Newsletters
December 2012 - Comm. Preservation Act, Bike Path, Otters
WELCOME TO GREEN FUTURES !
DECEMBER, 2012
"The superior man seeks what is right; the inferior one, what is profitable."
- Confucius
“Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.”
- Niccolo Machiavelli
BIORESERVE THREAT OF THE MONTH – Subdividing Land - A dangerous precedent.
Before we get to this month’s threat, let’s revisit, just for a moment, last month’s threat. http://www.greenfutures.org/?content=HcfpIg0zol6SwBz9
In November we wrote about the threat of the “prescribed burning” planned for some small areas of the state forest section of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve (SMB) for no specific biological reason. The areas slated for burning had already been mechanically cleared and are presently in an early successional stage benefiting critters and plants that require that type of habitat.
An observant newsletter reader sent us the following. Trite but true …”follow the money.” Read it here:http://www.mass.gov/recovery/see-the-impact/stimulus-stories/preventing-wildfires.html
Now, here’s December’s SMB threat.
Within the land area of the Bioreserve are numerous inholdings. These private parcels, within Fall River, are zoned “R-80” (Residential, 80,000 square feet).
These parcels were zoned, in that manner, to protect the surface water supplies and their watersheds that provide potable water to Fall River and portions of neighboring communities. Studies, commissioned by the City, showed that a lot size requirement of 80,000 square feet would be the minimum necessary to relocate a home septic system should the original fail.
We have long believed that Fall River should set aside a small percentage of water service user fees for acquisition of these private parcels, important to water quality protection, within the watersheds of Watuppa Pond and Copicut Reservoir, as they become available for purchase.
The people who live on these private SMB inholdings have been, for the most part, responsible stewards of their land and realize that living in that rural, attractive natural area, away from urban blight and city pressures, is something to value.
The SMB residents all know, when they decide to purchase property and move “out to the “Rez” or Copicut area, that they are going to be living in a sensitive public resource area and that there are restrictions on what they can do on their land and that city services and road conditions are not what you find in the heart of the city or in nearby suburban towns.
Unfortunately, one resident and active booster of that area has, to our astonishment, turned into a threat by wanting to subdivide her property by seeking a variance from the zoning regulations. If granted, this would set a dangerous precedent. It would make it harder to prevent other property owners in the SMB, hoping to realize financial gain by dividing their property into additional house lots, from gaining variance approvals from the local zoning board of appeals.
Over the past decade or so we have opposed about a half dozen similar sub-division requests. Because of the importance of the municipal water supply and its watershed to the community the appeals have wisely been denied.
This from the public notice:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
FALL RIVER ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
SARA E. DAVIS & MARTIN R. RILEY
1679 Copicut Road, Lot W-36-4
Variance request to divide property into two lots leaving the existing single family dwelling on one lot and construct a single family dwelling on the other lot waiving dimensional requirements in a Single Family Residence District [R-80]. Lot sizes 16,160 +/- s.f. and 80,009 +/- s.f.
Here are our comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals, in opposition:
On behalf of the membership of Green Futures, I wish to comment on the petition to divide Lot W-36-4 at 1679 Copicut Road into two lots, creating one lot measuring 80,009 square feet in area and one lot measuring 16,160 square feet in area.
In 1989 the City of Fall River hired Siegmund and Associates and the Environmental Scientific Corporation, environmental consultants, to determine the residential carrying capacity of the eastern part of Fall River in order to determine what zoning would be appropriate for that area. The study revealed that most of the Copicut area is characterized by extremely porous soils highly conducive to rapid movement of groundwater and any pollutants that enter the groundwater. The City has a strong interest in assuring that the Copicut Reservoir is not polluted by development.
The City also has an interest in assuring that allowed lots would be large enough to accommodate septic systems and, in particular, to allow a second septic system in the event a system failed in that area of poor soils.
Allowing a 16,160 square foot lot in this sensitive area, within 500 to 600 feet from the Copicut Reservoir, would violate City policy and put the Copicut Reservoir at risk.
In recent years, both Fall River and Massachusetts have spent somewhere in the range of three-quarters of a million dollars purchasing Copicut area watershed lands to protect the Copicut Reservoir.
Finally, there is no hardship here, as defined by Section 10 of Chapter 40A of the General Laws.
Granting this appeal in so sensitive an area would set a damaging precedent. Frankly, we are also quite disturbed that this petition is being proposed by the president of the Copicut Neighborhood Association, someone who, in the past, has been a vigorous defender of her neighborhood environment and should know that a lot size of 16,160 square feet, in a location where travel time for pollution to reach the water supply is the shortest, is not in the best interests of the City.
Please uphold the zoning in the Copicut area, zoning that protects the public interest by safeguarding our municipal water supplies.
At the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing the petitioners withdrew their variance request and the Zoning Board of Appeals accepted it “without prejudice” …which means the variance request will return at a later date. You can read about it here:
Davis and Riley both knew, when purchasing their property, the “unique and special part of Fall River” they wanted to be a part of. Read this, written by Davis, on her “Copicut Cleanup” web page:
Our Commitment
We feel privileged to live in the most unique and special part of Fall River - the Copicut Woods. As Fall River’s backup water supply, the Copicut Reservoir plays an important role in the environmental well-being of our city. The Southeastern Massachusetts Bio-reserve has an even greater impact on the region. Unfortunately, as an urban forest, litter and pollution are major issues. Though it will require vigilance and hard work, we are committed to keeping our neighborhood and our forests clean. With great privilege, comes great responsibility.
For two consecutive years, we've hosted a large-scale clean-up in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bio-reserve (which includes the Copicut Reservoir, Copicut Road, Fall River Watershed, Trustees of Reservations conservation land, private power and gas lines, and the Freetown/Fall River State Forest). Last year's outcome was unbelievable! We collected propane tanks, car parts, construction debris, toilets, roofing shingles, over 155 tires, and so much more.
Our 3rd Annual Copicut Cleanup was, I'm sure, the largest scale clean-up effort the city of Fall River has ever seen. We had 150 volunteers, including Boy Scout pack and troop 15, troops 81, and 50, as well as Girl Scout troop 1046. Mayor Flanagan came to present them with citations for distinguished stewardship and unusual service to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement. Also attending were volunteer groups from the Fall River Police Department, a local fishing club, as well as our State Representative, Mike Rodrigues. Together, we filled three 40 cubic yard dumpsters full of trash, construction debris, TV’s, nitrogen tanks, computer monitors, and an estimated 140 tires.
In our society, cleaning up litter is often associated with crime and punishment. Why not pride? Why not pride in one's home, neighborhood, and community? That type of pride is infectious, and with it, we can all make a difference. There is real potential to combat apathy; we can set an example for our community, and inspire others to do their part. It's easy to pass garbage on the street and look down in disgust; it takes fortitude to turn around and clean it up.
When it comes right down to it, if you don't like the way things are, you can either live with them... or change them. With the proper attitude, support, and community involvement, there is no limit to what we can do together. We hope you'll join us.
What happened? If Davis and Riley want a new and larger home, good for them. We see a couple of ways to make that a reality without jeopardizing watershed zoning or impacting the SMB. They could raze the present structure and construct their new home on the property …or they could sell their parcel and buy a new home or house lot in a neighboring town.
In summary, another house in the SMB is not beneficial to its mission. A variance granted in the watershed area creates a dangerous precedent.
We expect a variant of the past variance request to appear shortly. Davis is civically and politically active. The Zoning Board of Appeals, we are sure, will find itself between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Will the next variance request be denied …or will political influence trump what is best for Fall River, its water supply and the SMB?
Say tuned!
HOORAY, YIPPEE, WOOT WOOT FOR CPA!!! It passed in Fall River, Somerset and seven other communities!
On November 6th, 2012, voters in seven Massachusetts communities voted to adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Two of those communities were Fall River and neighboring Somerset.
The CPA will provide funds to improve the city’s parks, historic architecture, recreational amenities, historic landscapes and the city’s neighborhoods. It is estimated the CPA in Fall River will raise approximately $1 million each year. These funds could be used to match $1 million to $10 million in additional state and federal grants, depending on the grant program.
To read about the CPA win in Fall River, go here:
In Somerset, read about it here: http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x1440175888/Somerset-CPA-passes-by-thin-margin
CPA site: http://www.fallrivercpa.net/
DEDICATED BIKE PATH – Providence to Provincetown
We’ve long advocated for the Quequechan Valley Bike Path. Advocacy continues.
When complete it will be part of the Providence to Provincetown Bicycle Trail.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is holding a series of statewide discussions this fall to engage the public in a conversation about the transportation system they want and what MassDOT needs to do to achieve that.
One area of great importance in the Providence to Provincetown route is connecting Fall River to New Bedford via a dedicated bicycle path along the old railroad corridor.
Please try to attend to lend your support and if at all possible your voice. For too long we have been ignored when other parts of the state receive beautiful, safe, dedicated bike paths.
The local MassDOT meeting is December 3, Monday, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Woodlawn Commons Conference Room 3, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA.
Some specific talking points:
· Invest in a system that moves people, not cars.
· Achieving the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas reduction goals depends on encouraging more biking and walking.
· Supporting healthier communities, since over one-fifth of our adult population is obese, as is one out of ten children.
· Investing in biking and walking is the smarter choice; we just can’t afford to keep building wider roads.
Polls across the country have shown that people want to bike. We need a dedicated bike path from Fall River to New Bedford to continue the Providence to Provincetown Bike Path initiative
Want more info? Contact Brian Pearson at btrekman@comcast.net
NEW BEDFORD HARBOR PCB CLEAN-UP – Long overdue!
The Buzzards Bay Coalition is collecting signatures for a clean New Bedford Harbor. They are looking for 1,000 signatures by 12/12/12.
Go here for more information: http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/
Read about what’s wrong with the EPA’s plan for the New Bedford Harbor clean up, here:http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/NewBedfordHarbor
BIORESERVE FAUNA OF THE MONTH – River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
Along with terrestrial fishers, aquatic otters are the largest members of the weasel family found in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve (SMB).
Once on the verge of extinction, here in Massachusetts, otters are back. Quite remarkable considering Massachusetts had some of the filthiest waterways in the United States, just 40 years ago, before passage of the federal Clean Water Act in 1972.
The SMB and just about the entire coastal plain of Massachusetts is, once again, ideal otter habitat. Although now mostly urban/suburban, this coastal area is replete with ponds, lakes, rivers and wetlands.
River otter range includes almost all of the United States and Canada. Exceptions are the desert southwest and extreme northern Alaska and Canada.
Male river otters are slightly larger than females. Adult males are 36 to 50 inches in length and weigh between 12 and 30 pounds.
Just about everyone knows that otters eat fish, but they also prey on frogs, salamanders, turtles, crayfish and aquatic insects. If the opportunity presents itself they will also kill and eat small birds and small mammals, such as muskrats.
Otters travel widely and have numerous dens along their routes. Dens are well hidden usually under tree routes or beneath rocks in ledgey areas. They will also den in old abandoned beaver and muskrat lodges. Dens usually have multiple entrances and exits.
Mainly nocturnal during the warmer months, in winter they are frequently seen during daylight hours sliding and playing on ice and snow. The river otter is protected and insulated by a very thick, waterproof coat of short fur overlain with longer, hard guard hairs. Fur color ranges from light to dark brown.
Like other members of the weasel family otters make chuckling sounds when nervous and chirping sounds when content. An angry or injured otter will snarl, hiss and spit. We surprised a river otter one morning while we were hiking and it stood up on its hind legs, apparently not quite sure what we were, repeatedly “blowing” at us as surprised white tailed deer often do when startled.
River otters breed during the winter. Female river otters retire to their main den in March in preparation for the birth of one to six kits. They line their dens with dried leaves and grass. The kits remain in the den until mid to late June. Once old enough to venture from the security of the den the kits are taught to swim by their mother. The rest of the summer the mother otter, sometimes accompanied by her mate, lead a nomadic life often traveling ten to twenty miles in a day as they teach their kits to forage for crayfish and catch fish. Kits remain with the family for their first year. They disperse in the spring just prior to their mother giving birth to her next litter.
Otters are fast swimmers and can easily catch most fish species. They can stay submerged for up to five minutes and dive to depths of sixty feet. When fishing as a pair or as a family otters will work cooperatively to herd fish toward shore where they can be more easily captured. Smaller fish and invertebrates are usually consumed in the water. Larger prey is taken to shore and held upright in the otter’s forepaws and eaten head first.
The otter is back where it belongs. Keep watch around local waterways this coming winter and you might catch a glimpse of this elusive creature playing in the snow.
Pair of SMB otters at King Philip Brook.
BIORESERVE FLORA OF THE MONTH – Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Do you know what New England woodland shrub blooms in November and December? If you don’t, you do now.
Witch hazel flowers after its leaves have fallen for the winter. The flowers are yellow and grouped in small clusters each with four curly petals and four squat stamens (male pollen producing organ) surrounding the pistil (female part that develops into the seed capsule).
The seed capsule, at maturity, splits open and explosively ejects its two shiny black seeds propelling them twenty to thirty feet from the parent plant.
Witch Hazel shrubs are very common in the SMB. They are an understory shrub preferring the partial shade found beneath maple, oak and hickory trees. They reach eight to twelve feet in height and the multiple trunks, one to five inches in diameter, are covered by smooth grey bark.
Leaves of the witch hazel are oval with wavy edges, dark green and downy and three to five inches in length. Leaves turn bright yellow just before falling in October. The “hazel,” in witch hazel, comes from the leaf’s resemblance to those of the hazel nut shrub.
The “witch” moniker comes from its traditional use as the best material for making “water witches” …also known as divining or dousing rods …used to find underground water. Some folks, today, still use witch hazel branches for that purpose. .
Witch hazel also has many other uses. Early New England colonists learned of these from the local Indians. Witch hazel contains a volatile oil that is astringent and antiseptic. It is still widely used (you can buy distilled witch hazel at your local pharmacy), for a number of minor conditions. Young witch hazel leaves and twigs can also be brewed as a “tea.”
Witch hazel is nibbled on by many insects, but they rarely present a problem to a healthy witch hazel shrub. Deer, which will devour just about any woodland vegetation, tend to leave witch hazel alone. Witch hazel seeds, however, are relished by many seed eating birds and rodents.
Witch hazel blooming along the Tattapanum Trail.
TRWA’s 2013 CALENDAR – Photos of the great river and its watershed.
Many reading this newsletter live within the watershed of the Taunton (Great) River. From Wrentham, Sharon, Stoughton and Holbrook in the north, to the river’s mouth at Fall River and Somerset, the Taunton’s watershed includes, in whole or in part, 43 cities and towns.
The Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) has announced the publication of their 2013 calendar featuring scenes from the river and watershed.
Maybe you’d like one? Check it out, here: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Taunton-River-Watershed-Alliance-Promotion.html?soid=1101578509237&aid=YQSaeLMI-bo
WINTER SEASON - “How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon.” - Dr. Seuss
The shortest hours of daylight are here. Take advantage of sunny winter days by going on a woodsy hike, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, sledding, birding …or anything else you can think of to get yourself outdoors on fine winter days.
Click on our Calendar although there is apparently precious little going on this month. This December make up your own activities and events.
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