How the plan to Abandon evolved
Getting Tidal water into Mill Pond has been on the town's radar for many years
Growing funding for coastal restoration projects allowed research for this project to move forward. Some would say, it is funding in search of a project. And in this case, particularly so for a project that would use a planned breach for the first time. Nevertheless, as we saw in the Eagle Creek project, getting tide water into coastal marshes is fashionable. Yet the Herring River Restoration in Wellfleet and Truro is controversial. For that matter, current coastal restoration methods are pressing, but still quite controversial.
Mass Dept of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological Restoration
Grant money for this project has been reserved - no matter which alternative the town chooses. In June of 2021 after early research reports came in, the invited stakeholders (MASS DER and Truro town employees) reviewed recommendations to install either an 8 foot or 10 foot culvert under Mill Pond Road.
Why a Planned Breach
Paraphrasing from the Woods Hole Group Report, page B.23,the final alternative was selected on input from stakeholders who desired to understand how the Mill Pond system would respond to a very large opening where road surface and embankment would be removed. The intent was to return ...it back to its natural state. Initially, they determined the breach could be well over 100 feet. However, stability of an inlet decreases as its width increases making it more prone to shoaling and sedimentation. Read on by pressing Find out more
Who are the stakeholders
If ALL stakeholders are not involved in a decision to dramatically modify a coastline, who takes the blame when unintended consequences occur? The risk always exists that the plan-- will not work as planned. Aren't the most important stakeholders all of us who enjoy and use Mill Pond Road?