In a severe storm, however, banks will erode, losing some sediment that is carried off to replenish the down-drift beaches. Dunes also can naturally replenish beaches. Both banks and dunes, left in an undisturbed state, perform the same services as do truckloads of sand, but at much less cost. Beaches, dunes and coastal banks are dynamic systems that are continuously shifting. Our construction activities must be planned carefully in these areas in order to allow this shifting to occur.
Wetlands are valuable to wildlife as a food source, nesting area and protective cover.
The presence of wildlife provides recreation for hunters, bird watchers, artists and photographers. Shellfish beds and commercial and recreational fisheries are dependent on healthy estuaries and salt marshes. The resource areas protected in the Wetland Protection Act and the local bylaw provide us with many free services when they are allowed to remain in their natural state. The Conservation Commission is obligated to study carefully any proposed alterations of wetlands to balance the benefits to a few against the potential harm to the community as a whole. Nahant expanded the local control of activities within these Resources Areas by developing the Nahant Floodplain Zoning Bylaw.