Duxbury Beach Lease Sparks Debate Over Wildlife Management
Residents Voice Concerns About Predation Program, Water Quality Issues
DUXBURY, MA - June 10 - The Duxbury Selectboard meeting Monday night saw heated discussions over the town's beach lease agreement and environmental concerns, as residents voiced strong opinions about wildlife management practices and declining water quality in Duxbury Bay.
The annual beach lease, set to be signed by July 1, became a focal point of debate due to its inclusion of a predation program aimed at protecting endangered bird species. Several residents expressed concerns about the humane treatment of wildlife, particularly regarding the culling of coyotes and birds.
Susan Curtis, a local resident, urged the Selectboard to take action, stating, "We do not have the stomach for shooting lactating mothers and having their babies starve to death on the beach because that's inhumane." She also raised concerns about the use of poison, which could affect other wildlife in the ecosystem.
Selectboard members acknowledged the complexity of the issue, with the predation program being a requirement from state and federal regulators for beach access. Board member Fernando Guitart suggested reaching out to state authorities to address community concerns.
Cris Luttazi, representing the Duxbury Beach Reservation, emphasized that the predation program is mandated by state and federal permits. "If the town chooses or requests to eliminate this paragraph and put in this new paragraph for predator management, DBR will need to inform the state and then our permit will be out of compliance," Luttazi explained.
The meeting also addressed growing concerns about water quality in Duxbury Bay. Peter Quigley and Rich Kleiman from the Duxbury Bay Management Commission presented findings on declining water quality and proposed initiatives to address the issue.
Quigley reported that 95 percent of the eelgrass in Duxbury Bay has died off in the last 10 years, indicating significant changes in the bay's ecosystem. The commission proposed education initiatives on fertilizer use and septic system maintenance to combat nitrogen pollution in the bay.
"We have the benefit of being connected to Cape Cod Bay, we have enormous tidal exchange, but the people that know best are saying there's stuff happening in Duxbury Bay that is being influenced by growth," Quigley stated.
The commission is seeking town support for best practices in fertilizer application and septic system maintenance. They also proposed creating a Duxbury water quality measurement program with volunteer participation, modeled after successful programs in other communities.
Selectboard members expressed interest in the proposals, with Chair Mike McGee suggesting the possibility of incentivizing septic system maintenance for homeowners.
As the meeting concluded, the Selectboard agreed to further discuss the beach lease and water quality initiatives in upcoming sessions. The board faces the challenge of balancing environmental concerns with beach access and regulatory requirements as they prepare to sign the annual beach lease by July 1.
