The West Tisbury conservation commission Wednesday night approved a set of conditions for the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank to use in managing and maintaining public access to the 11.1-acre glacial pond.
The order of conditions will take effect after a 10-day appeal provision is satisfied and if the land bank accepts the conditions. “We will review the final draft when we receive it and if Matthew [property manager Matthew Dix] is comfortable, we are ready to go,” land bank executive director James Lengyel said this week.
Mr. Dix said yesterday that he is awaiting the final draft order of conditions following a 45-minute session with the conservation commission on Wednesday. “If the final draft is what we agreed on and I expect it to be, then we are ready to go,” he said. Mr. Dix plans to begin trail work in November.
The draft order of conditions closely mirrors the land bank’s management plan for the property, which calls for construction of a system of paths, stairs and walkways and of a boardwalk and swimming dock that will direct swimmers and skaters to enter the pond at a single point. A string of buoys will be installed to prohibit pond users from exiting the water onto the protected shoreline area. The plan is intended to protect rare flora and fauna and also the fragile pond shoreline.
Among other things the management plan calls for four public parking spots, including one universal access spot. Use will be limited to 20 people at one time. All-terrain vehicles will be banned from the property, A swimming platform of 60 square feet will be assembled off the property and installed with a boardwalk by April 1 and removed annually by Nov. 1. A three-foot wide walking trail will lead to the dock. Signs will inform users of the environmentally sensitive nature of the property, and dogs will be required to be leashed and restrained from entering the water. The use of suntan lotions, soaps or shampoos is prohibited. Swimmers will be asked to use rest rooms prior to entering the pond. Rest room facilities will be located at the entrance to the property.
The only dispute on Wednesday evening concerned language about water testing. The land bank will collect water samples as part of its annual summary as well as monitoring changes in flora and fauna. The West Tisbury board of health will test for harmful bacteria. The commission and Mr. Dix revised the language to their mutual satisfaction.
The land bank plan has passed muster with the state executive office of environmental affairs and calls for submission of its annual report to the state secretary of environmental affairs as well to as the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the West Tisbury conservation commission.
Over the last three years there has been extensive discussion about public use of Ice House Pond, which harbors a number of rare species, including bluet maidenflies and Eastern box turtles.
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