With the Tide Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach Newsletter June 2014 Volume 8, Issue 2 Metropolitan Beaches Commission Releases Report The Metropolitan Beaches Commission, which was created by the Legislature to examine issues surrounding public beaches in the metropolitan Boston area, released its second report in early June. This report followed-up on the initial one released in 2007. The purpose of the report was to assess the current state of the beaches, determine what improvements have occurred since 2007, and identify the next steps needed to build on the improvements. The report includes specific recommendations that would improve the operations of DCR and solidify the active involvement of cities and Friends groups in the management and maintenance of the beaches. The Commission was co-chaired by Senator Tom McGee and Representative Carlo Basile and included Friends President Bob Tucker. The Commission held open meetings in most of the nine communities that were included in their assessment, including Lynn. At these meetings, elected officials, civic leaders, and residents spoke out about various issues and concerns. Breakout sessions at the meetings allowed everyone to highlight the positives and negatives at each beach. The Reports section on Lynn and Nahant beaches noted the improvements made since 2007, including the rehabilitation of the Ward Bathhouse, reconstruction of the Nahant Causeway, the removal of algae, and the continued successes of the summer concert series. It also identified some of the continuing challenges, including water quality problems at King s Beach and the algae. See page 2 for an excerpt from the Report that discusses these issues. Inside this issue: MBC Report 2 Concert Schedule 3 Kid s Concert 4 Nature Notes 5 Sweep to the Sea 6 Raffle 6 www.lynn-nahantbeach.org
Metropolitan Beach Commission Report Findings on Lynn & Nahant Page 2 With the Tide
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Nature Notes by T.J. Cullinane 大閘蟹! Chinese Mitten Crab, Eriocheir sinensis, H. Milne-Edwards, 1853 Dear Friends, Just recently, Friends Vice-President Mike Celona alerted me to an invasive crab species that may be heading our way. The Chinese Mitten Crab, a Pacific Ocean species normally found living in the coastal waters of China and Korea, first appeared near Chesapeake Bay in 2005 and since then has been spotted in the Hudson River and southern Connecticut. Believed to be moving north, the crab is said to pose serious threats to both ecology and the maritime fishing economy. The carapace or shell of the mitten crab is typically as wide as the palm of your hand. There is a notch between the eyes. The crab is named after its white-tipped claws. The claws are also distinguished by dense patches of dark hair. This is the only species in North America that spends part of its life cycle in fresh water. The threatened invasion of the Chinese Mitten Crab comes in the wake of the two other invaders. Scientists are still trying to determine the effect the Japanese Shore Crab is having on the environment since appearing on our shores about ten years ago. Shore crabs are now commonly found at Red Rock. An earlier invader from Europe, the Green Crab, is believed responsible for the collapse of the steamer clam industry on the East Coast in the 1950s. Its appetite for steamers, oysters, and mussels remains undiminished. The Green Crab also carries a parasite that is deadly to the some of the sea birds that feed on them. In China, the mitten crab is considered a delicacy and specially developed vending machines have been developed to meet the non-stop demand for this tasty meal. Consumers pay top dollar for the crab in fancy restaurants in Southern China and Hong Kong. Elsewhere, stories have proliferated about the crab s destructiveness. Londoners were horrified when the crabs emerged from the Thames River and started heading for High Street. Some even made their way to family swimming pools. It remains to be seen what will unfold when and if the mitten crab makes it to the shores of Lynn and Nahant Beach. Volume 8, Issue 2 Page 5
Clean Sweep to the Sea On Saturday, June 28th, the Friends will participate in the Lynn Community Association s Clean Sweep to the Sea. The Clean Sweep to the Sea involves clean-ups at parks all across Lynn. The Friends will be sponsoring a clean-up at Red Rock Park from 9-11am. Volunteers will be able to pick litter from the beach or clean the landscaping beds near the entrance to Red Rock Park. If you plan on working in the landscape beds, please dress appropriately. DCR will provide the supplies and the Friends will provide refreshments. We hope to see you there. In the event of bad weather, the clean-up will be re-scheduled. JetBlue Airline Raffle We are raffling off two round-trip JetBlue plane tickets. We are selling 300 raffle tickets at $20 apiece. The raffle winner will be announced at the last summer concert on August 21st. The two airplane tickets are good from September 1, 2014-September 1, 2015 for wherever JetBlue flies (some restrictions apply). Tickets can be purchased at the concerts. Membership Renewal The Friends rely on the generous support of its members for the financial well-being of the organization. Our membership continues to grow as the Friends become more involved with other community groups, and we continue to be vocal advocates for the Lynn and Nahant Beaches. Membership dues help pay for the Summer Concert Series, publication and printing of the newsletter, Friends T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, postage, refreshments for volunteers at the beach clean-ups and the Friends contribution towards matching grants for special projects. We want to thank all members who returned their 2014 membership forms (which were mailed recently) and welcome all of our new members. The Friends need your continued financial and volunteer support so our organization can continue to be a strong advocate for our beaches. Membership in the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach Yes, I would like to join or renew my membership in the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach. Membership entitles you to: An invitation to programs and events Periodic updates on our progress and the condition of the Beaches The satisfaction of knowing that you are acting locally to impact the environment in a positive way. Membership Student/Senior: $15 Individual: $25 Name: Address: Email: Mail To: Membership Family: $50 Corporate: $100 Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach Sponsor: $200 P.O. Box 2264 I am already a member. Please accept my gift of $. Lynn, MA 01903