staff'recommended snow fencing. Other commissioners noted successful short'term results at the 20 Wheeling property but worried about hay bales left in place too long and becoming waterlogged.

Votes and outcome - Motion 1: Approve staff recommendation excluding hay bales (negative 3 state / negative 2 bylaw). Motion carried on roll call. - Motion 2: Approve positive 1 finding that allows temporary use of hay bales for the project. That vote also carried (commission recorded the motion as carried).

What the decisions mean and next steps The commission recorded its decisions as site'specific determinations: dune renourishment and installation of snow fencing were treated as acceptable under the staff recommendation (negative determinations), while the commission separately authorized temporary use of hay bales on the project after discussing maintenance and mitigation. Staff directed the applicant to coordinate replanting of any damaged beach grass and to work with staff on timing for bale removal and replanting.

Commissioners asked the applicant to return if outstanding concerns about methodology or year'to'year maintenance persisted; the chair urged Maria Hickey to work with staff and to resubmit if needed.

Ending: The commission moved on to other agenda items after recording the votes and instructing staff and the applicant to document bale installation timing and restoration plans.