EXTRA...

Crabs are eating of marshes; Ptown's pride; 2nd faulty water tank bid; Vineyard lobstermen join protest

TODAY's quotes: "I heard through the grapevine about the gas tank going in. I don't have any idea what they're doing. [The fire department has] the final approval. We should have had the plans before it went out to bid." - Mike Trovato, PFD.
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"It's obvious now, the crab is eating the marsh." - Andrew Altieri, Brown U.

Crabs may be killing Cape Cod’s marshes - Researchers see link to humans

This summer, Bertness and colleagues are monitoring 14 marsh sites - some dead or dying - to unravel the complicated chain of events that is unfolding.

For the past seven years, scientists have been alarmed by the mysterious death of marsh grasses on Cape Cod, which is transforming expanses of lush green wetlands into lumpy mudflats with the appearance of Swiss cheese.

Work over the past few years has provided strong evidence that the marshes are being eaten away by a particular crab, called Sesarma reticulatum, whose appetite for cordgrass is leaving marshes vulnerable to erosion. The work is also revealing the possibility that human disturbances may have set off the chain of events that caused the crabs' hungry assault, in turn endangering some of the world's most important ecosystems... Globe.
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Pride and independence in Provincetown

Fourth of July celebrations in small-town America reveal liberality and inclusiveness, and a country at peace with itself

Independence Day, Cape Cod style. I sit on the steps of the Albert Merola gallery on Commercial Street, Provincetown, to watch the passing parade in the blazing heat. Fire engines stuck over with ribbons and rosettes and the legend "Proud to be an American!" Drag queens perched on children's trikes. A marching pipe-and-drum band of girls and boys in colonial frockcoats and tricornes. The local congress representative glad-hands the crowd.

And from an orange convertible, an Edna Everage impersonator (impersonating a female impersonator) waves her gladioli. Add to this to a shower of candy chucked to the applauding crowd. John Waters - writer and director and summertime resident of the town - happens to be standing next to me, and quips: "They're throwing it offensively"... Guardian.
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Fuel tank sent out to bid without Ptown FD OK for 2nd time

For the second time in the past year, town officials have failed to ask the fire chief for approval to install a municipal fuel tank on town land, as required by local regulations.

Fire Chief Mike Trovato said last week that the department of public works did not submit plans to him to install a new above-ground fuel tank at the DPW garage. The tank, which would provide regular gasoline and diesel fuel to town vehicles, is set to replace an underground tank that no longer meets state environmental regulations.

Before the tank can be installed, the board of fire engineers must approve the plans. However, the project was designed and sent out for contractor bids, and a bid was awarded, without any communication with Trovato... Banner.
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Vineyard Fishermen join forces against idea of Lobster Ban

A group of Island lobster fishermen plan to attend a meeting later this month in Warwick, R.I. to express their opposition to a proposed ban on lobster fishing in southern New England and beyond.

The fishermen dispute the findings of scientists that the lobster fishery has collapsed, and worry that a moratorium on lobster landings would put them out of business.

"I thought the collapse was in 2004. Now we are seeing larger lobsters. There is recruitment. We've got eggers out there. It is coming back," said Chilmark lobsterman John Larsen at a meeting of the Martha's Vineyard/ Dukes County Fishermen's Association last week... Gazette.