WEST DENNIS, Mass. — A part of a West Dennis beach is closed after two piping plovers were accidentally killed by a vehicle late Friday night. Plovers are an endangered species.
“People can go to other beaches. I just don’t see the fuss,” said Cheri Holland, who is a Dennis resident.
“First of all, there’s many beaches in Dennis, and if you have a beach sticker you can go to any beach here,” she continued.
But that may not be the case for long.
The entire one-mile stretch of the non-resident parking lot is off limits, and that has some summer renters worried.
“That makes me nervous because if that were the case in July I’d be a little disappointed,” said Alex Tynan, who is renting for a week this summer in Dennis.
Elizabeth Sullivan is the Dennis Town Administrator.
“Immediately the town took steps to investigate and took precautions to stay in compliance of our habitat conservation plan with the state,” said Sullivan.
If the town doesn’t comply, they face a $10,000 fine. Sullivan says usually the town only has three to four nests on this beach, but this year it’s three times that amount.
“Right now, we’re actively monitoring 12 nests,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan says that shows the birds are thriving here, but the town also wants to provide a balance for recreational use. She says a vote on Tuesday will determine when and if the beach will reopen.
Renters like Tynan hope the beach doesn’t remain closed as the summer season fast approaches.
“Hopefully that’s not the case, but if so, I’m sure they’ll figure something out,” said Tynan.
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