About

Protecting the spit and the bay for generations to come

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Protecting the spit and the bay for generations to come •

Our Mission

SPB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1987 for the purpose of protecting and enhancing Popponesset Bay and the Popponesset Spit, the barrier peninsula and wildlife preserve that protects the Bay and surrounding communities in Mashpee and Cotuit, MA. Due to its strong partnerships and community relationships, SPB has worked to dredge sand to keep key navigation channels open, improve water quality, and restore the Popponesset Spit to preserve and protect for generations to come.

2016 - Shoreline Media

Our History

Upon the death of a local resident in 1950, the western 3/4 of the Spit were deeded to Save Popponesset Bay. Mass Audubon remains the owner of the eastern 1/4.

1950/1960s

No deep water channel existed. Boats with a draft of more than 20” could not enter or leave Popponesset Bay close to low tide.

1960s

GPBWA (Greater Popponesset Bay Waterways Association) was formed by Lew Schwartz, a New Seabury resident, to advocate for deep water channels in Popponesset Bay. He and other local individuals repeatedly approached the Town of Mashpee, arguing that the Bay and particularly the New Seabury Community deserved a deep-water channel. While their efforts were unsuccessful, they laid the groundwork for SPB.

Early 1987

Save Popponesset Bay was formed as a 501(c)(3). To manage the donations with Greg Smith, its President, and Kevin Harington, Vice President and Treasurer. Al White, one of the people involved with the earlier attempts, became a Board member and Clerk. The Popponesset Approach Channel dredging project was completed later in 1987.

Late 1987

SPB funded the dredging of a deep water channel entering Popponesset Bay, known as the Popponesset Approach Channel. Greg Smith and Kevin Harrington, with backing from Ray Tye, Lenny Petze, Don Brabranz, and financial pledges from others, approached the Town of Mashpee with an offer to break a stalemate over the issue. As financing was the significant obstacle for the channel dredging, this group offered to help the Town financially by supplementing Town and State money with privately raised donations. This initial dredge was also significant as the substantial amount of material nearly doubled the height and width of the Spit.

1991

Hurricane Bob breaches the Spit & SPB funds repairs to rebuild and re-nourish the Spit. SPB also cleared the channel leading from Popponesset Creek to Popponesset Bay at the southern point of Popponesset Island to a reasonable depth and width to provide safe navigation.

2002

New Seabury sells their portion of the Spit to SPB for $1. This agreement, led by Kevin Harrington, facilitated placing the dredging spoils on to the Spit without requiring approval by other property owners at the time.

2003

SPB gains permits & funding to dredge the channel at the tip of Popponesset Island with the help of U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt’s office.

SPB prevents Cape Wind from running cables through the Spit & Popponesset Bay to protect natural resources. The two-year court process cost SPB over $100,000 but in the end, the Siting Board agreed with SPB’s legal representation that the fragile Spit and shallow Bay were not appropriate for the electricity transmission cables. In collaboration with Mass Audubon, a sign was erected at the entrance of the Spit welcoming visitors and asking for good behavior and respect for the Federally protected species.

2004

SPB complies with the Conservation Commission to remove kayaks from the Spit, allowing dune grass to flourish. This is the innaugural year of our annual summer meeting of contributors at the New Seabury Country Club, now known as our annual summer fundraiser!

2012

Hurricane Sandy hits Mashpee causing significant damage to the Spit.

2013

Study by Woods Hole Group deemed the Spit in a state of crisis due to erosion and storm damage from Hurrican Sandy.

SPB begins feasibility and engineering studies on the Longer, Wider, Deeper Project for the channel entering Popponesset Bay. Also, represents an affordable source of sand to fortify the Spit.

2017

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) announces that the Popponesset Spit is a winner of its 2017 Best Restored Beach Award following $1.4 million restoration project.

2020

SPB is the recipient of a Coastal Resilience Grant from MA Coastal Zone Management (CZM). This generous award for $426,000 funded up to 15,000 cubic yards of trucked sand and beach grass to rebuild the dunes.

SPB employs beach security to deter problematic visitors and enforce beach rules including no dogs on the Spit, closure at dusk, and no alcohol policy on the Spit.

Mike Oleksak, SPB President, retires after 20 years with SPB, remains on as an advisor on SPB’s Board of Advisors.

2021

Collaboration with Mashpee Clean Waters for Town approval of Phase 1 - Wastewater Treatment Plant and sewering of homes to restore water quality in Popponesset Bay and estuaries.

2024

Pending final permits of Longer, Wider, Deeper Outer Channel Project from Army Corps of Engineering.

Partnership with Mass Audubon

SPB has developed an effective partnership with Mass Audubon. This partnership has resulted in important recent collaborations, including the installation of “sand drift fencing” in areas of over=wash on the Spit. Their support was critical in receiving approval at the State and local levels for this spit stabilization initiative. The fencing protects the newly planted dune grass which anchors the Spit to provide strength during storms against wash-overs.

SPB and Mass Audubon erected over two thousand yards of “symbolic fencing” designed to protect endangered coastal water birds (terns and plovers) during nesting season from April though August. This “string and post” fencing discourages individuals from walking or running through dune grass areas.

Mass Audubon has hired and supervised a “beach monitor” to patrol the Spit during peak summer hours. This monitor, paid for by SPB as part of the agreement to install the sand drift fencing, greets visitors, explains rules and regulations, including the prohibition of dogs, and carries literature about SPB to boaters and walkers. SPB and Mass Audubon worked jointly to produce and install two signs greeting visitors to the Spit. These signs, similar to the one installed in 2004, reinforced various rules and guidelines for behavior on the Spit.