The Salisbury Beach Broadcast

The Shoreline Scoop - Wednesday, August 21st

Chris Torres

The Shoreline Scoop

SELECTMAN: ARTIFICIAL REEF PROPOSED OFF SALISBURY BEACH - NEWBURYPORT DAILY NEWS

https://www.newburyportnews.com/news/local_news/selectman-artificial-reef-proposed-off-salisbury-beach/article_f96478b6-5428-11ef-87fc-631c19f26d3d.html



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Speaker 1:

First up the Shoreline Scoop where we bring you the latest news affecting Salisbury Beach. Exciting developments may be on the horizon for Salisbury Beach as discussions have begun regarding a potential artificial reef to help address ongoing beach erosion. According to a recent article by Matt Petrie in the Newburyport Daily News, the idea was first introduced during a Merrimack River Beach Alliance subcommittee meeting. Mit, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, has shown interest in the project. Selectman Chairman Michael Colburn shared that, while talks are still in their early stages, mit has begun working on climate change and coastal resiliency in Massachusetts and sees Salisbury Beach as a potential fit for their innovative work. Colburn mentioned that the MIT team is hoping to fortify coastlines with architected reefs sustainable offshore structures engineered to mimic the wave buffering effects of natural reefs, while also providing habitats for marine life. State Senator Bruce Tarr confirmed that MIT officials reached out to the MRBA to float the idea of this artificial reef, and it was indeed discussed at the last MRBA meeting. Tarr emphasized that this is part of a broader effort to find long-term solutions to the coastal erosion that go beyond temporary sand replenishment, tapping into cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. Tapping into cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, while it's still too early to determine where such a reef might be built or when the project might move forward. Colburn expressed his excitement about MIT's interest. As a reminder, the state has also committed $1.75 million to a sand dune nourishment project at Salisbury Beach, which is set to begin in early to mid-September. This project is intended to provide some interim relief to the erosion problem but, as state officials have noted, it's not a long-term solution.

Speaker 1:

We'll keep you updated as more details emerge about this potential partnership with MIT and the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Salisbury Beach. For more information, be sure to check out the full article by Matt Petrie in the Newburyport Daily News, linked in the show notes. And please support local journalism. Also in the scoop, the Salisbury Beach Citizens for Change will be holding their 2024 informational meeting on Tuesday, august 20th, at 6.30pm at the Blue Ocean Music Hall. The organization's stated goal is to improve the quality of life for Salisbury Beach property owners as well as visitors. Executive Board President Tom Saab says the group has been working with state legislators to ensure that Salisbury receives funding for dune restoration. For more information, please visit their website link in the show notes. And that's the Shoreline Scoop.