Martha's Vineyard Beach Access Coalition Update from February 2014 Meeting. Click here to read the latest report.
Feb
22
Written by:
2/22/2014 9:11 AM
February 13, 2014
REPORT ON BEACH ACCESS MEETING IN DENNIS ON FEB. 12, 2014
The meeting was scheduled by Dennis selectman Wayne Bergeron, Chatham selectman Sean Summers and Orleans Selectman John Hodgson, all of the Regional Beach Coalition, at 4:30 at the Dennis Senior Center.
In attendance were also selectmen from Truro, Sandwich, Barnstable, Plymouth and Wellfleet, the two town counsels from Barnstable, a representative from Nantucket Seal Abatement Coalition, the three founders of the Martha’s Vineyard Beach Access Coalition, Southeast Regional Director from TTOR, TTOR Property Manager Chris Kennedy from M’sV, the president and about 12 members of the Mass Beach Buggy Association, a reporter from the “Cape Cod Times”, and a reporter from radio station WXTK. Eastham, Falmouth and Duxbury were not represented by a town official but the hope is that each will have one at the next meeting.
The goals of the meeting were the following:
· To meet one another.
· Learn about the beach access issues facing each town.
· Hearing the reports of any progress from the three hosts.
· Plan how to move forward.
Shared issues are
· Long periods of unnecessary beach closures over the years mandated by state bureaucrats citing the federal and state Endangered Species Act.
· Finding ways to influence new policies that will insure the coexistence of birds and beachgoers instead of excluding people.
· Loss of revenue for the towns. In M’sV case, it is mainly TTOR and the county who have lost revenue.
· The lack of cooperation from state and federal officials re: “Take Permitting”, permits allowing beach enrichment and other erosion preventive measures, and reviewing and modifying existing regulations.
Moving forward
· The next meeting will be held in two to three weeks. The Coalition has invited the Director of Mass Fish and Wildlife to discuss the need to streamline and simplify the permitting process.
· Other issues that the group will address are
1. Ways in which to pressure state and federal officials to review regulations, interpretation, implementation and enforcement in order to reach the goal of including the public in that process, i.e. gaining a voice in determining access to and management of our beaches.
2. Ways in which to increase the numbers in the coalition, and to encourage more town officials and additional towns to join.