The tiny island that was used for decades as a bombing range will remain closed to the public as an unstaffed wildlife refuge, with minimal further efforts to remove unexploded munitions.
The United States Navy is set to open a public comment period on its proposed remedial action plan for Noman’s island— a 600-acre dot off the coast of Chilmark that was used as a naval gunnery range and aerial bombardment site for much of the 20th century.
The small, uninhabited island south of the Vineyard could play a key role in boosting the dwindling population of New England cottontail rabbits.
The old Luce Cemetery on the shore of Noman’s Land is at risk of being washed into the sea, and some of the graves may need to be moved farther inland, a representative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said this week.
