How We Got Here
The Journey To Protect ‘Sconset Bluff
Baxter Road
Sustainability Programs Update
October 10, 2023
Timeline
1990-2013
Erosion along ‘Sconset Bluff averages 3-4 feet per year, with up to 10 feet in total.
Winter 2013
Winter storm season severely erodes ‘Sconset Bluff,
threatening the stability of Baxter Road. Town of Nantucket proposes closing and rerouting Baxter Road to maintain emergency access; would require private land taking and cost.
July 2013
Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.
October 2013
Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.
Nov/Dec 2013
SBPF filed an Emergency Certification request for four tiers of geotubes (and related work) on most endangered 900 feet; after denial by ConCom, request approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection on appeal.
Dec/Jan 2014
During a 35 day period the Geotubes were installed.
2014-2018
Geotubes perform as anticipated in protected area, with zero new erosion; unprotected areas continue to see loss of Bluff.
Fall 2018
Submitted plans to Conservation Commission (ConCom) to extend geotubes 3000 feet (as originally anticipated when original pilot project was put in place in 2013).
Winter 2019
ConCom requested peer review of plans was conducted.
Summer 2019
ConCom denied request.
August 2019
MEPA site visit to determine if Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was required; more than 150 supporters attended and wrote letters.
Fall 2019
SBPF appealed ConCom decision to MA Dept of Environmental Protection.
October 2019
MEPA agreed that no EIR was required.
January 2020
DEP overturned ConCom denial of expansion (with one notable exception).
Summer 2020
Town convened working group identifies proposed compromise to project expansion; compromise is rejected without discussion by the ConCom.
Spring 2021
Town asks Arcadis to evaluate future options for
protecting Baxter Road and extending the Geotube
project; a final recommendation is due late Summer 2021.
September 2, 2021
ConCom formally votes to order project removal.
September 9, 2021
Arcadis issues draft report declaring the geotubes project viable and noting that “If effectiveness were the only evaluation criteria, Expansion of the Existing System would be the recommended Adaptation Alternative for the short term.”
End of September 2021
Town Select Board announces renewed partnership with SBPF to move forward with Geotube project (both maintaining existing and expanding to protect future).
Winter/Spring 2022
SBPF completes delivery of fully required 2022 amount of sand for the current year: 20,834 cubic yards. The volume of sand on top of the geotubes is 27,000 cy, more than twice the amount of sand normally needed.
April 2022
Nantucket Select Board approves an MOU to collaborate with SBPF regarding an expansion of the Geotube project.
August 2022
Town of Nantucket explores options for relocation of Baxter Road should the Geotube project fail or not continue.
September 2022
Superior Court validates ConCom decision to order removal of Geotube project.
October 2022
Town of Nantucket and SBPF formally request ConCom rescind removal order in advance of joint Notice of Intent filing for an updated/expanded Geotube project.
November 2022
ConCom rejects request to rescind Geotube removal order.
January 2023
SBPF informs the town of Nantucket that it will no longer operate or maintain the Geotube project; should the Town not identify a clear path forward, SBPF notes that it will meet its obligations to remove the project.
July 2023
New ConCom members appointed; SBPF provides background on benefits of Geotube project.
November 2023
Select Board authorize the re-filing of an application (Notice of Intent) jointly with SBPF to expand and modify the Geotube project.
