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Tuesday, January 16, 2007

'Sconset Erosion Control Project


I took a drive out to Baxter Road in 'Sconset this morning to check out the erosion control project that has been going on there for a long time. I shot the above clip of the site. Workers were busy moving dirt around with a Bobcat machine. A fresh load of dirt had just been dumped over the bluff. I have been following this project closely ever since they started it. I cannot tell you how many dump truck loads of dirt have been dumped over the bluff just to be washed out to sea by the next storm. It seems like hundreds of loads. Here is a picture of the fiber they are using to keep the dirt against the bluff-


When I drive the beaches, I notice this fiber all over the place from Great Point to Smith's Point. Seems like every time we experience a minor storm, all the work that has been done at the site is destroyed and all the dirt and fiber and wooden posts are washed out to sea. The next day, the workers are right back at it replacing what was lost. Here's another shot I took today out there-


I'm no expert on coastal erosion or rebuilding bluffs but it seems to me that this is not working very well. I will say, though, that I give these guys a lot of credit for trying.

A little western rigged sea scalloper named "Madi J" came in at some point during the night and tied up at the east face of the Boat Basin. Her crew was doing gear work this morning. The Ruthie B is still tied to the dock. It is going on three weeks since she's made a trip. I'm not sure why they haven't gone out in so long. I'll ask one of the crew members. That's a long time to be tied to the dock and not fishing.

As for the bay scallopers, 5 guys went out today including one frogman. The Summery weather we have been experiencing the past few months seems to be over. These guys will most likely miss tomorrow. I'm thinking the temperature will never make it to 28 degrees by 10 am.

Today's High & Low Temps
High 50.7
Low 30.7

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The number reported at the last conservation commission meeting was 30,000 cubic yards of sand have been delivered, or approx. 2,150 truckloads. Those roads are taking a beating too.

The impacts that this project are causing are unjust. Somebody is going to get hurt losing power at the wrong time or underneath their vessel cutting the debris from the prop.

Now they want to take 200 Acres of prime fishing ground down 10'. All within the 3 mile line. How is this fair?

Martie said...

Thanks for those stats, fishon. I had no idea that approx. 2,150 truckloads of sand has been dumped over the bluff only to be washed out to sea during a minor storm event. Do you or anyone else know what the cost of this project is thus far? Thanks.