Silver Maple Forest 2014: Did you Know?
Did you know that the Silver Maple Forest is likely to be clear cut very soon if the developer has his way?
Did you know that many tons of climate carbon sequestration relief, and floodplain-protecting trees (hundreds) will be felled?
Did you know that the "Uplands" is technically a "small river flood plain forest"?
Did you know that the "uplands" is really a rare silver maple forest and it is unique in the Boston area, that holds the entire Alewife urban wild (Alewife Reservation) together for 19 species of mammals and 90 species of birds?
Did you know that the towns of Belmont and Arlington have both voted against the development of the Uplands on June 28, 2004?
Did you know that the town of Belmont cannot vote on whether to approve or not, the granted 40 B Housing application - a Massachusetts mandate in conjunction with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development?
Did you know that the removal of most of the Uplands (all upland area around the flood plain and vegetated buffering wetlands), will scatter or kill much very rare urban nesting and hibernating wildlife? Fisher, otter, fox, coyote, rabbit, muskrats, mink, etc.?
Did you know that O'Neill's 40 B filing estimates up to 1000 people, or 299 units, in the middle of stagnant mosquito marshes, wetlands and sensitive ecology systems with no amenities unless they are added to the already inappropriate plan?
Did you know that Little River and Little Pond in Belmont and Cambridge already have dangerously high levels of bacteria and pathogens tested by Mystic River Watershed Association?
Did you know that there is already a flooding issue along the flood plain and river where the developer will discharge into?
Did you know that Cambridge and state have extensive cleanup measures proposed, and are far along in their planned clean up of a part of Little River and Alewife Brook by 85 percent?
Did you know that the Mass Historical Society was against building on the Uplands because it believes that archeological relics may still be present?
Did you know that because of the great fill 60 years ago, that much of the Uplands has rich deposits and an undersoil that is excellent for borrowing and hibernating, but unstable for a huge building, such as the "40B" one proposed for nearly 1000 persons.