Get the Real FAQS?

Here is a statement I read recently regarding the water impact made by an individual who says he is the fact finder. I cannot speak for all his so called facts, but I need to speak to this one.

“There is enough water available in the aquifer serving Middleborough. Middleborough's effect on Halifax and Plympton and Kingston and Boston and whoever else SRPEDD, Tom Calter, the Task Force and CFO want to use is false. Kingston isn’t even in the same basin. If that were true Pine Dubois would be all over this. The water statements are a LIE.” - Fact Finder

Hmmmm….okay, but if you truly want to get the real facts, I suggest you do your own research. Regarding the statement quoted above, Fact Finder apparently isn’t quite able to grasp the real facts...or read a map. Not only is a section of Kingston in the same watershed (i.e, the Taunton River Watershed), so is Plymouth.


Taunton River Watershed Map




Here is a link to the map if you want a closer look.


Towns with Significant Areas within the Watershed

Abington, Dighton, Hanson, Pembroke, Somerset
Attleborough, East Bridgewater, Holbrook, Plainville, Stoughton
Avon, Easton, Kingston, Plympton, Swansea
Berkley, Fall River, Lakeville, Raynham, Taunton,
Bridgewater, Foxborough, Mansfield, Rehoboth, West Bridgewater,
Brockton, Freetown, Middleborough, Rochester, Whitman,
Carver, Halifax, Norton, Sharon, Wrentham

Towns with Small Areas within the Watershed

New Bedford, Plymouth, Weymouth,
Norfolk, Rockland,
North Attleboro, Walpole

Go here for more information regarding the Taunton River Watershed.

Get the Real Facts at CasinoFacts.org

Water, Water Everywhere...

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 -

Thinking on Thanksgiving

On September 6, 1620 a group of English fortune hunters set sail from Plymouth, England bound for a “New World” on a small ship named the Mayflower. When they landed on the shores of what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts they were ill prepared for the brutal New England weather and found themselves struggling through a winter that took over half their people and destroyed the seedlings brought with them from England. In the spring of 1621, a friendly Native American from the Wampanoag Indian Tribe came forward and taught the settlers fishing, planting and hunting. By the fall of 1621, there was enough food to survive the upcoming winter. As a celebration for a successful harvest, the settlers and the Wampanoag Indians sat together and had a huge feast. Today we celebrate that fateful time in history with Thanksgiving, an American Holiday celebrating home and family. The early settlers had much to be thankful for, as do many of us. Thanksgiving Day is time to reflect on all the wonderful things life brings us. I would like to say that I am thankful for….

My wonderful family…I am thankful for my husband who has always supported me while making many sacrifices to provide us a happy and loving home. I am thankful for my son who constantly reminds me how beautiful and amazing life can be.

My Home…An old farmhouse built in 1850 that we have dedicated the past fives years to restoring.

My job and career….I am thankful for a job which brings me much satisfaction as well as a means to provide for my family.

My community…A community built on history and tradition. We are blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors who bring much joy into our lives. I am thankful that my son will be able to grow up here.

I am also thankful for the folks at CasinoFacts for reminding me that a small group of people can make difference in this world. A small group of people who have become a large group of people dedicated to preserving our families, our homes, our jobs and our communities. May you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!