City to get conservation area
Herald New Staff - 8/20/2003
The City Council voted
unanimously Tuesday night to create a 14,000-acre conservation
area in the North End.
Although somewhat apprehensive because of past backing down by
the state on major projects, the council vote 9-0 to approve
a "conservation restriction" sought by Mayor Edward
M. Lambert Jr. to seal a deal with the state in developing the
project. During a presentation to the council by Director of
Municipal Services James Smith and other city and state officials,
there was concern among councilors of the state's failing to
keep its end of the bargain when it comes to funding various
projects. Councilors cited such cases as commuter rail, repairing
Government Center and building a new courthouse as examples of
"backtracking" by the state. "There's a common
theme here tonight that we don't have much confidence in the
state anymore," said Councilor Raymond Hague.
Known as the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, the conservation
will comprise the Fall River/Freetown State Forest, 4,300 acres
of city-owned land in the Watuppa Reservation, 3,800 acres of
state-owned land and 509 acres owned by the nonprofit group,
the Trustees of Reservations.
The state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, the city
and the Trustees of Reservations have worked for the past three
years to establish the conservation area.
Last summer, the council voted unanimously in favor of a home-rule
petition that asked the Legislature to grant the environmental
office a "conservation restriction" on 4,300 acres
of city-owned land in the reservation. The petition also called
for the city to spend $2.45 million to buy 300 access of previously
protected state land to create an industrial park at the site.
The Legislature approved the petition in August 2002. The plan
includes opening the area to some hunting and recreational use,
hiking, educational tours and other excursions. It forbids any
activity within the North Watuppa Watershed.
Smith advised the council that the deal ultimately hinges on
the state's ability to construct access ramps leading from Route
24 to the future 300-acre industrial park. He explained that
the deal would be nullified if the state fails to live up to
its commitment to build the ramps. Smith said the plan requires
the state to begin construction of the ramps, or show signs that
it is moving toward construction by 2007.
State officials assured Hague the bioreserve would not likely
be privatized anytime down the road, pointing out that would
not work as the operation is a partnership between the city and
state. Hague said he did not want to see it privatized so that
the "poorest kids from Fall River as well as the rich kids
from Newton" can enjoy the bioreserve. He noted that did
not happen when the Driscoll Memorial Rink was privatized, eliminating
the opportunity for poorer children to enjoy the facility.
Responding to a question by Councilor Kyle Riley, Smith said
there were no current plans for what to do about the infrastructure
of the area in question, which includes some roads that are difficult
to maneuver even with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Riley also expressed some concern about hunting that would continue
in a designated area. Smith said hunting season is mainly during
the colder months when fewer people are using the lands for other
recreational purposes.
Some councilors also expressed concern over illegal dumping in
the area.
Steve Bates, director of the Freetown State Forest, agreed that
the "greatest problem area is people coming through with
truckloads of construction debris" and dumping the trash.
He explained that opening up the land to the public helps officials
to better manage the land as illegal dumpers are less likely
to commit their crime with so many people around. "There
are new sets of eyes and ears out there to help us protect this
land," Bates said.
"I want to be sure this land is going to be protected and
safeguarded," said Councilor Leo Pelletier.
"This is a win-win situation," Councilor Alfredo Alves
said of the bioreserve. But he added,"I'm very concerned
about the state's promises." He expressed hope the state
would keep its word on building the ramps leading from Route
24.
Councilor Pat Casey called the bioreserve concept a "great
thing for a family to have good quality time together and not
have it cost them a paycheck."
Hague made an interesting observation about the bioreserve's
close proximity to the Browning Ferris Industries landfill. "I
find it ironic that we're going to have the biggest bioreserve
in the state and the biggest dump right next to each other,"
he said.
On another matter, the council voted to refer to its Committee
on Real Estate a request by Mayor Lambert for the council to
authorize the expenditure of $1 million to buy three parcels
of land on North Main Street, abutting Morton Middle School on
President Avenue. The city plans to make the land the site of
the new Morton Middle School. Though still on the drawing board,
the school is planned to be a five-story building, complete with
gymnasium, cafetorium and library. The 156,400-square-foot facility
will accommodate 800 pupils.
The Morton project is one of seven school construction projects
the city still has on the drawing board. Plans for new Morton
and Kuss middle schools, and new Small, Slade and Letourneau
elementary schools have all be accepted by the state's School
Building Assistance Bureau.