tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242549302024-02-07T15:02:17.482-05:00Save The TauntonAn informational blog for the Taunton River Watershed Campaign, a partnership of 10 organizations working to protect critical land and water resources of our watershed.TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-63778160119230302302008-10-21T13:36:00.002-04:002008-10-21T13:43:07.072-04:00Campaign Events Continue!More than 170 people have been out enjoying the Taunton River watershed this fall and participating in workshops, programs and events sponsored by our members!<br /><br />If you've participated, <a href="http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2d8fpg9flgorjm4/a001fli8cqsr/questions">please take our short feedback survey</a> and help us select the programs that will be offered in the winter!<br /><br />The weather's been great and we hope to see you soon at our remaining events: (some events require pre-registration - check the listings)<br /><br />Thursday, 10/23 - Training for Conservation Commissions - East Bridgewater<br /><br />Thursday, 10/30 - The Economic Benefits of Preserving Community Open Space - Dighton<br /><br />Sunday, 11/9 - Fall Nature Walk at Burrage Pond, Hanson<br /><br />Thursday, 11/13 - Preserving Rare Species in the TR watershed - Norton<br /><br />Thursday, 11/20 - The New Chapter 61-A state tax program for agricultural land - Dighton<br /><br /><a href="http://savethetauntonnow.org/programs.html">All events are listed at our website!</a>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-62193176468642287442008-10-04T17:27:00.003-04:002008-10-04T17:35:51.872-04:00Canoe the NemasketHey - shut off your computer and get out on the Nemasket River - or the Taunton or another one of its tribs - while this weather holds! More than 30 lucky souls spent a morning on the Nemasket today - 18 canoes and kayaks - and so, so enjoyed the clear water, clear sky (!), good company and good food! See photos at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/tauntonriver">Taunton & Tribs flickr pool</a> - yes, shameless promotion - but far far better is to get out there and experience it for yourself!!<br /><br />Click on the flickr badge in the lower right column... and don't miss this trip next year!! Bookmark <a href="http://www.savethetaunton.org">TRWA's home page</a> and remember this trip next year - it's an annual event co-sponsored by TRWA and the Mass Archeological Society!TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-50441912309772659602008-09-30T08:51:00.002-04:002008-09-30T09:01:09.994-04:00Experienced Our Programs? Tell Us What You Think!Our Fall Programs are rolling along throughout the watershed! Next events include the <a href="http://savethetauntonnow.org/ArcheologyCanoeTripOct4.html">October 4th canoe/kayak trip of archeological sites</a> along the Nemasket River... a day long <a href="http://savethetauntonnow.org/FacilitationWorkshop.html">training October 6th</a> to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters of coalitions and parnterships... an evening program <a href="http://savethetauntonnow.org/LandownerWorkshop.html">October 15th on the many options for property owners interested in conservation</a>... and two nature walks at the <a href="http://savethetauntonnow.org/BurragePondWalk.html">Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area</a>!<br /><br />If you've already participated in one or more of our events, please take a few moments to tell us your opinion! We have an <a href="http://www.savethetauntonnow.org/">online survey up at our home page</a> - you can report back after each event. The last section asks for your feedback on our winter and spring ideas! <br /><br />Hope to see you soon! And check out the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/tauntonriver/pool/">Flickr pool</a> which includes photos shared by camera buffs taken all over the Taunton River Watershed!TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-44473783091950479212008-09-07T18:50:00.005-04:002008-09-30T09:06:12.603-04:00Birding Trip September 13thThe first event of our fall schedule was a wonderful half-day birding trip with Mass Audubon's Wayne Petersen on Saturday, Sept. 13th! Check out a few photos of this trip at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/tauntonriver/pool/">Flickr photo pool for the Taunton River and our tributaries</a>!<br /><br />39 birders enjoyed visits to the Hockomock Swamp Wildlife Management Area and to the Assawompsett Ponds of Lakeville... highlights included the Yellow-Throated Vireos lingering late in the season at the Hock and the Bald Eagles of Assawompsett. Many thanks to Wayne, Kathleen Anderson and Nancy Yeatts who were our field leaders!<br /><br />[If you're a Flickr member, please send your photos of the river to our new pool! If you're not a member, you can join for free and then send in your shots.]TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-7167794405313420802008-07-23T14:57:00.007-04:002008-09-30T09:07:15.456-04:00Fall Programs Planned Throughout WatershedThe Taunton River Watershed and its members are currently planning a very exciting series of events, workshops and outdoor trips!<br /><br />All events will be announced through our email news list. To make sure you receive early notice of these events please use the signup form on the right hand side of this page. You'll be directed to an email sign up for our Constant Contact email list. Please make sure to check the box for "Watershed Activities" and let us know what community you're from!<br /><br />Our events begin on Saturday, September 13th, with a birding walk to two of the Taunton River watershed's "Important Bird Areas" with Wayne Petersen, of Mass Audubon. Please <a href="mailto:pchapman@massaudubon.org">email Priscilla Chapman</a>, Taunton Watershed Advocate, if you would like to sign up now for this great event!<br /><br />Also on our roster: a workshop for teams of people who want to learn how to organize a local campaign to pass the Community Preservation Act. This event is for groups of five or more people eager to work in their hometown. The workshop will be Saturday, September 27th. For more information, <a href="mailto:liz.gimson@conservationcampaign.org">email Liz Gimson</a>, of the Community Preservation Coalition. Sponsored by Community Preservation Coalition in partnership with The Trustees of Reservations. Please register your group by September 12th!<br /><br />All fall events are now included on our calendar page. You may also download a copy of our fall brochure or call 1-866-393-TRWA and ask for a printed copy.TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-19967034240891582492008-07-17T13:06:00.003-04:002008-07-17T13:12:01.791-04:00The Good News!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLinxNQyIY3MNDdqIReIkRnvEVyQ3tvwBCpfVaUwV_ZFsLmL0layhxV-M5TTttPT4CC2JKumDKRQrXfEbVvOir3ZsHbD6_MxEChfeJuZltEvLYbXeIWTsDeLj4d9mAbLg1Q9dC/s1600-h/Email+Banner+Berkley+Shoreline.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224031834318519490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLinxNQyIY3MNDdqIReIkRnvEVyQ3tvwBCpfVaUwV_ZFsLmL0layhxV-M5TTttPT4CC2JKumDKRQrXfEbVvOir3ZsHbD6_MxEChfeJuZltEvLYbXeIWTsDeLj4d9mAbLg1Q9dC/s320/Email+Banner+Berkley+Shoreline.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>On Wednesday, July 16th, the US House of Representatives voted to support the designation of the Taunton River as part of our nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers System!<br /><br />Many, many thanks to Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Jim McGovern for their passionate leadership on behalf of the river and residents of our watershed!<br /><br /></div><br /><div>For more information, visit our <a href="http://savethetaunton.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=655">Wild & Scenic web page </a>and <a href="http://savethetaunton.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=730">sign up for our email alerts </a>on this and other topics!<br /><br />On to the Senate!</div>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-85461819802501422912008-07-17T13:02:00.002-04:002008-07-17T13:05:55.423-04:00Brockton accused of killing Kingston’s water wildlifeEnvironmental groups claim that Brockton is taking too much water from Silver Lake.<br /><br />Check out The Enterprise news story on the action planned by consortium of river protection and environmental organizations.<br /><br />Note the archive of past news stories which is displayed from Enterprise archives on this topic!<br /><br />For the rest of the story, contact TRWA, Mass Audubon, or the Jones River Watershed Association - see links to the right.TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-44990706923880885952008-06-23T09:03:00.007-04:002008-09-08T22:44:26.328-04:00The Three Mile River Is Worth Protecting!The Commonwealth agrees!<br /><br />Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles has designated the Three Mile as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVW4JbXdZXiopw0446wbq7C8lVYjYKKRnugKWUicNBFijoRtH3cZxygOfGvJdcutTu0_X6qthT2OaxcEvyVOEl8aNlcpDuvJCs9O4wa21E_Qq28pS5hTcOJCFjckLvowmhZ6d/s1600-h/3MileRiveratBoyden-Taunton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215062532537620546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVW4JbXdZXiopw0446wbq7C8lVYjYKKRnugKWUicNBFijoRtH3cZxygOfGvJdcutTu0_X6qthT2OaxcEvyVOEl8aNlcpDuvJCs9O4wa21E_Qq28pS5hTcOJCFjckLvowmhZ6d/s320/3MileRiveratBoyden-Taunton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">If you have wondered WHY local citizens</div><div align="center">are seeking designation of this relatively short river</div><div align="center">as a state Area of Critical Environmental Concern, </div><div align="center">check out these scenes taken last week at the Boyden Refuge in Taunton.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215063938905193250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TsFLVRAlgF9vil8BZxa56i0-hzl66K5T3zyeZlwq3EcnJqthrTtccPID5kml97ouLY5OYNQhgdvVlgLkhSgpzYysJXaefeB8cLbGCNWn3Qu_lMa9PWqlZ1SARn9H9ftaClkn/s320/BoardwalkShelteratBoyden.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div align="center">For more photos of the Boyden in summer, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97487636@N00/">visit my page at Flickr</a></div>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-40911170199457789412008-06-11T10:44:00.002-04:002008-06-11T10:47:46.692-04:00Take Action to Protect Open Space in Massachusetts<div align="left"><strong>We need your help NOW to pass these important bills on Beacon Hill:</strong></div><div align="left"><br />Two of the Campaign's top legislative priorities - the Public Lands Preservation Act (S.2388) and the Land Conservation Tax Incentives (H.799) are in the House Committee on Ways and Means and the July 31st end of the legislative session is fast approaching!Contact your state representative TODAY and ask him/her to show support for S. 2388 and H. 799 by urging House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) to bring these two important bills to the House floor for a vote.</div><div align="left"><br /><strong>Public Lands Preservation Act, S. 2388 </strong></div><div align="left"><br />Massachusetts suffers a continual loss of open space, including public open space. Article 97 of the state constitution protects public land acquired for "natural resource purposes" (e.g., parks, conservation land, watershed). The reality is that the legislature routinely authorizes the transfer of city, town, or state lands "protected" by Article 97 into other uses, such as building sites. S. 2388 would strengthen Article 97 by requiring analysis of Article 97 land transfers before they happen, including alternatives analysis and replacement with comparable land. <a href="http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st02/st02388.htm" track="on" linktype="undefined">Text of S. 2388 </a></div><div align="left"><br /><strong>Land Conservation Tax Incentives, H. 799</strong></div><div align="left"><br />An Act Relative to Tax Credits for Conservation (H. 799) would give new financial incentives for property owners to conserve their land, enabling private and public conservation partners to make financially attractive offers on top priority preservation sites. It has cleared the Revenue Committee and is now in the House Committee on Ways and Means.</div><div align="left"><br />Nearly 60% of undeveloped land in the Bay State is privately owned and unprotected. In the Taunton River Watershed, roughly 87% of the 93,000 acres of core, sustaining habitat for rare species is currently unprotected. Many acres are lost daily to poorly planned development.<br /><br />To ensure the preservation of our most critical natural resources, the state must employ a variety of tools, from improved local zoning and increased capital investments in land protection, to enhanced tax incentives for voluntary land donations by private land owners. <a href="http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht00/ht00799.htm" track="on" linktype="undefined">Text of H. 799 </a><br /></div><div align="left">Take Action Now! <a href="http://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htm" track="on" linktype="undefined">Please ask your state representative</a> to contact Chairman Robert A. DeLeo of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and urge him and his committee to report H. 799 and S. 2388 out favorably now.<br /><br />Thank you for your help! </div>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-66080755729853836262008-05-31T13:03:00.007-04:002008-06-03T10:35:14.461-04:002008 Wild and Scenic River Run Overnight Trip June 14-15<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJJeLMR-gT8Q-nJV-50ndnj1ZeP36N3enxCdiCU1J1tTGLFbd3vk7ZCaYtksePxFQAYHmccJNmRIPcWv-1L2ic1DniBvhdADBFlK0RVgHDjmwtIx9UvBMK7Ivn6xq5yof7Rjm/s1600-h/07+trip+canoe+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206593147122822210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJJeLMR-gT8Q-nJV-50ndnj1ZeP36N3enxCdiCU1J1tTGLFbd3vk7ZCaYtksePxFQAYHmccJNmRIPcWv-1L2ic1DniBvhdADBFlK0RVgHDjmwtIx9UvBMK7Ivn6xq5yof7Rjm/s320/07+trip+canoe+1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />Everyone is invited to sign up now for the annual two-day TRWA trip on the Taunton River!<br /><br />This popular TRWA overnight Canoe/Kayak Trip begins on Saturday June 14th on the Nemasket River, traveling to Titicut Reservation in Bridgewater for an evening program, cookout and camping, and then on downriver to Weir Riverfront Park in Taunton on Sunday, June 15th!<br /><br />Please pre-register as this event is ever more popular.<br /><br /><a title="blocked::http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Fx1yZdsI2oFnMobU-erywWf1z1rE9QNDr66w6u9cuHdj-Sa9BjwJV7L0MmGEHxBb3nIbKSFW_fxPvWPdVkusXhPoxRfBlzyP7Lr6P8G1bY0ZVYPeNlY6Ds38dK9r74Gv" target="_blank" linktype="undefined" track="on">Registration form and details are now posted on our website. </a><br /><br />Please return the form no later than June 6th.<br /><br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyWwJOai4Hk-R0ZEkThX_us8zwxkWlcuO0yPenarcchaHBJjsRL5BT_1dBWDxdc50-_9ltLiTv_enqs1Ua7P24HwRpJUde6gVezSxrmvfK7ZOzM0MzJImK3u51x6HYHeI5qSQ/s1600-h/07+trip+on+the+river+small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206592915194588210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyWwJOai4Hk-R0ZEkThX_us8zwxkWlcuO0yPenarcchaHBJjsRL5BT_1dBWDxdc50-_9ltLiTv_enqs1Ua7P24HwRpJUde6gVezSxrmvfK7ZOzM0MzJImK3u51x6HYHeI5qSQ/s320/07+trip+on+the+river+small.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />This is always a great event at which you will meet other paddlers and TRWA members. This year paddlers will begin on the Nemasket River and will travel until about 3:00 to the Titicut campsite in Bridgewater. Once there the group will set up tents, start the campfire, and enjoy a meal prepared by Arnie Danielson. The evening will be full of music, stories, and friendship.<br /><br />All of this will be combined with TRWA's Quarterly Members' Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Saturday night. So come out for the evening program even if you aren't a paddler. Evening entertainment of music and ghost stories will be provided by the Taunton River Folk Festival Troubadours.<br /><br />For more information, call the TRWA Office, (508) 828-1101 or email Carolyn LaMarre at director@savethetaunton.org.TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-56221403771542343722008-03-14T16:06:00.003-04:002008-06-03T10:36:46.392-04:00Small Grants to 12 Taunton River ProjectsThe Taunton River Watershed Campaign, a coalition of ten environmental and planning organizations, has announced that approximately $15,000 in small grants has been awarded to 12 open space and environmental projects in the Taunton River watershed. Each of the grantees will contribute at least a one to one match in donations and volunteer or professional time to their projects.<br /><br />The watershed grants include Open Space and Recreation Plans in the communities of Lakeville, Middleborough and Raynham, and to citizens groups in West Bridgewater, Hanson, Plympton and Swansea who are organizing support for the Community Preservation Act.<br /><br />Also funded were trail improvements at the recently preserved Cole Property in Carver, a public awareness and outreach campaign for the Taunton River Greenway by the Greater Fall River Land Conservancy, a canoe rack at the Bridge Village Heritage Park in Berkley, ecological landscaping at a planned skate park along the Mill River in Taunton, and equipment and training so that the TEAMS organization can combat invasive plants in the Assawompsett Ponds in Middleborough and Lakeville. The grants range from under $500 to $2,500.<br /><br />The Watershed Campaign’s small grants are open to cities and towns, grassroots groups and nonprofit groups working on conservation issues and land use planning to protect natural resources. This year, priority was given to projects which will result in the permanent protection of significant natural resources, the preparation of municipal open space and recreation plans, and passage of the Community Preservation Act.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Congratulations to all of the grantees!</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Municipal Open Space and Recreation Plans:</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong><br />Middleborough, $2,500<br />Raynham, $2,500<br />Lakeville, $2,000</div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Environmental Projects:</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong><br />Cole Property Trail Revitalization, Carver Conservation Commission, up to $2,000<br />Greater Fall River Land Conservancy, public awareness & outreach of the riverfront greenway from Fall River to Freetown, $1,000<br />TEAMS, invasive plant training and equipment: $624<br />Taunton Skate Park Committee, river front landscaping and clean up of buffer zone on Mill River parcel, $1,400<br />Friends of the Park, canoe rack at Berkley’s Bridge Village Heritage Park, $1,400</div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Community Preservation Act local ballot committees:</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong><br />West Bridgewater CPA Committee, $500<br />Preserve Hanson CPA Committee, $500<br />Plympton Citizens for CPA, $280<br />Citizens to Preserve Swansea’s Character, $280</div>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-35774245305286186732007-08-12T11:20:00.001-04:002008-06-03T10:37:14.708-04:00Interesting Reading on Dollars for Open Space, the upcoming Casino debate, and changes to CPAAugust 12th Boston Sunday Globe has three opinion pieces you don't want to miss:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/08/12/how_green_is_my_budget?mode=PF">Editorial applauding Governor Patrick's pledge to spend $50 Million a year </a>in the next five on protecting farms, open space and creating new parks.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/08/12/dimasi_holds_the_cards/">Joan Venocchi's column</a></span> on the key role in casino gambling decision that will be played by House Speaker Sal DiMasi<br /><br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/08/12/community_preservation_success?mode=PF">Guest column on the success of the Community Preservation Act</a> by Bob Durand (who helped pass the law while he was Secretary of Environmental Affairs) and Jay Ash, Chelsea City Manager.<br /><br />Each of these issues needs your support - and the support of your state senators and representatives. Stay involved and communicate with your local officials on the importance of protecting our watersed!TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-22852574590201385132007-07-26T09:06:00.001-04:002008-06-03T10:37:36.906-04:00Our Thoughts on Commuter RailThe proposed South Coast Rail Line to Fall River and New Bedford will continue to generate much discussion. On July 25th, members of the Campaign and other environmental groups met with Kristina Egan, of the Executive Office of Transportation, and staff of the Executive Office of Energy and Environment to begin a dialogue about the many environmental issues at stake.<br /><br />EOT has set up a web comment system at the <a href="http://www.southcoastrail.com/">website for the South Coast Rail</a>. Please make your own concerns known through their web portal - and stay in touch this fall.<br /><br />The following statement was delivered to Ms. Egan on behalf of the Taunton River Watershed Campaign:<br /><br />Background: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is planning a major extension of its commuter rail system from Boston through southeastern Massachusetts to New Bedford and Fall River. The projected cost is approximately $1.4 billion. Benefits identified by the MBTA include enhanced access to public transportation and regional economic growth and development. The Commonwealth has hired a project manager to conduct a land use study in the project corridor and to work with the affected communities to plan for concentrated transit oriented development around the proposed new train stations. An environmental consultant has also been hired to conduct further environmental analysis and planning in relation to permitting requirements.<br /><br />Position: The Taunton Watershed Campaign generally supports commuter rail improvements as an alternative to highway widening. The Campaign also supports mixed-use development concentrated on land that is appropriate for development and in close proximity to transit and other infrastructure. However, we have identified serious environmental concerns summarized below associated with this particular rail extension project.<br /><br />A number of key environmental concerns were not addressed adequately or in sufficient detail during the previous Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review process conducted for this project. This process extended from October of 1995 to August of 2002. These issues must be reconciled in full before the project is permitted and constructed.<br /><br />The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIR) identified the “Stoughton route” as the preferred alternative for this project. The Stoughton route would impact several major wetland systems in the Taunton River Watershed, including the Hockomock Swamp and the Pine Swamp. The Assonet Cedar Swamp will be impacted no matter which route is used. Affected ecosystems (wetlands, uplands and streams) include globally rare habitats supporting numerous rare species. The significance of these species and their habitats have been documented by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program and are protected by the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Some of these lands are designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. The proposed line runs through conservation lands in several locations. Some are owned by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or other land conservation agencies and are protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. Additional areas are protected by private conservation organization s such as Mass Audubon.<br /><br />The MBTA has indicated its intention to review the alternative routes that were rejected during the previous process (the “Attleboro route” and the “Middleboro route”). The environmental impacts of using these routes have not been fully documented. The MBTA should provide detailed analysis of all environmental impacts of the alternatives routes to compare and select the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative as required by the federal Clean Water Act and other laws. We look forward to reviewing this data and providing comments.<br /><br />The Campaign’s specific concerns include the following four major points<br /><br />1. Wetlands and Rare Species Impacts<br /><br />As presently proposed, the project will cause significant adverse impact to wetlands, intermittent and perennial streams and rare species.<br /><br />* Impacts extend well beyond the footprint of the actual work. Some of these were described in the 2002 Final Environmental Impact Report. Impacts that have not been adequately evaluated to date include:<br /><br />- Hydrological effects on sensitive wetlands and streams – even small changes in hydrology as a result of a railway embankment or other structures in a wetland can have large changes on the entire wetland. This is of particular concern for Atlantic White Cedar Swamps, which are especially sensitive to changes in hydrology or water quality.<br /><br />- Fragmentation effects – railway embankments divide habitats and create unnatural edges within contiguous habitats. This can affect the viability of local populations of plants and animals.<br /><br />- Secondary growth impacts – experience with other rail projects shows increased rates of development in the areas surrounding rail stations. If communities are not prepared in advance and sensitive habitats protected through project related mitigation commitments, these secondary impacts are likely to be significant.<br /><br />* The MBTA has not demonstrated that the anticipated impacts are unavoidable, cannot be minimized or adequately mitigated against as required by federal and state law.<br /><br />* In some areas wetlands, vernal pools, streams and rare species habitats have not been correctly documented and potential impacts evaluated.<br /><br />* Some of the wetlands impacted, particularly by the Stoughton route, feature globally rare wetland habitats, such as Atlantic White Cedar swamps, that are not replaceable. The Hockomock Swamp includes the largest Atlantic White Cedar swamp in Massachusetts. Several globally rare species are also found in the Hockomock Swamp including the Water-willow Steam Borer (moth), Long’s Bulrush (plant) and Hessel’s hairstreak (butterfly).<br /><br />* For other impacted wetlands, wetlands replication cannot completely and effectively replace the functions and values lost due to destruction and fragmentation of existing natural systems. Therefore adequate environmental compensation must be proposed, including protection of additional sensitive lands within the affected sub-watersheds.<br /><br />2. Growth Management in Affected Communities<br /><br />* Preparation for growth impacts prior to project permitting and construction in all impacted communities is essential. This preparation should include adoption of updated open space plans and innovative zoning that take into consideration the expected impacts. The plans should identify areas appropriate for development and areas that warrant protection based on ecological, agricultural, historical or cultural significance.<br /><br />* State financial and technical assistance must be provided to help understaffed municipalities undertake planning, zoning and project review during the project.<br /><br />* Mitigation must include financing for high priority open space protection.<br /><p>* Rail station locations must be carefully selected in relation to existing infrastructure and town/city centers, and avoid areas of particular environmental sensitivity.<br /><br />3. Transportation Planning Considerations<br /><br />* The estimated cost of the project now stands at $1.4 billion. This figure has continually escalated since the project was first proposed in 1995. Full cost estimates must include a comprehensive approach to avoiding the most critical environmental impacts and mitigating others. The high cost of the project must not be used as an excuse to avoid environmental impact minimization or mitigation measures.</p>* While a reduction in vehicle traffic could improve air quality and pollution caused by roadway runoff, the MBTA has yet to demonstrate that the projected ridership on this line will significantly reduce vehicular traffic. MBTA should do a full analysis of potential traffic reduction, taking into account the population growth that is likely to be spurred by the rail development. It remains unclear, for example, whether the new rail line would preclude or delay the need to widen Route 24.<br /><br />4. Air Quality and Alternative Energy<br /><br />Typically rail projects in New England are fossil fuel dependent. However hydrocarbon emissions from locomotives degrade local and regional air quality, affecting people and negatively impacting wetlands, waterways, groundwater and natural habitats. In addition we face global climate change as a result of burning diesel fuel and will face critical limitations on the availability of fossil fuels in a matter of a decade or less.<br /><br />The Taunton River Watershed Campaign urges further analysis of the potential for implementing alternative energy design and sources in the South Coast rail project in order to support sustainable regional development and smart growth. Specifically, the MBTA should analyze the use of electric locomotives in order to avoid the damaging effect of fossil fuel emissions upon sensitive receptors and the environment generally.<br /><br />For more information on this position or the Taunton Watershed Campaign, contact:<br /><br />Priscilla Chapman, Taunton Watershed Advocate<br />Mass Audubon<br />The River Center<br />Gertrude Boyden Refuge<br />Taunton, MA 02780<br />(508) 828-1104<br /><a href="mailto:pchapman@massaudubon.org">pchapman@massaudubon.org</a>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-1162331407485308632006-10-31T16:45:00.001-05:002008-06-03T10:38:41.260-04:00Inspiring TRWA meeting in Taunton<div align="center"><strong>Curt Spalding, of Save The Bay, Engages Activists to Protect America's Estuaries</strong></div><p><br />Curt Spaulding, Executive Director of Save The Bay in Providence, gave a wonderful speech at the 19th annual Meeting of the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) held at First Parish Church, Church Green, in Taunton, on Wednesday, November 8th.<br /><br />Curt spoke with passion about the ecological link between the Taunton and Narragansett Bay. He spoke of his networking with environmental groups around the country to bring greater public attention -- and respect -- for the estuary zone which is so critical to all life.<br /><br />Curt has been Executive Director of Save The Bay since 1991, and is regarded as a national leader in estuary and watershed restoration. Save The Bay is one of the largest environmental groups in New England, with 40 staff and 20,000 members.<br /><br />Save The Bay and the TRWA have both benefited from a strong collaborative working relationship over the years. The Taunton Watershed is the largest watershed contributing fresh water to Narragansett Bay—and therefore one of the largest potential sources of nutrients and other pollutants. Narragansett Bay, one of the most productive estuaries in the world, returns anadromous fish that spawn and support the full web of ecosystem life in our Taunton watershed. </p>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-1154724743757220512006-08-04T16:49:00.001-04:002008-06-03T10:40:05.241-04:00Don't Give Up The River!With the issuance of a state environmental certificate, we are all one step closer to the prospect of huge tanker ships bearing flammable Liquefied Natural Gas through Mount Hope Bay and the mouth of the Taunton River – past thousands of homes and businesses, highways, and fishing grounds – leaves one gasping for breath. The years of discussion, revisions, and dueling are exhausting for all, but we urge all involved to stay the course and continue to fight this misguided and dangerous proposal.<br /><br />The Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs has ruled that Weavers Cove must satisfy the Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Coastal Zone Management on several key issues related to water quality, use of the public tidelands and coastal policy. The Secretary strongly suggested that Department of Environmental Protection should re-open the public hearing on water quality impacts, a step that will give citizens another opportunity to comment on the disastrous effects of dredging the river to make way for LNG tankers.<br /><br />The outcome of the poorly conceived Weaver’s Cove Energy project is not certain. Rhode Island has enacted a law that prevents the transport of LNG cargoes through the Bay by expanding the required security zone to 1,000 feet. Representative Robert Correira and Senator Joan Menard have been working to get similar protections in the Bay State. Governor Mitt Romney has gone on the record opposing the Fall River LNG proposal. However, he is concerned that legislation on his desk would restrict the state’s current LNG facility in Everett. If the Governor vetoes the bill or sends it back to the House for changes, Fall River legislators should work out a solution or file a new bill that could be taken up after the November elections.<br />At a critical time for the Taunton River – the Aquaria water plant in Dighton is also moving through final permitting, the City of Brockton has agreed to clean up its large wastewater treatment plant, and the Brayton Point power plant in Somerset has been ordered to vastly improve its environmental performance – to allow the LNG terminal would be a massive step backwards.<br /><br />On the regulatory front, several state and federal permits must still be obtained by those proposing this dangerous misappropriation of the public’s waterways.<br /><br />Next up: although the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has signed off on the Weaver’s Cove plan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard have not. The Coast Guard is grappling with the navigation issues and the Army Corps will have to approve the dredging plans. Lawsuits have also challenged the project.<br /><br />As currently proposed, Weaver’s Cove has refused to cut back on dredging when anadromous fish return to the sea in the fall. It is misguided and ineffective to protect the parent fish migrating upstream in spring if the young of the year will not be able to reach the ocean come fall because giant dredges are stirring up sediment across nearly the entire width of the river in Fall River.<br /><br />We believe Weaver’s Cove so-called “mitigation” measures will not protect the species in the River and utterly fail to address the impact of three years of dredging 191 acres of river bottom.<br /><br />Weaver’s Cove also contends that the future operation of the terminal, and the regular churning of the river bottom by ships entering & leaving, would have no impact on fish and shellfish. This head in the sediment attitude must be challenged.<br /><br />Around New England and eastern Canada, other LNG proposals are also being considered. One LNG terminal is already under construction in Canada. Our region does need clean, reliable energy but LNG tankers through the City of Fall River are not the answer. Weaver’s Cove should be compared to the other available sites and a decision reached on the public benefits and the worst-case scenario of each location rather than giving carte blanche to the for-profit companies seeking to serve the region. A special commission of the Massachusetts legislature recently recommended that a proposal for one of the Boston Harbor Islands at least deserves further study.<br /><br />The Taunton River Watershed Alliance is part of the Taunton River Watershed Campaign, a coalition of eleven conservation and planning organizations working to preserve the landscape and natural resources of the watershed. Five campaign organizations [Save the Bay, Taunton River Watershed Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Mass Audubon, and the Jones River Watershed Association] filed written comments last month strenuously opposing the dredging of the estuary of the Taunton River to create a turning basin for LNG tankers.<br /><br />DEP should reopen the public hearing to address concerns about water quality and the loss of public waterfront and Governor Romney should sign the bill setting reasonable set-backs for ships carrying LNG cargoes.<br /><br />Karen Augeri Benson<br />TRWA Advocacy Attorney<br /><br />Kate Kilguss<br />TRWA Executive Director<br /><br />Susan Speers<br />Taunton River Watershed CampaignTauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-1150760325190215912006-06-19T19:26:00.001-04:002008-06-03T10:39:35.878-04:00Bigger Ripples for Your Local AdvocacyI spent Saturday in the company of nearly 200 individuals who are committed to social change - and came home energized! The occasion was the 7th annual conference, at U-Mass Boston, of the Organizer's Collaborative, a non-profit association of tech wizards - and the rest of us who work in the trenches for social justice, the environment, and other causes.<br /><br />The combination of brain power, technical imagination, and activists produced a real high - a vision that by using the Internet to pull in the many people who CARE about the Taunton River - but may not know WHY they are needed or HOW to help - we will SAVE THE TAUNTON!<br /><br />For those of you who are already on line reading this and want to know how to help, please visit our page called "<a href="http://campaign.savethetaunton.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=593&stopRedirect=1"><strong>The Ripple Effect</strong></a>" at Campaign.SaveTheTaunton.org website.<br /><br />I've started a list of awesome Web 2.0 tools that you can see at my "del.icio.us" page of links: <a href="http://del.icio.us/TauntonWatershedCampaign">http://del.icio.us/TauntonWatershedCampaign</a><br /><br />In the meantime, if you want to sign on to our Citizens Network, please email campaign@savethetaunton.org!TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-1145363381630719652006-04-18T08:12:00.001-04:002008-06-03T10:40:42.663-04:00Voices for the Watershed<div align="center">Do you have a story to tell about a favorite place in the Taunton River Watershed? </div><div align="center"><br />Do you have photos that you've taken that illustrate the parklands, protected open space, farms, and woodlands of our watershed? Please call the Campaign at 1-866-393-TRWA or email us and share your stories and photos.<br /><br />We are building content for the website and printed materials and hope to include photos of the major tributaries of the Taunton. There are 9!<br /><br />Heading upstream from the mouth of the Taunton:<br /><br />The Assonet<br />The Segregansett<br />The Three-Mile<br />The Mill<br />The Forge<br />The Nemasket<br />The Winnetuxet<br />The Matfield<br />The Town<br /><br />The Taunton River is formed by the confluence of the Matfield and the Town Rivers.<br /><br />We also have a "lost" or buried tributary in Fall River, originally named for the waterfalls at the Quequehan River, which now is underground. See the website of <a href="http://www.greenfutures.org/just4fun/canoeQ.html"><strong>Green Futures</strong></a> for more info on this urban tributary, which is canoeable in its upper reaches.<br /><br />Each of the major "tribs" has a number of smaller rivers and named streams which contribute.<br />The Mill River, for instance, which joins the main stem in Taunton, is made up of the Canoe River and waters in Winnecunnet Pond, Watson Pond and Lake Sabbatia. The Three-Mile River is made up of the Wading and the Rumford Rivers.</div>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24254930.post-1142607808743377852006-03-17T09:58:00.000-05:002006-03-18T22:55:37.936-05:00Please visit our website<strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">The Taunton River Watershed Campaign</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">is a partnership of conservation and planning organizations </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">working to protect critical land and water resources </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">of this watershed in southeastern Massachusetts.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ffffff;"></span><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></div></span><div align="center"></strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">Please visit our website</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.savethetaunton.org"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ffffff;">www.savethetaunton.org</span></strong></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ffffff;">For more information, use our toll-free hotline</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ffffff;">1-866-393-TRWA</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ffffff;">or email the campaign at:</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ffffff;">campaign@savethetaunton.org</span></strong></div>TauntonWatershedCampaignhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674289110070292376noreply@blogger.com0