COASTAL MANAGEMENT

Because it is an island, Martha's Vineyard's coastal resources—its harbors, its coastal ponds, and its beaches and shorelines—are especially important. Coastal Management deals with both water resource areas and the land with access to those waters. These precious and finite recourses have long been the focus of human activities, if not always wisely managed.

The Commission's Coastal Management program includes planning and regulatory functions designed to promote appropriate activities and to ensure adequate space and resources for those uses, while respecting the sensitive environmental concerns found where the land meets the water.

ISLAND-WIDE

Martha's Vineyard is defined by its relationship with the sea. Inhabitants and visitors cannot help but be stricken by the finite nature of the supply of land and water resources. On Martha's Vineyard, stewardship of coastal lands and waters is almost always a cooperative effort between government agencies, partnered with local advocacy groups and non-profits. The Commission provides a number of services to foster good cooperation and good stewardship of coastal resources.

PLANNING

Planning functions begin with research by the Commission's professional staff, funded by various external sources. The data is then used for policy development for resource management, most often by the towns to develop standards, policies and regulations. The Commission provides assistance to the towns in preparation of open space plans, harbor plans, and other policy documents to manage the coastal resources of each town and the resources shared between towns.

ALL-ISLAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETINGS

The Commission facilitates the quarterly gathering of the Commissioners and the staff of the Island's six Conservation Commissions. This helps promote coordinated planning and good communication between these groups working on similar issues in each town. Conservation Commissions (along with other boards) have authority over development within wetlands; along with other town boards, they can nominate DCPCs or can refer DRIs to the Commission for review.

DISTRICTS OF CRITICAL PLANNING CONCERN

The Coastal District DCPC is one of the Commission's Island-wide DCPCs, one of the original districts designated in the Commission's early years, and remains one of the most important regulatory tools. The Coastal District encompasses coastal resources of the entire Island, protecting resources such as water quality and vistas. Other DCPCs, listed below, protect specific coastal resources.

DEVELOPMENTS OF REGIONAL IMPACT

The full Commission reviews a number of individual developments in coastal resource areas as Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs).

OTHER PROJECT REVIEW

Commission staff reviews and comments on additional projects, participating in the Commonwealth's MEPA and DEP Waterways licensing processes.

HARBORS

The Island's four harbors are where Islanders, visitors, and their cargo are carried to and from the mainland U.S. They serve as home to the Island's fishing fleet and to a growing number of resident recreational craft, and serve as destinations.

• Oak Bluffs Harbor, busy summer destination for ferries and recreational boats
• Vineyard Haven Harbor, the year 'round working port, and home to most of the Island's boatyards
• Edgartown Harbor, wharved and built up from Colonial days
• Menemsha Harbor, the quintessential fishing port

Conflicts may arise among the many competing uses, both on the water and on the busy waterfronts surrounding these havens.

HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLANS

Commission staff has helped to develop a comprehensive management plan for Edgartown harbor, and strategic plans for Vineyard Haven Harbor and Oak Bluffs Harbor. Staff is available to assist the towns with additional harbor planning.

HARBOR WATER QUALITY

Commission staff performed a OakBluffsNutrientLoad [document not yet available online] and water quality monitoring as well.

DISTRICTS OF CRITICAL PLANNING CONCERN

Harbor DCPCs include the Vineyard Haven Harbor District and the Oak Bluffs Harbor District. The Vineyard Haven district is designed predominantly to manage uses, while the Oak Bluffs district is predominantly directed at preservation of visual and physical access to the harbor.

BEACHES AND THE SHORELINE

The beaches and shorelines of Martha's Vineyard serve as constant reminders of the realities of living on an island. Water, water everywhere! Of approximately sixty-three miles of coastal property, the public owns approximately sixteen miles. Issues include storm damage prevention, access and coastal structures. The gradual sea level rise of the last several thousand years appears to be accelerating in response to global warming trends, indicating a need for more aggressive planning for landward retreat of the shoreline.

RESEARCH

Commission staff has compiled data on shoreline erosion and flood hazards, and new GIS data on the forefront of coastal planning, and provides the towns and the general public with assistance regarding use of the data.

DISTRICTS OF CRITICAL PLANNING CONCERN

The Coastal District, the Gay Head Cliffs District, the Moshup Trail District, and the Wild and Scenic North Shore District are DCPCs that serve to protect the vistas and other critical resources associated with beaches and shorelines of Martha's Vineyard.

COASTAL MANAGEMENT RESOURCES

STAFF CONTACT

Jo-Ann Taylor, Coastal Planner, ext. 19, taylor@mvcommission.org

MVC PUBLICATIONS

USEFUL LINKS

• Local contacts such as pond advocacy groups
• Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
• Truman Henson, CZM - Cape and Islands Regional Coordinator
• Natural Heritage
• NOAA