The Tiverton Harbor Commission is considering changes to its Harbor Management Plan that would re-classify Nanaquaket Pond, which is currently considered by the state to be a Type I waterbody …
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The Tiverton Harbor Commission is considering changes to its Harbor Management Plan that would re-classify Nanaquaket Pond, which is currently considered by the state to be a Type I waterbody suitable for quiet and passive recreation, to a new classification that more accurately describes its actual use.
The pond has been classified as a Type I waterway for more than 20 years. But as they update the harbor management plan, officials are considering breaking the pond into three separate classifications — Types I, II and III — based on what officials consider to be their most accurate established uses. Under state law, Type II waterbodies are designated as active recreation, and Type III as those dominated by commercial uses.
If the commission's plan is approved by the state Coastal Resources Management Council, and the harbor management plan passes town review with the changes added, the southernmost end of the pond would be classified as Type I. The area around Evelyn’s Drive-In and Don’s Marine would be reclassified as Type III, and the northern half of the pond would be amended to Type II.
According to harbor commission member Clint Clemens, while the town council can pass the amended harbor management plan, members cannot approve of the coordinates and without an assent from CRMC.
Last Tuesday, approximately 15 Tiverton residents came to give their two cents on the proposed changes — many of them said that the Type I designation doesn't always fit the uses the pond sees.
Commission chairman Bruce Cox agreed, saying that despite Type I designating areas of quiet and passive recreation, there is often much more intensive recreation on the pond in the warm months, including waterskiers, jet skis and other boating activity. In addition, local businesses, such as Don’s Marine have also used the pond for commercial purposes.
“I look at Nanaquaket Pond and say ‘It’s not quite passive recreation, it’s active, great recreation,” said Cox, who strongly favors the change.
Nanaquaket Road resident Deb Hagen said she was originally skeptical of the commission's proposed changes, and previously favored keeping the Type I designation before changing her mind. However, both harbor commission member Dave Stewart and Assistant Harbormaster David Vannier noted that many people began to change their minds once they realized that updating the classification is essential to make sure the town's harbor plan matches up with the pond's current uses.