Soil Conservation Grant

The Dukes Soil Conservation District has received a grant to evaluate agricultural nitrogen load

Read More

Norton Point Breach Closing Benefits Birds, Shellfish
Alex Elvin

The closure of the Norton Point breach on Chappaquiddick after eight years will likely benefit oyster farms and shorebirds in one of the Island’s most pristine natural environments, several experts said this week.

Read More

Towns Look to Protect Estuary By Creating Watershed District
Alex Elvin

A proposed watershed planning district in Oak Bluffs and Tisbury would lay the groundwork for added wastewater regulations around the Lagoon Pond, and for greater public participation as the two towns work to restore the estuary.

Read More

Report on Tashmoo Pond Tracks Decline in Water Quality
Alex Elvin

More than 10 years after the state began studying Tashmoo Pond as part of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project, a final report on the pond’s declining health is expected to be released this week.

Read More

Culvert Work Critical to Saving Farm Pond
Olivia Hull

For decades, Farm Pond in Oak Bluffs has been closed to shellfishing. But salvation may not be far off. The town has learned that it’s in the running for major federal funding to widen a culvert under Sea View avenue and restore tidal flushing to the pond.

Read More

Chilmark Pond Study Set for Final Phase
Alex Elvin

Two leading scientists with the Massachusetts Estuaries Project met with the Chilmark selectmen this week to seek approval in moving forward with their study of Chilmark Pond. A draft report released last month confirms that the pond is at its limit for handling nitrogen runoff.

Read More

Lessons on Water Quality from Our Cape Cod Neighbors
Mark London

Sooner or later, the nitrogen pollution threatening the health of Martha’s Vineyard coastal ponds will affect us all. Our jobs are dependent on our visitor-based economy.

Read More

Report Finds Chilmark Pond at Nitrogen Limit
Alex Elvin

The saltwater pond is generally healthy with no serious habitat damage, but nitrogen levels are at their limit, the report from the Massachusetts Estuaries Project report said.

Read More

Greenfilters Needed to Cut Nitrogen Pollution
Anna Edey

Anyone who spends any time in, on or around our tidal ponds has witnessed the periodic algae infestations and the consequent foul odors, slimy beaches, floating gunk in murky waters and distressed ecosystems. The pollution of our ponds, even our ocean beaches, has become so bad that they have even periodically been closed for public health reasons. Nevertheless, many people of all ages get sick after swimming, with all kinds of serious symptoms.

Read More

Edgartown Warned of Threat to Sengekontacket Health
Sara Brown

In a repeat of a presentation given to the Oak Bluffs selectmen last month, the Edgartown selectmen Monday heard serious warnings about reducing nitrogen levels in Sengekontacket Pond.

With members of the Joint Committee on Sengekontacket in attendance, the selectmen heard that based on a thorough review of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project study on the pond, nitrogen levels need to be reduced and removed.

Read More

Pages