Public meeting scheduled for harbor management plan

Oct 4, 2017

Town officials will be holding a public meeting and scoping session for the under-development Padanaram Harbor management plan on October 24 at Dartmouth Middle School, 6:30 p.m.

The town, through the recently-formed Padanaram Harbor Management Plan Advisory Committee, is currently working with the Urban Harbors Institute in Boston to develop a comprehensive management plan for the harbor.

The plan is intended to bring together available information about the harbor, proposed town policies for future management of the harbor, and a suite of recommendations for changes to the management structure, administration, and projects to enhance the harbor.

Intended to take between 12-18 months to complete, the management committee – made up of Padanaram business owners, boaters, fisheries experts, and other members of the public – is currently narrowing down a scope of issues to address through the plan.

At its most recent meeting, topics identified include improving cooperation and coordination between management entities, commercial harbor use, fishing, shellfishing, and aquaculture uses, wildlife, natural resource, and historic management, public access, water quality issues, transportation improvements, and emergency response, among other topics.

Officials are seeking the public’s input on the direction and scope of the plan. All interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on October 24. The planning process and proposed results will be discussed, and the public will be able to give input on specific items or topics related to the plan.

For more information about the harbor management plan, contact Dartmouth Town Planner John Hansen at (508) 910-1817 or by email at jhansen@town.dartmouth.ma.us.