We have some disappointing news for the Reservation.
Last Thursday, Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill that gives the proposed Mini Fenway Park a green light to ignore the state’s environmental laws if it moves forward with its plans to develop 11 acres of Reservation land in Quincy. By signing the bill, Governor Patrick agreed that a ball park for kids represents an ‘overriding public interest’ and thus need not concern itself with following the state’s Wetlands Protection Act, which would have required the project to protect known endangered species habit.
Ironically, the provision was tacked on to the Environmental Bond Bill, which will provide investments over the next five years to protect many of the state’s natural resources. The bill also includes another provision we joined other environmental groups in supporting, a state income-tax credit to spur preservation of privately owned land.
We’re disturbed that a provision bypassing key environmental protection in the Blue Hills Reservation could be included in a law to protect the Commonwealth’s parks and beaches.
We appreciate all of you who called and wrote to the Governor on this issue.
You can read more about the Mini Fenway Park on our website.
The Patriot Ledger printed the following article Friday, August 15. For an online version click here.
Bond bill that aids Mini-Fenway project gets Patrick’s signature
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Aug 15, 2008 @ 09:09 AM
BOSTON —
Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill Thursday that deems Mini-Fenway Park an “overriding public interest,” giving a boost to the troubled Little League ballfield planned for West Quincy.
The provision was included in a $1.64 billion environmental bond bill, a five-year borrowing package intended to pay for projects, such as park and beach improvements, across the state.
The bill also includes an income-tax credit to spur private land donations to nonprofit groups, the state and communities.
The public-interest title is critical for the pro-ject to bypass state environmental laws. For months, the nonprofit Kids Replica Ballpark Inc. has feuded with state environmental officials over their refusal to allow the project to advance. The 12-acre site, bordering the Blue Hills, is designated as endangered snake habitat and contains two protected water pools used by frogs and salamanders to mate.
The Friends of the Blue Hills, a preservation group, urged Patrick to veto the Mini-Fenway provision, arguing it facilitates skirting procedures to determine if a project should be given special consideration under environmental law.
Ronald Iacobucci, chief executive of Kids Replica Ballpark Inc., said he was grateful for Patrick’s support. State officials have said the nonprofit group must now apply for a variance.
Plans for the half-size replica of Boston’s fabled ballpark have been in the works for 10 years.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Governor Patrick Gives a Pass to Mini Fenway Park
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1 comments:
I spoke to John Sheehan yesterday in response to his comments in The Patriot Ledger. I think the information I shared with him put things in a different perspective. So here goes in response to your posted concerns. Please know that the designation "overriding public interest" does not in any way mean that mini Fenway Park will be allowed to ignor the environmental laws. The designation does not waive any environmental review or process. Previous environmental reviews by the Commonwealth have already established that there are no endangered species in the resource area targeted by the legislation and that the same area has been established NOT TO BE a wetlands. We have a certified vernal pool that is not regulated by local, state or federal permit. The US Army Corp in consultation with EPA have already determined that a permit is not required. The Commonwealth however is requiring that we still obtain a variance from the state water quality certification standards when no permit is required. This is something they have never required anyone else to do. The designation allows us to go through this process and directly address how we have avoided, minimized or mitigated any adverse effects on the environment. Thank you!
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