Norton Point breach remains deep and wide

Posted April 24, 2007 11:42am

The breach in Norton Point Beach created by a combination of crashing storm-driven ocean waves and powerful spring tides remained wide and deep this week.

An aerial video clip taken Saturday by state Division of Marine Fisheries biologist Greg Skomal shows the extent of the opening. Chappaquiddick, the easternmost community on Martha’s Vineyard, is now an island in fact as well as name.

With the barrier beach route closed, travel between Chappaquiddick and Edgartown is possible only on the small private vehicle ferry that regularly crosses Edgartown Harbor. The ferry's route back and forth between Edgartown and Chappy now crosses a significantly increased tidal flow.

David Belcher, Chappaquiddick superintendent for The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR), the conservation organization that manages the county owned beach, said the Katama side of the beach roadway is open to over-sand vehicle traffic. However, the roadway on the Chappaquiddick side was almost completely consumed by the break in the beach and the surge of storm seas.

Beach over-sand vehicle permits are available at the TTOR office in Vineyard Haven, the Dukes County administration building at the airport, Coop's in Edgartown and by mail. The cost is $60 for a resident and $100 for a nonresident.