Letter to Plum Island Residents Sparks National Controversy

Letter to Plum Island residents sparks national controversy

NEWBURY — A letter recently sent to a handful of Plum Island residents reminding them of their agreement to protect endangered birds by not flying streamers or flags on sand dunes on their properties has turned into a national controversy.

U.S.' Plum Island Town Warns Residents Against Flying American Flags Ahead of July 4, Cites Special Birds' Protection

The town claimed the flags could interfere with and harm the beach and dune habitat of birds protected by state and federal species acts Marc Sarkady placed a handful of American flags on the sunny beach on Plum Island, Massachusetts, last week as he decorated for the nation’s 250th Independence Day, then a letter arrived in his mailbox saying the flags violated state environmental laws. The town claimed the flags could interfere with and harm t…