Select Board accepts Nantucket’s first eelgrass management plan and sets short‑term priorities

The Nantucket Select Board voted unanimously Sept. 10 to accept the town’s first eelgrass management plan and to direct Natural Resources staff to prioritize short‑term actions and funding paths. Tara Riley, the town’s shellfish and aquatic resources manager, presented the plan—funded in part by the Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation and prepared with UMass Boston and local stakeholders—saying the town’s immediate emphasis is on protection because restoration is costly and uncertain. “The goal would be to ensure that the laws and regulations support eelgrass health,” she said, noting protection measures such as prohibiting anchoring in beds and encouraging conservation moorings. Key facts and board action: - Long‑term data: Nantucket Harbor survey points showed eelgrass coverage fall from roughly 37% in 2006 to 14% in 2024; 52 dives were completed this year to update the record. - Funding and work plan: The town will use existing staff and budget for fiscal 2026 to begin prioritizing the plan’s more than 50 recommendations and will develop a 1–3 year short‑term and 1–10 year long‑term strategic implementation schedule. - Vote: A Select Board member moved and the board adopted acceptance of the plan; the board commended staff for the report and asked Natural Resources to return with prioritized items and funding recommendations. Why it matters: Eelgrass stabilizes sediment, supports scallop and shellfish habitat, sequesters carbon, and contributes to overall marine ecosystem health. NRD staff said protecting existing beds is more feasible and cost‑effective than large‑scale restoration. Next steps outlined by staff include a prioritization exercise for fiscal 2026, targeted grant applications, and development of a multi‑year implementation plan tied to funding and permitting timelines.