My husband and I are year-round homeowners here for the past 12 1/2 years in the Rock Harbor area. We chose Eastham because of the scenic beauty of the Eastham side of Rock Harbor. This area is an environmentally sensitive area, designated as habitat of rare species and a Priority Heritage Landscape.

Recently I became aware of Article 16 approved by Eastham voters in May 2018. This article called for the replacement and expansion of boat dockage and construction of a small harbor master building.

As a former Orleans Conservation Commissioner, at the Select Board meeting of September 14, 2020 I was shocked to hear that the current design presented included 615 square feet of enclosed area, 1,363 square feet of decks and ramps, totally just under 2,000 square feet. There is 1,300 square feet of open storage, 30 parking spaces, a viewing platform, rinse stations, picnic tables and a demountable bandshell pavilion with town officials referring to this as a ‘destination.’

While I am in favor of a small harbor master office: has an environmental impact plan, traffic study and carrying capacity study been conducted and reviewed in the context of this and phase 2 and 3? Have climate change issues such as municipal vulnerability preparedness and emergency management been considered? Has Orleans, the boating community and other applicable state agencies been consulted for their input and weigh-in? Has the Planning Board been involved early in the proposal and vetted the eliminated sites? Since this is a substantial deviation from what was approved by the voters in May 2018, will voters be able to vote on this dismaying expansion?

Time and time again I have witnessed the detrimental impact that increased usage has caused to environmentally sensitive areas. Unfortunately, when it is gone, it is gone.

Donelle Denery Eastham