HomeMy WebLinkAbout083.00.2024-05-14.Ltr_TTOR_to_YarmouthConComm
The Trustees of Reservations
Conservation Restriction Program
Doyle Community Park and Center
464 Abbott Avenue
Leominster, MA 01453
www.thetrustees.org/ontheland
May 15, 2024
Town of Yarmouth
Conservation Commission
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Via Email
RE: Great Island Homeowners Association – Emergency Certificate
Dear Members of the Conservation Commission:
I am writing today regarding the Emergency Certificate granted to the Great Island Homeowners
Association on January 4, 2024, that allowed the temporary use of sand covered sandbags to protect
Great Island Road.
As you may know, The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) is the holder of two Conservation Restrictions
(CR) on Great Island that permanently protect 267 acres. The Great Island CR (Land Ct Doc #: 499096,
Cert #:118975) preserved 231 acres in 1990, and Smiths Point CR (Land Ct Doc #: 571754, Cert #:34218)
preserved an additional 36 acres in 1996. The purposes of the Great Island Conservation Restrictions are
to assure that “the Premises will be retained predominantly in their natural, scenic and open condition
for conservation purposes and for the protection of natural habitats and environmental systems.”
The Great Island CR landowners have the following Reserved Rights:
B (1) In the event the roads or ways shown on the Plan referred to in Exhibit A are destroyed
by storms or other causes beyond the control of the Granters, and can only be restored if
relocated in part on the Premises, the installation, maintenance, repair, improvement and
replacement of said relocated roads and ways and use of such roads and ways for all purposes
for which ways are used in the Town of Yarmouth.
B (5) Sand dune stabilization and replenishment, including without limitation, altering,
fencing, fertilizing, and planting thereof, installing of jetties and groins, dredging, placing, and
filling in connection with such stabilization and replenishment.
As background information, TTOR was founded in 1891 and preserves, for public use and enjoyment,
123 properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. In addition to our
properties open to the public, we hold Conservation Restrictions on 20,000 acres of land and have
helped communities conserve over 72,000 acres across Massachusetts.
We are in favor of extending the temporary use of the covered sandbags until a more permanent
solution is designed. We understand that Great Island Road is the only means of vehicle and emergency
access for the year-round residents of the island. We also understand that there are state and municipal
regulation that must be considered. We believe that there is little harm to the conservation values on
this property by leaving the sandbags in place for a longer period. However, we would request that there
be consistent inspections of any exposed sandbags, particularly before and after storm events. This will
minimize the risk of any threat of plastic entering the ocean. The Oct 2023 Woods Hole Group Proposal
appears to be a very comprehensive proposal and requires additional time to determine the best course
of action for continued access by the Great Island community and for implementing their adaptive
strategies. With sea-level expected to continue to rise, we believe this is a reasonable approach.
If you have questions, please contact me at snaser@thetrustees.org.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sally Naser
Conservation Restriction Stewardship
Director