Islanders will have a chance to air their concerns about the management of the Manuel F. Correllus state forest next week when state officials hold a public meeting on the Vineyard. 

After recent criticisms about how the Department of Conservation (DCR) oversees the 5,300-acre area in the center of the Island, the agency has scheduled a “listening session” at the Performing Arts Center on Oct. 10.

DCR commissioner Brian Arrigo plans to be on-Island to hear the concerns of Vineyarders — the first public appearance here since DCR cleared a homeless encampment in the forest in July. 

The lack of coordination with Island organizations and law enforcement during the camp clearing drew swift outcry from Vineyarders, prompting the state to promise better communication in the future. Island boards have also worried about the lack of resources devoted to the forest, its susceptibility to a wildfire and the condition of its bike trails.

DCR has face criticism for its management of the forest.

Ray Ewing

DCR has face criticism for its management of the forest.

Ray Ewing

The planned meeting aims to fill a vow Mr. Arrigo, the highest ranking official in DCR, made after the encampment was cleared. 

In an August 20 letter to the six Island town administrators, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and Dukes County government, Mr. Arrigo said DCR would do better to engage Islanders in finding a solution for the homeless population who settle in the forest, and that he would hold a community meeting.

“Since my first day as Commissioner, I have focused on improving how DCR communicates and engages with our communities across the state,” Mr. Arrigo, the former mayor of Revere, wrote. “As we work toward advancing our mission, it’s important to me that we work directly with those we serve on the processes and practices that directly affect them.” 

This week, Mr. Arrigo said he was looking forward to hearing from Islanders on how to best manage the forest and ensure it is here for generations to come.

“The goal is to have a productive meeting with the Martha’s Vineyard community and its leaders about the future management of the State Forest and collaboration with local government and community organizations,” the commissioner said in a statement to the Gazette. 

Even before the homeless encampment clearing, some Island officials had issues with DCR over forest management. A new Martha’s Vineyard Commission task force is working to develop improvement plans that take into account the forest’s ecological health and safety of the community around the forest. 

The task force is also looking to get the state to finish replacing the network of shared-use paths that crisscross the woods.

The Dukes County Commission has also petitioned the state to allow a vacant, state-owned home in the forest to be used by DCR to house forest employees. 

Island officials urge the public to attend to have their voices heard.

Ray Ewing

Island officials urge the public to attend to have their voices heard.

Ray Ewing

Island residents have expressed worries about fire risk posed by highly flammable, non-native trees planted during the 20th century as part of Island’s past lumber industry.

“We share DCR’s stated concern about the fire hazard in the State Forest,” county commissioner Martina Thornton wrote to the agency in August. “We have, in fact, advocated multiple times over many years to ask the state to leverage the existing house/watch station in the forest by assigning a full-time person to live there and thereby regularly monitor for fires and to serve as the agency’s eyes and ears on the Island.”

In the wake of the homeless encampment clearing, DCR said it has been working with the commission, Dukes County and the Island’s state legislative delegation to plan the upcoming meeting. In addition to Mr. Arrigo, several other DCR officials in the department’s operations, fire control, trail and forest health teams will be in attendance.

Christine Todd, the chair of the Dukes County Commission, said Islanders deserve better oversight of the forest. 

“It doesn’t seem to be a priority for DCR and I want it to be a priority,” she said. “That’s a big piece of land on this Island.” 

She called on the public to come to the meeting to pressure the state to devote more time and money to the Island. 

“I hope that DCR comes with an open mind and a determination to develop a serious, future-oriented plan of managing the forest,” she said. 

The meeting is scheduled to be held at the Performing Arts Center from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. DCR is also inviting the public to provide comments online.