Lake Tashmoo is not dead, but it is on life support.
Editors, Vineyard Gazette;
I have lived on and studied Lake Tashmoo since I was a young boy more than 70 years ago. I spent hours swimming and scuba diving on the lake and observing and collecting all manner of wild life. I remember from those days the eelgrass, pipefish, blue claws, oysters on the groins, steamers, razors, and quahogs, thousands of baby scallops, moon shells, horseshoe crabs, sea worms of all sorts, schools of small fish and much more. It was a healthy and productive environment from which many Islanders supplemented their incomes. Over the years, I have seen Lake Tashmoo slowly degrade to what we have now, a mere shadow of a once vibrant eco system.
Lake Tashmoo is not dead, but it is on life support.
We need to do what we can restore the lake to what is was. We also need to let boaters use Lake Tashmoo for recreation in ways that minimize their environmental impact. The current approach is not working.
From my house at the end of Northern Pines Road I have counted 150 or more boats anchored on a summer weekend. As far as I can tell, these boaters contribute nothing to the Island’s economy. They do, however, create significant costs, both financial and environmental, in enforcing regulations and cleaning up the bottles, cans and other trash they leave behind. Moreover, they make a lot of noise, clam without licenses, occasionally trespass and sometimes even worse. Most damaging, they pollute the lake with oil and gas, human waste,and all manner of other substances. Their anchors tear up the lake bed, preventing eel grass from taking hold.
The list could go on.
I am not a proponent of banning them outright, just controlling them within reasonable and sustainable limits and reducing their environmental impact as much as possible. I favor an approach that limits their numbers, controls their behavior and protects the lake. Any plan similar to the one proposed by the waterways committee will have my support.
Tweed Roosevelt
Vineyard Haven
Comments
"As far as I can tell, these
Carl Oak Bluffs"As far as I can tell, these boaters contribute nothing to the Island’s economy."
Now that's a test that all visitors to the Vineyard should have to endure. Park your private jet at our airport? You'd better be able to show how you contribute. Just arrived on the ferry (is that picnic lunch in your cooler or are you buying a sandwich here?) I'd like to see how much money you intend to spend today. Live in a giant mansion on the shore of a natural bay? I'd like to see your contribution statement, please.
Never in the history of our Nation have citizens had to prove their eligibility to enjoy their rights and freedoms. Anyone who suggests it (You can't have free speech unless you have something worthwhile to say, you can't vote unless you vote for someone good, you can't use this park unless you're from here...) should re-read the founding documents of our Country, and show some compassion and welcome to our visitors.
It's a small island. And it's becoming a fortress for the privileged.
We hear a lot these days from
Tweed Roosevelt Vineyard HavenWe hear a lot these days from people demanding their rights and freedoms. But these people should be aware of what the framers of the Constitution well knew, rights and freedoms come with responsibilities. One of the most important of these is what our parents and schools should teach every child. If you make a mess, clean up after yourself, and, if you hurt the environment, either pay to fix it or, better yet, don’t harm it at all. Everyone, visitors and resident alike, need to follow this rule. All we are asking of our visitors is leave it as you found it.
Carl of Oak Bluffs in his comment exhibits some resentment towards the “privileged,” meaning, I suppose, the owners of summer houses both large and expensive mansions and more modest camps. Although this has little to do with the issue of environmental damage to Tashmoo, I feel it should be addressed as this is an often-expressed opinion on our Island. So, a few words in the defense of the “privileged” no matter the risk of being branded a pariah by many of my fellow residents. Our Island would be a much poorer place without our summer residents. Without their philanthropic efforts many Island institutions would not exist. They provide jobs, buy products and services, bring their many rich friends to the Island with their money, raise property values and many other economic benefits. They pay a huge portion of the real estate taxes, about two thirds, but on the expense side they use way fewer services especially the biggest expense of all, the schools. And this only scratches the surface of what they contribute to our Island. Furthermore, they are heavily taxed but have no vote. As I recall, one of the rallying cries of the American Revolution was “No taxation without representation.” Even worse, because of the Residential Exemption they pay more than their fair share. There is no logical reason for this and to me it does not seem to be fair. We get away with it only because we, the year-round residents, vote and they don’t. It might even be unconstitutional under the equal protection clause of our Constitution. We should hope they don’t demand their “rights and freedoms”. And remember, without them and all the other seasonal Island visitors, we would certainly return to our status of many years ago before they came when we were one of the poorest counties in the Commonwealth. So, let’s just be thankful they contribute so much towards making this Island of ours the wonderful place we all love.
I suppose your contributions
Carl Oak BluffsI suppose your contributions include excess nitrogen from your fertilized lawn and ancient failing septic system too? Those visitors and tourists contribute even more than seasonal residents if you consider that they don’t use any community services.
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