Nantucket Current | We call on the Select Board to support…

Note: This letter was originally sent to the Select Committee

To the Editor: We note that the Board will review proposed amendments to the Nantucket Wetlands Regulations at its June 26 meeting. This is an opportunity for the Board to exercise strong leadership in supporting the Coastal Resilience Plan (CRP). and the careful work of the Environment Committee in approving the adoption of these long-awaited amendments.

As you know, updating these regulations has been recognized in the CRP as one of the fourteen island-wide priorities and probably the most fundamental of all: “In particular, updates to the city’s regulatory mechanisms… may allow for more effective implementation of the Nantucket CRP.” (page 95/354). As such, the Coastal Resilience Advisory Committee has repeatedly expressed strong support for this update as an essential step in making our island more resilient.

Each of the recommended updates has been carefully checked and improved over several years by subsequent nature conservation commissions. Throughout the process, ConCom was keen to listen and, where appropriate, incorporate input from subject matter experts, business representatives and property owners. The resulting amendments are extremely thoughtful and, in our opinion, quite balanced: to be honest, we would have preferred to see bolder steps taken in some areas. Of course, while regulatory change rarely comes without some resistance, we should remember that the Commission has the power to issue derogations if they are justified.

Overall, the recommended changes represent a key first step in modernizing Nantucket’s regulatory framework to be consistent with the latest science on climate change and sea level rise. That’s why we expect you, as our highest elected body, to act on your strategic plan and demonstrate environmental leadership in supporting this key priority of the Nantucket Coastal Resilience Plan. Thank you.

On behalf of the Nantucket Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors, D. Anne Atherton, Susan McFarland, Maureen Phillips, Mary Wawro and Karen Werner,

Kind regards,

Burton Balkind