Martha's Vineyard Commission

 

The Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) is the regional planning agency for Martha’s Vineyard Island and the Elizabeth Islands (together, comprising the County of Dukes County).

The mission of the MVC is twofold: (1.) To assist our region’s 7 towns (Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, & West Tisbury) with planning expertise; and (2.) Protect and enhance the islands’ environment, economy, character, and social fabric.

Follow us on Social Media

Key Documents
MVC's Facebook Page
Process
MVC's YouTube Channel
Existing DCPC
MVC's Instagram

Recordings of Thursday night MVC Commission Meetings can be found on MVTV.  Search their site by entering the meeting date M.D.YY (example 12.1.22)

HEADLINES - What's New

Where Might Flooding Occur?

posted 9/14/23

With hurricane season on everyone's mind, this is a reminder about the Storm Tide Pathways application.  Created by the Center for Coastal Studies in 2022 (funded by the MVC), the STP App shows where flooding might occur and how deep based on forecasted tide levels.

App's landing page with links to backgound info.

App's how-to video.

Storm Tide Pathways App.

If you have questions, please reach out to Liz Durkee (climate change) or Chris Seidel (GIS) of the MVC.

 

Read All About It - in the MVC Quarterly - Sept Issue

Please read the latest edition of the MVC Quarterly.  This newsletter has a great summary of all the on-going planning work which the MVC staff are busy plugging away on.

All 7 towns in Dukes County contribute an annual assessment to the MVC and those funds fuel these efforts.

Future MVC Quarterly newsletters will be posted to this page.  Please contact Alex Elvin if you'd like to sign-up to receive the Quarterly via email.

posted 9/14/23

 

New Release -- > Climate Risk Assessment for Martha's Vineyard

The Woodwell Climate Research Center has just released the Climate Risk Assessment for Martha's Vineyard.  You can download the full document or view on Woodwell's website.

The Woodwell Climate Research Center conducted a climate risk assessment for Martha’s Vineyard, analyzing the impacts of climate change on physical hazards. As a result of climate change, the probability of the historical 100-year rainfall event, a useful indicator of flood risk, is expected to increase slightly by mid-century and be five times more likely by late-century. The likelihood of extreme drought events will also rise, with an increase of 44% by mid-century and 94% by late-century. Related to drought, more high-danger wildfire days will occur; with an additional eight wildfire danger days per year by mid-century and 17 additional days, a near doubling of the historical level, by late-century. This report underscores the importance of localized and freely available climate risk assessments to support climate-resilient decision-making for communities. The findings are crucial for planning a more resilient future for all residents of Martha’s Vineyard.

Please contact the MVC's Climate Change Coordinator, Liz Durkee or Woodwell scientist Andrew Condiafor more info.

map created by Woodwell Climate Research Center

posted 8/3/2023

Potential Solutions Report Released

 

The Potential Solutions report for the Up-Island Watershed Management Plan (aka 208 Equivalency Report) has just been released.  In collaboration with RJS Development Solutions and Wright-Pierce, the MVC compiled this document to describe "...a variety of technologies and approaches for mitigating impaired waters and habitats" on Martha's Vineyard.  Intended for Town board members and residents alike, the advantages and disadvantages of each option are explained.

Please reach out to the MVC's Water Resource Planner, Sheir Caseau, for more info.  This project has been funded by MassDEP.

posted 6/30/2023

Photo Credit: Mark Lovewell - The Vineyard Gazette 2014

 

Carbon Sequestration Study on MV

The Woodwell Climate Research Center is developing an above ground and below ground model of carbon sequestion for Martha's Vineyard.  This work is a collaboration with the MVC's Climate Action Task Force and the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation.  The above ground model is anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2023. 

Visit the project's website or read the more detailed desctiption to learn more.

Questions? Please contact Ben Robinson (CATF chairperson)

posted 1/4/2023

ArcGIS Online Homepage

 

As administrator of our regional ArcGIS OnLine cloud space, the MVC has updated the site's homepage.  Visitors to the site, including town employees and the general public, should have an easier time finding the interactive maps they are looking for.

Or maybe you'll stumble upon something neat & interesting that you didn't even know you were looking for.  Check it out.

Contact the MVC's GIS Coordator, Chris Seidel, if you have questions.

posted 10/14/22

Climate Change

Development Project Review (DRIs)

>>Active DRIs Webpage

Elder Services

Economy/Housing

Maps/Data/Aerial Footage

Traffic/Transportation

Water Resources

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW (DRI - Developments of Regional Impact)

Active - Under Review
Active- Under Review
Key Documents
Key Documents
Process
The Process
Existing DCPC
Previously Reviewed

PLANNING FOCUS AREAS

Coastal
Coastal
Economy
Economy
Housing
Housing
Maps
Maps
Transportation
Transportation
Water
Water

WORKING WITH TOWNS - ACTIVE PROJECTS

MORATORIUM
Aquinnah Chilmark Edgartown Gosnold Oak BLuffs Tisbury West Tisbury Multi-Town

DISTRICTS OF CRITICAL PLANNING CONCERN (DCPC)

Process
The Process
Active - Under Review
Qualifications

Moratorium
Existing DCPC
Decisions
 
The MVC filed an amicus curaie brief regarding the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah vs. the Town of Aquinnah: Amicus Brief 2020-03-27
The Tribe opposed the MVC amicus brief: Opposition 2020-04-06
The MVC responded: Response 2020 2020-04-13
The Order of the Court allowing Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief: Order 2020-04-16
 

 

 

 

 

Office location:

Office location:

The Stone Building
33 New York Avenue
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

Telephone: 508-693-3453
Fax: 508-693-7894

Mailing Address

Mailing address:

Martha's Vineyard Commission
P.O. Box 1447
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

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Martha's Vineyard Commission
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