Last month, my mother tagged me in a video she saw on Facebook, which I naturally ignored for a few days. When boredom became too real for me, I watched the video and found that it was a segment from the travel channel on Nantucket Island. My family has an extensive history with the "gray lady", as the island is informally known. Nantucket is a small island (48 square miles) off the coast off Massachusetts. It is comprised of local businesses, cottage villages and a people with a strong sense of belonging.   My mother has been vacationing there since the early 80's and has passed her passion on to her children. My sister and I have gone with her nearly every year since we were children and also feel that sense of belonging. 

One part of the travel channel segment highlighted the ever-growing issue of coastal erosion of the island. Every year coastal bluffs are receding 3 feet due to erosion, forcing homeowners to push their homes further inland and threatens to destroy properties. For decades now, Nantucketers have been trying to find a comprisable solution that will protect the homes and maintain the natural beauty of the island.  I am pursuing this topic because of my deep love for the "Gray Lady" and because it heavily involves my major of civil engineering and could help further my studies as a whole. I am somewhat qualified to write about this issue because of my extensive history with the island, and because of the research I have done so far, however I know I will become more qualified as I dive deeper into this topic.

My first source is an article from the Boston Globe, written by reporter David Abel. The author has worked for the Globe for the past seventeen years, specializing in environmental pieces. Although he is not a scientist nor a resident of the island, he has written many pieces on similar subjects and is familiar with the New England area. However, because he is from New England, and works for a News Paper company with many ties in that area, he may be swayed in the direction of the majority. Despite this possible bias, the article presents both sides of the argument. This article presents an explanation of some of the efforts to prevent further erosion of bluffs on Nantucket Island, MA. (specifically Siasconset village). These include "Geotubes" which are essentially giant sandbags layered along the coast. The article also presents the harsh feelings of other residents who denounce the project and feel it will drastically change the island. The article also shows concerns by residents that some legislative decisions regarding the "Big Dig" may be influenced by political controversy, giving an unfair advantage to those who are in favor of it. By publishing these concerns, the reporter and the Boston Globe are risking loss of support from these big spenders and possibly could get in trouble for furthering the notion that some political officials, including the Governor have been bought on this issue.

My second source is an article from Yankee Magazine, written by senior editor Ian Aldrich. The author, Aldrich, originally from New Hampshire, has worked for numerous magazines and specializes in small community issues. Similarly, to David Abel, Aldrich may be swayed in his reporting due to his New England background. This article follows the lives of a few locals, some who are homeowners in support of immediate action and some who are against it. Aldrich explores the tradition that many locals fear they will lose if they are forced to move their homes, as well as the fear of detriment to island business, particularly fishing.  He outlines a town hall held, in which the SBPF (Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund) admits that they would "be the immediate beneficiaries of this, but the long-term benefit would be for the island".  He also includes the opinion of coastal geologist, Jim O'Connell, who believes that "Nantucket's fate is sealed". The article seems to be very valuable in that it offers opinions from both the people immediately effected and from outside professionals, eliminating bias by the author.  

My third source is a piece done by Vanity Fair Magazine's Vanessa Grigoriadis entitled "From Coast to Toast". Grigoriadis is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and at many other magazines. She does not have history with this topic. However, her article highlights many of the wealthy summer residents of the island. Her writing almost produces an unintentional bias as it focuses on the wealthy's concerns rather than that of the locals. It also compares Nantucket's coastal erosion issue, to that of Malibu CA. Her article highlights the boisterous concerns of the homeowners who can easily afford to move their homes but would rather risk the destruction of surrounding beaches. 

Based upon these articles, the research that I have done and my own personal experience, I do believe this question is arguable. The issue of coastal erosion, not just in Nantucket has been argued for decades. The harsh feelings between the homeowners and other locals presents an interesting controversy that I would like to further explore. Although I am not positive of my stance on this issue, reading these articles, especially the Vanity Fair piece has pushed me in the direction of protecting the island long term, possibly at the expense of a few homes, owned by people who can more than afford more. I may have to broaden my research question to include other instances of coastal erosion in other places, for I fear I will not have enough scholarly sources for Nantucket, although I am confident I could personally reach out to some locals and get first hand opinion and fact. I am eager to pursue this issue in greater detail.

