IMPORTANT ISSUES:
Researchers Sarah Horvat and Micheline LaBrie of the Coastal Systems Program at UMass Dartmouth explain the sources of nitrogen and its effects on the three down island ponds to a full and engaged audience at the Oak Bluffs Library on April 4. The talk is the first in the Down Island Coastal Pond Speaker Series of talks organized in a collaboration among the Lagoon Pond Association, Friends of Sengekontacket, Tisbury Waterways Inc, and the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group. The next event in the series will be at the MV Museum on July 28 at 4:30pm.
View the presentation here!
Happening on Lagoon Pond:
Canada Goose Egg Addling in Progress: Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven Animal Control officers have begun addling goose eggs as a means to control their population. This will take place starting now through April and early May. This method is recommended by the US Humane Society. While not nearly as negative an impact to the pond as septic systems, Canada geese droppings contribute to poor water quality, litter our beaches, and at times cause beach closures due to bacteria. Each goose drops an average of 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of feces every day. The geese also eat eelgrass that we are trying to protect and restore. The species of geese prevalent on the island do not migrate in the winter, increasing the dilemma. If you know of nests or have questions, please contact your animal control officer. In Tisbury, please call Heather at 774-563-9721. In Oak Bluffs, please call Kelly at 508-560-9127.
Safe Harbors Marina: LPA is collaborating with Safe Harbors Marina on water quality and boating safety issues on Lagoon Pond
Read MV Times article re Nitrogen Pollution Remediation
UPDATE ON ARPA FUNDS: Both Tisbury and Oak Bluffs have extended the
deadline for homeowners to apply for septic system grants. Oak Bluffs and Tisbury homeowners near Lagoon Pond: Don't miss the opportunity to access FREE funding from a ARPA grant, designed to support the installation of I/A systems. The Towns will soon be implementing Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plans which will, at some point, mandate these systems in many areas. More importantly, an I/A system can remove up to 98% of the nitrogen a typical Title V system would put into the Lagoon. This is the start of how we get the Lagoon to be a healthy waterway! For more information, please see the following websites for Tisbury and Oak Bluffs! *Tisbury homeowners are “First Come, First Serve
Relevant Happenings and events:
(click for more details)
UPDATE: The MV Shellfish Group succeeded in planting eelgrass in the
Lagoon. With assistance from LPA members in collecting shoots and
participating in the weaving, Alley McConnell (Restoration Coordinator) and
two scuba certified volunteers placed the shoots in a marked area near the
bridge. Fingers crossed for success !
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We welcome new members, both individual and business, to the Lagoon Pond Association (LPA). The LPA is a public interest group dedicated to improving the quality of the environment around Lagoon Pond on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. LPA members have the opportunity keep up to date on critical issues influencing the water quality in the Lagoon through both our own programs and more generally by affecting the policies and actions of several governmental entities that have influence on the environment around the pond.
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Our Impact:
573+
acres impacted
The Lagoon Pond estuarine system is a simple estuary with a single armored inlet through the barrier beach. Its 3,889 acre watershed is situated along the eastern edge of Martha’s Vineyard and is bounded by the Sengekontacket Pond watershed to the east. Lagoon Pond itself is 573 acres and lies in a north/south orientation with one small tributary cove referred to as the West Arm, and the main tidal reach consisting of a lower , middle and upper basin based upon geomorphologic features.
30+
Years Serving communities
The LPA was formed 1n 1989 by the merging of two similar organizations: the Oklahoma Association in Tisbury and the Eastville-Lagoon Association in Oak Bluffs. Both had the same essential mission—to protect and preserve Lagoon Pond. In 1989 they “came to their senses” and merged to become a single, stronger voice.