Resolution Pledges to Safeguard Ponds

Voters have an opportunity this spring to pledge support for water quality protection on the Island - and in particular for the recommendations of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project, a landmark study that will provide critical tools for managing the watersheds around the Vineyard's coastal ponds.

"To me the coastal ponds are probably the one most critical environmental feature on Martha's Vineyard and it drives the economy. I think that is why people come here," said Bruce Rosinoff, a coordinator for the estuaries project, from Edgartown.

The project is a six-year collaboration between the state Department of Environmental Protection and the School of Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. It is using hard science and state-of-the-art technology to analyze the health and nutrient carrying capacity of virtually all the estuaries in southeastern Massachusetts.

On the Island, Sengekontacket Pond, Edgartown Great Pond, Tisbury Great Pond, Lagoon Pond and Lake Tashmoo are all enrolled in the study. The first reports are due later this year, and among them will be one addressing the Edgartown Great Pond.

At the special town meeting Tuesday night, Tisbury voters unanimously approved a nonbinding resolution to give careful consideration to the results and recommendations of the estuaries project, and to work with other towns to preserve and restore the quality of the Island's ponds and waterways.

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