Editorial — "Our Natural Resources - Protection is now"

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Our Natural Resources - Protection is Now!

SINCE THE FIRST stages of Nantucket's land boom, which began with the end of World War II, the inroads into the natural resources of our island have been steady and devastating. The past two decades have accentuated the problem, especially evident with the demand by those who want more land to develop, ignoring the basic premise that what they acquire is now serving as the destructive force which threatens the future of Nantucket as well as their private interest.

When the first settlers established an agricultural community on this island they recognized the land as their major asset. Raising sheep, herding cattle, tending farms, they cared for the land, carefully arranging for its protection by forming a corporate body called the Proprietors of the Common and Undivided Land of Nantucket. Then came the recognition that the sea was to become their future means of livelihood. The old town of Sherborn was transferred to the Great Harbor and a seaport created. With the success of whaling a century of steady growth marked the success of Nantucket's seafaring people.

The Proprietors continued to control the out-lying land, however, until the infamous "set-off" of the second decade of the 19th century, when certain wealthy Nantucketers were granted large areas of the land for private development. The Proprietors objected, but the Supreme Court of Massachusetts arbitrarily supported the overambitious petitioners and the opening wedge was forced.

With the collapse of whaling, attention was diverted to the launching of another economy - the "Summer Business". The influx of summer visitors in the decade which followed the Civil War, brought attention to the construction of buildings within the town for the accommodation of the summer visitors. New homes appeared on the Cliff and Brant Point; the waterfront improved; 'Sconset took on a new lease on life; and such public services as a water supply system, electricity, telephone and street lighting came into being.

The twentieth century was marked by continued steady progress in the development of the "summer business", but little growth occurred in the out-of-town land. A few houses were erected along the north shore, and at established places such as Wauwinet, Quidnet and Madaket, but there was no building boom.

Then, with the aftermath of World War II, there was a swift turn in the events. The outlying land became the outstanding attraction for the developers. Stretches of sheep commons, heath land, salt marsh and bayberry thicket were sought; the shores all around the island were

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

eagerly acquired for house lots. Citizens, alarmed at the growing trends, sought some methods of control in zoning. The dividing line between rural environment and urban sprawl has become the paramount issue.

The Conservation Foundation was formed for the purpose of acquiring for public use our island assets, before the inevitable destruction of these natural resources. The town introduced new departments, such as Planning Board, Building Inspector, Board of Appeals, etc. The Historic Districts Commission, now thirty years old, has been hardpressed to protect the town itself.

If we are to preserve our natural assets, there is only one way to do so. The Town must borrow the money to buy the land before the developers acquire it. The Land Bank is a stop gap. Municipal action is the only remedy!

Edouard A. Stackpole

Members and friends who may have back issues of the Proceedings are urged to look for these issues to help fill out the series for our library. These particular issues are:

1899, 1900,1909, 1920 1921, 1922, 1930, 1941. Such contributions will be appreciated.