FBH April 4th Bird Walks

Saturday, April 4, 8:00 am - Blue Hills Bird Walk
FBH joint walk with Brookline Bird Club. Several short hikes, each about one mile, the first of which is steep, to look for early spring migrants. Beginners are welcome. Bring binoculars and bird book. 4.5 hours. Meet at the small parking lot on Chickatawbut Road just off Randolph Ave. Leader: Steve Olanoff, 781-326-6585.

Saturday Evening, April 4, 6:15 pm - Woodcock Walk in Fowl Meadow
FBH joint with Brookline Bird Club. Hike 1 mile to witness the Spring mating flight of the American Woodcock. Bring binoculars. 2 hours. Meet at Paul’s Bridge parking lot on Neponset Valley Pkwy. Leader: Steve Olanoff, 781-326-6585.

Sample letter: Response to Lantana FEIR

As we mentioned earlier, the Lantana function hall has submitted its Final Environmental Impact Report. The deadline for public comments is April 11. To review the report, see our website . For a sample letter, see below. You can submit your comment letter by U.S Postal Service mail or by email (Anne.Canaday@state.ma.us). If you send it by email, make sure you still reference EEA No 14115.

Thanks again for all of your support.

Sample Letter: Response to Lantana Land Swap FEIR

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Attention: MEPA Office
Anne Canaday, EEA No 14115
100 Cambridge Street – 9th floor
Boston, MA 02114

Re: Proposed Article 97 Land Swap FEIR -Randolph, MA - EEA No 14115

Dear Secretary Bowles,

I am writing to urge you to determine that the above mentioned FEIR is inadequate. The Lantana function hall did not comply with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), because:

• Contrary to the Secretary’s Certificate, dated June 27, 2008, the Lantana function hall did not submit an updated appraisal as part of the FEIR. Without this appraisal, neither the Commonwealth nor the public can evaluate whether the appraisal methodology was fair or thorough.

• The $350,000 appraisal value the proponent submitted is far below the Fair Market Value, thus underlining the importance of requiring the appraisal methodology. Because we do not have a copy of the methodology, we do not know if the proponent included the value of timber sale from the property, which would increase the value. In addition, the parking lot will substantially increase the total property value by allowing Lantana function hall to build on the existing parking lot. An adequate appraisal methodology would clearly determine the Fair Market Value of the parcel, a value of at least $1.2 million.

• The Lantana function hall has not adequately addressed mitigation issues, including addressing the presence of vernal pools or providing an evaluation of the overall value of the natural resources that this wooded parcel contains.

• The transfer lacks any semblance of public purpose. How can a parking lot to benefit a single private enterprise be in the public interest?

Based on these inadequacies, I urge you to determine that the FEIR is inadequate, pursuant to 301 CMR 11.08. In addition, I urge you to find that Lantana function hall has failed to demonstrate that the land transfer will improve pedestrian safety and that available alternatives have not been adequately considered.

Sincerely,

Lantana Update from FBH Advocacy Chair

Dear Friend of the Blue Hills,

In 2002, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed a law directing that 3.2 acres of undeveloped Blue Hills Reservation parkland be transferred to the Lantana Banquet Facility in Randolph for the purpose of constructing a parking lot. Since the law's enactment, Friends of the Blue Hills and others have fought to prevent this outrageous land-grab from being consummated. We are now at a critical juncture in this fight.

As you may already know from visiting the FBH website (www.friendsofthebluehills.org/lantana.htm), the owners of Lantana have submitted their Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) to Ian Bowles, Secretary of Environmental and Energy Affairs. Pursuant to state regulations, the Secretary has set April 10, 2009 as the deadline to submit responses to the FEIR.

As an organization, Friends of the Blue Hills will submit detailed objections to the FEIR, specifically addressing Lantana's failure to adequately mitigate the environmental impacts noted by various state agencies and the inadequacy of the compensation to be received by the Commonwealth. (Part of this latter objection is based on what we contend is an artificially low appraisal, a copy of which Lantana has failed to even include in its FEIR.)

We urge each and every one of you to review Lantana's FEIR (which can be accessed at www.friendsofthebluehills.org/lantana.htm) and make your objections known to Secretary Bowles. Please send your objections in so that they are received by April 10, 2009.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of your Blue Hills Reservation.

John Sheehan
Chair, Advocacy Committee

Spring Newsletter Online

Check out our spring newsletter to read about: controlling purple loosestrife and other invasives, ponkapoag pond's unique flowering plants and the portion of the April 2nd Community Meeting and Brainstorm at the Bradley Estate in Canton to discuss the portion of the Blue Hills called Indian Line Farm.

Outreach Committee Meeting April 15

We hope you'll join us at the next Outreach Committee Meeting, Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 pm at 93 Hillside St, Milton. We'll discuss upcoming outreach events, on-going house parties and our pilot program to map invasive species in the Blue Hills. Please RSVP: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org.

Adopt-a-Trail

Many thanks to FBH Trails Committee Co-chair Dexter Robinson for writing about the FBH Adopt-a-Trail program in the latest AMC Southeast Mass chapter newsletter. Click here or see below.

SEM Members become
Blue Hills Reservation Trail Adopters
by Dexter Robinson

Do you hike, walk, or bike regularly in the Blue Hills Reservation? Want to give back something to the Reservation? If so, the Blue Hills Adopt-A-Trail Program has a trail for you. Trail work offers an opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and make a difference in an area we enjoy.

In the spring of 2008, the Friends of the Blue Hills (FBH) launched an Adopt-a-Trail program. The Blue Hills Reservation stretches from Dedham to Quincy, Milton to Randolph, encompassing over 7000 acres. With more than 125 miles of trails through forests, ponds, wetlands, and over hilltops, maintenance and repair was much needed.

The goal of the program is to find adopters for all of the trails by the year 2012. Currently there are eighteen adopters, eight of whom are SEM chapter members: Bob Flagg, Walt Granda, Ken Jones, Cheryl Lathrop, Chris and Bill Pellegrini, Dexter Robinson, and Bob Vogel. Adopters commit to maintaining their trail two to three times a year and are encouraged to adopt a trail they walk on a regular basis. Adopters not only trim branches and clean water bars, but
also act as eyes and ears on the ground. People without experience can attend one or more of the monthly FBH trail maintenance events, under the supervision of a trail leader, to qualify to become an adopter.

The trails adopted by SEM members also help meet the AMC Trails Challenge supported by the Coleman company. Each Chapter is challenged to add 5 miles of AMC maintained trails per year over the next five years. Since 2005, AMC members throughout the region have adopted over 200 miles of trails. New AMC adopters receive AMC’s new trail maintenance book, a T-shirt, and a $100 voucher for staying at an AMC facility.

For more information on the Adopt-a-Trail Program check out:
www.friendsofthebluehills.org/trails/adoptatrail.html. Additional information about the trail maintenanceprogram can be found at: www.friendsofthebluehills.org/trails/trailmaintenance.html.

Historic Barn at Brookwood to be Dismantled and Rebuilt

The Department of Conservation and Recreation has partnered with the North Bennet Street School (NBSS) to preserve the historic Brookwood Farm barn. After researching and documenting the barn between November 2008 and February 2009, NBSS students, closely supervised by teachers, have concluded that the Brookwood barn is a rare type of 18th century English barn, most likely constructed between 1710 - 1750.

The barn has severely deteriorated, with rot and insect infestation damaging many of the sills, beams and posts. NBSS and DCR have concluded that preserving and restoring the barn would require a comprehensive reconstruction, which would be best accomplished by dismantling the barn and restoring it.

The DCR and NBSS plans to dismantle the barn next month, storing the salvageable parts in a secure storage container at NBSS. NBSS plans to reconstruct the barn in 2010 or 2011. The DCR Preservation Planner , Jeffrey Harris, indicated that while the exact location has not been decided, the barn will be rebuilt in the Blue Hills Reservation, most likely on or near the original site.

Federal Stimulus Funds and the Blue Hills

According to the state’s website, several projects in the Blue Hills have been submitted and approved as ‘shovel –ready’ projects that would be eligible for Federal stimulus funds. (But note that no decisions have been made about which projects will be implemented.) These shovel-ready projects include funding for the Brookwood Farm caretaker’s cottage and the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Although not explicit on the website, we’ve been told by DCR staff that Reservation projects submitted also include funding for replacing the sewer lines to Houghton’s Pond bath house.

"Partnership Chats"

DCR has announced a new initiative, "Partnership Chats." See DCR's below description for details on the March 19th kick-off event.

What are Partnership Chats?

Partnership Chats will be a series of informal forums planned for our partners and Friends groups to talk about broad number of programs conducted within DCR parks and the policies that govern them. In the future, we'll be speaking with DCR staff about dog policies, permitting, activities, budgets, cultural history and many other issues. We expect to schedule them once every 6-8 weeks and hold them at various locations throughout the Commonwealth. These sessions are planned to attract new and old partners alike, and provide a forum for Conrad Crawford, DCR's Director of Partnerships, to facilitate conversations where DCR's Friends can learn more about the internal workings of the agency while meeting the staff responsible for running the agency's facilities and programs.

When: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 12 noon-2:00pm
Where: 100 Cambridge St, 2nd Floor, Conference Room D, Boston, MA

The first session will feature Ariana Johnson, Assistant General Counsel for the agency, who will lead a discussion on DCR's role implementing policies called for in "An Act Relative to Volunteers in State Parks." At this meeting we'll talk about what DCR has done thus far, go over a timeline for the coming 6 month period, and explain plans to include Partners moving forward. Email Conrad.Crawford@state.ma.us or call 617-626-4964 to RSVP or for more information.

Location change for Advocacy Committee Meeting

Please note, we have changed the location of this Wednesday's Advocacy Committee meeting. Here's the details:

Advocacy Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 pm
Location: 67 Vose Hill Rd, Milton

With the recent release of the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Lantana Land Swap and a community forum for Indian Line Farm on April 2nd - there's a lot to discuss. Let us know if you'd like to come: info@friensofthebluehills.org or 781-828-1805.

We look forward to seeing you Wednesday!

Advocacy Meeting next Wednesday

FBH Advocacy Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 pm
Note new location: 67 Vose Hill Rd, Milton
Join us next week for the Advocacy Committee meeting at the Wakefield Trust. We'll discuss how to continue outreach for the Indian Line Farm community forum on April 2nd, Lantana and other efforts.

As an FBH member, you can protect your car, protect your home, protect your planet, and save money with insurance from EIA

As an FBH member, you are eligible to apply for a discount on your home and car insurance through The Environmental Insurance Agency (EIA).

EIA is owned by the Conservation Law Foundation, one of New England ’s leading environmental advocacy organizations. When you purchase insurance through EIA, you are helping to support CLF’s work to promote renewable energy and fight air and water pollution; build healthy fishing communities and protect marine habitat; fight sprawl, promote public transit and defend public health. Since 1966, CLF has worked to protect New England 's people, natural resources and communities.

EIA is also unique for offering a truly “green” auto insurance product. EIA is an agent of Plymouth Rock Assurance, the first automobile insurer in Massachusetts to reward its policyholders for “going green” by driving less. The less you drive relative to your neighbors the more money you can save. An EIA policy is an important way to make a difference right now – for both the environment and your checkbook!

Interested in learning more? Call 1-877-999-9EIA, email eia@clf.org, or visit www.clfventures.org/eia.htm.

Check out Some Spotted Salamanders

Last Saturday, six FBHers participated in a DCR training, led by Professor Jonathan Twining of Eastern Nazarene College, to learn how to certify vernal pools. If you're interested in vernal pools - and the fascinating creatures they support - check out the below Blue Hills Trailside Museum event. Make sure to register with the Trailside Museum by emailing calling 617-333-0690.


Salamander Migration
Saturday or Sunday in late March to early April
Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
$12/M, $15/NM Ages: 10 to Adult
Pre-registration is required.
Birds aren't the only animal to migrate! Each spring salamanders make the trek to the vernal pools to mate and lay eggs. Unfortunately, these temporary wetlands are one of the most vulnerable habitats today. Join Trailside Museum staff on an adventure to learn more about these secretive creatures and their threatened breeding sites. Sign-up to be put on the calling list and when the conditions are right we will contact you for an outing that evening. Call 617-333-0690 for more information or to register.

Joyce named to leadership positions related to federal stimulus oversight

According to a Milton Times article Thursday, February 26, Senator Brian Joyce has been named to several leadership posts, including several assignments related to oversight of the federal stimulus dollars.

The Blue Hills might receive some of those dollars the Senator will be overseeing. The Department of Conservation and Recreation has submitted a list of 'shovel ready' projects to the Governor for funding consideration, including replacing the sewer line to the Houghton's Pond bath house and providing funds to help shore up the historic barn at Brookwood Farm.

Town of Milton Receives Funds for Wind Turbine Feasibility Study

According to the Milton Times, the Town of Milton received a $64,000 grant from the Renewable Energy Trust for a wind turbine feasibility study. For an electronic version of the below article, click here.

Town Will Receive Grant Money for Wind Turbine Feasibility Study

By Scott MacKeen, Milton Times Staff Writer

2/26/09

The town will receive up to $65,000 in grant money from the Renewable Energy Trust, part of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, to conduct a wind turbine feasibility study. According to a prepared statement, the RET is offering up to $50,000 in assistance for services provided to the town for work on the feasibility study, and the additional $15,000 is available for more detailed project analysis and to help the town evaluate options for ownership and development of a wind project.

The study will be performed by a technical consultant from KEMA Inc., under contract to the RET.Officials are considering building at least one wind turbine near Quarry Hills, on town-owned land near Granite Links Golf Club. According to Town Administrator Kevin Mearn, the site is the only one in town deemed feasible by MTC where grant money could be available.

He said the wind turbines being proposed could save up to $700,000 each in energy costs. “If two of these wind turbines were built, it would cover the entire cost of our [town] building energy for one year,” he told Selectmen Feb. 18. He said the Planning Board is reviewing a warrant article proposed for Annual Town Meeting to create zoning for the wind-turbine site. The Wind Energy Committee will present a plan Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at the senior center, located at 10 Walnut St. It will be a first in a series of meetings.

“It’s got to be done carefully,” Selectmen John Shields said. “Let’s get some momentum going to see what a wind turbine can do for us before we go changing bylaws.”

Selectmen Chair Kathy Fagan said the committee is also working directly with members of the Planning Board on the language of the article. “I think it’s great that we’re looking at this, especially in the tough economic times we’re in right now,” Fagan noted.