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RACK AND BLINDS
For the last year or so, the big draw at Conservation Commission meetings always seems to be what the Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund is doing, but at today's ConCom meeting, there are two fairly weighty public hearings that may be worthy of your time that have nothing to do with beach erosion.
The first is Madaket Marine's revised expansion plans, which includes reconfiguring its existing boat storage racks, adding three new racks and more parking, and reconfiguring its existing 60 boat slips from 5,214 square feet to 7,212 square feet. Madaket Marine submitted plans in early February for 66 new slips and rack space for 81 additional boats.
Told by town officials that its plan posed too much of a threat to nearby wetlands and groundwater, Madaket Marine withdrew its notice of intent without prejudice, scrapping its plans to add more slips. While revising its expansion plans, Madaket Marine also secured an approval-not-required plan for three residential lots on its property and as an alternative, a preliminary plan for four lots, both in case expansion of this boatyard can't hold water.
Also appearing before the commission is the Linda Loring Nature Foundation that wants to cut nature trails around the North Head of Long Pond, build wooden walkways over wetlands and erect bird-viewing blinds near several ponds. The ConCom meets today at 4 p.m. in the conference room of the Town Annex building at 37 Washington St. Call 228-7231 for details.
HORSESHOE CRABS 101 Blue blood, multiple eyes and four millions years of survival on the planet - the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is an ecological wonder that few people ever see more of than their overturned shells, gutted by gulls and left strewn on beaches along with other crab parts. But in the coming weeks, these prehistoriclooking marine arachnids (eight-legged crustaceans) will be crawling out of the depths of the harbors to spawn and lay their eggs in beaches around the island.
For you, the curious beach-walker, there is an opportunity to learn about the lifecycle of the horseshoe crab, its place in the harbor and estuarine ecosystem and scientific studies of their blood, and to join in a survey of their island population size. That chance is with the Maria Mitchell Association on a field trip entitled "In Search of the Spawning Horseshoe Crab." The event happens May 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The trip is free to Maria Mitchell and Trustees of Reservations' members and $10 for non-members. Those interested in participating should muster at the Wauwinet Gatehouse. Got questions, call Maria Mitchell at 228-9198.
After you've learned where and when to look for horseshoe crabs - hint, hint … during May and June at water's edge on evening high tides around the new and full moons - you can help the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries locate Nantucket shorelines where horseshoe crabs spawn to enhance its management and protection of horseshoe crab habitat. When you're out on the beaches and find these crabs spawning, jot down location with a landmark or street name and contact Alison Leschen at 508-990-2860 or at Alison.leschen@state.ma.us. If you want to learn more about this project, check out www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.
HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY IS MAY 17 Is your garage packed with dangerous chemicals, used motor oils and buckets of spent batteries?
The May hazardous waste collection day, hosted by the Department of Public Works on Saturdays at the landfill, is May 17. It is followed by monthly collections days on June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13.
Bring all of your nasty liquids and solids out to the garage at 188 Madaket Road from 8 a.m. to noon. To get there, take the third entrance to the landfill property coming from the town and the first coming from Madaket. For a complete listing of what you can and can't unload, check out www.nantucket-ma.gov/departments/ dpw.html, scroll down and click on the link for household hazardous waste or call 228-7244.
THEY'LL HAUL ALL BOATS ANYTIME In the April 23 issue of the Independent it was incorrectly reported that Grey Lady Marine only hauls and launches boats for the public during emergency situations per order of a condition of approval in their Planning Board decision on Great Harbor Yacht Club's Major Commercial Development special permit. In fact, whether Grey Lady Marine is at capacity or not, it will always launch and haul boats for anyone at any time. Also, Grey Lady Marine is owned by Great Point
Partners, which developed the club, not the club itself. I
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