It is now gettin really real and everybody should be getting more concerned. It is another Loophole, and a big one. 

Historically, dock applications are viewed only from the perspective of the dock itself.

The Mystic Harbor Management Commission and DEEP don't even ask about the vessels that will be birthed at the dock. Seems weird that DEEP would have many very specific rules to protect the environment from the dock but not the boat, For example they limit the size of a floating dock to 100sq ft to prevent shade from kill underwater vegetation. However, you can have a 50 ft boat that shades 1,000 sq ft and propellers, driven by 800hp motors, that touch the mud at low tide and destroy the ecosystem in wide radius with silt. Really? Yup, I have discussed this directly with DEEP. Once the dock is built, it is open season on the environment. The only limitation is that you might damage your boat ploughing through soft mud, and eelgrass. Wait, it gets much worse.

Can you build a big dock, with a house on it? Of course not, it would never get approved; it would block views, kill underwater vegetation, and prevent the public from using  the water. Imagine having to look at house docks instead of beautiful scenery. So you can't build a house dock, but you can have a dock with a ...........houseboat!

The only potential issue is that you can't live in it permanently. Houseboats only draw a couple feet of water, and if long enough aren't really affected by waves that are likely to exist in shallow water. They can be purchased prefabricated, are self contained and there are already some in the area.The have small motors so they are technically boats. What does that mean for Masons Island and surrounding areas?

Your current views of the water could be changed into views of a houseboat. The magnificent water views would now be from the houseboat that is blocking your view. If you don't own waterfront property, you can buy a small piece of land, not suitable for a house, build a dock, a plunk a big houseboat on it. If you want to party all night, then the houseboat is the way to go, your neighbors are going to run in circles trying to figuring out who has jurisdiction. 

At 28 Schoolhouse, we have not been able to figure out why the pilings are so wide; any boat big enough to fit wold be resting on the bottom. The applicant and his team, have refused to budge on the dimensions and say that the applicant hasn't really decided on what boat or boats yet. Once the pilings are in, you can't move them, so you are stupid to build a dock without a boat in mind. The answer has been there all along, a houseboat. Now it is obvious. what can be done to stop this project and the ones that are sure to follow?

Long term, laws and regulations will need to address this problem. This will take forever or longer. 

The only way to prevent the houseboat precedent now is to insist that the Mystic River Management Commission follows the "minimum size necessary" construct that is in their plans. A small dock, large enough for a small center console boat, period. If you want a big boat use a marina with the proper facilities for larger boats. If the dock is going to be a surrogate for limited boat size then it cannot be able to berth large boats or houseboats. If we were dealing with people who won't take advantage of the loophole, forget it. 

The community is going to have to speak up in a loud clear voice to say "No!" It is going to "Take a Village to Save a Village," and time is running out.

C. Law, MD