Bioreserve plan moves forward
Council OKs key legislation
(Herald News
- James Finlaw Reporter-6/18/02)
Hailing the plan as a potential economic and open space boon for the city, the City Council last night unanimously approved of a piece of legislation designed to get the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve project moving forward. The two year old bioreserve plan calls for the city , state agencies, and the nonprofit environmental group Trustees of Reservations to purchase and pool several thousand acres in the Watuppa Reservation. When all the parties to the deal combine their properties, a bioreserve of more than 14,000 acres will be created. The land will be permanently closed to development and will be cultivated as an outdoor area for hikers, sportsmen and nature lovers.
The legislation the council endorsed Monday evening was a home rule petition that will now be sent to the Statehouse for approval. The petition asks lawmakers to vote to allow the state to sell 300 acres within the Fall River/Freetown State Forest to the city for $2.45 million. The city's redevelopment authority would pay for the parcel and open it to industrial use. The state would then turn around and use the $2.45 million to buy 3,800 acres of private land in the reservation that would be set aside for preservation and "passive recreational use." The petition also asks legislators to vote to allow the city to grant the state a "conservation restriction" on 4,300 acres of city owned land within the reservation. The restriction would prevent any future development on the land, and would give the state and TTOR a say in how the land is managed.
All of the councilors gave the petition a ringing endorsement. Many cited the city's need for more land for industrial expansion, and the significance of establishing one of the largest natural preserves in the state as their reasons for supporting it. However, many said their continued support for the bioreserve hinges on the ability of the city, state and TTOR to craft a land management plan that does not negatively impact the watershed land surrounding the North Watuppa Pond. The sensitive, city-owned lands would be included in the bioreserve. The entities involved in the project have been working on a management plan for the past year, but it has yet to be finalized. The plan is based on the wording of the "conservation restriction" the city will grant to the state. The parties are continuing to work on the language of the restriction, which also has to be sent to the Statehouse for approval.
City Director of Municipal Services James Smith said he expected the conservation restriction and management plan to be completed within the next couple of months, at which time they would be presented to the public for review. Ultimately the council will have final say on the documents."I support moving forward because it is such an important thing to do, however I'll be watching very closely what we define as passive recreation in the watershed area,"said Councilor Raymond Hague."Passive recreation. That is the key for me. That has to be looked at closely. I don't think anyone should be allowed on the North Watuppa or on the shores of the North Watuppa in any fashion,"said Hague.
Chancellor Thomas Kodak said he was also anxious to learn more about how the property would be managed, and said he felt the bioreserve's true test will come when the council votes on the conservation restriction and management plan in the coming months."This is just a necessary vote to get it to the next step. I think the council will have a lot more questions,"said Kodak."I want to know who can do what and where in the bioreserve, who will be responsible for monitoring it...people have to stay away from the watershed,"he said.
Mark P. Smith, director of water policy for the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, has worked to devise the management plan. He said the state is committed to creating a "site specific" management plan that "won't interfere with the reservoir.""We're confident the water supply will be well protected,"said Smith. James Smith said the city is equally intent on ensuring the integrity of the watershed."The protection of the water supply is of primary importance in this entire deal. We will not jeopardize the water supply for any reason or purpose,"he said.
Beyond the watershed concerns, the councilors were enthusiastic about the plan."I think this is going to be great for the entire community,"said Councilor Patricia Casey."It'll be great for families."