18 results for author: D Pisciotta
I support the ‘Sconset Geotube project
Since 2014, the Geotube Project (a four-tiered, 900 foot stretch of stretch mesh geotubes) has protected the Sconset Bluff from extreme storms, climate change and sea level rise.
During that time there has been:
ZERO erosion along the protected area ZERO harm to adjacent beaches ZERO cost to the town
The geotubes have:
PROTECTED Baxter Road PROTECTED Access to Sankaty Light PROTECTED Historic Homes PROTECTED Community
To let Nantucket's elected and historic officials know you support this environmentally sound and resilient approach to protecting the historic 'Sconset neighborhood, click here.
Spring 2017
Geotube project completes 4th straight winter storm season with zero erosion at toe of bluff. As designed, the sand covering the geotubes washes away in larger storms requiring a regrading of the sand supply from above to reset the system. SBPF monitors the geotubes regularly and after every storm.
December 2016
Annual Monitoring Report submitted to Nantucket Conservation Commission per our permit. Report includes data on sacrificial sand supplied to and washed away from the project, extent of erosion in adjacent unprotected areas, the state of the shoreline along a 6 mile stretch from Low Beach to Wauwinet which we have monitored for 25 years, the state of the ocean bottom near project (bathymetry and video monitoring), the state of the wetlands at the top of the bluff, the state of the invertebrates near the project, and more.
Fall 2016
SPBF has been investigating the possibility of dredging sand from offshore to provide sand for the template that covers the geotubes. Work is also currently underway to plan for the permitting and construction of an additional 1800 feet of geotubes to protect Baxter road further south.
Spring 2016
SBPF was finally granted approval to construct a drainage system on the side of Baxter Road, redirecting surface runoff so it is no longer causing erosion from the top of the bluff.
Fall 2015
The fourth geotube tier was installed. SBPF originally requested that the ConCom permanently approve the three tiers of geotubes already in place and allow for the addition of a fourth tier. A fourth tier was approved in November. Experts have indicated that the height of four tiers of geotubes (allowing the top to reach 26 feet on the Mean Low Water datum, which is approximately 16 feet above the base of the bluff, or approximately less than one-fourth the vertical height of the bluff) provides the highest level of protection for the Bluff and Baxter Road.
Spring 2015
To address upper bank erosion SBPF sought and won approval for plating native vegetation (such as American beachgrass) with strong root systems to reduce the susceptibility of the Bluff to erosion from wind, rain and stormwater runoff. Planting the face of the Bluff above the 947' geotube installation has had an extremely positive impact and is aesthetically pleasing.
March 2014
A severe late winter Nor’easter storm and blizzard hits Nantucket; geotubes performed as expected with some loss of sand template and no erosion at toe of bluff. Some face erosion above the geotubes continued.
January 2014
SBPF files for approval for the full geotube project (4 tiers of geotubes with returns and re-vegetation of the bluff face)