The natural splendor of the beaches on Chappaquiddick attracts swimmers, hikers, anglers, sunbathers, birdwatchers and sunset — or sunrise — watchers.
The natural splendor of the beaches on Chappaquiddick attracts swimmers, hikers, anglers, sunbathers, birdwatchers and sunset — or sunrise — watchers. For generations, Martha’s Vineyard residents and visitors have come to these beaches seeking beauty, respite, family fun or simply just a way to be closer to nature on an island and in a state where all too often beach access is restricted to a privileged few rather than available to everyone.
At The Trustees of Reservations, we have stewarded this special place for more than 60 years, ensuring that it is open to everyone, just as we do at our 123 reservations across the Commonwealth. We have managed the beach, watched families come to this special place year after year, protected the abundant wildlife who call this place home, and invested in protecting this spectacular natural resource for present and future generations to enjoy.
Over the last two years the Trustees has conducted a rigorous planning process to develop our next beach management plan. The process has balanced ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders and experts in the field and employs the best current beach science to protect this precious natural environment while continuing to provide access to generations of visitors who love this special place. We submitted the plan last fall to the Edgartown Conservation Commission, outlining a new, adaptative management strategy to steward a dynamic, ever-changing beach ecosystem that balances care for endangered and non-endangered species with the need for continued public access for both walk-on and drive-on visitors.
The order of conditions on our plan proposed last week by the Edgartown Conservation Commission will significantly limit access to parts of this beautiful beach and sets a dangerous precedent that prioritizes the interests of a small group of private landowners over both public access and this commission’s primary purpose, the protection of natural resources. This order ignores the thoughtful compromises that were generated by local residents and experts who participated in the planning process, exceeds the jurisdiction of the commission, sets unreasonable management conditions that are singularly grounded in the interests of private landowners, and most importantly drastically limits the public’s access to and enjoyment of the beach.
As someone who oversaw the Department of Environmental Protection in my former role as Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, I know the good work that local conservation commissions can do to protect wetland resources in their community. But in this case, it is clear to me that the Wetlands Protection Act is not being used appropriately to protect the wetland resource and instead is being co-opted to reduce public access to a treasured resource, driven by the demands of a small group of private landowners. The purpose of an order of conditions is to set conditions on a proposed activity in a wetland area. However, this draft order of conditions from the Edgartown Conservation Commission focuses more on small-town politics than resource protection and exceeds the jurisdiction granted to the commission under the act. The conditions imposed would not be upheld by the Department of Environmental Protection and do not reflect sound science.
The draft order proposes conditions that exceed the 1993 and 1994 guidelines set forth by the state for shorebird protection and beach management, it attempts to severely limit access to Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, it tries to dictate our business practices, and it would allow driving OSVs in intertidal zones, which are important habitat areas and feeding spots for protected shorebirds. Inexplicably, this condition suggests that The Trustees not only prevent access to the Gut, but that we pay to erect a coded-gate that would only allow private landowners to enjoy this beloved, public beach.
One could ask why there are so many restrictions at this beach where the town is imposing nearly 30 conditions, while Norton Point Beach has only five conditions directly related to the Wetlands Protection Act. The answer is clear and simple — the commission is seeking to appease a small group of private landowners who are determined to convert Cape Poge to a private beach.
We are committed to sharing this spectacular refuge with the public as we adaptively manage the beach as the climate changes. We ask the commission to reconsider their overreach, assure the public has balanced access to this refuge, and to stop misusing wetlands regulations to address challenging local politics. As an organization that manages 123 properties across the state and seven here on the Vineyard, with the purpose of protecting these special places for everyone, forever, we cannot accept these conditions and we will continue to advocate for public access in line with the ecologically sound care of the resource here and across the 27,000 acres we manage as reservations across the Commonwealth.
Katie Theoharides is President and CEO of The Trustees.
Comments
Thank you Trustees for
Justine ChappyThank you Trustees for continuing to fight for public access to our beaches. Please do not allow the town to limit access as it proposes to do in the draft order of conditions. There should be no fixed limit on the number of OSVs and access should be allowed all the way to the gut. Simply put, the order should be no more restrictive than the order for Norton Point.
I am thrilled the Trustees
Devon EdgartownI am thrilled the Trustees leadership is stepping up to defend the “little guy”. This letter captures what is happening now regarding Chappy access. It’s great to have the trustees in our corner as the wealthy attempt to privatize Cape Pogue.
At last, a voice of reason. I
Lindsay ChappyAt last, a voice of reason. I hope the Commission and the Town of Edgartown take note.
What beaches is Ms.
Truth ChappyWhat beaches is Ms. Theoharides referring to? There is nothing left. She clearly hasn't been here in a while, if at all?? The Conservation Commission has been bending over backwards trying to help TTOR to get this done even though TTOR hasn't even bothered to do what it is supposed to do. When Ms. Theoharides took over I had hope TTOR would back to prioritizing conservation and purge the organization of its controlling and money grubbing ways. My hope is gone. Blaming the Conservation Commission and private landowners of Edgartown is so inappropriate here. If these applications get denied all TTOR has to do is look in the mirror to see who is to blame.
The use of the phrase “money
TTOR Member ChappyThe use of the phrase “money grubbing” insinuates that TTOR only cares about $$$ and perhaps uses MV as a piggy bank for projects elsewhere. The organization has been clear that overall the island operates at an annual loss and local programs are actually supported by their broader off island charitable giving and budget. At this stage, repeating this old trope is tiresome and not productive.
This is a hard blink by the
Islander ChappaquiddickThis is a hard blink by the trustees. If the facts and science were on their side they would just let the con comm do what it needs to do and appeal the decision if they disagree with it. Organizations that have the facts on their side don’t run to the newspapers. This is bullying behavior and those that donated to the trustees would be saddened to see what a dumpster fire they have become. I’m grateful to the commission and the town for stepping up to protect the little we have left on this island. It’s about time.
The OSV limit will backfire
Jim Ruden ChappyThe OSV limit will backfire and hurt residents of Chappy. There are only ten parking spacing at Dike Bridge. When the OSV limit is reached (but before they put up the sign at the ferry), cars will be endlessly driving around Chappy looking for parking or waiting for the beach to re-open. The Chappy beaches have worked very well for decades without any limits (and there is plenty of space for many more OSVs) so let’s keep thing as is—if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
So "driving around Chappy
Erin M ChappySo "driving around Chappy looking for parking or waiting for the beach to re-open" is a horror, but what you're missing is that it will be the same on the single-lane delicate sand trail with unlimited numbers allowed out there. I was out there a week ago - there is not the wide swathes of beach you seem to think there are north of the bridge on either the ocean or the bay side. It is a trail that dead ends due to no beach (even if you presume beyond the Jetties will be open) with minimal area for vehicles to park, turn around or navigate around each other. It is sad that it can't go back to the way it was in the past, but reality must be faced that this a dwindling resource (due to, I personally believe, a combo of historic overburdening of what was there and climate change)
Wholeheartedly agree with,
Lynn vera Oak bluffsWholeheartedly agree with, and trust, the perspective of the Trustees regarding chappy access. So much of our island has become privatized and inaccessible, even with (thankfully) Land Bank and Sheriff’s Meadow properties allowing us on…. There is a balance between protection and access; money and ownership should not be the guardian of our beautiful island spots. Thank you Trustees for a well written reminder
Thank you for this letter,
Rachel ChappyThank you for this letter, centuries of tradition and public access to these shores is being challenged by a few newcomers who want to privatize a public resource for their own benefit and ultimately financial gain. It’s unbelievable that our town would support this.
Take, take, take. It’s an
Free Cape Poge EdgTake, take, take. It’s an astonishing time to witness blatant disregard for the community and to further admonish TTOR as a non-profit corporate monster. Extracting precious resources from Chappaquidick. Wake up everyone! This is a land grab opportunity by a number of Cape Poge homeowners who believe their voices are louder than the community and that scapegoating TTOR will ruffle enough feathers to sow doubt of their mission on the island. So tired of the struggle to maintain what little public access we have. Enough already.
How refreshing to read such a
Fran Clay OstervilleHow refreshing to read such a strong affirmation of TTOR’s mission statement. If only the Conservation Commission and Cape Pogue residents would pay attention to those words, the present travesty could be settled in favor of the majority who only wish to have full access to Chappy beaches.
I love going to the beach. I
Beach Lover EdgartownI love going to the beach. I love it for its peace and tranquility. It's solitude. I have gone to the beaches on Chappy my whole life. I have never driven to them. People seem to be forgetting that none of these beaches are closed if you just want to sail or kayak to them. Everyone seems to forget that big trucks are not the only way to access the beaches. I have never driven to Cape Poge. I have only used the water or walked out. I don't understand why The Trustees are fighting so hard to get trucks on the beaches when they know the environment is harmed by them. When they know how fragile the beaches are and how little of them remain. Seems contrary to their mission. The Conservation Commission's only job is to protect the environment. The fact they are trying to balance use along with protection is to be commended. Not an easy job.
My family’s story is much
Access to all Vineyard havenMy family’s story is much like many who found their way to the vineyard. My parents came as campers in 1965 first to Cranberry acres and then Webbs. We enjoyed years of beach access fishing , snorkeling and just enjoying the day at the beach. As the summers went on mom and dad bought a house and became residents and as they aged a day at the beach became nothing short of a chore my mom had Alzheimer's,my dad had too many health issues to list. If it not for the OSV access to Norton point and chappy they wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the picnics and easy access from the truck to a chair in the sand. This great shore should be abled to be accessible to all and OSV access should be allowed on public land donated by people who intended the land to be used by the public not just a privileged few. The island is made up of too many exclusive areas this land was not intended to be private and should not ever be taken away from its intended people.
Sail, Kayak, Swim, WALK,
Mike B UpislandSail, Kayak, Swim, WALK, professional tours (like the National Seashore)……if everyone did this….Chappy could be preserved. The private homes should be bought back by the government (like the National Seashore) because these homes and their transit, septics, and human activity is also severely damaging. Make it a National or State Park…..and it is preserved forever. Anyone who thinks OSV use is not damaging to the ecosystem is kidding themselves. This sounds dramatic but I promise in 50 years everyone will be wishing this was done.
The Cape Code National
Brian B. ChappyThe Cape Code National Seashore allows OSVs. https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/cape-cod-national-seashore-overs…
Correct….one used to be able
Mike B UpislandCorrect….one used to be able to drive from Chatham to Provincetown. Now you can only drive on about 1/20 of that stretch. Perhaps similar to limiting OSV access to Norton Point only. It was the right decision to take almost all of it away.
Ms Theorides and the Trustees
Leo ChappyMs Theorides and the Trustees whining after being called out on their tone-deafness and their willful ignoring the concerns and feelings of this Island community is laughable if it wasn’t so ominous. The threats made here by Ms Theorides to bring in the Federal government and the State under the flag of inclusivity is not driven by the TTOR’s concerns for the public but for their continued insistence to not own up to the fact that they have not managed nor stewarded this property, their “planning process” is a joke, their organization fell apart and has been restructured 8 times in the last 5 years , and they had to be brought into account by our local govt that they answer to us — Islanders — first and foremost. They still don’t get this.
Go tour this property with its rusted out bike racks, senseless sticks and ropes strewn about with no purpose, trash, half buried stairways in the sand , no facilities or portajohns, no trail structure or maintenance — just a couple of booths so they can sell their exorbitantly prices osv passes. Stewards? Laughable if it wasn’t so sad. God bless the property owners — enough is enough — it is time for the TTOR to leave — let the Town manage its own resources — send these government fools packing.
Thank you Katie. These
Allen ChappaquiddickThank you Katie. These beaches are miles from the road and the only practicable means of access is by OSV (there are no boat ramps or available moorings on Chappy), especially when shellfishing, fin fishing, carrying gear, etc. Make no mistake—those opposing access are only doing so to create a private playground with miles of beach to themselves. Any damage to Chappy beaches is caused by weather not OSVs; and if OSVs are the problem, Cape Poge residents should be banned from OSV access as well.
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