Guest Commentary: Pro-Beach -- So, why not?
By Joe Mistretta
Thu Apr 24, 2008, 09:51 AM EDT
EASTHAM - Way back when Cape Cod National Seashore was created, Eastham ceded its existing ocean beaches to the new entity but had the foresight to retain 27 acres of oceanfront property for town use. There is nothing written about the reason for this action, but the storm of 1978, which forever changed Coast Guard Beach, and the relentless erosion at Nauset Light make that decision prophetic.
Following the 2002 decision by the Seashore to close the Coast Guard drop-off, a nearly 80 percent vote at town meeting passed a resolution authorizing the Eastham Board of Selectmen and Friends of Eastham Recreation to proceed with the construction of a town ocean beach facility. There was strong sentiment that Eastham needed its own direct access to the ocean, as its neighbors have.
A conservation-minded plan was developed. All necessary approvals were obtained. A clear majority of voters supported the beach project, but unfortunately the votes for the required conservation restriction came up short of the necessary two-thirds majority.
Now we have one last chance. In settling the beach opponents’ lawsuit against the town of Eastham, its conservation commission and Cape Cod Commission, the court ordered one last vote to decide the issue. If the conservation restriction is approved, the project moves forward. A “no” vote, however, ends this opportunity forever.
Why is this project important? The actions of tides and winter storms over the years answer that question. Just as the lighthouse property washed away, so will the Nauset Light Beach facility. When it does, Eastham’s last direct access will go with it. The National Seashore will probably provide a shuttle to replace parking, assuming it will incur any expense to rebuild the facility. Remember, the town had to pay for the reconfiguration of the existing parking lot to allow taxpayer parking.
So, why not vote in favor of the conservation restriction and direct, town-owned ocean beach access for Eastham? Why not indeed!
Why not approve a conservation restriction that will preserve eight acres of oceanfront forever … no other development of any sort, ever!
Why not provide the town another major economic draw to keep people coming here to stay in Eastham rentals, eat in Eastham restaurants and shop in Eastham stores. It is important to find ways to make Eastham more competitive. We enjoy a reasonable tax rate in large measure supported by Eastham businesses. Why not encourage economic health by adding another town-owned recreation facility?
Why not create an environmentally friendly, gravel and grass parking area and access that has been vetted and approved by every required agency, with private donations now rather than having to consider using tax dollars at some future date if this project fails?
Why not use a small part of the land we have to provide a facility that will enhance Eastham property values and provide enjoyment to hardworking residents and vacationers alike? Seventy-five years from now, thanks to that relentless erosion, there will be nothing left to conserve.
There is nothing divisive about such a positive project that benefits so many, so why not vote in favor of the conservation restriction on May 5 and give Eastham what every other oceanfront town on the Cape already has … its own beach!
Joe Mistretta is a member of Friends of Eastham Recreation.
"Thanks for visiting our site at this important time in our 8 year history. The following ad appeared in the Cape Codder on Friday April 25th. Watch for our next ad on Friday May 2nd."
Download the Ocean Beach Perspective
Friends of Eastham Recreation, Inc.
A 501c(3) Non-Profit Organization
P.O.Box 657 • North Eastham MA. 02651
Press Release
November 19, 2007
Contacts: Joan Sullivan, Chairperson 508 255 0773, Bob Smith, Director 508 255 3831
Appeals Against Eastham's Ocean Beach Settled Out Of Court
After months of litigation, a settlement was reached between the Cape Cod Commission and the Town of Eastham as defendants, and 15 plaintiffs who filed two appeals against approvals of Eastham’s Ocean Beach, a project of the Friends of Eastham Recreation Inc. Please see attached copy of the settlement.
The conditions of this settlement will require the Town of Eastham to place an Article in the Warrant of the 2008 Annual Town Meeting requesting permission to impose an 8.01 acre Conservation Restriction around the 3.97 acres of Eastham’s Ocean Beach project.
This Conservation Restriction, required by the Cape Cod Commission, received two majority approvals of over 60% of the voters at two previous Town Meetings, however it did not receive the a 2/3rd majority required by the Town Charter. The Cape Cod Commission’s seven-year permit is presently on hold until all appeals are settled.
If this Article receives a 2/3rd vote at the next Town Meeting, the Plaintiffs agree to dismiss their appeal to the Cape Cod Commission for the approval of Eastham’s Ocean Beach, and a second appeal for the approval to the Conservation Commission of the Town of Eastham.
If the Article does not receive a 2/3rd vote, the Cape Cod Commission‘s approval of Eastham’s Ocean Beach will be annulled.
STATEMENT FROM THE FRIENDS OF EASTHAM RECREATION, INC.
The Friends of Eastham Recreation, Inc. remains actively committed to following Mission Statement:
“The Ocean Beach Committee of The Friends of Eastham Recreation, Inc. exists for the sole purpose of returning Atlantic Ocean beach access to Eastham residents and taxpayers by providing vehicle parking, a bicycle path and a pedestrian walkway accessing a stairway to the beach on existing town owned land all at no cost to Eastham taxpayers.”
The Ocean Beach Committee, with the financial support of individuals ($200,000), has developed the plan and obtained all required approvals except the Conservation Restriction which must be approved by registered voters. The Committee will continue raising the funds needed to construct the plan, purchase the necessary beach equipment and then turn the completed beach over to the town.
Beaches are the economic engines of Outer Cape towns and Eastham is no exception. Without direct access to the ocean in the future our town’s economy and property values will suffer. The present agreement with the National Seashore for limited parking is not guaranteed for the long term and it is likely that when the existing parking lot becomes unusable because of erosion, off site parking will be all that is available in Eastham.
Eastham’s Ocean Beach Plan is environmentally sensitive from the entrance roadway to the base to the stairway to the beach. It has received approvals, certificates and permits from Eastham’s Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Conservation Commission, and Planning Board; the Massachusetts Offices of Environmental Affairs, Coastal Zone Management, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Historical Commission: and Barnstable’s Cape Cod Commission. Without the approval of the Conservation Restriction, residents and taxpayers will loose the only future direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Eastham Gets 72 Parking Spaces From Cape Cod National Seashore
The National Seashore's Nauset Light Beach parking lot in Eastham opened
on July 1st with a new entrance for Eastham taxpayers and residents with a
Eastham Beach Sticker. One third of the lot has been redesigned with 62
reserved parking spaces. This conversion was paid for by the Town of
Eastham and attendants are employees of the Eastham Beach and Recreation
Department. An additional 10 spaces are also available to Eastham
taxpayers and residents with an Eastham Beach Sticker at the
National Seashore's Coast Guard Beach.
Approvals from all local, regional and state authorities for Eastham's Ocean
Beach (EOB) plan between Nauset Light and Coast Guard Beaches are still in
tacked. The remaining obstacle preventing this town owned beach is the
failure of Eastham registered voters to approve a conservation restriction
surrounding the 250 car parking area, a requirement of the Cape Cod
Conservation Commission. All expenses related to the developing this plan
have been paid for by donations to the Friends of Eastham Recreation Inc.
The 72 interim spaces at Nauset Light and Coast Guard Beaches now available
to cars with Eastham resident/taxpayer stickers are less than 1/3 of the
spaces planned for Eastham's Ocean Beach. The question at hand is: Are 72
ocean beach parking spaces adequate for Eastham residents and taxpayers?
Our Mission
The friends of Eastham Recreation Inc,"The Ocean Beach Committee" exists for the sole purpose of returning Atlantic Ocean beach access to the residents and taxpayers of the Town of Eastham by providing vehicle parking, and bicycle and pedestrian pathways accessing a stairway to the beach all on existing town owned ocean front property between Coast Guard and Nauset Light Beaches.
The Ocean Beach Committee has been charged by the Selectmen of the Town of Eastham with the responsibility of developing a plan, raising the funds needed to develop and construct the plan, obtaining approval from all required agencies, supervising the construction and purchasing the necessary equipment needed to operate the facility at no cost to the town.
Eastham's Ocean Beach Plan will return beach access to its residents and taxpayers. Eastham's Ocean Beach Plan will meet and exceed the requirements of all local, county and or state agencies. The Ocean Beach Committee has provided an operating budget and a recommended beach user fee schedule which will exceed this budget. And finally and most importantly, Eastham's Ocean Beach Plan will return an asset that has been extremely important to the quality of life in our town NOW and for future generations!
