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Select board to research oyster-lease applications after mixed community feedback
Summary
The board read an aquaculture application from Jesse Roach requesting two additional oyster lease lines and said it will research the town's role after receiving both support and opposition from residents; the board noted DMR retains permitting authority and pledged to improve local public-notice steps.
The select board reviewed an aquaculture application by Jesse Roach for two new parallel lease lines with 16 cages each in Squam Creek and agreed to undertake further research before taking a formal position.
Application details: Roach's emailed application (read into the record) proposed two additional 130-foot lines with 16 cages in each row on the kelp side of the inner creek; he proposed research partnerships with a biologist at the Darling Marine Center focused on oyster nitrate discharge and nutrient distribution and said bird-deterrence measures would be used to reduce roosting on cages. He noted canoe and kayak access to observe the operations would be preserved.
Community concerns and municipal role: board members said the town is receiving competing input: some residents support small aquaculture businesses while others want stricter controls or a moratorium, citing concerns such as blocked waterways, visual impacts and the risk that small operations could scale. The board emphasized that the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is the permitting authority but that the municipal process provides a spot for municipal comment and a public-comment period on DMR applications.
Board action: rather than take an immediate position, the board said it will research what authority and responsibility the town has regarding aquaculture leases, consider whether to notify a broader radius of abutters beyond the statutory notice, and continue to publicize applications to encourage timely public comments on DMR filings.
Why it matters: the number and pace of aquaculture applications have increased locally; the board wants to balance support for small businesses with protections for navigation, neighbors' views and environmental concerns.
Provenance: application discussed from SEG 781 through SEG 910.
