A vision for Smith Island

The future of Smith Island is here, or at least the plans for it are. At a meeting Tuesday Somerset County officials detailed Smith Island’s first ever vision plan a critical step in applying for grants to fund that future.

Smith Island native, Duke Marshall, who worked on the plan from its onset in 2014, explained the focus of the plan to 47 ABC.

“We have two main goals, definitely sustainability is certainly right in the forefront, but also saving the island,” Marshall said.

Saving the island means addressing erosion at Rhodes Point by coordinating efforts with the army corps of engineers. This to push for funding that will hopefully lead to the construction of a jetty as soon as possible. If not a jetty, then an alternative plan to address the erosion.

Another part of the plan focuses on people. Over the past 25 years Smith Island’s population has dipped from close to 500 to under 300.

The plan calls for improvements to vacant properties and marketing the island to home buyers.

“What were trying to create is like a package, if you will, that will attract the young families that want to work on the water, crab and oyster, or want to live on an island in such a way,” Marshall said.

According to the plan, the most expensive part will be repairing infrastructure. For example the plan says that waste water treatment plants have reached a point where minor improvements won’t cut it and a major investment is needed.

As is the case with storm water, which often cannot be held properly by the current ditches.

Gary Pusey, planning and zoning director for the county, says the plan has broad support from Smith Islanders.

“They really took to it, a lot of people really showed up at all our meetings out there and it was overall a really good process,” Pusey said. “I’ve heard no opposition whatsoever from anybody.”

May 31 the commission will vote on whether to incorporate the vision plan into the county’s comprehensive plan.

The public can still submit written comments until May 27.