A group of neighbors listens to Dr. Dale Leavitt of Blue Stream Shellfish during a tour of the company’s oyster operation on Goulart Memorial Drive in Fairhaven on 5/27/23. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Dale Leavitt of Blue Stream Shellfish LLC met with about 35 West Island neighbors at the West Island Improvement Association community house on Saturday, 5/27/23, to explain the details of a proposal to put two upwellers in Round Cove, off the northwest side of West Island.
Neighbors were clearly resistant to the idea, with some threatening legal action if the company pursues the project.
Dr. Leavitt explained that the upwellers will grow oysters from seed until they are large enough to transplant into the regular cages that the aquaculture company already uses for its operation off the waters of West Island.
The upweller would be closer to the shore, in about four feet of water, in the mooring field near Bella Vista Island.
The two upwellers will be moored in the cove, are 20×24 feet each, and include a small solar array that will power the upweller. The water will need to be pumped upward (upweller) to keep the seed alive. Total square footage of the whole operation is 960. Only the two solar arrays will be above water more than a few inches.
The project was presented to the Marine Resources Committee, which has recommended it. The project is on the agenda again for the 6/1/23 meeting. The Select Board is also holding a public hearing at its 6/5/23 meeting. The SB must approve the project before it can go forward.
Dr. Dale Leavitt of Blue Stream Shellfish points out a feature on an upweller like the one he is hoping to place in Round Cove during a tour of the company’s oyster operation on Goulart Memorial Drive in Fairhaven on 5/27/23. Photo by Beth David.
Neighbors complained that the area he had chosen is like a quiet residential neighborhood, not a commercial zone, to use comparisons to land zoning.
“This is meaningful to us,” said Steven Cohen, adding that it will impact the neighbors.
He said he respected that it was a business.
“But there’s more to life than business,” said Mr. Cohen, adding that the project will “really impact people” and it will have a “negative impact on the community.”
He said the residents had legal options to make life difficult for the company if necessary.
Dr. Leavitt answers by saying he was a “glass half full guy,” and touted the environmental benefits of bivalves, explaining that the oysters from his operation have removed 3/4 of a ton of nitrogen from Nasketucket Bay.
One resident said the upwellers will be 153 feet from his mooring and wanted guarantees it would not move any closer.
Harbormaster Tim Cox explained that the Select Board has to approve the project and can place a variety of restrictions on it, including how close it can be to moorings and docks.
He said no one will be moved.
Neighbors also expressed concern about noise and other nuisance factors while the upweller is being maintained.
Dr. Leavitt said there is no noise, everything is under water; there are no lights, no motors, no generator, it is all solar powered.
Dr. Leavitt’s reputation was also discussed, and while it was largely considered stellar, neighbors worried about what would happen when he retires or moves on.
Dr. Leavitt said he would be finding someone with a similar philosophy to take over.
Dr. Dale Leavitt of Blue Stream Shellfish (foreground) stands on the upweller he is hoping to place in Round Cove during a tour of the company’s oyster operation on Goulart Memorial Drive in Fairhaven on 5/27/23. Photo by Beth David.
The company’s dispute with the marina was also discussed. It is no secret in the neighborhood that the new owners of West Island Marina and Blue Stream are haggling over rent of the dock at the far north end of Long Island.
That has nothing to do with the town, said Mr. Cox.
Dr. Leavitt said Blue Stream is not using the same amount of space, and does is not using the leased property the same way as the previous owners, so they want to pay less. He said he was confident the two parties would come to an agreement soon.
Residents also suggested a number of different areas. Dr. Leavitt explained the criteria he was looking for in the ideal spot, discussing each site in detail.
Marc Dunn suggested Hoppy’s Landing, on the north side of the existing boat ramp, where Mr. Cox had his quahog upweller some years ago. Both Mr. Cox and Dr. Leavitt said they would be happy to explore that possibility, and any other sites that would work.
Dr. Leavitt said he had no problem putting the upwellers in a different spot, as long as the spot would work. He will go for this first, ideal, spot, he said, but if the Select Board rejects it, he will look for another site.
“I’m not married to that site,” said Dr. Leavitt. “If there’s an alternative, I’m game.”
Residents also discussed the payment that the company makes to the town, $200 per acre. The aquaculture operation has 46 acres, so they pay about $9,200 per year. The new project would be $200 or less because it is less than 1,000 square feet.
“Oh, that much?” said Mr. Cohen, adding it was about enough for lunch.
Residents also criticized the slow cleanup of the property, a serious bone of contention when the property was owned by Taylor Seafood. Mr. Cox said that the new owners were making great progress cleaning up the site. They have been there for only a year and a half, he said, give them time. He said they have pulled many dumpsters of debris off the site.
“They’re trying very hard to clean up the property,” said Mr. Cox. “They still have a way to go.”
In the end, Mr. Cox encouraged residents to attend the June 1 meeting of the Marine Resources Committee. He said he would meet with Dr. Leavitt and have information on the alternative sites they discussed.
Mr. Cox also took the opportunity to ask residents for support with two other matters. He said he is trying to get the areas on both sides of the causeway dredged. The water does not flow the way it should. He will be getting the Department of Environmental Protection at an MRC meeting at some point.
“I need everybody on board with me,” he said. “The water’s not flowing the way it should.”
He also explained his item that will be on the Conservation Commission’s agenda on 6/5 to place fencing at Hoppy’s Landing. He said he needs to move the boats and trailers he has at the landfill.
“I need to secure my boats and trailer,” said Mr. Cox.
He said the area is on the west side of Hoppy’s Landing, on the back side of the area that the lobster traps are stored.
Dr. Leavitt also offered to take the group on a tour of the operation, but only about 12 took him up on his offer.
The group started at the property adjacent to Hoppy’s Landing, where the oyster cages are store, and where the oysters are stored before being taken to market.
Across the street, the oysters are hauled from the water and sorted.
In both locations, Dr. Leavitt showed the group an upweller like the ones he wants to put in Round Cove.
There are three 8×20 foot docks. Two have upwellers that hang below the surface and wooden frames about seven feet high for attaching a winch to pull up the upweller cages. The third has a solar array 20 feet wide. The complete size is 24×20. There will be two of them for a total of 960 square feet.
They will be moored on two ends so they will not shift with the wind.
The Marine Resources Committee meetings and the Select Board meetings are available on demand at FairhavenTV.com. Both meetings have in-person and online options for attending. Visit the town’s website for the calendar to join via zoom, at https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov. Meetings are also run on Comcast Channel 18.
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