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Ian Bowles March 19, 2007 Re: MWRA storage tanks in Blue Hills Reservoir, Quincy Dear Mr. Bowles: I am writing on behalf of Friends of the Blue Hills, a nonprofit charitable trust dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Blue Hills Reservation, Boston's largest and most valuable metropolitan park. It is now ten weeks since we first contacted your office seeking to know your position regarding MWRA plans to fill 8.7 acres of protected wetlands in the Blue Hills Reservation in Quincy in order to build concrete storage tanks. About six weeks ago 240 of our constituents contacted you with the same query. But we have had no substantive response. As you know, MWRA has no plan to replace any of the 8.7 acres of clean open water that it proposes to eliminate. We had hoped that you would share our view, seconded by most local officials and legislators, that the Blue Hills Reservation should not become the scene of the largest net loss of wetlands approved anywhere in the commonwealth since 1985 or earlier, and that MWRA ratepayers ought not to be forced to spend $38 million to finance the destruction of a treasured park resource. What, then, are we to make of your apparent lack of interest? Do you agree with your predecessor that MWRA capital expansion plans can proceed without public support and contrary to wetlands protection standards that have obtained in Massachusetts for a generation? Last week two large signs appeared at the Reservoir (photo). Since you are chairman of MWRA, we must assume that they met with your approval. The contractor has begun to bring equipment and materials to the site, which has been public parkland since 1894. In fairness to all parties, the time has come to address this matter. We understand that there are many demands on your attention but we do not think ourselves unjustified in our expectation that you will either support this costly and highly damaging project or you will not, and that you will have the courtesy to tell us which. Of course we are ready to meet with you at any time. Sincerely, Tom Palmer |
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