Summer 2010 issue--Carbon, warming and waste – oh, my! The media inundation is relentless: the planet is warming, no cooling, coal sequestration, ethanol, no ethanol, solar, wind, recycle, blah, blah, blah. It is enough to make you want to kick over a full can of recyclables and walk away, shaking your head.
If mankind continues to rape and pillage the world’s natural resources while polluting without consequence, future generations will look back on this era with disdain. Fortunately, there are people and places that are working towards creating a better tomorrow.
“Fenwick Island should become known as an environmental speed trap.”
As in “Jeopardy,” this was one of the most dramatic answers to the question, “How does the environment factor into the comprehensive plan for the Town of Fenwick Island?”
The “environment” can be such a subjective term, and direction was certainly needed to guide efforts into an organized and cohesive strategy. Opinions varied, but consensus was that the natural environment defines the Town of Fenwick Island: the beach, bay and wildlife.
That sounds simple in theory, but it soon became apparent that every ordinance in the town’s codebook could have some distinct repercussion on the native treasures.
The task of “greening” Fenwick was not insurmountable, but leadership would be required from residents, businesses and of course, town government. The town was not so naïve as to believe that this could be a solo act. Success would be determined through coordination with other municipalities and levels of government (county and state).
The first and most important step was to determine an “area of concern” – a border to delineate the boundaries in which Fenwick wanted input on county and state decisions that would affect the town. One mile was the average choice. Fenwick chose boldly, naming the entire Little Assawoman Bay Watershed as its area of concern. Aggressive, perhaps, but every drop of water that falls on Southeastern Sussex County impacts the town.
On the residential side of the equation, there are three individuals who have stepped forward to help advance the cause: residents Martha Keller, Buzz Hennifin and Vickie Carmean.
Keller initiated a community flyer to help educate the general populace, as well as the visiting summertime guests. “Preserving the Resort” explains: the importance of the sand dunes and why it is necessary to stay off of them, our wildfowl and why they should not be fed and the importance of self policing your trash, pets and cigarette butts.
Keller was also instrumental in the Tree Triage program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We made it fun and interesting” as to why trees are important to a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “Trees eat CO2.”
Most notable was Keller’s interest in promoting inclusiveness with other organizations. It was not uncommon to find members from surrounding homeowners associations, town and county councils, the Sierra Club and the Center for the Inland Bays (CIB). Guests were enticed with food but had their heads nourished with educators from the likes of the National Audubon Society.
Hennifin’s penchant for environmentalism began in a pragmatic way, by switching his church to gas-powered electricity generation. It saved money, and an added benefit was that it was cleaner to burn.
Hennifin’s wife, Betsy, was dismayed when medical waste washed ashore in the 1980’s. The couple has advanced from there. Their home is now powered with wind energy that is purchased through their regular electric provider. It may cost a little more, but the tradeoff lessens their carbon footprint.
Hennifin has led the Fenwick Island Environmental Committee for numerous years, has worked with the CIB and their Citizens Advisory Council and, most importantly, significantly increased the participation of oyster gardeners in the inland bays.
Carmean is one of the most recent inductees into the circle of residential solar power users. She and her husband, Wayne, are delighted when they are able to watch the electric meter spin in reverse. The most significant work that Carmean has championed was to garner support of the town council to be the first municipality to send notice to the Indian River Power Plant about the issue of fly ash.
Commercially, three businesses in Fenwick rise above the rest when it comes to being Green: Warren’s Station, Seaside County Store and Nantucket’s. These owners all have a similar mentality when it comes to the bottom line, the decision must make economical sense and contribute to the bottom line. A common thread runs between these companies, in that the 1970’s rubbed off on the owners. We are not talking “flower power” or beatniks and politics – just a good understanding about treating the environment well.
The systems that have been installed at these three locations are unique to their respective properties. Not all properties are the same, and when you are working with an existing structure, many factors come into play in order to maximize the return on investment.
The common thread that connects these systems is Flexera, a Harbeson, Del., based solar and wind company. Flexera is the key to how Warren’s has straight panels, the Country Store has tubing, called Solyndra, and Nantucket’s has a hybrid system with panels and wind production.
“They just made it easy,” said Steve Vickers, the owner of Seaside Country Store, of Flexera.
Flexera did not stop there. They were also very helpful to the Town of Fenwick Island in crafting ordinances that pertained to the installation of solar and wind power-generation devices. It takes teamwork to make real change happen. When asked how the town could better facilitate greater adoption of such systems, Flexera suggested reducing the barriers to entry. As a result, Fenwick’s town council adopted significantly reduced permit fees for the installation of alternate energy generators.
That brings us to the town itself. One of the boldest moves to be made is the level of importance bestowed upon the Environmental Committee.
“It is one of the few, if not the only, in the state to generate proposals directly to the town council. Extraordinary,” said Win Abbott; town manager. The committee does outreach and education, invites guest speakers and, most importantly, the members are also members of other committees and, in some cases, council members. It is a pervasive group that participates in all decisions in the town.
The town likes to do its part in the equation. The height limit has been adjusted to accommodate an extra 3 feet space for solar panel placement and wind-power generation. Rain barrels have been used at town hall. Townwide recycling has been in place for a couple of years, with containers also placed at the beach street ends. The police department has even just installed “Your Speed Is” signs at the north and south ends of town that are solar powered.
The next test is looming. A new public safety building is in the works, and the word green has been bandied about quite a bit. Will the town choose to construct a building and then add green components at completion or will green design be utilized from concept with the choice of the architect?
New construction offers the greatest possibilities in creating a difference today. A tiny detail, such as window placement, may create an efficient way to cool a room or it may create a heat trap that requires additional air conditioning just to make it comfortable.
Being green is a choice. Being a good steward of the planet is not. We all have an obligation to protect and preserve that which we call home. Each decision we make can help create a better tomorrow. Teamwork is key, as cooperation offers the greatest opportunity for the collective whole to flourish. Fenwick Island may be a small speck on the map, but they are doing their part.
Are you?
