Island officials hope a new Martha's Vineyard Commission report that explores ways to cut down the amount of nitrogen pollution in up-Island ponds could serve as a blueprint for local planners.
The red-grade notice is the strongest health warning that the Island Boards of Health can issue in the event of a cyanobacteria bloom.
More than half the nitrogen polluting Great Ponds along the south shore is coming from wastewater, a newly released report has found.
Health agents and water quality experts have identified cyanobacteria blooms across Martha’s Vineyard, closing parts of Squibnocket Pond and issuing warnings about the toxic blue-green algae.
A new private-public coalition announced this week will monitor the presence of cyanobacteria in the Edgartown, Chilmark and Tisbury Great Ponds this summer, including through maps and a special-purpose website.
Dredging and intensive study are part of a new project for Chilmark Pond, as two foundations have joined forces to develop a science-driven restoration plan for the pond.