Cyanobacteria Reaches Red-Grade Status in Four Ponds

MVCyano, a coalition of local boards of health and the Great Pond Foundation, has issued “red-grade” cyanobacteria bloom advisories in Chilmark Pond, Tisbury Great Pond, James Pond and a pond at Mink Meadows.

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Vineyard Left Out of New State Septic Regulations

Updates to the state's Title 5 regulations that were originally proposed for the Cape, South Coast and the Islands will now only go into effect on Cape Cod, state officials said this week.

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‘Swim at Your Own Risk’ at Great Rock Bight

Due to poor water quality, the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank is advising visitors at Great Rock Bight in Chilmark to swim at their own risk.

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Ice House Pond Reopens to Swimmers

The popular freshwater swimming hole in West Tisbury reopened Tuesday morning after being closed due to high bacteria counts.

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Coastal Ponds Under Pressure: Balancing People and the Environment
Alex Elvin

Island ponds are a connection to cultural heritage and a livelihood for fishermen. But housing booms and land-use changes threaten to undo a delicate balance.

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Where Has All the Quitsa Eelgrass Gone? Crabs and Geese May Be to Blame
Alex Elvin

An unexpected absence of eelgrass in Nashaquitsa Pond this summer may be the result of crab predation and goose foraging over the harsh winter. The Chilmark shellfish constable said he's never seen such a sudden decline in the aquatic plant that plays a vital role in the life cycle of shellfish.

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Protect Coastal Ponds, Protect Property Values, Cape Commission Advises Vineyard
Alex Elvin

On Cape Cod ambitious efforts are underway to remediate ponds and estuaries. And when coastal ponds decline, so do property values, the executive director of the Cape Cod Commission, told a meeting at the Katharine Cornell Theatre.

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Oak Bluffs Beaches Reopen After Temporary Closure
Olivia Hull

Two downtown beaches in Oak Bluffs reopened to swimming Thursday after a two-day closure.

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Gift from Tribe to Oak Bluffs: Stormwater Collector for Harbor
Olivia Hull

The town selectmen presented a certificate of appreciation to the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Tuesday for the rare gift of environmental protection.

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Seth's Pond Closed Due to Bacteria

Seth’s Pond in West Tisbury has been closed until further notice due to high levels of bacteria, health agent John Powers announced Tuesday.

The freshwater pond was re-tested today, Mr. Powers said; it will be reopened pending the return of clean water samples.

This is the second time the popular swimming pond off Lambert’s Cove Road has been closed this season. In June the pond was briefly closed when a water sample showed high levels of enterococcus bacteria.

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