As secluded white sand beaches become a commodity more precious than oil, the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank this week announced significant expansions at two of its most stunning beachfront properties.

Moshup Beach in Aquinnah will grow by half again as much, and Wilfrid's Pond Preserve in Vineyard Haven will more than double in size.

"The land bank prizes beaches among its very many priorities, and expanding what already is conservation is a good accomplishment for everybody," said land bank executive director James Lengyel yesterday.

Martha's Vineyard Land Bank revenues will fall slightly below the $8.5 million record set in the last fiscal year. With the close of the fiscal year but two weeks away, land bank executive director James Lengyel projects ending the year with $7.6 million.

Given the recent downturn in the economy, Mr. Lengyel and the land bank commission expected this drop. In fact, the commission predicted a 15 per cent decrease for this year and the next two years. The decline for the present fiscal year represents only an 8.4 per cent decrease.