Action Alert: Bioreserve

A precedent-setting decision will be made by our legislature in the next few days regarding the future of casinos in Massachusetts.

We need your help to protect the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. The Massachusetts Senate recently approved S. 2495, An Act to Establish Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth. This bill included an amendment introduced by Senator Joan Menard that weakens protection for the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve and sets dangerous precedents for transfers of "Article 97" land -- publicly owned land protected for conservation.

TRWA is not taking a stand on the value of gaming in Massachusetts. Rather, we are opposed to certain features proposed in the legislation related to siting a casino in environmentally sensitive land in Fall River.

We hope, after you, as watershed advocates, learn more about its provisions and ramifications, that you will oppose it. Please contact your state legislators and let them know your concerns. Click here for a link to the Massachusetts Secretary of State's web page on determining who your elected officials are and how to contact them: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

The Issue: What Good Is a Conservation Protection In Massachusetts?

The Bioreserve was established by the legislature in 2002, representing an agreement crafted over many years among state agencies, the City of Fall River, and environmental groups. In addition to ensuring permanent protection of 13,850 acres of land, the legislation authorized the transfer of 300 acres of land from the Fall River/Freetown State Forest to the Fall River Redevelopment Authority for economic development purposes, but prohibited use of that land for a casino. The casino ban was included because such a large development on land abutting the remaining state forest was viewed as incompatible with protection of the values for which the Bioreserve was created - water supply protection, habitat for wildlife, including rare species, and opportunities for recreation.

Senator Menard's amendment alters the conditions of the 2002 law by removing the casino prohibition. The 300 acres is of interest to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe which is engaged in negotiations with Fall River. (Text of the amendment is linked here.)

The gaming bill has now gone to conference committee where the House and Senate versions will be reconciled, with a goal of getting it to the Governor before the legislative session ends on July 31. We need your help to remove Senator Menard's amendment.

Please contact your legislators and let them know your concerns. Ask them to contact members of the conference committee to urge that the amendment be removed.

This amendment would set a dangerous precedent of not honoring the higher 2/3 vote threshold required when we are conveying state owned parklands for other uses. It is an issue with long reaching statewide impact.

Thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

Carolyn LaMarre, Executive Director
Taunton River Watershed Alliance

7/6/2010 Newspaper article from the Herald News