Policy Order Resolution
O-27
IN CITY COUNCIL
July 28, 2014
WHEREAS:The Silver Maple Forest currently absorbs storm water and prevents it from running into the man-made channel known as Little River, which connects Alewife Brook in Cambridge to Little River in Belmont; and
WHEREAS:The developer of the Silver Maple Forest recently announced plans to have the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) hold a Conservation Restriction over the portion of the forest that lies in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS:The Conservation Restriction would permit the developer to attach Cambridge's portion of the forest to the proposed development and to count the Cambridge land as open space under the Belmont Zoning By-Laws; and
WHEREAS:Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 92, Section 79 allows the DCR Commissioner to consult with local boards prior to the approval of a Conservation Restriction; and
WHEREAS:The Silver Maple Forest development proposal was approved based on out-of-date rainfall predictions; the most recent regional study of extreme precipitation performed by the Northeast Regional Climate Center predicts 8.6 inches of rain in a 24-hour period during a 100-year storm event; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record encouraging the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to hold the Conservation Restriction only on the condition that the developer can show, in plans submitted to the Belmont Conservation Commission in an open hearing, that the storm water systems of the development can indeed handle 8.6 inches of rain in a 24 hour, 100-year storm; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with all relevant staff to ensure that the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation is encouraged to consult with the Cambridge Conservation Commission and any other relevant entities regarding the concern over risks associated with extreme precipitation events; and
ORDERED: The City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation on behalf of the entire City Council.
The
Alewife Reservation
is a unique natural resource for the communities of Belmont, Arlington and Cambridge
and home to hundreds of species, including hawks, coyotes beavers, snapping turtles, wild turkeys and muskrats,
the reservation is a unique natural resource for the community.
Historical information (Powerpoint)
Friends of Alewife Reservation works to protect and restore this wild area and the surrounding area for the water quality, native plants, animals and over 90 bird species with paths for walking, running and biking, recreation, and for classroom education and research. We regularly steward and preserve the Reservation area for wildlife and for the enjoyment of present and future generations.