Your support is crucial!
Kindly sign this petition to support the MV Beachgoers Access Group's stance regarding the Notice of Intents filing by the Trustees to allow public OSV access on beaches of Chappy. Your signatures will be combined into a powerful submission to the Edgartown Conservation Commission.
On August 31st, 2022 the Trustees of the Reservation filed two separate Notice of Intents with the Edgartown Conservation Commission. The NOsI for Cape Pogue Refuge and Leland/Wasque would allow the continuation of public OSV Access on the properties on the island of Chappaquiddick that they either manage or own. Associated with the NOIs is a new beach management plan
The MV Beachgoers Access Group (MVBAG) support the NOIs in principle but after careful review of the new Beach Management Plan, the MVBAG Leadership team has identified three critical areas that we believe should be included in the Trustees NOI/BMP:
- Restoring historical public OSV access "North of the Jetty" to the Gut.
- Ensuring practical bayside OSV access at Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge.
- Seeking for the strict adherence to the 1993 Shorebird Management Guidelines, rather than exceeding them
Moreover, there are additional concerns within the BMP that warrant your attention, including the dog policy, improving access for individuals with disabilities and the elderly, and fostering a well-balanced approach to operational decisions between the TTOR Ecology and Stewardship team.
MVBAG stands prepared to work with the Edgartown Conservation Commission, the Trustees and other stakeholders to better understand the laws which govern access in the Wetland Resource areas, but more importantly what they allow and don't allow based on the law, not based on the desire of others. We also will continue to work with our partners at the local, county, state and federal level to emphasize the importance of following the guidelines, as they are written.
