2020 SUMMER NEWS
Nantucket Land Council
PLANNING
•
PROTECTING
INSIDE
this
•
PRESERVING
ISSUE
10 Years of Water Quality—pg. 2 Green Crab Molting Program—pg. 3 Clean Water Series—pg. 5 State of the Harbor Forum—pg. 7 Save the Dates—pg. 8
Nantucket Land Council PO Box 502, 6 Ash Lane Nantucket, MA 02554 508.228.2818 www.nantucketlandcouncil.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lucy S. Dillon, President Paul A. Bennett, Vice President William Willet, Vice President Neil Marttila, Treasurer Susan E. Robinson, Clerk Matt Anderson Susan Baer Mary-Randolph Ballinger Larry Breakiron William S. Brenizer Christine Donelan Joshua Eldridge Thomas V. Farrell Robert Friedman Nancy Gillespie Nathanael Greene Charles A. Kilvert III Laurel Ried Langworthy Lucy Leske Matthew B. Liddle Peter McCausland Keltie Donelan McDonald Eileen P. McGrath Carl H. Sjolund H. Brooks Smith Lars Soderberg David Troast Peter Watrous
HONORARY DIRECTORS William M. Crozier, Jr. Howard N. Blitman
SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR
James W. Sutherland, Ph.D.
STAFF
Emily Molden, Executive Director emily@nantucketlandcouncil.org RJ Turcotte, Resource Ecologist rj@nantucketlandcouncil.org Meg McNeely Browers Development Director meg@nantucketlandcouncil.org Shari Santos, Bookkeeper
OF COUNSEL
Peter R. Fenn & Associates Design by: Gioiosa Design Harvard, MA, www.gioiosadesign.com Printed On Recycled Paper
RESEARCH NEWS
Appreciating Nantucket Ponds —10 years of Water Quality The North American Lake Management NLC Executive Director Emily Molden and NLC Scientific Advisor Dr. Jim Society (NALMS) celebrates Lake Sutherland attended a NALMS conference. Appreciation Month in July. This year the Nantucket Land Council celebrates too, as it marks our 10th year of water quality research and education surrounding Nantucket island ponds. The NLC has always played a role in advocating for the protection of the island’s water resources, but we became a more active voice for the ponds back in 2009 when we supported Dr. Jim Sutherland and Dr. Sarah Oktay’s survey of Hummock and Miacomet Ponds. Around that time island resident Jim Sutherland began working with the NLC using his expertise as a retired Research Scientist with the Division of Water, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. He later joined the NLC Board of Directors, and after leaving the island to return to upstate New York he transitioned into the role of NLC’s Scientific Advisor. Dr. Sutherland has guided the NLC’s Island Pond Sampling program for over ten years. We would like to celebrate our accomplishments with him this season, and asked for some of his reflections and insights on our work together. “The past 10 years of water quality work conducted by the NLC have been nothing short of critical as far as gathering important information related to the health of Nantucket Island estuarine and fresh water ponds, which are a very fragile part of the Island ecosystem. As a scientist who has spent 4 decades working in Lake George and other areas around the northeast, I recall repeatedly hearing….. “Why do we have to spend money on water quality monitoring?” To me, the answer is pretty clear. Good decisions need to be based on good science and data collection. Without that foundation, we have no idea whether the money we invest in remediation is well spent and will solve the issues that will become more prevalent as time passes.” The NLC is continuing its efforts in 2020 monitoring a number of small island ponds and working in conjunction with the Town of Nantucket and other island organizations to implement a weekly surveillance program for Harmful Algal Blooms. Our ponds are important island resources, providing wildlife habitat, scenic vistas and recreational opportunities. As we celebrate “Pond Appreciation Month” let’s all work together to restore and protect them. The NLC’s collection of Island Pond Reports documenting our decade of monitoring can be found on our website: www.nantucketlandcouncil.org. 2
Green Crab Molting Program This summer the NLC is beginning a new phase of green crab research. We are investigating opportunities to create a local culinary market. Utilizing simple equipment, NLC staff and community volunteers are launching a program designed to train people how to identify green crabs that are preparing to molt. Once caught and identified, these crabs are stored in individual floating “crab condos” until they molt. They are kept in solitary confinement to prevent them from harming each other once they’ve molted- cannibalism is common among crabs! Once molted, volunteers pull the crabs out of the water and put them on ice. These soft-shell crabs are considered by many to be a delicacy and fetch a fair price at the seafood market. The NLC will begin developing a comprehensive guide catered to Nantucket’s green crabs. This publication will be a community resource for those interested in helping fight an invasive species and promote a new fishery. It will include a background on their biology, where to find them on Nantucket, how to identify pre-molt crabs, and the best way to cook the final product to wow your guests each summer. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact RJ Turcotte at rj@nantucketlandcouncil.org for (socially distanced) volunteer opportunities.
RESEARCH NEWS
Surfside Crossing Update—Fighting for Local Review ADVOCACY NEWS
Pitch pine and shrub meadow habitat presumably found throughout the Surfside Crossing property. While no one has been allowed on the site, its habitat is likely very similar to this open space on the adjacent Sachem’s Path property which is permanently protected with a CR held by the NLC.
Surfside Crossing LLC developers Josh Posner and Jamie Feeley submitted brand new plans for their proposed 40b development to the state agencies Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) office and the Housing Appeals Committee who were reviewing the project this spring. The NLC, the Town of Nantucket Select Board, and a number of citizens and residents including Nantucket Tipping Point submitted comments requesting that MEPA require a higher level of review due to lack of sufficient information to evaluate these new plans. Despite the insufficient information and unresolved issues, the Secretary of the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) who is charged with issuing a decision on MEPA filings concluded that the filling was sufficient and signed off on their submission. Meanwhile the Housing Appeals Committee is the entity charged with reviewing the developers’ appeal of the Nantucket Zoning Board of Appeals permit as issued in 2019. Once the new plans were filed the HAC is charged with determining if the changes are “substantial” enough to warrant a remand back to local agencies. The NLC and the Town of Nantucket have been arguing before the Committee that such a remand is absolutely necessary. Impacts from the proposed project on resources including water, endangered species, open space, traffic and Town infrastructure have not been reviewed for the brand new plans. It is incredible that the state 40b statute could enable such an impactful project to proceed without local input or review. 3
#NantucketTrashtag Join the Nantucket Land Council Associates for an island-wide (and beyond) #trashtag (and socially distanced) beach cleanup! From August 4-9, the Nantucket Land Council Associates group is organizing a Nantucket Beach Cleanup—but with a twist. Instead of gathering together, we ask you to join us any time that works best for you, on any beach that you choose. Simply bring your gloves and bags to a beach (or trail or street) near you any time during the week of August 4-9th and collect the trash you find! Once you’ve filled your bag, take a picture of yourself and your family, and post to social media with the hashtag #nantuckettrashtag and be sure to tag @nantucketlandcouncil! Also, download the Clean Swell app to report your findings as part of the NLC group. We can join together and make a difference, even during these unusual times. We will repost and share your trashtags and collectively we will have a huge impact! Mark your calendar and be sure to join us for this island-wide beach cleanup. Register for #NantucketTrashtag here: https://forms.gle/ jMQypWPjTsbKf32P8
ADVOCACY NEWS
A few environmentally friendly tips thanks to the Nantucket DPW: — Wear gardening gloves, dishwashing gloves, or any washable reusable gloves rather than plastic disposable gloves. — Use brown Stop & Shop paper bags (double bagged works best) rather than a plastic bag. — Before taking off your gloves, sort your trash into recyclable plastic, aluminum, glass, compostable or non-compostable/ non-recyclable items and then dispose of it in your household trash/recycling/compost.
A warm welcome and big
NLC Associates
THANK YOU
In 2020, the Nantucket Land Council Board of Directors established the NLC Associates, a group of nextgeneration environmental stewards. This enthusiastic group is tasked with organizing and leading our Annual Friends Fête and a yearly environmental improvement project. In August 2020, the Associates are excited to launch our #NantucketTrashtag event. See above for details.
to our NLC Associates:
Keltie Donelan McDonald, Chair Matt Haffenreffer Tracy Long Amy Rowland Helen Weeks
4
Clean Water Series: Topics on Tap The Nantucket Land Council is excited to present our summer virtual series: Clean Water—Topics on Tap! Each month from June through September, the NLC will host a special guest speaker for our live virtual webinar, who will present on a water quality topic followed by a live Q&A. On June 18th, we welcomed Dr. Jack Ahern to discuss “Ecological Landscaping on Nantucket”. Dr. Ahern is a professor of Landscape Architecture at UMASS Amherst. Dr Ahern discussed the importance of protecting our vulnerable water and coastal resources through better landscaping practices, and the hows and whys of a plant community approach. Each month’s event will be held virtually on a Zoom webinar at 5pm and broadcast live on YouTube; registration (nantucketlandcouncil.org) will allow you to participate as an attendee and ask questions. Join us! Sponsorship opportunities available, please contact meg@nantucketlandcouncil.org for more information. July 16: Harmful Algal Blooms and Ponds on Nantucket with Dr. Ken Wagner August 13: Green Crabs...Danger and Delicacy with Mary Parks September 10: Coastal Plastics—Nearshore Problems, Island Solutions with Graeme Durovitch
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Water Fund The Board of the Nantucket Land Council is proud to continue “The Water Fund”; a donor-restricted fund to help support marine and freshwater projects on Nantucket. Over the past decade, the Nantucket Land Council has steadily transitioned into being the leading voice for the protection, investigation, and education of our water resources. Throughout 2020, we will be increasing our water projects by expanding our eelgrass health research into Madaket harbor, supplementing the Town of Nantucket’s water quality sampling with our small pond water quality research and investigating coastal plastics on our beaches and ocean waters. We also continue investigating the green crab population and the creation of a green crab fishery to help reduce these habitat-destroying creatures. We can’t do this additional work without your help!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR WATER FUND FOUNDERS CIRCLE MEMBERS WHO MADE A CONTRIBUTION OF $5000 OR MORE: Susan and Michael Baer William and Margaret Brenizer Robert and Barbara Freidman The Heinz Family Foundation The Herbert D. Condie Jr. Family Foundation Evan and Cindy Jones
Peter and Bonnie McCausland/ The McCausland Foundation
Alan and Virginia Nathan The Overbrook Foundation The Slayton Family Foundation Meredyth and Brooks Smith Lars O. and Jane Soderberg Merrielou and Ned Symes Visco Pumping, Inc. Anonymous Anonymous (2)
5
Water Fund
FOUNDERS Circle
46 Shimmo Pond Road Pier—Application Withdrawn
ADVOCACY The Nantucket Land Council worked hard this past winter and spring to NEWS oppose a proposed 300-foot pier at 46 Shimmo Pond Road. This project would have created permanent negative impacts to critical eelgrass habitat in Nantucket Harbor, including our own restoration site just yards away from the proposed pier. If this project received the many waivers and variances which it requires from both local wetland regulations and our local zoning bylaw, it would also set a terrible precedent for future pier proposals in Nantucket and Madaket Harbors. Nantucket voters already agreed to prohibit new residential docks and piers at the 2008 Annual Town Meeting. We worked closely with other concerned island groups such as the Shimmo Homeowners Association, Nantucket Shellfish Association, members of the Shellfish Harbor Advisory Board, and concerned members of the public to vigorously oppose this project before the Nantucket Conservation Commission. NLC staff submitted comment letters and enlisted the help of the leading authority on dock and pier impacts to eelgrass health, Dr. David Burdick. He penned his own letter supporting the Land Council’s position and outlining why this pier will harm our eelgrass;
“I see new dock construction in an area with eelgrass as a terrible precedent to set during a time when eelgrass is declining in many areas of the Island. The cumulative impacts of additional docks will have negative impacts on eelgrass and the habitat it creates throughout the island.”
Earlier this month the application was formally withdrawn. We will continue to monitor future applications before the Con Com and other regulatory agencies for proposals of new residential piers that would damage our harbor ecosystems. Many thanks to all those who participated in this public hearing process.
Eelgrass Restoration Update and Monitoring Report In November 2019, Boston University’s Dr. Alyssa Novak joined NLC staff and board member Matt Anderson to assess the Land Council’s eelgrass transplanting efforts in Nantucket Harbor. Using a GoPro camera, Dr. Novak collected footage of the transplant site as Matt Anderson skillfully steered the boat along each transect line. The footage was analyzed and we are thrilled to report that our eelgrass transplants are seeing a 50-60% survival rate! Underwater habitat restoration is hard work, and this is precisely the benchmark we were hoping to achieve. The surviving transplants have shown signs of expansion through their root systems and spreading of seed. This is encouraging news, and the NLC plans to continue transplanting more eelgrass as soon as it is safe to do so. If you’d like to read Dr. Novak’s full monitoring report, it can be found on our website.
RESEARCH NEWS
Dr. Novak and NLC staff have also begun the eelgrass health assessment of Madaket Harbor. Although the project has gotten off to a delayed start due to the pandemic, we have begun collecting data. We installed five remote temperature and light sensors around Madaket Harbor, which will give us valuable information on the localized environmental conditions and whether they are adequate for eelgrass to thrive. Eelgrass is susceptible to heat stress and in this era of climate change the NLC is keeping a close eye on this critical resource. As a marine flowering plant, eelgrass needs light to photosynthesize just like the plants in your backyard. As nutrients in the harbor increase, algae begin to grow and eventually block precious lumens of light from ever reaching our eelgrass. Other aspects of the health assessment including stable isotope analysis will be performed later in 2020 when it is safe to do so. If you’d like to get involved with our eelgrass programs or simply learn more, please visit our website or email RJ Turcotte at rj@nantucketlandcouncil.org. 6
Summer Tip
for Landscapers & Gardeners TAKE THE TIME TO TEST YOUR SOIL! Remember, regular soil tests are necessary components of any turf orornamental-plantingmanagement program that includes fertilization or the addition of soil amendments (this includes compost). Adding ANY Phosphorus to Nantucket soils is prohibited by local regulations unless a soil test indicates it is necessary! UCONN and UMaine Soil Testing Labs are up and running this season. Visit their websites for more information: bit.ly/2Z5rqsI and bit.ly/2NAV4Re
bACKyard Biologists In Spring 2020 we were thrilled to roll out a brand-new program for Nantucket Land Council members and followers called bACKyard Biologists. This is a virtual program that was created to serve as supplemental educational material for our parents and teachers when schools shut down. We plan to continue producing these activities as a resource into the future. Each installment features a simple experiment or craft that can be performed at home using readily available materials. The lessons tie back to utilizing Nantucket as a big, open classroom for you to explore. Each week we present a new experiment or craft to help you learn more about the natural world right outside your door. These programs are free on our website and open to the public, so come learn and explore with us!
STATE of the HARBOR FORUM Impacts and Implications of a Changing Climate
The NLC’s 4th Annual State of the Harbor Forum has been postponed to September 24, 2020. We look forward to hosting you for a virtual presentation of The State of the Harbor: Impacts and Implications of a Changing Climate. For this special edition of the Forum we are excited to announce a feature presentation by Pulitzer Prize finalist Elizabeth Rush, author of Rising, Dispatches from the New American Shore. Save the date, and stay tuned for more details.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Plastics Ban Millions of tons of plastic enter our oceans every year, much of it wasteful single-use pieces. It can cause harm to marine life- we’ve all heard the story of the unfortunate sea turtle swallowing a grocery bag as its final meal—but it is beginning to cause harm to humans as well. Microplastics, which often carry harmful carcinogens, are being found in the foods we eat and the water we drink. The NLC is sharing options for easy reusable replacements for common items rather than disposable plastics in support of the Town of Nantucket Plastics Ban—follow @nantucketlandcouncil on Instagram and Facebook for tips to help protect our environment by reducing single-use plastics. 7
PRESORTED STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID BROCKTON, MA PERMIT #601
2020 SUMMER NEWS
Nantucket Land Council PLANNING
•
PROTECTING
•
PRESERVING
Post Office Box 502 Nantucket, MA 02554 www.nantucketlandcouncil.org
*********** ECRWSSEDDM *********** POSTAL CUSTOMER
SAVE THE DATES Clean Water Series: Topics on Tap
July 16 August 13 September 10
NLC Annual Meeting
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 5:00PM via Zoom
Established in 1974, the Nantucket Land Council is the only environmental watchdog group on Nantucket Island. The NLC works to protect Nantucket’s natural resources in three major areas— planning, protecting, preserving. PLANNING: The NLC monitors development proposals, offers educational programs, grants and scholarships, and makes recommendations to voters on issues which affect the environment.
#NantucketTrashtag Beach Cleanup
PROTECTING: The NLC conducts scientific research to support the protection of our natural resources such as native species, wildlife habitat, and water quality.
Annual Labor Day Dinner
PRESERVING: The NLC specializes in holding conservation restrictions. CRs allow the property to remain in the owner’s hands, while ensuring that the land remains preserved.
August 4-9, 2020 Island-wide
Monday, September 7, 2020 Stay tuned for details!
State of the Harbor Forum
Thursday, September 24, 2020 4:30PM