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The President's Letter

By Patricia Anthony

     As the end of another year approaches for the Friends of Pleasant Bay (17 years and going strong!), let us take a moment to review the status of the Bay and our impact as caretakers of it.

     There are many positive reports to be made as a result of the actions of The Friends and other groups watching over the Bay. And now seems like the perfect time to apprise you of all the wonderful activities happening that contribute to the continuing health of the Bay. Please give yourself a pat on the back if you have helped with these endeavors!

     Due to your contributions and those of others, the horseshoe crab study will be able to continue for an additional year. This study is a seminal study, the first of its kind undertaken in Pleasant Bay. The scientists conducting the study, Dr. Ivan Valiela and his graduate student, Ruth Carmichael, have provided a preliminary baseline number for the adult horseshoe crab population currently existing in the Bay. Their research findings, expected in full in the fall, will help regulators make decisions about the crabs and sustainable harvests. Continued research studies will need to be undertaken in the years to come to ascertain whether or not a stable horseshoe crab population will continue to flourish in Pleasant Bay. All of you who have contributed to this worthy cause are much appreciated!

     Throughout the winter and spring, a Friends committee has been working hard to first educate itself and then to spread the knowledge about the harmful effect of nitrates and phosphates on Pleasant Bay and its watershed. A pamphlet will be forthcoming that will outline steps for all of us who live either on the Bay or anywhere in its watershed, or operate businesses in the watershed, to stem the flow of nitrates and phosphates into our groundwater and into the Bay. Committee members believe that once people understand the simple ways to reduce nitrates and phosphates in daily living, that all of us will be happy to assist with this effort!

     In order that today's generations and generations to come continue to care about Pleasant Bay, it is critical that our young people grow up appreciating and understanding how extremely special the Bay is. Towards that end, The Friends funds two annual school grants of up to $4,000 each to area teachers for the purpose of their leading classes that explore the Bay through various kinds of learning experiences. Once again,  two teachers and their students - one group from Harwich High, one from Chatham High this year -- will present the findings of their yearlong studies at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 16^th.

     There is a group of unsung heroes who toil away each year, ensuring that books and pamphlets that describe various aspects of the Bay and the rich life it fosters, are added to the community's cultural resources. Over the years, the Publications Committee of The Friends has published several wonderful guides and chronologies: "The Bay -- As I See It;" "Pleasant Bay: Stories from a Cape Cod Place;" and several editions of "The Pleasant Bay Recreational Resource Guide." They also publish this newsletter and oversee the operation of the FOPB web site. All of these endeavors provide valuable information or wonderful stories about the Bay and the families and fishermen who have

traveled its waters. The Publications Committee has another publication in the works -- so stay tuned!

     There are other groups dedicated to caring for the Bay, and Friends are among their members and supporters. It is noteworthy that the Pleasant Bay Alliance and the Town of Orleans once again have organized volunteers for their water monitoring programs, for example. Between the two programs, over 100 volunteers from the towns adjacent to Pleasant Bay venture out soon after dawn to conduct testing at designated sites throughout the Bay. This year, the Pleasant Bay Alliance will also be testing the fresh ponds within the watershed of Pleasant Bay.

     The Pleasant Bay Alliance has also developed proposals for regulating the building of docks and walkways on the Bay; and has completed a study analyzing the build-out potential of property within the Bay's watershed or recharge area. All of this information that the Alliance has collected, or is in the process of gathering, provides us with the knowledge we need for developing wise planning mechanisms for future human use of Pleasant Bay and its surroundings.

     Finally, a new committee was formed over the past winter for the purpose of determining the best usage of the vacant MCI property located at Ryder's Cove in Chatham. In examining usage, Pleasant Bay's status as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern of course must be taken into account. Ideas put forth thus far by the Ryder Cove Seaport Planning Group include using the facilities as a community sailing and boating center, as a marine science field station to enhance educational opportunities, and as a wooden boat-building and sailing-skills center. All those possibilities indicate that the committee is seeking compatible uses.

     The above list of groups committed to caring for the Bay is by no means comprehensive. There are many dedicated individuals who take pains in their daily use of the Bay to leave as little a wake as possible: the boat yard owners who constantly look for less toxic products to use in the repair and maintenance of boats; the homeowners who purposefully leave their lawns unfertilized; the recreational boat owners who attempt to use more environmentally friendly engines; and the townspeople who made certain this past year that PWCs (aka Jet-skis) would not be heard on Pleasant Bay or allowed to upset its intricate ecological balance.

     All of us, working together, can ensure that Pleasant Bay remains the beautiful estuary it is. This is our legacy to our children and grandchildren. Do your part, catch the spirit, and pass it on!