Thanks to Ben Thompson for his excellent reporting on the planned dredging in Chatham to replenish the sand in the Cockle Cove and Harding beaches there — a $750,000 “beach nourishment’’ project (“Plan to revitalize beaches in Chatham gets key approval,’’ Metro, Nov. 19).

It is very important to those who enjoy Chatham’s Morris and Monomoy islands to understand the potential impact of these so-called revitalization projects, which require extensive dredging of sand from some of the Cape’s most pristine estuarine environments.

According to the director of coastal resources, Theodore Keon, this project is being done “to maintain the beaches for the enjoyment of the public.’’

I hope that Keon and other Chatham town officials understand that there are also many members of the public who enjoy the beauty of Morris Island just the way it is — with the sand left there over centuries, shifted naturally by currents and storms, the way nature intended.

The fish, birds, seals, and other wildlife sort of like it there too, without the dredges.

Steve Woit

Lexington