Posted on December 4, 2018
The Eastham and Orleans select boards recently met to discuss the dredging project currently proposed for the Nauset Estuary. The Orleans selectmen, in the interests of fishermen and recreational boaters, hired a consultant to provide a feasibility study to determine the most desirable plan to dredge approximately 80,000 cubic yards of cove/marsh bottom to enhance boat access to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Orleans baord has been discussing this issue for several years, while Eastham board has only been an active participant for less than a year. The Orleans-hired consultant reviewed several dredging options, all having unknown impacts to the estuary.
The Eastham board has hired the Center for Coastal Studies to evaluate the impacts that dredging would have to salt marsh. One Eastham selectman explained that, given the scope and complexity of the project, she has a “healthy skepticism” and needs more information to make an educated decision. Indeed, the impacts to the environment, the stakeholders and the taxpayers of Eastham are not known. Kudos to Jamie Rivers and the Eastham selectmen for further studying the issue. Salt marshes are among the most biologically productive ecosystems on Earth and deserve a critical review before artificial alteration.
Source: Cape Cod Times
