The fact that about 40% of the Island is already permanently protected open space is a remarkable testament to generations of efforts by conservation groups, by towns, by the efforts of individual property owners, and since 1986, by the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank. However, for the reasons suggested above and discussed in more detail in the other four parts of the Natural Environment section of the Island Plan, much of the 30% of the Island which is still available for development is environmentally important and should be protected as open space.
The Island Plan, with the help of the staff of the Martha's Vineyard Commission, did extensive mapping of the Island to outline the most critical areas with respect to each of four subtopics discussed in the other parts of this section. These four maps were combined to create the Open Space Conservation Suitability Map (next page). indicating which parts of the Island are most suitable or critical to be protected as open space. As will be described later in this section, some of the areas identified for preservation are in very specific locations, such as frost bottoms, roadside viewsheds, and existing farms and fields. For other concerns, there is more flexibility as to the precise location of the open space protection, provided certain open space objectives are met, such as providing trail/greenway linkages or an overall area of habitat.
Objective N1: Safeguard the most important natural areas of the Island as open space.
A multi-pronged approach can be used to protect open space on the Island, involving acquisition of the most critical lands, partial preservation of other properties as they are developed, restoration and management of other private and public lands, and in a limited number of cases, undevelopment of previously developed properties.
· Strategy N1-1: Increase the rate of acquisition of open space, both outright ownership and conservation restrictions. Past efforts to protect open space on the Island have been heroic. However, with the dramatic increase in real estate costs, it is increasingly difficult to come up with the funds for open space protection.
Preservation Act provides an important, though relatively modest, new source of funding, though its resources are also needed for affordable housing and historic preservation. Ultimately, increased private philanthropy will be needed. Organizations involved in land preservation should re-evaluate and coordinate their priorities in light of the mapping efforts in the Island Plan, so that efforts are focused on the highest value areas, such as Source habitat. These organizations should look for new opportunities for funding, and expand their efforts to acquire priority properties. Acquisition could include trail easements from private owners, or buying properties and reselling them after placing a trail or other easement on it, to recoup the purchase price.
Strategy N1-2: Establish clear standards for the MVC and local regulatory boards to require partial open space protection, or other mitigation, as properties are developed. The MVC already has an Open Space Policy that requires most projects larger than 5 acres to include open space protection, typically of between 40% and 60%, and up to 80% in the most highly critical areas. This Policy should be updated to reflect the mapping and other priorities of the Island Plan. It would be desirable that towns adopt similar measures for projects that are reviewed only at the town level. Town Planning Boards, Conservation Commissions, and the MVC should work together on advance planning for each area, to identify the most important part of each property to be protected to come together as a continuous open space. Assist the local boards with policies and regulations where they find need for modification. An example is the lack of performance standards for the buffer area subject to Conservation Commission review. All of the other resource areas in their jurisdiction are covered by performance standards in the Commonwealth’s wetland regulations. The lack could be partly neutralized by adopting performance standards in the local wetlands by-laws.· Strategy N1-3: Work with property owners and public entities to restore and manage their lands in a way that furthers open space goals. In the past, many areas on the Island were developed in ways that undermine the open space goals outlined in the Island Plan. Some current and future owners would likely be willing to restore much of their land if they were aware of the reasons for doing so, and if they were given assistance such as advice on design and appropriate plant materials. This could include replanting native vegetation to restore habitat (see Planting the Vineyard Way, below), putting farms back into food production, and maintaining or reopening priority vistas and viewsheds. Establish mitigation procedures (such as cap and trade) to offset impacts of existing and future development. Recommend offsetting practices that will improve, not merely mitigate, conditions.
· Strategy N1-4: Give tax abatements for open space preservation. Create a program (similar to Chapter 61) that gives fair and uniform tax incentives to landowners for donating open space easements. This would be similar to the practice among thirteen towns on Cape Cod that provide standardized reductions in property taxes for conservation restrictions that provide public access. Ideally, a similar policy would be used in all Island towns.
· Strategy N1-5: Establish a multi-organizational program allowing long-term voluntary undevelopment of critical natural properties. The idea behind undevelopment is to purchase remainder interests (“life estates”) from willing sellers in prioritized areas. At the end of the owner’s lifetime, the house would be moved or recycled and the land restored to open space, usually as native vegetation with public access whenever possible. This strategy, successfully used at the Cape Cod National Seashore, achieves open space goals – such as habitat restoration, linking recreational open space, and view enhancement – at a lower cost, because property is acquired in the future (the longer the buyer waits, the less expensive it is). It also allows owners to remain living where they gives them additional funding while they can use it, and leaves them with an asset for heirs that is more easily dividable than real estate.
· Strategy N1-6: Assist the Commonwealth in the restoration of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest as a preeminent center for biodiversity, recreation and natural character. Encourage the removal of exotic species and fire hazards, e.g. Red and Scotch Pine, and encourage the creation of donations or commercial applications to do so. Encourage the use of prescribed fire and tree harvesting (including biomass for energy production) to improve rare species habitat. Encourage the Commonwealth to provide additional staff and resources to manage the Forest for multiple uses (e.g. hunting, horseback riding, possible lumbering, etc.) compatible with biodiversity conservation.
· Strategy N1-7: Define and adopt performance standards for Nearshore Ocean developments: In the Nearshore Ocean area (more than 0.3 miles from shore, out to the 3-mile limit of State waters) the development controls of Oceans Sanctuaries Act were diluted by the Oceans Act to expedite development of renewable energy. The Vineyard community should adopt performance standards on what Nearshore areas are appropriate for development and what types and scale of developments are appropriate in which areas. These performance standards should be adopted as part of the Ocean Management Plan and incorporated into the MVC Open Space Policy (or a separate Nearshore Development Policy), the Island Plan and by relevant town boards. Of specific local concern and in need of local input is the determination of what is “community benefit”.
Strategy N1-8: Cultivate a “culture of stewardship”, a Vineyard community that understands the benefits of open space and a healthy ecosystem, and acts on behalf of its restoration. People who are in contact with nature are the most likely to care and protect. Farm fields, scenic views and a network of greenways invite Vineyarders into the world of nature, which can lead to curiosity and passion. Several programs on and off Island (such as the Trustees Saltonstall Education Program) demonstrate that how involving people in the research and restoration of habitats can lead passion to understanding and actions. A Biodiversity course in the public schools’ curriculum could teach and train young people to become stewards of the Island’s natural resources, and could use the State Forest, beaches and trails as teaching laboratories. Getting students out into the field is the best way to promote understanding of the principles, while inspiring a lifelong sense of proprietorship. The Island Plan Open Space Map, accompanied by specific voluntary actions that landowners can take, such as native plant landscaping, could be posted in schools and public places. Volunteers who help monitor the status of species and habitats can help conservation groups and private land owners to improve ecosystem health.
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