Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan 2006-2011 Supporting Coastal Communities through Science August, 2006 This management plan has been developed in accordance with NOAA regulations, including all provisions for public involvement. It is consistent with the congressional intent of Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, and the provisions of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, October 17, 2005. Cover photograph: Looking southwest from above South Cape Beach at Sage Lot Pond, Waquoit Bay and Dead Neck. Acknowledgements This management plan was produced by Elizabeth Fuller Valentine, Management Plan Coordinator, and staff members of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: • Brendan Annett, Stewardship Coordinator and Acting Manager • MaryKay Fox, Assistant Research Coordinator • Christine Gault, Manager (former) • Pat Harcourt, Community Educator • Varia Harik, Fiscal Administrative Assistant • Joan Muller, Education Coordinator • Anne Reynolds, Technology Coordinator (former) • Joseph Souza, Forest and Parks Supervisor • John Singleton, Skilled Laborer • Tonna-Marie Surgeon-Rogers, Coastal Training Program Coordinator • Paul Ticco, Coastal Training Program Coordinator (former) • Laurie Tompkins, Events Coordinator • Christopher Weidman, Research Coordinator Citizens and public officials attended a public meeting in December 2004 to help focus the Reserve’s priorities for the next five years. Meeting participants included Rick York; Mashpee Shellfish Constable; Steve Tucker, Cape Cod Commission; and WBNERR volunteers George Harrison and Don Root. The following individuals contributed additional insight during meetings or interviews with the Management Plan Coordinator or provided written comments. • Megan Amsler, Cape and Islands Self Reliance • Ilya Buynevich, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution • Matthew Charette, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution • Mary Jane Curan, Cape Cod Community College • Robert Evans, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution • Gil Newton, Sandwich High School • Lynn Parks, Lawrence Middle School • Ann Sears, Falmouth Historical Commission • Bob Shea, Falmouth GIS • Ivan Valiela, Boston University Marine Program • S. Jeffress Williams, United States Geological Survey • Department of Conservation and Recreation: Leslie Luchonok, Andy Backman, Andrea Lukens, Thomas Mahlstedt, Liz Sorenson, and Nicholas Vontzalides. • Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management: Susan Snow-Cotter, Truman Henson and Katie Lund. • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Doris Grimm and Erica Sieden. A second public meeting was held May 3, 2006 to solicit comments on the final draft of this management plan. Attendees included three local citizens: Frank and Betsy Lord and Ken Burnes. Table of Contents: Volume I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 1 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................. 1 ACCOMPLISHMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 14 NOAA FINAL EVALUATION FINDINGS ..................................................................................................... 14 PLAN HIGHLIGHTS.................................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 16 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF PLAN.................................................................................................................. 16 Public Process for Developing the Plan ............................................................................................. 18 RESERVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE ...................................................................................................... 18 Introduction to the National Estuarine Research Reserve System...................................................... 19 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation ............................................................. 25 HISTORY OF WAQUOIT BAY RESERVE...................................................................................................... 28 Boundaries.......................................................................................................................................... 29 ASSETS OF WAQUOIT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE ................................................. 33 Natural Resources............................................................................................................................... 33 Archeological, Historical, and Cultural Resources............................................................................ 35 Facilities ............................................................................................................................................. 36 CHAPTER 2: UNDERSTANDING COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS.......................................................... 38 OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................ 38 RESEARCH AND MONITORING PLAN [§921.50] ........................................................................................ 40 System-Wide Monitoring Program ..................................................................................................... 41 Monitoring at WBNERR ..................................................................................................................... 42 WBNERR Research and Monitoring Objectives ................................................................................. 46 CHAPTER 3: IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY.......................................................... 56 OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................ 56 EDUCATION PLAN [§921.13(A)(4)]........................................................................................................... 58 Reserve System Coastal Training Program ........................................................................................ 58 The Massachusetts Coastal Training Program................................................................................... 59 Teacher Training and K-12................................................................................................................. 63 Community Education......................................................................................................................... 67 CHAPTER 4: DEMONSTRATING SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP.............................................. 72 OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................ 72 POLICIES, REGULATIONS, AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS .................................................................. 72 Land Stewardship Zoning ................................................................................................................... 73 Laws and Regulations......................................................................................................................... 84 Enforcement........................................................................................................................................ 92 LAND MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 93 PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN .............................................................................................................................. 95 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................. 99 Restoration Science Program ............................................................................................................. 99 Current Restoration Projects............................................................................................................ 100 LAND ACQUISITION ................................................................................................................................103 MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESOURCES ................................................................................................ 108 MODELING CONSERVATION PRACTICES ................................................................................................. 109 CHAPTER 5: SUSTAINING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ......................................................... 110 NATIONAL CONTEXT FOR LOCAL ACTION.............................................................................................. 110 REGIONAL INVOLVEMENT ...................................................................................................................... 113 LEVERAGE TRAINING AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ............................................................................... 116 CHAPTER 6: IMPROVING OPERATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND STATURE ................... 120 MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT..............................................................................................................