Falmouth panel approves sheet‑pile wall behind Childs River docks over state agency concerns

The Falmouth Conservation Commission voted 3–2 on Dec. 27 to issue an order of conditions allowing a sheet‑pile wall behind docks at 3 and 9 Childs River Road, despite formal concerns from the Division of Marine Fisheries that the structure could harm the adjacent salt marsh.

Staff summarized the proposal and relayed agency testimony stating the wall — even with small weep holes — may not provide sufficient tidal flow to sustain marsh vegetation. “There are serious concerns from the Division of Marine Fisheries that this project will adversely affect that salt marsh,” staff told commissioners.

Several commissioners urged consideration of softer alternatives and relocation landward to avoid marsh impacts. One commissioner noted the project could be reworked to lengthen ramps and explore alternative designs to preserve access while reducing marsh disturbance; another commissioner said monitoring would need to be “fairly strict” if the project were approved.

The commission placed a motion on the table to issue the order with “strengthening of the monitoring” and a specific, outlined program. That motion carried 3–2 after roll‑call votes, and the chair announced the order issued for the two properties with the condition that staff draft and implement a rigorous monitoring protocol to track marsh flow and health.

The transcript records both the agency’s reservations and the commission’s concern about setting a precedent for armored shorelines: staff warned the commission it would likely see more sheet‑pile proposals and stressed the need for careful oversight. The approved order therefore centers on monitoring and staff reporting rather than requiring a different design.

Next steps recorded by the commission include staff drafting the detailed monitoring protocol and reporting results to the commission on a schedule to be set in the order. The commission did not approve an alternate design at this meeting; it approved the project with monitoring as the primary safeguard.