"One obvious issue with the impoundment is that the water is heated to an extreme degree by exposing a limited flow through to a wide, shallow area."

The Roth Woodlands culvert is perched well above the streambed, creating an impassable barrier to aquatic species. Martha’s Vineyard has considerable self-regard for its commitment to environmental protection but falls short compared to some 80 Massachusetts cities, towns, and organizations that have worked with the Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) to restore failed culverts, thereby improving stream connectivity and freshwater stream ha

The return of river herring to Martha’s Vineyard this spring is one of the rhythms of a natural world unaffected by a pandemic that has...