Harbor Plan Update Committee sets tentative July public meeting, advances shellfish and habitat recommendations

The Harbor Plan Update Committee met April 14 and tentatively scheduled a public meeting for mid‑July to solicit comment on the draft Harbor Plan before forwarding a final draft for external review.

The committee, working through remaining recommendations in the draft plan, discussed shellfish management items including an ongoing dredge study, making harvest limits flexible and tied to recent surveys, expanding data collection through apps and volunteer programs, and resilience and infrastructure work for the Brant Point Hatchery.

The committee convened at 1:08 p.m. and established that its contract with the consultant (CGM) runs until about August; members said that schedule requires finishing reviews and holding a public meeting in June or July so a final version can be sent to the state Coastal Zone Management office (CZM) and later the select board for local approval. Committee members agreed to tentatively schedule the public meeting for July 16, subject to members’ summer availability and the need to request a time extension from the state if necessary.

On shellfish rules, Tara (staff member) explained the committee should leave the current dredge design in place while a separate dredge study is completed and commented: “We are conducting a dredge study and for the shellfish regulations for right now, we're leaving the old design in and you have to submit a letter of alteration, until we make a determination of a new dredge design.” She added the study is focused on impacts to…