Nantucket Land Council 2023 Winter News

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

Laurel Ried Langworthy, Treasurer

Susan E. Robinson, Clerk

Matt Anderson

Susan Baer

Mary-Randolph Ballinger

William S. Brenizer

Paddy Farrell

Robert Friedman

Nancy Gillespie

Nathanael Green

Matt Haffenreffer

Charles A. Kilvert III

Lucy Leske

Matt Liddle

Robert P. Lyons Jr.

Peter McCausland

Keltie Donelan McDonald

Alan Nathan

Amy Rowland

Carl H. Sjolund

H. Brooks Smith

Lars Soderberg

David Troast

Peter Watrous

Helen Weeks

HONORARY DIRECTORS

William Crozier

SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR

James W. Sutherland, Ph.D.

STAFF

Emily Molden, Executive Director emily@nantucketlandcouncil.org

Michelle Whelan, Development Director michelle@nantucketlandcouncil.org

RJ Turcotte, Nantucket Waterkeeper rj@nantucketlandcouncil.org

Anna Day, Communications Manager anna@nantucketlandcouncil.org

Nate Scott, Land Use and Stewardship Coordinator nate@nantucketlandcouncil.org

Letter from the Executive Director

Earlier this winter, over ten acres of rare species habitat was clear-cut by those behind the proposed “Surfside Crossing” development, in an effort to usurp new rules about to go into effect to protect the now federally Endangered Northern Long Eared Bat. Our state permitting agencies and/or better local communication could have prevented this, but unfortunately they did not. The state agency charged with administering endangered species regulations is at the threshold of a new practice for Nantucket, allowing mitigation for impacts to on island habitat through the payment of a fee that is not even guaranteed to stay on island. The scarcity of land available for development is also having ramifications on the ability to mitigate impacts from that development. Rare and endangered species are listed as such because their specific habitat requirements are not being met. While protected open spaces on the island certainly support rare and endangered species, that doesn’t mean the destruction of their habitat on unprotected land is any less devastating for their future existence. The Nantucket Land Council is deeply engaged with the issue of future habitat mitigation and its implications on Nantucket’s own biodiversity, but this is just one of the facets of a much broader issue.

The “progress” of Nantucket’s economy and growth is being seen and felt in many ways. Some are not beneficial, and these impacts transcend environmental issues. From the detrimental effects on our environment and rural character, to a list of social issues including a lack of adequate housing; mounting pressure on our infrastructure, hospital and schools; and an increase in food insecurity, it is clear that untethered growth does not enhance our quality of life or support a sustainable community.

The Town of Nantucket has launched a Sustainability Office to “support a balance of the economic, environmental, and social health of our island, which meet the needs of current residents and visitors without compromising the ability of future generations to meet evolving needs.” The NLC seeks to support these efforts. We need to collectively focus on balancing these needs. Integrating solutions to social health, appropriate planning for sustainable economies, and continued advocacy on behalf of our environment and resources is the only way to move forward.

Please join us as we seek to be a part of this process.

Sincerely,

Design by: Gioiosa Design Harvard, MA www.gioiosadesign.com

Emily Molden Executive Director

NLC Assists with Nantucket’s Wetland Bylaw Update

2023 will mark significant changes to the Nantucket Wetland Bylaw. This special set of regulations is designed to go further than the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, catering to Nantucket’s unique circumstances. It is a living document in every sense of the word, and updates are needed periodically to keep up with the latest science. The Land Council is proud to have participated actively in this latest bylaw update, which proposes expanded buffer zones for sensitive areas, new technical definitions, and for the first time, language addressing climate change.

Vote for the Environment at Annual Town Meeting

This year’s Annual Town Meeting (ATM) is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023 and will once again be held in the Mary P. Walker Auditorium at Nantucket High School beginning at 8:30am. There are 26 citizen warrant articles along with approximately 50 more to be submitted by the Town of Nantucket. This year some of the topics of discussion on the town meeting floor are likely to include Nantucket’s form of town government, dark sky regulations, fertilizer regulations, the composition and mission of the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission, and a variety of zoning articles. One zoning article will seek to address the impacts and infill development of subdivisions created through a pre-existing structures provision in the state code (41 81L). While the Short Term Rental Working Group which was created following the 2022 ATM will not have any articles up for discussion until a Special Town Meeting this fall, there are still two articles related to short term rental issues that may be called for discussion.

The NLC will be releasing its annual recommendations to its membership and the community in advance of ATM. Please stay tuned for updates on specific articles as the 2023 ATM approaches. Please make sure you are registered to vote on Nantucket and please help us Vote Environment First!

A red maple swamp protected by an NLC Conservation Restriction.

Guided Wellness Walks

Join the NLC and our partner organizations this winter and spring for a fun, free, community series of walks. Let’s get outdoors together and enjoy Nantucket’s natural environment!

Each walk, hosted on Sunday afternoons, will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will be led by staff from the partner organizations. Dress for the weather! Registration required at Eventbrite.com

Conserving Nantucket, One Garden at a Time!

Nantucket is at an environmental inflection point. Growth, development, and climate change are creating environmental challenges that are impacting the quality of life for everyone on this fragile island. Together we can make a positive difference, one garden at a time. What we plant in our gardens impacts wildlife, our water, and our ability to be more resilient to rising sea levels.

The Nantucket Land Council is partnering with the Nantucket Garden Club to recognize gardens throughout the community that encourage biodiversity, support pollinators, and reduce the impact on our waters. Resilient landscapes can replace turf with native grasses and perennials that need less water, and have deeper roots, which help landscapes withstand the ravages of increasingly severe weather conditions. Join us to make a positive difference — One garden at a time! For more information on how to participate in the Conservation Commendation Program and be recognized for your contribution visit the Nantucket Garden Club website https://nantucketgardenclub.org/ programs

Conservation Commendation artwork generously created and donated by MJ Levy Dickson.

Research Update: Nutrient Pollution and Eelgrass Health

Contributed by Boston University Assistant Research Professor, Dr. Alyssa Novak Eelgrass provides important ecosystem services to the Island of Nantucket, including protecting shorelines by reducing wave energy, stabilizing bottom sediments, improving water quality and clarity, mitigating CO2 emissions through carbon sequestration, and providing food and habitat to the last commercially viable “wild” bay scallop fishery in the U.S. Despite its importance, eelgrass on Nantucket has diminished by 30% since 1995. In an effort to understand the factors contributing to this large-scale loss, Dr. Alyssa Novak from Boston University and her colleagues conducted a health assessment of eelgrass in Nantucket and Madaket Harbors in 2018 and 2020. The team found that eelgrass in both harbors are exposed to high levels of nutrients, are light-limited, and are thermally stressed. These results suggest that cultural eutrophication as well as warming waters due to climate change are contributing to eelgrass losses throughout the system.

Cultural eutrophication is not a new issue for Nantucket. The process occurs when human water pollution, such as sewage, detergents, fertilizers, and other nutrient sources, are introduced into an ecosystem. As the nutrient load increases, epiphytes and fast-growing macroalgae in the water reduce water-quality and the amount of light available to eelgrass for photosynthesis, resulting in the loss of eelgrass. The data from this research clearly shows the presence of nitrogen in our harbors originating from multiple sources including fertilizer, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition. Dr. Novak and her team are in the process of publishing these findings. Stay tuned for their publication along with guidance on actions you can take to help support efforts to protect Nantucket’s eelgrass!

SPRING T I P

The fertilizers you apply to your lawn are potential pollutants to Nantucket’s waters! If applied improperly or in excess, fertilizer can be washed off your property and end up in our ponds and harbors. This causes algae to grow, which uses oxygen that fish need to survive. Support our waters and reduce or eliminate your fertilizer!

If you or your landscaper do fertilize, please use sparingly, and be sure to follow the Nantucket Best Management Practices for fertilizer use!

https://www.nantucketlandcouncil.org/education/ fertilizer-guidelines/

Dr. Alyssa Novak and Executive Director Emily Molden sampling eelgrass in Nantucket Harbor.

Private Well Testing for “Forever Chemicals”

In honor of World Water Day, we’re thrilled to launch a pilot private well testing program for Nantucket residents concerned that “forever chemicals” have contaminated their drinking water. This first-of-its-kind program is designed to empower residents, regardless of their financial situation, to assess their wells and take appropriate measures if they find PFAS or similar man-made fluorinated compounds in their tap water.

NLC is partnering with the Nantucket PFAS Action Group, the Town of Nantucket Health Department, Notre Dame University, and WRAFT (Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves) to bring fast, reliable testing to anyone who needs it. If successful, we hope our pilot program can serve as a blueprint for other communities dealing with “forever chemical” contamination. Previous testing programs were limited to testing for a handful of these manmade compounds (there are thousands) and were only available to a limited number of residents. The testing is also complex and expensive to conduct and interpret on your own.

By utilizing a new method pioneered by Dr. Graham Peaslee and his team at Notre Dame University, we are empowering the community to learn whether their water is contaminated affordably, but we will not stop there. We are also providing a clear roadmap for the community on the next steps if their water is truly of concern—comprehensive resources regarding what filters are appropriate for their particular home and budget, as well as resources regarding further, more detailed testing if the homeowner is interested. Every single one of us deserves to know if our water is safe to drink. We hope you’ll join us in this important and neverending quest for clean water. Stay tuned for details on how to participate in this pilot program. And cheers to you on World Water Day (March 22nd, 2023)!

The NLC is partnering with Notre Dame University, the PFAS Action Group, the Town of Nantucket, and Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves to launch a new private well sampling program for Nantucket residents.

NLC Accepting Educational Grant Applications Year-Round!

The NLC 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@nantucketlandcouncil.org. If you have a great grant idea, please use our online application.

MEMBER Spotlight

The NLC congratulates members Steven and Pamela Leinbach who have invested in the sustainability and resilience of their coastal property in Monomoy. In an effort to ease the impacts of sea level rise and coastal storms they have hired a local expert to retsore an existing area of salt marsh by planting Spartina alterniflora, smooth cord grass, which will mitigate wave energy, help to accumulate sediment and slow erosion.

““We believe in the NLC’s mission as dedicated advocates for the Island’s environmental health. Their encouragement and support of our restoration project has underscored their commitment to protecting Nantucket’s harbor and habitat, for which we are grateful.

Steven & Pamela Leinbach

PO Box 502, Nantucket, MA 02554

www.nantucketlandcouncil.org

SAVE THE DATES

Nantucket Annual Town Meeting

Saturday, May 6, 2023 at NHS Auditorium

Guided Wellness Walks

Sunday, March 12, 2023 with the Linda Loring Nature Foundation

Sunday, March 19, 2023 with the Maria Mitchell Foundation

Sunday, March 26, 2023 with the Nantucket Land Council

Sunday, April 16, 2023 with Mass Audubon

Sunday, May 7, 2023 with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation

Friends Fête Foundation

Friday, July 7, 2023

Almanack Arts Colony

MISSION

The Nantucket Land Council is the island’s environmental advocate.

We Pay Attention—We attend all Nantucket regulatory meetings and voice concerns regarding projects that may impact our environment. We make recommendations on proposed zoning and bylaw changes and speak out on behalf of the environment at Annual Town Meeting. We monitor the health of our harbor and freshwater systems through well, pond and harbor-water sampling and testing.

We Raise Awareness—We provide education about urgent environmental concerns and we encourage our community to shift perceptions and alter behavior that is damaging to our environment through online and print campaigns, educational activities and awards.

We Take Action—We seek and hold CRs (Conservation Restrictions) to protect large tracts of open space or essential habitat from a use that would adversely impact our environment or the character of the island. We oppose regulatory decisions that could negatively impact our environment through litigation when necessary. We advocate for by-law and policy changes to proactively protect our natural resources. We create and administer programs to increase the health of our water resources.

SIGN UP TO BE AN NLC VOLUNTEER

If you care about the environment, we invite you to join us to protect and preserve our island’s natural resources. The Nantucket Land Council seeks volunteer support heavily in the summer months; however, opportunities are available year-round. Please scan the flowcode below to fill out our volunteer form.