Let me start my blog by saying in my opinion…..
There has been much talk lately about the Taunton Watershed and the effects the proposed Middleboro casino will potentially have on the water supplies for area farmers, residents and businesses. Let’s face it, 1 Million gallons of water per day for one facility is a heck of a lot of water. And although my primary concern has been about my own private well, I cannot ignore the fact that this is something that will affect anyone who relies on water supplied by the Taunton River Watershed for survival….including our local wildlife. Why is it so easy for so many to ignore, or not care about the fact that humans are not the only living beings who need water? I would like to take the opportunity to hopefully remind everyone about who else is affected by this proposed casino. It is after all, my blog…..
The Taunton River Watershed is the second largest watershed in the state at 562 square miles and contains 94 square miles of wetlands and 221 lakes or ponds. 700,000 people call the watershed home. The Hockomock Swamp, at 12 square miles, is the largest wetland in Massachusetts. The Assawompset Pond Complex (APC) - including Long Pond, the largest natural pond in the state - is in the watershed. The APC is a part of the Southeastern Massachusetts BioReserve. This area provides nesting habitat for the bald eagle, spawning grounds for river herring, and water that is provided to over 150,000 residents. – source Mass.Gov
Taking water from area of the watershed will affect the entire watershed, regardless of who is north or south of the proposed casino site. Here is but a small example of the wildlife that could potentially be directly affected by this proposed casino.
Over 154 species of birds, including approximately 114 possible breeding species including bald eagles.
River otters, who are noted at several locations along the Taunton as well as its tributaries, the Nemasket and the Winnetuxet Rivers (the water for this area is supplied by the Nemasket).
The Gray Fox, who can be found in two locations in the watershed. Deer activity is found throughout.
The watershed supports 29 species of native fish, including native brook trout.
The very rare native sturgeon, which can grow to 14 feet long, has been found in the lower Taunton.
The Nemasket River is the state's largest Alewife fish run.
The Taunton River hosts 7 species of freshwater mussels, making it among the most diverse waterbodies in the state for this rare group of animals.
The watershed also boasts over 360 species of plants. The globally rare Long's Bullrush ("endangered") was discovered along the taunton River. Several small populations of Long's Bittercress ("endangered") were found in Brackish tidal marsh which is also home to the Eaton's Beggar Ticks ("threatened and a globally rare species). Three populations of Pale Green Orchis ("threatened") were found in floodplain wetlands. Uncommon species that may be of local concern include the Colicroot, Slender Blue Flag, Seaside Crowfoot, Ash leaf Maple, Silver Maple, Trout Lily, Rattlesnake Fern, Nodding and Painted Trillium, arrowhead and bullrush.
The following information is excerpted from a Natural Resource Inventory and Conservation Plan for the Taunton River Corridor prepared by the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts in Feb of 1998. To learn more about the Wildlands Trust, please visit their web site at www.wildlandstrust.org. or visit http://www.tauntonriver.org/
Wow! I consider myself to be an avid gardener and I wouldn’t know half of these plants by sight…how sad!
May I recommend visiting the Taunton River Wild & Scenic River Study website, it is filled with valuable information regarding the Taunton River, the watershed and the tireless efforts of concerned citizens and groups dedicated to conserving its natural resources. On the webpage, the late Representative Joseph Moakley was quoted as writing, "It is my hope that…. the Taunton River should be designated as a Wild and Scenic River. I cannot think of another river in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that captures the magnificence of New England better than the Taunton River."
- be the change you want to see in the world -
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7 comments:
I didn't realize we had all those endangered plants around here either! I'm going to look them up so I can recognize them in the future. The Taunton is a beautiful river, supporting an amazing array of flora and fauna. We're lucky to live in such a place. Thanks for reminding us that the South Shore is a treasure, and home to more than just strip malls and three-bedroom two-bath colonials.
Thanks for such an informative entry.
It is my understanding that the 1 million gallon figure is bogus. How can you estimate water usage if you have no plans?
When Ruth Geoffroy was asked a question regarding water/sewer usage at one of the few public hearings, she came up with double talk and never adequately answered the question.
Brian Giovanoni at a recent public meeting commented that the water usage would be 1.5 million gallons per day. That seems to be a more accurate number.
It is also my understanding that should the land go into 'Trust,' the international casino developers are not bound to the state's law regarding the draw down from the aquifer and control is surrendered. They can suck us dry with no control, but then what does the Middleboro BOS care? They got their $7 million per year to temporarily concealed their fiscal mess.
Are you familiar with any control the region might have since we all exist on the same aquifer?
Are you aware of whether the issue has been addressed with our state reps?
Gladys,
you are so correct in saying that this area is a treasure...SE MA already has so much to offer us in the form of entertainment...a beautiful region with pleanty of hiking, biking, canoeing, camping..etc! I prefer fresh air and sunshine over bright lights and dinging bells any day.
anonymous,
You bring up some very good points here...I do not know if there is any agreement with the Tribe concerning water usage, or what the State restrictions are concerning water usage out of the watershed. I do know that the MADEP in conjuction with all SE towns hired a consultanting company to do a study of the watershed and come up with a five year plan for conservation. You can view the plan on the taunton river website. I also know that the Regional Task Force is trying to address the water impacts along with several other negative impacts a resort casino will bring to the area. I will look into your questions, and hopefully have some answers for you soon.
Casino? It will send The entire region to hell (not a very nice place) in a hand basket. We need this casino as much as a kick inbetween the legs. Days of human excess are over. This whole world needs to slow down a bit. If we keep wiping our feet on the environment, it's going to wear out.
Thanks for the information you have posted and hope you'll continue to share.
Water seems a crucial issue that was ignored by the Middleboro BOS that our state reps need to address.
My recollection is that the million gallon figure was taken from one of the CT. casinos from their sewerage figure and that no one has an accurate figure of the CT usage.
I am particularly distressed that the casino supporters are dismissing this issue as insignificant, even as they proclaim a wondrous 'RESORT' with 5 star restaurants that we all moved to this area to enjoy. And what about this Water Park??
That disgraceful Agreement allows for the casino developers to develop their own source of water over which we, as residents who depend on that aquifer appear to have no control. Plus they're on a river known for its Alewife.
The more one considers the mess that was negotiated, the more flaws become apparent besides the fact that $7 million isn't enough.
What a joke that Agreement is for anyone who has taken the time to read it fully. Adam's arms must be sore from patting himself on the back with that one!
Great topic, one that was totaly glossed over by town officals. "We have plenty of water" is what I remember hearing from one town offical. So why do we have a water ban??
Almost as disturbing as removing an additional 1.5MGD from the town aquifer is what they plan on doing with the waste water. According to the agreement, the Nemasket River is where it will end up. River flow rate calculations are out dated (1960's data) If the proposed sewerage treatment plan is approved the Nemasket, at certain times of the year will be almost entirely waste water. The river already has major nitrogen and nutrient issues. Because of the BOS rush job, these issues were never looked into. I have it on good authority that the treatment plan, as it stands in the agreement, will never pass Federal standards. Just another piece of the illconcived plan crumbling. Good work BOS
After reading about all the rare or endangered species that may potentially be affected by the resort casino development I have only one image in my mind.
That of the Indian from the anti-pollution commercial of the 70's. Who can forget the image of that stoic character paddling his canoe through pristine waterways only to make land fall and emerge to a landscape littered with debris.
The final shot of him gazing upon the ruined littered landscape with a tear rolling down his cheek is now famous.
Forward ahead to a time after the casino is built. The same Indian paddling up the Taunton River to the Nemasket River, pulls his canoe to the shore, and is greeted by asphalt and a mega resort casino. The tear he sheds this time is even more poignant as he realizes the damage to the ecosystem is brought about not by the white man, but his own people who are proclaimed to be "stewards of the land".
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