Sales of oversand vehicle stickers for the Trustees of Reservations are at an all-time high, in what is shaping up to be the busiest summer in recent memory on the waterfront.
Sales of oversand vehicle stickers for the Trustees of Reservations are at an all-time high this summer, in what is shaping up to be the busiest year in recent memory on the water — and waterfront — around the Island.
Sam Hart, Islands portfolio director for the Trustees, said that as of August 4 the Trustees had sold 3,355 oversand permits for Norton Point, Cape Pogue and Wasque — an increase of 40 per cent over the same time period last year.
The increase stands in sharp contrast with late spring, when sticker sales were down as strict stay-at-home orders were in effect statewide.
Norton Point on the Edgartown end of the barrier beach that connects to Chappy is a popular destination for recreational beach driving.
Norton Point on the Edgartown end of the barrier beach that connects to Chappy is a popular destination for recreational beach driving.
“We don’t know where this is going to land . . . but to date we are at a pace that not only eclipses last year, but most years in recent memory,” Mr. Hart said, speaking to the Gazette by phone.
The Trustees own or manage more than 600 acres of coastal barrier beach running from the county-owned beach at Norton Point to Trustees-owned properties at Wasque Reservation and Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge. Leland Beach, an east-facing stretch of coastline north of Wasque, is owned by the state and managed by the Trustees.
The Chappy beaches and Norton Point are the only public properties on the Island where beach driving is allowed. Sales of oversand vehicle stickers provide revenue for the Trustees, a Massachusetts-based conservancy that owns and manages properties around the commonwealth and is dedicated to public use, conservation, recreation and education.
This summer the public use part has exploded.
“The Trustees are very happy to offer this type of access,” Mr. Hart said. “It’s a safe way to socially distance, stay within your stable group and to have a nice time at the beach.”
He said pedestrian beach use at Long Point Wildlife Refuge in West Tisbury has also skyrocketed this summer. Due to the pandemic, advance online reservations are required to go to Long Point this summer, and Mr. Hart said the spaces go quickly.
“We’re basically selling out the tickets as soon as we put them online,” he said.
There is no beach driving at Long Point.
At Norton Point and on Chappaquiddick, Mr. Hart said the Trustees closely regulate and monitor beach use by vehicles.
“We use symbolic fencing to mark where to drive. The way we manage the OSV [oversand vehicle] corridors is with very strict guidelines set forth by state coastal zone management in 1994, such as keeping the OSV corridor away from the toe of the dune,” he said. “There’s a method to the madness, we have rangers on patrol out there, if people are driving outside of the OSV corridor fencing, we ask them to leave.”
Norton Point recently reopened for oversand vehicle use after it had been closed to vehicles early in the summer to protect piping plover nests.
The shorebirds have fledged by now, Mr. Hart said, so the beaches are open for use by four-wheel-drive vehicles again.
But the forces of nature are ever dominant on the dynamic barrier beaches. Erosion from tropical storm Isaias last week washed away large sections of beach trails, forcing the Trustees to temporarily close all their beaches to assess damage and possibly re-route trails.
It all adds up to a delicate balancing act, Mr. Hart said.
“It’s certainly a balance and we do our best to maintain it,” he said.
Comments
I do not think that this is
Katamapoint EdgartownI do not think that this is something to be proud of. Since the Trustees took over Norton Point they have not taken any measures to preserve it.
I have been spending summers on MVY since 1979. I can personally attest to the drastic changes that have occurred to this area. It is time to bane all beach vehicles except for those used by the occasional fisherman.
Poor Martha. There
Jack EdgartownPoor Martha. There eventually will be nothing left.
I tend to agree with you,
Lorraine EdgartownI tend to agree with you, Jack. Islands are fragile environments and we are showing the overuse of many areas of the island. Non profits are not the end all and be all.
Same is happening on the
Chappy Guy ChappaquiddickSame is happening on the Wasque, Leland and East Beach side. It is an enormous array of cars with little regard to nature preservation. It is one of the last jewels we have on the eastern seaboard
You mean the same Wasque
JT MVYou mean the same Wasque where they(I won't mention their names) moved an entire mansion and guest house back a couple hundred feet from the very tip of Wasque Point(that they had been told was too close), and stripped all the land of its natural vegetation, and never replaced it, but instead made a meditation path you can still see on satellite? That Wasque?..
... why don’t you just pave
Jim Menemsha... why don’t you just pave it?
As a resident of Chappy I am
Penelope Dixon ChappaquiddickAs a resident of Chappy I am appalled by the # of permits sold. We support the Trustees every year by our annual family membership and I understand their need for funds but 3,335 permits are way too many. These vehicles are causing the Chappy ferry line to be up to two hours for much of the day which is very unfair to residents. Environmental concerns go without saying.
I agree. I love the Trustees
Jennifer Oak BluffsI agree. I love the Trustees. They preserve so many wonderful locations. But there seems to be no limit to what they will sell. can't the town regulate the non profit? Don't they make a promise to preserve the land?
So true Penelope. We plan
Bluefish ChappySo true Penelope. Like most Chappy folks, we plan our weekly shop around the peak ferry line times, which is most of the day now. It's my understanding that the Trustees' MV properties go along way in financially supporting other Trustees' properties, and the Chappy ferry line, Edgartown/Chappy traffic, and the peace of these beautiful spaces is what bears the cost.
The Trustees do a great job
david finkelstein West TisburyThe Trustees do a great job in managing.
Let the people continue to enjoy the beaches.
Mostly it’s a family escape. The beauty is to be experienced.- not just for the birds.
Agree...with you David. Other
Maureen Regan EdgartownAgree...with you David. Other than the great outdoors there are not a lot of options for families during Covid. I see many happy memories being formed on Norton point during a terrible time. It’s a blessing.
I have to disagree with Mr.
Nick EdgartownI have to disagree with Mr. Hart regarding opening up the floodgates of OSV permits is "a safe way to socially distance." To the contrary Mr. Hart, I was on the beach a week ago and with the onslaught of vehicles, they were parked 3-4 feet apart and the people had no regard for social distancing and no one was wearing masks.
When I contacted Mr. Kennedy regarding my concern, he agreed.
An increase of 40% during a pandemic? Where's the Trustees social responsibility. It's all about the $$$.
I wholeheartedly agree. At
Jennifer EDGI wholeheartedly agree. At Norton, distancing seems to be somewhat possible on the less-crowded bay side based on my recent visits. On the Ocean Side? Not happening. Rangers are driving by very large groups of people and groups very close to other groups - and don't appear to be commenting or enforcing at all.
I was going to submit a
Mr. B ChilmarkI was going to submit a comment...but then you wrote it for me. I agree 100% with you: it's all about the money, especially if you're a non-profit.
There should be no vehicles
KM OBThere should be no vehicles allowed. Honestly, I cannot understand why people need to drive their hulking great cars over the sand to park with a bunch of other cars. It’s certainly not to enjoy the peace and solitude of the same nature that they’ve crushed and polluted on the way. There are plenty of beaches with car access - stick to those. Or, god forbid, walk and carry all your coolers and plastic trash with you.
KM, you obviously have never
Island Mike MVKM, you obviously have never taken an SUV up through the wild part of Cape Pogue all the way around almost to Edgartown. Nothing like the South beach scene. Thank you to the ToTR for keeping that open. What a treat. And KM, if you don't own an SUV, please take one of the ToTR guided ours up around there. Well worth the price
Please don’t ban the motor
Marie EdgartownPlease don’t ban the motor vehicles but do make them residents only. Selling weekly passes is a problem. Why is it that we have all the public beaches on the south east side of the island. I remember when it was residents only and it was much more manageable and cared for. Take back our beaches Edgartown......
Agree on many points here. If
DBar17 EdgartownAgree on many points here. If TTOR and Dukes County intend to continue to permit OSV access, the number of OSV's on permitted beaches must be reduced and more carefully regulated. The weekend scene at Norton Point Beach is excessive in all respects. That said, beach managers are expected to pack the beaches with OSV's and to sell permits. Rangers are tasked with enforcing the particular rules TTOR and Dukes County post for their beaches. Don't throw the rangers under the bus, since they have to be conscientious about their personal health and safety. Rangers are tasked with informing beach goers and OSV occupants about the Covid-19 rules and encouraging visitor compliance, not enforcement of Covid-19 rules. Covid-19 libertarianism, risking health and safety for commerce, mixed messaging from federal, state and local leadership and enforcement agencies combined with vacation zeal and the mistaken belief that SARS-CoV-2 is not present or transmissible on crowded beaches are the primary drivers of what is happening on MV beaches, OSV's or not. The image of an OSV dressed in 35" tires, belching greenhouse gasses, packed with an outdoor kitchen, all manner of beach gear, overflowing with occupants and an ornery driver disdainful of Covid-19 guidelines is a symbol for our present situation and failure to manage the pandemic.
DBar17 is correct. Trustees
New Englander ProvidenceDBar17 is correct. Trustees rangers at Norton Point have no enforcement powers concerning COVID-19 protocols. They can inform, which they do, but cannot enforce. In my experience, the rangers are friendly and helpful, given the crowded conditions at the beach.
It's almost September.
Michael OBIt's almost September.
It's almost
over.
ugh.
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