Friends of Bass River seeks design funding after $50,000 study; committee moves project forward

Rick Bishop, executive director of Friends of Bass River, urged the Reservation Committee on June 25 to support design work to address dramatic erosion along the Bass River shoreline, saying the group counted about 22 trees lost this year and that a woman recently nearly fell from the bank.

"This past year, we lost 22 trees from the shoreline," Bishop said, describing accelerated erosion and sandbar formation that he said threatens recreation and habitat. He told the committee Friends of Bass River has raised $50,000 to commission an initial engineering study by Ty and Vaughn to document conditions and propose options.

The study, Bishop said, would identify whether approaches such as living shorelines, plantings or oyster reefs are appropriate, and would feed into a design the committee could fund. He said the work affects both the town and neighboring Yarmouth and noted other grants the project seeks often require a design before construction funding is available.

Committee members asked for clarity about the application materials the group would submit when it returns. A member noted that some grants reduce the CPC amount by other payments and that warrant article language typically specifies reductions and contingencies; Bishop acknowledged he can update the application to reflect the privately funded study and a request for design funding.

The committee voted to accept the application as fundable under counsel's legal opinion and asked Friends of Bass River to return with a written update and the engineering study. The committee set July 9 for applicant presentations and aimed to deliberate and, if ready, vote on funding on July 23. Select board review was noted for July 16 for related matters.

Next steps: Friends of Bass River will complete and provide the Ty and Vaughn study, update its application to show the $50,000 private contribution and requested design scope, and return to the CPC on July 9 for a full presentation. The committee signaled it will include the item on a warrant article for town meeting if the design and funding path are confirmed.