Nantucket Land & Water Council
PO Box 502, 6 Ash Lane
Nantucket, MA 02554
508.228.2818
www.nantucketlandwater.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William Willet, Interim, President
Matt Liddle, Vice President
Laurel Ried Langworthy, Treasurer
Susan E. Robinson, Clerk
Matt Anderson
Susan Baer
Mary-Randolph Ballinger
William S. Brenizer
Lucy Dillon
Thomas V. Farrell
Robert Friedman
Nancy Gillespie
Nathanael Greene
Matt Haffenreffer
Charles A. Kilvert III
Lucy Leske
Robert P. Lyons, Jr.
Peter McCausland
Keltie Donelan McDonald
Alan Nathan
Helen Weeks Peterson
Charles Platt
Amy Rowland
Carl H. Sjolund
H. Brooks Smith
Lars Soderberg
David Troast
HONORARY DIRECTOR
Paul A. Bennett
ASSOCIATES
Jen Garren, Chair
William Johnson
Chad Kilvert
Leah Mojer
Helen Weeks Peterson
Margaret Troast
SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR
James W. Sutherland, Ph.D.
STAFF
Emily Molden, Executive Director
RJ Turcotte, Nantucket Waterkeeper
Michelle Whelan, Development Director
Willa Arsenault, Environ. Program Coordinator
Anna Day, Communications Manager
Dennis Murphy—General Counsel
Design by: Gioiosa Design
Harvard, MA | www.gioiosadesign.com
Dear Members & Friends,
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I announce the 50th Anniversary of the Nantucket Land & Water Council! The mission of the NLWC is to protect the health of the island’s environment and community through the preservation of Nantucket’s land and water resources. We have been working to do so for five decades.
In the early days the NLWC focused on protecting the public’s interest in historic sheep commons land that was under increasing pressure for development. Our efforts in Land Court, and in collaboration with our island conservation partners, resulted in the permanent protection of over 1000 acres throughout Squam, Smooth Hummocks, and the Middle Moors. Subsequently, we have protected over 1,500 acres through our ongoing Conservation Restriction Program.
In addition to this important land protection work, the NLWC has a long history of water protection. We worked with consultants to map groundwater flow, supporting the creation of the island’s current watershed map. We led the effort for the designation of the island’s groundwater as a Sole Source Aquifer by the EPA in 1984, as well as the formal delineation of our municipal Wellhead Protection District, all of which continue to protect our public waters today.
Our primary purpose has always been to provide a voice for Nantucket’s environment. The NLWC team spends significant time attending local regulatory meetings, reviewing development proposals, discussing policies, and when needed, will hire expert consultants for further investigation of local environmental issues. Our role as Nantucket’s only environmental advocate has not changed, and in fact it is more important than ever. As our island continues to evolve under pressure from development and in the face of a changing climate, it is critical that we move forward with immense awareness of how our choices are impacting the long term health of our environment and our community. The NLWC will continue to seek alternatives and improvements to any policies and practices that lead to harm, and encourage broad participation from the Nantucket community in charting our course for the future.
Throughout 2024 we will be reflecting back on all that has been accomplished since our founding in 1974. We will also be looking ahead with a clear focus on preserving the health of our island’s waters, and by extension, the health of our community, along with many other critical efforts for the next 50 years.
We Pay Attention, We Raise Awareness, and We Take Action. We do it for all of you, but we cannot do it without you. Please Join Us!
Warm Regards,
Emily Molden Executive Director
1974 NLWC Founded
1978
NLWC HEADLINES OVER TIME
“Will the Island Self-Destruct”
1975
1998
“Land Speculation in Head of the Plains”
“Home at Last on Ash Lane”
1999
1983
1987
“Preserving Land Through Deed Restrictions”
“What You Can Do to Help Extend the Life of the Landfill”
1988 “Aquifer Protection”
1990
2002
“What is Nantucket Optimal Transportation Carrying Capacity?”
“90 Acres in Squam Transferred to NCF (from NLC) to Manage for Long Term”
2010
1991
“NLC Facilitates Eelgrass Restoration”
“Land Council Works to Protect Water Resources”
“Nantucket’s Pond
Studied by Land Council”
1996
“Old Zoning Failing the Community”
1998
“NLC Economic Study Reveals Slow Growth Will Maintain Economy”
2019
“NLC Wins Standing in Endangered Species Appeal ”
2024 50th Anniversary!
2002
“Coastal Erosion Not New to Nantucket”
2018
“NLC Creates Water Fund”
2023
“Private Well Testing for Forever Chemicals”
Note: Nantucket Land Council (NLC) added “Water” (NLWC) to our name in 2023.
C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
Recognizing Lucy Dillon’s Tenure
The NLWC would like to extend its warmest and most sincere thanks to Lucy Dillon for serving as President of the Board for the past 10 years. Lucy became increasingly concerned about the impacts that continued growth and development was having on the island’s sensitive habitats and water resources, so she stepped up to take a more active role. Lucy has been a steadfast leader and an incredible asset to the success and direction of the NLWC. She has enjoyed the time in her capacity as President, and is proud of the NLWC’s role in supporting the health and well-being of Nantucket and its community.
Matt Liddle, NLWC Director and Vice President reflects “Her tireless efforts, unwavering commitment, and invaluable contributions have steered this organization through both calm and turbulent seas over the last ten years. And while Lucy will be missed dearly, I am grateful for the lasting legacy she will be leaving behind.” NLWC Director Bill Willet is stepping up to assume the role of Interim President. Lucy looks forward to continuing her work with the NLWC as a Director and supporter. “Unfortunately, the work of the NLWC will never be done. That is the nature of what we do.” Lucy added, “But I am extremely proud to be stepping down with the staff and the Board that we currently have in place to usher us forward into our 51st year.”
THANK YOU LUCY!
Legacies of Conservation
Last summer, Nantucket local Thibault Antonietti worked to help commemorate and contextualize the storied work the NLWC has been involved with over the last 50 years. For his project, Thibault took a deep dive into our archived newsletters to better understand the organization’s history from its 1974 inception.
This review created a detailed narrative that highlights major accomplishments from the last 50 years. It confirms the protection of over 1,000 acres of open space that was made possible through the Land and Water Council’s commitment to land protection. Most of this land has since been transferred into the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and Nantucket Land Bank’s holdings for stewardship and management into the future.
The NLWC has continued this legacy through their Conservation Restriction Program, which protects an additional 1,500 acres across Nantucket, Tuckernuck and Muskeget. The 50th anniversary serves as a moment to reflect on our land protection journey, acknowledge successes, and set the stage for NLWC’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship on the island.
Legacies of Water Protection
Although we only recently added “Water” to our name, we’ve actually been studying and protecting our waters for the majority of our fifty years! All of our land protection work has resulted in direct protection of our ground and surface waters. The NLWC was heavily involved in creating the wellhead protection districts we use today to protect our sole source aquifer. Our work on this was pioneering for the time, and the state and federal government used Nantucket as a model for protecting public drinking water supplies across the country. We have been working with the United States Geological Survey to monitor groundwater levels since the 1980’s. We’ve also been collecting data on the harbors and ponds for decades. Pictured above is one of our old print newsletters discussing some of the work we were conducting way back when.
PFAS Update
The NLWC is happy to report that the Pilot PFAS Well Project is well underway! This significant initiative marks a crucial step forward in addressing and researching the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on our local water sources. The project is designed to assess the presence of PFAS in island resident’s private wells by using new technologies innovated by Dr. Graham Peaslee of University of Notre Dame. Our hope is that by using Nantucket as an early site for these methods we can bring more accessible PFAS screening to communities across the country.
On February 13th the NLWC was also able to co-host a community forum with the Nantucket PFAS Action Group, addressing recent community concerns on PFAS. Guests were able to engage in a Q and A with a panel of experts. Anyone interested can watch a recording of the forum by scanning the code at right. For more information or to register visit nantucketlandwater.org
E D U C A T I O N N E W S
NLWC Joins in on NNS STEM Exhibition
THANKS to engaged residents we have completed over 100 screenings so far. There is still time to register and participate!
This February, the NLWC was invited to contribute to the Nantucket New School’s 17th annual STEM Exhibition. The event showcased the scientific endeavors of 7th and 8th graders, highlighting their innovative projects that spanned a wide array of disciplines.
Willa Arsenault, our Environmental Program Coordinator, partook as one of the exhibition’s judges alongside representatives from other island organizations. The collaborative effort involved a thorough examination of the students’ projects, and interviews with all of the participating students.
Here at the NLWC, we relish any opportunity to become involved with educational initiatives like these. Events like the STEM Exhibition help to encourage young minds to pursue environmental awareness and scientific curiosity, and leave an indelible mark on the future stewards of Nantucket’s unique ecosystem.
NLWC Accepting Educational Grant Applications Year-Round!
The NLWC is thrilled to continue offering small grants to teachers and students that further Nantucket’s supplemental environmental education through our Karen K. Borchert Educational Grants Program. Over the years, we have helped classrooms purchase everything from books to microscopes. We’ve recently transitioned from the twice-per-year grant application process to a digital form and are now accepting applications year-round!
We are happy to help you work out the details of your application and connect you with resources. Don’t hesitate to email RJ with grant ideas and questions at rj@nantucketlandwater.org. If you have a great grant idea, please visit nantucketlandwater.org/education/grants/ for more information and to fill out an application.
Vote for the Environment at Annual Town Meeting—May 7, 2024
The 2024 Nantucket Annual Town Meeting (ATM) is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 5:00pm, and will once again be held in the Mary P. Walker Auditorium at Nantucket High School. This year there are 112 articles on the warrant including 29 citizen articles. Some of the topics up for discussion on the floor of Town Meeting this year include the establishment of coastal resilience districts, use of the Sconset beach for geotube expansion, the regulation of short-term rentals, Nantucket’s Green Communities designation, and 21 zoning bylaw amendment and zoning map change articles.
Baxter Road Update
While two citizens and the Select Board put forward three different warrant articles to amend Nantucket’s General Bylaw regarding the use of Short Term Rentals, one article (Steven Cohen’s Article 59) is again seeking to change Nantucket’s Zoning Bylaw in a way that memorializes STRs as a primary use across all residential districts. It will be critical for voters to once again defeat this attempt to open the door for further commercialization of STRs across the island.
The NLWC will be releasing its annual recommendations to its membership and community in advance of ATM. Please stay tuned for updates on specific articles, including the regulation of STRs, as the 2023 ATM approaches. Please make sure you are registered to vote on Nantucket and please help us Vote Environment First!
The erosion control efforts fronting Baxter Road have become increasingly complicated with overlapping court orders and permit proposals. In January the Select Board granted the Conservation Commission access to independent legal counsel to help them navigate a number of legal questions about how they proceed in their evaluation of the latest Notice of Intent proposal submitted by joint applicants SBPF and the Town. The new proposal consists of the same 4,000 linear foot geotube expansion that was proposed in 2022.
Multiple properties in the proposed project area have also requested an emergency certification from the Con Com to rebuild biodegradable coir logs damaged from this winter’s storms. They received permission to rebuild them, despite data from SBPF and the Town indicating that this area is accreting.
The Alternative Access Plans for Baxter Road that the Town has been working on with their consultants, Arcadis, are 90% complete. This is critical as this is the first time Nantucket has seen plans including a real timeline for creating alternative access, which will play into the debate over whether the proposed expansion of the geotubes for nearly a mile along Sconset bluff is ultimately necessary.
In order for the geotube expansion to be installed, it must be placed on the public beach in Sconset. This requires a warrant article at Town Meeting (Article 68) where the voters will decide whether or not this is in the best interest of Nantucket’s public beaches.
NLWC believes there are less environmentally damaging options to hold the line along Sconset bluff while alternative access to Baxter Road is built that do not involve any expansion or long-term use of geotubes. This is especially true as the Town’s engineers have determined the alternative access can be completed by 2027. The geotubes have been demonstrated to be interfering with the sediment transport and accelerating erosion on properties to the north. As these parallel tracks on Sconset bluff develop, we will continue to update you.
SPOTLIGHT MEMBER
““ I joined the Nantucket Land Council in 1974 because it was focused on protecting what was special and unique about Nantucket in the face of so much development. They have continued to work hard to preserve our ability to fish and hunt, walk and swim, in clean unspoiled places on our shores and across our lands. — Paul Bennett Honorary Director and Member Since 1974
Thank You to Our 2023 Annual Business Sponsors!
Anderson’s Stillwater Moorings
Glyn’s Marine
• Madaket Marine
Nantucket Spider
• Ernst Land Design
• Nantucket Engineering
• Surfing Hydrangea
• Visco Pumping
For more information on Annual Business Sponsorship Opportunities, contact our Development Director, Michelle Whelan at michelle@nantucketlandwater.org or 508-228-2818.
If you’re looking for an easy way to reduce your fertilizer use and protect our waterways, consider using native plants. Native plants are well adapted to Nantucket’s unique ecosystems and will thrive throughout the changing seasons with little intervention. Many native plants will also provide muchneeded habitat for our local pollinators. If you or your landscaper do fertilize, please remember to follow Nantucket’s fertilizer regulations and best management practices. Grow native for Nantucket. For more information visit nantucketlandwater.org
PO Box 502, Nantucket, MA 02554 www.nantucketlandwater.org
508.228.2818
SAVE the Dates
Tuesday, May 7
Nantucket Annual Town Meeting
Friday, July 12
NLWC & Almanack Arts Colony—Friends Fête
Thursday, July 18
NLWC State of the Harbor Forum
Tuesday, August 6
NLWC Annual Meeting
Sunday, September 1
NLWC End-of-Season Dinner
MISSION
The Nantucket Land & Water Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving the health of Nantucket’s environment and community through the protection of the island’s land and water resources.
VISION
The Nantucket Land & Water Council (NLWC) is committed to continuing its efforts to preserve the island’s natural resources. Human health and quality of life are intrinsically connected to the health of our environment. The Nantucket community is entitled to a clean environment and abundant, accessible natural resources. The NLWC will invest in a strategy that supports the health and preservation of our unique land and our waters, serving in the role of Nantucket’s Environmental Advocate.
