Nantucket has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Inland Dredging Pilot Round, a component of the Massachusetts Dredging Program overseen by the Massachusetts State Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED).
Enhancing Water Quality and Recreational Activities
This grant will fund the dredging of Miacomet Pond to improve water quality and recreational activities. The project, estimated to cost over $4 million, aims to remove up to 100,000 cubic yards of material from the 46-acre pond.
Collaboration and Planning Efforts
The Natural Resources Department and Nantucket Land Bank, in collaboration with Geosyntec and the Horsley Witten Group, are currently in the planning and permitting stages. A notice of intent application is pending before the Nantucket Conservation Commission. The goal is to significantly enhance the ecological health and recreational value of Miacomet Pond.
Understanding the Science Behind the Dredging
Jeff Carlson Explains the Project
Jeff Carlson, director of the town’s Natural Resources Department, explained the science behind the dredging in simple terms. “It’s like playing Nintendo in the old days,” Carlson said. “You’d get mad and hit the reset button and start over.”
Addressing Nutrient Pollution
The dredging project aims to act as a reset for Miacomet Pond by removing a thick benthic layer rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, resulting from years of fertilizer use and septic systems around the pond. These nutrients have caused harmful algal blooms and invasive species to proliferate in Miacomet Pond.
“By removing the benthic layer that causes the nutrients to recycle into the pond, you’re eliminating that source and essentially resetting the pond,” Carlson said.
Historical Context and Future Implications
Long-Term Proposals and Studies
The idea of dredging Miacomet Pond to remove nutrients from the sediment was first proposed in 2005 following a study by then-town biologist Keith Conant.
Proof-of-Concept for Future Projects
This project, the first of its kind on the island, will serve as a proof-of-concept to demonstrate that dredging can improve Miacomet Pond’s health and potentially offer a water quality solution for Nantucket’s other ponds.
Competitive Grant Cycle and Funding Details
Securing the Grant
The $1 million grant received by the town is part of a highly competitive cycle, with $4 million available statewide and $14 million in grant requests submitted.
Technical Specifications of Miacomet Pond
Miacomet Pond, approximately one mile long, has a maximum depth of 11 feet at its southern end and an average depth of 4.8 feet, according to town records. The pond receives drainage from about 1,284 acres of the surrounding landscape, contributing to its nutrient load.
Alternatives to Traditional Treatment Methods
Exploring Non-Chemical Solutions
Carlson noted that dredging the pond provides an alternative to using aluminum sulfate (alum) treatments, another method communities use to address excessive nitrogen and phosphorus levels.