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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBLT Letter to Town of Barnstable re Centerville Bog_05-22-2022 1540 Main Street, West Barnstable, MA 02668 Phone: (508) 771-2585 info@blt.org Mark S. Ells, Town Manager Town of Barnstable Town Hall 367 Main Street Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601 May 19, 2022 Re: 1246 Bumps River Road (Assessor's Map 188, Parcel 045), 1271 Bumps River Road (Assessor's Map 188, Parcel 075), Bumps River Road (Assessor's Map 188, Parcel 076) and Marie-Ann Terrace (Assessor's Map 188, Parcel 012) Dear Mr. Ells, In response to a request from Attorney Karen Nober, we have reviewed the conservation value of the above parcels, which are subject to the change of use, right-of-first-refusal conditions under the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 61A program. The Barnstable Land Trust finds the parcels hold significant value for open space protection and water quality protection and improvement. The Barnstable Land Trust would be interested in acquiring the property should the opportunity arise through the Town right of first refusal, and we have the funds to do so. This is an historically important and scenic property in an area that is less well served with open space than other villages in Barnstable. With 20 acres of land, and a wide path surrounding the 11-acre bog, the site provides recreational interest and scenic views for residents and visitors in an otherwise heavily developed area. Bumps River Road is designated as one of Centerville’s scenic roads, a designation supported by the open and natural spaces that exist along its length. Strong community support for preserving the open space value of the property is demonstrated by the Friends of Centerville Cranberry Bog Preservation, Inc., who have committed to providing their financial support for the preservation of the land. Preservation of the property will also contribute to the Towns goals of improving and preserving water quality. The cranberry bog and connected brook are situated at the headwaters of the Centerville River Watershed which includes Bumps River and Scudder Bay. The primary ecological threat to the Centerville River System as a coastal resource is degradation resulting from nutrient enrichment (Mass Estuaries Report 2006). Loading of nitrogen to the Centerville River System, primarily from on-site disposal of wastewater, has increased over the past few decades and has accelerated water quality degradation, harming invaluable environmental resources. Protecting land from further development and preserving open space provides a way of limiting the harmful impacts of excess nitrogen. The water quality benefits of preserving this property could be further enhanced by undertaking an ecological wetland restoration project that would return the cranberry bog to a naturally functioning wetland able to attenuate nitrogen from the surrounding area. Similar projects have been carried out at multiple sites 1540 Main Street, West Barnstable, MA 02668 Phone: (508) 771-2585 info@blt.org around the region (with the financial and technical support of the MA Division of Ecological Restoration), including Falmouth, Harwich and Plymouth. Acquiring this retired cranberry bog could assist such water quality improvement efforts. We hope the Town will consider this option as part of its current and future investments in wastewater management. Based on the demonstrated value of preserving this property to the citizens of Barnstable, the Barnstable Land Trust encourages the Town of Barnstable to consider the acquisition of the property for open space protection and possible wetland restoration. Should the opportunity and need arise through the right-of-first-refusal process and assignment from the Town, the Barnstable Land Trust is prepared, and has the capacity, to purchase the property at the agreed upon purchase sale price of $450,000. The Barnstable Land Trust would look forward to working with the Town and neighbors in preserving this exceptional area for future current and future generations. I can be reached at janet@blt.org or 508-771-2585x101 to discuss this opportunity further. Sincerely, Janet Milkman Executive Director cc: Karen L. Nober, Esq. Charles S. McLaughlin, Jr., Esq.