The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) began a Resource Management Plan in the late 1980s, but budget cuts forced the agency to shelve the project. Driven by a state mandate, the DCR took up the task again in the summer of 2009. When the agency evaluated the 80 properties for which plans were required, the Blue Hills rose to the top of the list, thanks to the complexity of the Reservation's geographic, biotic and recreational resources.

What is a Resource Management Plan?

The RMP has been described as a cookbook for the property; a guide outlining what is needed to maintain the many resources in the park. More formally, according to the legislative mandate (M.G.L Chapter 21: Section 2F) the plan: "shall include guidelines for the operation and land stewardship of the aforementioned reservations, parks and forests, shall provide for the protection and stewardship of natural and cultural resources and shall ensure consistency between recreation, resource protection, and sustainable forest management."

RMPs are "working" documents that consider the past, present, and future of the forest, park, or reservation. They include an inventory and assessment of environmental, cultural, and recreational resources; identify unique characteristics and values; and develop clear management goals and objectives. RMPs provide a guide to the short and long-term management of properties under the stewardship of the DCR. They are intended to be working documents for setting priorities, capital and operational budgeting and resource allocation, and enhancing communication and cooperation with park visitors and surrounding communities.

The Reservation's plan will most closely resemble the RMP completed for the Stony Brook Reservation in Boston. (To view the Stony Brook plan, click here.)

What's the Process for the Blue Hills Reservation RMP?

The Blue Hills RMP process is expected to take at least six months. Public involvement began with a public forum, hosted by the DCR at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum on July 29, 2009. To see a copy of the power point presentation from that forum, click here.

Since the next DCR public forum was not scheduled until the release of the draft in December, FBH organized another forum on September 23 to encourage the public to brainstorm together issues that should be included in the Resource Management Plan. Click here for a description of the forum. Click here for a list of priorities brainstormed at the event. All comments and ideas from the September 23rd forum were discussed with DCR staff developing the plan and will help inform the final report.

DCR expects to release a draft report in December and will hold another public forum at that time. FBH will continue to work with other stakeholders and the DCR to ensure that the public is engaged and represented in the process.

What can you do?

You can still send comments to the Department of Conservation and Recreation by emailing: rmp.comments@state.ma.us or mailing via US Postal Service to: Blue Hills RMP, DCR, 695 Hillside St, Milton, MA 02186. We also encourage you to sign up for our email alerts (email us at info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org), check our blog for updates and attend the public forums on this issue. If you're interested in helping FBH work on this issue, email us at: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org.