TRURO — Since the once-thriving salt-marsh ecosystem called East Harbor was partially reopened to tidal flow in 2002, ocean organisms have been rapidly recolonizing the estuary. Researchers now hope to […]
Environment
CIVICS
Bylaws Would Ban Plastic Bottles, Bags
Town meeting may vote on prohibiting sales at local retail stores
EASTHAM — At any beach cleanup, the haul of trash is fairly predictable: plastic, in the form of beverage bottles, shopping bags, straws, netting, and more. Because much of the […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the seven days preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Jan. 21 included the following, compiled at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Rare Bird Sightings
Confirmed rare bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the seven days preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Jan. 14 included the following, recorded on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s […]
ENVIRONMENT
Wellfleet Resident Challenges Shark Mitigation Study
Says visual detection technology was improperly evaluated
WELLFLEET — Kristian Sexton, who says he is developing an aerial imaging system using drones to detect sharks, claims that there are “a number of serious problems” with the Woods […]
Tide Charts
Know when to hit the flats
NATIONAL SEASHORE
Truro Ghost Town Still Inspires
From the Cold War to the Highlands Center to now
NORTH TRURO — In the Outer Cape’s collective memory, the fear associated with living and working at an Air Force station built to listen for incoming Soviet atomic bombs has […]
FACT CHECK
Claims on Nitrates by Town Official Don’t Hold Water
A second look at Cloverleaf project opponents’ arguments
TRURO — Some statements made at the Dec. 5 zoning board of appeals hearing related to groundwater nitrogen levels expected to be produced by the proposed “Cloverleaf” housing development did […]
CLIMATE
Wolf Sees Future of Cape Air in All-Electric Planes
The Alice, under development, could fly 50 percent faster and farther than gas-powered aircraft
PROVINCETOWN — Cape Air founder and CEO Dan Wolf says he is excited about the future of his fleet. At the same time that his company is replacing its aged […]
CLIMATE
Another Winter Without a Dune Protecting Gosnold St.
Shifting sands and legal tangles lead to temporary measures
PROVINCETOWN — The Jan. 4, 2018, nor’easter brought a storm surge with it that seemed to lift water out of Provincetown harbor and pour it down Gosnold Street like a […]
ENVIRONMENT
Herring to Be Protected From Big Trawlers
Local fishermen are hopeful about new NOAA rule
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) moved to protect herring on Nov. 19 when it approved a new rule restricting the operation of trawlers. Amendment 8 to the Atlantic […]
CIVICS
Consultants Will Help Decide Who Is on Walsh Land Panel
Housing and environmental preservation are seen as competing interests
TRURO — Town officials have hired a Cambridge consulting firm to help figure out what to do with the 70-acre Walsh property, whose purchase for $5.1 million was approved by […]
FOWL PLAY
Hunters Take Aim at Phaseout of Pheasant Stocking
National Seashore may halt practice within five years
As upland game season wraps up on Nov. 30, many local hunters worry that a longstanding tradition of pheasant hunting will soon be ending. Following a 2002 court challenge by […]
LAND USE
Truro Trust Inks Deal to Buy Beach at Great Hollow
No town funds are expended in $250,000 purchase
TRURO — The Truro Conservation Trust closed on a bayside property on Nov. 1 for $250,000 — far below the original asking price for the 1.1-acre parcel next to Great […]
climate crisis management
Hazard Mitigation Is Focus for Eastham Planners
Survey seeks input on increasing resiliency against natural disasters
EASTHAM — If a severe storm or flood hit the Outer Cape forcing residents to evacuate, it would cause a major traffic backup. Route 6 is the main evacuation route […]
