FAR home page

• Forests / Silver Maple Forest
• Government - information from and actions by government agencies
• Government - letters to (and commentary on actions by) government agencies
• Image collections - Alewife Reservation slide show
• Maps (includes maps listed under other headings)
• Media coverage
• Proposals
• Water (including section on Blair Pond)
• Wildlife / biodiversity inventories and observations
• Other - includes Stream Team materials

(To read the Adobe Acrobat files, you need the Adobe Acrobat reader, available free at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

• Belmont Uplands Makes the Globe Front Page
  www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/22/fight_pits_affordable_housing_vs_15_green_belmont_acres/ "Fight pits affordable housing vs. 15 green Belmont acres . . ."
  February 22, 2008
  
  
• 1884-1890 and 1883-1890 Famous Uplands Belmont Historical Farm: Heustis /Hill Farm is Uncovered
  text added December 1, 2007
  ". . . The rock foundation to the Farm has recently been uncovered by the O'Neill contractor bulldozers . . ."
  
  
• Demonstrating faults of 40B as a viable affordable housing law
  — link to video
  November 16, 2007
  ". . . sheds light on the forested Uplands project and unjust processes of housing court of permitting against town by-laws, zoning laws and environmental wetlands protections . . ."
  
  
• Editorial Update on Silver Maple Forest
  added to website October 4, 2007
  ". . . One thousand post cards . . . Fifteen watershed legislators . . . Thomas Bracken continues to represent the plaintiffs . . . Conservation Commission of Belmont . . . four levels of public education . . ."
  
  
• Care about Wetlands - Wildlife – Woodlands
  added to website October 2, 2007
  ". . . Our lawsuit to save the Belmont Uplands from destruction is going well. The plaintiffs (your neighbors) are fighting the good fight but we need your help! . . . We need to pay our notable attorney, Thomas Bracken, as well as our hydrologist, toxicologist and other professionals . . ."
  
  
• Photos from FAR Ecology Camp - Summer 2007
  added to website September 5, 2007
  ". . . Kenny, Deanne, Dave - Instructor, Chernika - Supervisor, Rayshonda all wait to begin global positioning session . . ."
  
  
• Letters from FAR Ecology Camp - Summer 2007
  August 22, 2007
  ". . . I am writing this letter because I think the Silver Maple Forest is in danger of being cut down. It would be nice if you could do something to prevent that from happening because there are a lot of animal's homes that will be destroyed . . ."
  
  
• Protect us from Uplands Mess
  Nov. 22, 2006
  ". . . After reading Cassie Norton's coverage of the last open public meeting of the ZBA, I am appalled at the public conduct and persona of Mr. Chin. I am an original member of the Uplands Study Committee and an abutter of Little Pond . . ."
  
  
• Focus on O'Neill Properties
  Nov. 22, 2006
  ". . . Cassie Norton's article, "Angry residents question ZBA" [Nov. 9, Page 1] minimizes the concerns of unhappy attendees at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Nov. 1 . . ."
  
  
• Winn Brook Neighborhood Coalition created
  Oct. 24, 2006
  ". . . thrust was a 'fight back' for neighborhood rights and watershed requirements . . ."
  
  
• More Opposition to the Uplands Development
  Belmont Citizen-Herald, Letters to the editor, by Frank Larkin - Oct. 19, 2006
  ". . . The potential for further serious contamination and health hazards, not to mention the general quality of life of Belmont's residents, would be placed at significant risk if the development of 299 rental housing units is allowed on the Belmont Uplands. Belmont's town fathers must not allow that to happen . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Selectmen Voice Serious Concern On Uplands Future
  (This information is the understanding of Friends of Alewife Reservation. We plan to update this when official posting is available.) - October 18, 2006
  ". . . the board agreed unanimously to send a letter to the ZBA making three points . . ."
  
  
• Alewife studies sought: Bill could slow Uplands permits
  October 12, 2006 - excerpt of and link to Belmont Citizen-Herald article
  "A bill now in the state Legislature could put the brakes on the 299-unit affordable housing development planned by O'Neill Properties on the Belmont Uplands . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Uplands Appeal To Prevent Destruction to the Mystic River Watershed and the Silver Maple Forest and its Surroundings
  added September 27, 2006
  ". . . Uplands conservation progress remains minimal. However, there is one hopeful legal legislative action concerning the Uplands which would require an environmental impact study from developers, and MEPA overview (state environmental review process) . . ."
  
  
• ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MUST FOLLOW STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
  added September 27, 2006
  ". . . Because of the many changes to the original proposal of Research and Development proposal by Brian O’Neill Properties, the developer and contractors must go through a Notice of Project Change (NPC) and an entirely new MEPA process in order to get the Housing project permitted . . ."
  
  
• FAR speaks out on Bulfinch second phase Master Plan
  July 7, 2006
  ". . . We are pleased to reply to a report that notes, "The intent of the Master Plan is to establish a new built environment more compatible with the environmental resources so important in this area of Cambridge." . . ."
  
  
• Rampant Misuse of Low Income Housing law in Massachusetts
  Critiqued by 40B Massachusetts Coalition leader
  ". . . It appears that the agencies and organizations responsible for the administration, funding, authorizing and monitoring of 40B projects have, to the detriment of the towns involved, been less than appropriate and lack due diligence . . ."
  
  
• Uplands testing on Acorn Park Drive
  With photos by Don Bockler and with letter to Belmont Conservation Commission, on activity in buffer zone, from O'Neill attorney.
  
  
• Effects of Construction in the Silver Maple Forest Bordering Alewife Brook Reservation
  ". . . The Brian O'Neill Properties Group from Philadelphia, PA plans to create a residential development in the town of Belmont . . . This development would destroy 40 percent of the 15-acre silver maple forest . . ."
  
  
• Uplands Farm Legacy
  ". . . Belmont’s Uplands are part of a farming legacy that goes back to 1633 . . ."
  
  
• Fire in Alewife Reservation
  ". . . on the south side of the River in Cambridge that destroyed a large expanse of phragmites reeds much shrub and marsh vegetation, and edges of tree groves which included birch, ash, aspen, cottonwood, maples, oak and native grasses and cat tails . . ."
  
  
• Alewife Reservation Status as Unique Ecosystem Grows with Scientific Method
  Demonstrating status of Silver Maple forest Uplands - links to other websites, including PDF symposium presentations
  ". . . Professor David Morimoto from Lesley University will be studying these communities and submitting appropriate findings to the state in behalf of the Alewife Reservation . . ."
  
  
• History of the Heustis farm - Early Letters from Historic Belmont Uplands
  Based on Richard Betts’s newsletter of March, 1993, for the Belmont Historical Association.
  ". . . when you walk in the old Arthur D. Little property, or work to protect the Uplands, you are walking in the footsteps of several generations of Heustis entrepreneurs . . ."
  
  
• Listen to silver maple forest
  Belmont Citizen-Herald, February 9, 2006
  ". . . this may also sound like a fable - and it is. But it is a fable that would be far more desirable for our town than the alternative . . ."
  
  
• Red fox abound at Uplands
  Belmont Citizen-Herald, January 19, 2006
  "Thirty-five Cambridge, Arlington, Somerville, Belmont and Boston residents and family members drove up Acorn Park Dr. from Route 2 in their cars for the first time to a new Alewife Reservation public parking lot. It was recently constructed by the Bulfinch Companies and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation. This was the first step towards implementation of the Alewife Master Plan of the DCR . . ."
  
  
• Belmonters Speak out for Regional Forest
  Belmont Citizen Herald, January 5, 2006
  "The Belmont Uplands' silver maple forest provides a beautiful border for Cambridge, Arlington and Belmont. It stands tall and healthy and alive with diverse natural resources . . . After years of zoning changes, the owner-developer, O'Neill Properties Inc. of Pennsylvania, filed an application during Christmas week for permits to build a large 40 B housing complex, a much needed low income federal housing requirement. This past spring, Mass Development approved O'Neill's proposal to Belmont. We see this decision as very unfortunate for anyone who might choose to live there . . ."
  
  
Flooding Lessons for Alewife Towns
Belmont Citizen Herald
"The nation has just witnessed one of the greatest environmental and human disasters on record for south central coast residents, because of wetland and marsh abuses and coastline protection oversights.

Lessons should be drawn locally for the Alewife Reservation concerning Little River . . ."


• Mother silver maple weakens
  "Mother tree dies to enrich her offspring trees in the sacred silver maple forest.
  This is a sign of strength and regeneration, not weakness as developer may want to believe . . ."
  
  
• Maintaining Alewife Reservation trails - North Side Trail
  "As of today the North Side Trail is in good shape from . . ."
  
  
• The Silver Maple Forest (Belmont Uplands) & The Impact of Development Charles J. Katuska, MFS, PWS, Consulting Ecologist - PowerPoint presentation
  (about 15 minutes to download with 56.6 Kbps dial-up modem) (get free PowerPoint viewer)
  . . . The Belmont Silver Maple forest is a mixed association of various wetland and upland plant communities on about 15 acres. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) dominates the central core of the site. Unusual, relict forest community in this context . . .
  
  
• The Silver Maple Forest (Belmont Uplands) & The Impact of Development Charles J. Katuska, MFS, PWS, Consulting Ecologist - PowerPoint presentation
  (about 15 minutes to download with 56.6 Kbps dial-up modem) (get free PowerPoint viewer)
  . . . The Belmont Silver Maple forest is a mixed association of various wetland and upland plant communities on about 15 acres. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) dominates the central core of the site. Unusual, relict forest community in this context . . .
  
  
• Regional Perspective of Greater Alewife Ecosystem - David C. Morimoto, PhD, Lesley University - PowerPoint presentation
  (about 2 minutes to download with 56.6 Kbps dial-up modem) (get free PowerPoint viewer)
  . . . The Silver Maple forest is significant ecologically at many spatial and temporal scales. Its significance includes not only its ecological value (ecosystem services, habitat for species), but also its value to human health through passive recreation, as well as its educational value . . .
  
  
• Rare Forest May be Cut Down
  . . . these trees have been in existence since the early farm days . . .
  
  
• Cambridge architect developer speaks out against inappropriate development on the silver maple forest - Housing at the Belmont Uplands
  . . . this project, as shown, does not represent the type of attractive housing or neighborhood that the Town of Belmont, historically, has provided for its residents. In addition, we feel that special challenges and costs may make this project difficult to build within reasonable rental rates making it very difficult to market the apartments . . .
  
  
• Belmont Silver Maple Mother Tree - Second largest in United States?
  I am nominating a huge Silver Maple tree that stands in the privately owned Silver Maple forest out in the Alewife area, which is slated to be cut down by . . .
  
  
• Vital climate and soil functions
  of our Silver Maple Forest . . .

• See efforts to protect Alewife Brook Parkway and other Parkways of the DCR (PDF file) -
  February 19, 2008
  ". . . The metropolitan parkway system is a national model and a regional treasure . . ."
  
  
• BREAKING NEWS ON PURCHASE OF FOREST
  February 14, 2008
  ". . . that no more than $6,000,000 shall be expended for the acquisition of the Silver Maple Forest in Belmont and Cambridge, for conservation purposes . . ."
  
  
• Governor Patrick's preamble to the Environmental Bond
  added to website February 4, 2008
  ". . . Of this $1.4 billion authorization, $355 million is dedicated to land protection and acquisition and $738.5 million to enhance state parks and rebuild OCR-owned infrastructure . . ."
  
  
• Rep. Brownsberger update on silver maple forest acquisition meeting with Governor Patrick
  December 22, 2007
  ". . . I and many others have worked to convince the administration of the value of acquisition for DCR . . ."
  
  
• Brownsberger Reaches out to Constituents
  May 2007
  "I have filed in the House the Havern Bill (including the moratorium provision) . . . On a related issue, I have also sponsored legislation to initiate a broader planning process for the Alewife area."
  
  
• Havern-Brownsberger Bill 2007
  May 15, 2007
  ". . . H. 3441 Rep. Brownsberger An Act Relative to a Study by the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction . . . S. 2058 Sen. Havern An Act Relative to a Study by the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction . . ."
  
  
• Legislative background for Forest Acquisition Bill
  May 3, 2007
  ". . . from Representative William N. Brownsberger . . . The purpose of this memorandum is to provide background on the property which is the subject of House Bill 21 -- the Silver Maple Forest, also known as the Belmont Uplands."
  
  
• New Representative William Brownsberger Promises Protection for the forested Belmont Uplands
  added to website March 19, 2007
  ". . . I share your disappointment with the outcome of the 40B process . . ."
  
  
• Conservation and Recreation Campaign Report
  PARKS And RECREATION - OUR PUBLIC LEGACY
  February 2007 - added to website, Feb. 24, 2007
  "The last year has shone a spotlight on the deterioration of the Massachusetts state park system. That spotlight has revealed understaffed, underfunded and unrepaired parks in need of millions of dollars of maintenance and more than $1.6 billion in capital project spending . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Makes 40B Decision
  Ruling of Zoning Board, Conditions as of Feb. 16, Refined Decisions to Come
  ". . . The Applicant is qualified pursuant to 760 Code of Massachusetts Regulations . . ."
  
  
• Alewife 2007 Improvement Plans for Greenways and Alewife Reservation
  added to website Jan. 23, 2007
  New Slide show of Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) 2007 Plans
  
  
• Alewife Regional Planning Requested
  added to website Jan. 10, 2007
  ". . . there is hereby established a special commission, titled the Alewife Planning Commission . . . for the purpose of defining long term regional planning objectives for the Alewife basin and broad recommendations towards achieving those objectives . . ."
  
  
• Legislation Requests Purchase of Uplands
  added to website Jan. 10, 2007
  ". . . AN ACT TO ACQUIRE THE SILVER MAPLE FOREST FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION . . ."
  
  
• Map — Public protected land by Department of Conservation and Recreation
  added to website Jan. 4, 2007
  with Uplands marked
  
  
• State of the Massachusetts Environment December 2006
  Quotation from cover letter and links to cover letter and complete report.
  Dec. 16, 2006
  "The people shall have the right to clean air and water . . ."
  
  
• Arlington Pans Once Again Uplands Development
  Dec. 6, 2006
  ". . . The Arlington Redevelopment Board (Planning Board for the Town of Arlington) has serious concern about the planned 299 unit residential development, technically in Belmont, but accessed only through Arlington or Cambridge . . ."
  
  
• Updated storm water Alewife Brook-Little River project
  April 2006
  with map of Combined Sewer Outflows
  ". . . There are now 8 CSO outfalls along Alewife Brook . . ."
  
  
• Alewife Concord Stormwater Management Plan
  May 2006
  Area Hydrology, Stormwater Control Requirements, Sanitary Sewer Requirements, and reference appendices.
  
  
• Bay State Individuals (including Ellen Mass, president of FAR) and Groups Receive Prestigious Regional Environmental Awards
  - news release (May 3, 2006) and letter of congratulations (April 25, 2006)
  ". . . among the highest honors EPA can bestow to recognize environmental accomplishments . . . Like few other people, Ellen Mass has brought many groups and individuals together to give the greater Alewife ecosystem a significant place in the minds and hearts of the citizens . . ." (news release)
  ". . . recognizes outstanding environmental advocates who have made significant contributions toward preserving and protecting our natural resources. You were nominated by Dr. David Morimoto . . ." (letter of congratulations)
  
  
• Senate and House Havern Bill 1909 may save the Uplands from ruthless clear cutting
  "Study bill of hydrology, flooding, traffic, and a dedicated lane will bring careful environmental scrutiny to the severe problems on the northwest corridor . . .
  Now is the time to pass 2005 Senate Bill 1909 . . . Here are the ones to call and advocate with. Your opinion counts."
  
  
• Uplands Policy Order Adopted Unanimously by Cambridge City Council
  May 8, 2006
  ". . . the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City's appropriate departments of Community Development and Cambridge Conservation Commission to respond fully to the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals process now ongoing in Belmont."
  
  
• Cambridge Planning Board presents Orders of Conditions upon the Bulfinch Company's next Phase II for the Master Plan of Discovery Park
  Nov. 4, 2004
  June 7, 2006 the Planning Board will have a public presentation update as to the progress above.
  
  
• Bad news for Uplands — Wildlife waits: Wetlands bylaw withdrawn
  "After hearing concerns from many residents about a proposed wetlands bylaw, its creators have decided to withdraw it from the annual Town Meeting warrant . . ."
  link to April 13, 2006 Belmont Citizen-Herald
  
  
• Uplands Advisory Committee comments and Applicant's response - BELMONT UPLANDS COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT APPLICATION
  5 Uplands Committee responses plus Applicant's response - links to documents on Belmont's website.
  
  
• Town of Belmont Responds to O'Neill Properties with Process and Past Deadlines
  By Attorney for the Town, Judith Cutler - March 1, 2006
  ". . . Please be advised that, where the Town of Belmont has already fulfilled all of its obligations under the MOA, Belmont fully expects O'Neill's voluntary and immediate compliance with the MOA, as well. Belmont, however, is fully prepared to take all necessary actions to enforce the MOA in the event that O'Neill does not perform under the Agreement. A timely response to this letter is, therefore, imperative. . . ."
  
  
• Final report of Belmont Conservation Commission to Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals
  40B Uplands Proposal - Residences at Acorn Park - Feb. 9, 2006
  ". . . questions for the ZBA to consider and some talking points for reflection as the board considers the merits and drawbacks of building a 40B development on the Uplands parcel . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Conservation Commission rebuts Epsilon Developer's refusal to recognize identity and functioning of the forest and its wildlife, and condition of the town sewer system. - February 2004
  With changed consultants (Rizzo Inc) the same denial stands and facts remain. Present developer does not recognize functioning and identity of the Uplands.
  
  
• Belmont Wetlands Protection Bylaw - Draft
  Dec. 19, 2005
  " . . . to maintain the quality of surface water, the quality and level of the ground water table and water recharge areas for existing or potential water supplies; to protect the public health and safety; to protect persons and property against the hazards of flood water inundation; and to provide for the reasonable protection and conservation of certain irreplaceable natural features, resources, and amenities for the benefit and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the Town of Belmont . . ."
  
  
• Belmont 2001 Vision and Open Space and Recreation Plan
  April, 2001 and January, 2001
  ". . . We will be an environmentally responsible community and conserve our natural habitats . . ."
  ". . . identify options and methods to protect open space for the many values it provides - to preserve the current green character of the town . . ."
  ", , , The most significant privately owned open spaces, in terms of visibility and general public accessibility are . . . Belmont Uplands (owned by O'Neill Properties.) . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Conservation Commission letter to Muskrat Marsh team
  "The Belmont Conservation Commission would like to express its support for the effort being made by the Muskrat Marsh team to study and improve the hydrology of the 10 acre marsh . . ."
  
  
• Draft final construction plans for this phase of restoration of the former MDC parking lot parcel near Alewife
  ". . . plans that have been approved by DCR for construction of the new pedestrian/bike path connection from CDP to Alewife . . ."
  
  
• FAR seeks help with restoration project
  Link to article in Cambridge Chronicle, Thursday, January 27, 2005
  "Friends of Alewife Reservation's 10-acre marsh restoration proposal has been put on the Massachusetts Wetlands Restoration Program's priority list for improving the area's largest wetlands . . ."
  Catherine Woodbury is the Project Manager of Alewife city stormwater program, Engineering Division - Department of Public Works, City of Cambridge.
  
  
• Reservation Improvement Plans Move Forward in Cambridge:
  
  FAR Priority status Wetlands Restoration Project (WRP) nomination form
  with invited Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP)Partners: Bulfinch Co, regional conservation commissions, Mystic River Watershed Association, Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, and more
  
  FAR Wins Financial Support from State for Education at New Wetland-Stormwater Restoration Project
  ". . . for writing, designing and publishing a high quality Brochure for . . ."
  
  A Major Wetlands Restoration/Storm Water Management Model Project, and Environmental Learning Center for Cambridge and the Massachusetts metropolitan western corridor, covering 8 to 10 acres, by City of Cambridge, Bioengineering Group, MWH Inc., Mass Water Resources Authority and SEA construction and Friends of Alewife Reservation.
  Lists the 22 project pages
  
  FAR Wins Priority Status with State Wetland Restoration Program (WRP) of Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM) for 10 Acre Central Marsh Restoration in Cambridge and Belmont
  "FAR is seeking conservation-minded partners who will work with non-profits, state agencies and the Bulfinch Company affiliate BHX to restore . . ."
  
  Cambridge Storm Water Basin-Restoration Plans Move Forward for Wildlife and Communities of Cambridge, Arlington, Belmont, Somerville and Metropolitan Boston
  "An amazing wetland Model for New England by the city of Cambridge and MWRA correlates with the state DCR Master Plan for Alewife . . ."
  
  
• Mass: Alewife wetlands model in the making
  "At Alewife, over 68,000 plants have been chosen as appropriate to existing ecosystems . . ."
  
  
• Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Restructures its System and Adds Personnel
  - Link to October 19, 2004 DCR PowerPoint file.
  
  
• Belmont Conservation Commission
  - Dec. 3, 2003 natural resources letter to the Belmont Selectmen
  ". . . The Uplands parcel is a significant part of the Alewife Green Corridor and Reservation, and is a resource not just for Belmont, but for the whole region including Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville . . ."
  
  
• New residential planning
  - Conceptual conservation restriction plan map - Belmont Uplands
  
  
• New residential planning
  - Conceptual conservation restriction plan map - Belmont Uplands
  
  
• Wetlands Protection Act
  Order of Conditions Ruling - Belmont Conservation Commission ". . . The project is denied because . . ."
  
  
• Environmental Justice Policy - Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
  Massachusetts - 2002

• FAR Thanks and calls on DCR to do Right by Ecosystems of Alewife Reservation
  February 2, 2008
  ". . . These are serious problems for the new Master Plan, and FAR is hoping to talk to the DCR. Worst of all is the culvert problem . . ."
  
  
• Forest campaigns updated by FAR president, Ellen Mass
  December 12, 2007
  ". . . the Commission's verdict, which could be overturned further at the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection. The public may have to appeal if the DEP overturns the Belmont decision . . ."
  
  
• Resolution - Preserving and Protecting Belmont Silver Maple Forest
  May 31, 2007
  ". . . THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ward 6 Democratic Committee supports the efforts of the plaintiffs in Civil Action to preserve the Belmont Uplands; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that . . ."
  
  
• Springtime at Alewife Reservation
  May 27, 2007
  "Purchase of the forested Uplands is getting a bit more powerful support from the state house, but a long shot. The Havern bill with Route 2 moratorium, is now back in circulation with the backing of regional Rep. Will Brownsberger and Robert Havern, Arlington."
  
  
• Hope remains for the Uplands - Cambridge Chronicle letter
  April 25, 2007
  ". . . The recent Chronicle coverage of the statehouse version of the Tidelands Hearing hardly covered the public concern and we viewed its outcome differently . . ."
  
  
• Will Corruption Flood the town of Belmont, Massachusetts?
  added to website March 31, 2007
  "There are many reasons to deny the Uplands Housing Project to J. Brian O'Neill Properties, but there is another special reason, not yet addressed until the present . . ."
  
  
• Affordable Housing - Not addressed by 40B in Massachusetts
  March 19, 2007
  ". . . Our organization, The Coalition for the Reform of 40B, agrees that more oversight and regulation reform is necessary . . ."
  
  
• Residents Sue over Uplands
  March 9, 2007
  ". . . If sewage and stormwater at Winn Brook's Little Pond affects the entire Town, says Owner Defendents, the Plaintiffs do not have a case. But if they affect only Winn brook, then they have legal grounds . . ."
  
  
• Fifteen Winn Brook neighbors, Coalition to Protect the Belmont Uplands and Winn Brook Neighbhorhood, and Friends of Alewife Reservation Inc. Submit Civil Action Suit
  through Environmental Attorney of Boston, Thomas B. Bracken.
  [file requires Flash]
  March 7, 2007
  ". . . Despite its own findings of adverse impacts of the development which could not be adequately mitigated by conditions, the Board issued a decision which is not in compliance with relevant laws, HAC Regulations and Guidelines, and the Board's own Comprehensive Permit Rules and Regulations . . ."
  
  
• Civil Action Law Suit Filed in Behalf of Silver Maple Forest by Attorney Thomas B. Bracken
  Major Environmental Suit in New England Filed in Behalf of Forest and Watershed Protection
  ". . . The Suit charges the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals and Cambridge Partners II LLC of exceeding their permitting authority . . ."
  
  
• FAR President speaks to The Alewife News about preserving the Uplands.
  Jan. 16, 2007
  "The leader of the local group fighting the preserve the Alewife Reservation and its environs spoke at the Dec. 14 contributors meeting held at back table at the Porter Square Books store . . ."
  
  
• Belmont speaks out for Uplands, January 3, last public opportunity
  Jan. 10, 2007
  ". . . Some residents of Belmont had a lot to say at their final opportunity to contribute to the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing . . ."
  ". . . Chairman Bill Chin . . . said the board would hear first from residents who had not spoken at prior meetings . . ."
  
  
• Letter for Protection of the Belmont Uplands, Order of Conditions
  added to website Jan. 11, 2007
  ". . . Prior to receipt of a permit for the proposed project, the Proponent shall undertake no work which would negatively affect the Uplands site without . . ."
  
  
• Public given Four days to prepare response to Order of Conditions, prepared by developer - not ZBA
  Jan. 11, 2007
  ". . . This could be grounds for denial . . ."
  
  
• Deny the permit for development at the Uplands -- answer to Waivers/Order of Conditions
  Jan. 11, 2007
  ". . . Belmont's reputation as the Town of Homes will go down the drain and housing values will plummet . . ."
  
  
• More Order of Conditions in Behalf of Belmont Uplands Preservation
  Jan. 7, 2007
  ". . . it is the responsibility of the Board to assess current and potential future Town issues that may have negative impact on the community as a result of O'Neill 40B . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Neighbors and FAR demand Environmental Justice
  Dec. 29, 2006
  ". . . Something of far greater value was taken: a certain confidence in the hearts and minds of Winn Brook and Little Pond residents that those in positions of leadership in the town would protect their interests over the financially driven demands of an aggressive developer . . ."
  
  
• Poem: Plea to save Uplands
  Dec. 27, 2006
  ". . . written in defense of saving the Belmont Uplands silver maple forest . . ."
  
  
• FAR Board stands strong on pathway link up between Mystic River, Arlington, Somerville, Cambridge and Belmont Lexington and Bedford
  added to website Dec. 18, 2006
  ". . . biking and passive recreation connections to Arlington-Somerville-Cambridge and Belmont will also improve life in our crowded western metropolitan corridor . . ."
  
  
• Arlington Pans Once Again Uplands Development
  Dec. 6, 2006
  ". . . The Arlington Redevelopment Board (Planning Board for the Town of Arlington) has serious concern about the planned 299 unit residential development, technically in Belmont, but accessed only through Arlington or Cambridge . . ."
  
  
• Protect us from Uplands Mess
  Nov. 22, 2006
  ". . . After reading Cassie Norton's coverage of the last open public meeting of the ZBA, I am appalled at the public conduct and persona of Mr. Chin. I am an original member of the Uplands Study Committee and an abutter of Little Pond . . ."
  
  
• Focus on O'Neill Properties
  Nov. 22, 2006
  ". . . Cassie Norton's article, "Angry residents question ZBA" [Nov. 9, Page 1] minimizes the concerns of unhappy attendees at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Nov. 1 . . ."
  
  
• Winn Brook Neighborhood Coalition created
  Oct. 24, 2006
  ". . . thrust was a 'fight back' for neighborhood rights and watershed requirements . . ."
  
  
• FAR speaks out on Bulfinch second phase Master Plan
  July 7, 2006
  ". . . We are pleased to reply to a report that notes, "The intent of the Master Plan is to establish a new built environment more compatible with the environmental resources so important in this area of Cambridge." . . ."
  
  
• Rampant Misuse of Low Income Housing law in Massachusetts
  Critiqued by 40B Massachusetts Coalition leader
  ". . . It appears that the agencies and organizations responsible for the administration, funding, authorizing and monitoring of 40B projects have, to the detriment of the towns involved, been less than appropriate and lack due diligence . . ."
  
  
• Map — Public Protest in Belmont Against Uplands Development
  Zoning Board meeting
  May 31, 2006
  "A strong groundswell of public testimony and protest in behalf of preserving the silver maple forest at Alewife Reservation was presented last night at Belmont Town Hall . . ."
  
  
• Urgent Public Response Needed on Belmont Uplands
  May 26, 2006
  Uplands Alternative Group Stands Strong on a "NO" to development.
  Public Building Moratorium Support Requested: Senate Bill 1909 Requests Environmental Study.
  
  
• The Cost of Affordable Housing
  2003
  Jon Witten, Tufts Environmental professor and attorney teacher at Boston College makes the case for appropriate affordable housing. He is presently (May 2006) studying the Uplands case.
  
  
• Uplands testing on Acorn Park Drive
  With photos by Don Bockler and with letter to Belmont Conservation Commission, on activity in buffer zone, from O'Neill attorney.
  
  
• Senate and House Havern Bill 1909 may save the Uplands from ruthless clear cutting
  "Study bill of hydrology, flooding, traffic, and a dedicated lane will bring careful environmental scrutiny to the severe problems on the northwest corridor . . .
  Now is the time to pass 2005 Senate Bill 1909 . . . Here are the ones to call and advocate with. Your opinion counts."
  
  
• Partnering to Preserve the Alewife Reservation
  May 12, 2006
  ". . . DCR has let it be known, on many occasions, that Alewife Reservation is not a priority in the park system; thus, it may be helpful for them to have university and agency partnerships, whereby projects such as invasive study and removal could be initiated and areas could be preserved . . ."
  
  
• Statement before Executive Committee of the Cambridge Democratic City Committee - April 27, 2006
  ". . . Be it resolved that the Cambridge Ward 6 Democratic City Committee request that the Cambridge City Council resolve to oppose the Belmont 40B Project . . ."
  
  
• FAR to Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals - March 3, 2006
  Includes attachments on: Science, Improvements at Alewife, News Articles, Reports and Resolutions, Maps
  
  
• 40 B attorney consultation needed for preservation of rare forest and core of Alewife Reservation
  April 23, 2004
  Michael Baram, Esq.
  ". . . the foregoing comments may be helpful. I urge the Town to retain an attorney with 40B expertise as soon as possible."
  
  
• Alternative Plan to O'Neill's Housing Proposal for the Belmont Uplands
  April 12, 2004
  Michael Baram, Esq.
  ". . . I believe that the Alternative Plan is feasible on economic, political and legal grounds. Further, it is supported by many organizations and individuals in Belmont and neighboring communities as a creative and fair compromise between competing interests."
  
  
• On the Chopping Block
  by Kathleen Regan and Ellen Mass, Belmont Citizen-Herald - submitted for February 16, 2006 issue
  "Approximately 40 percent of the 13 acre Belmont Uplands silver maple forest is proposed for removal, a stand that makes up the only forested area of the Alewife Reservation, binding wetland to upland, and providing an ideal environment for plants, animals and birds . . ."
  
  
• Paving paradise to put up a 40B?
  by Sally Alcorn, Belmont Citizen-Herald - February 9, 2006
  "The 40B apartment complex for the Belmont Uplands proposed by O'Neill Properties is at a critical stage
  . . . Despite consistent opposition to O'Neill's plans by the Uplands Advisory Committee (the panel of experts appointed by the Belmont selectmen two years ago to study the impact of developing the Uplands), O'Neill has so far refused to consider any land swaps or "smart growth" alternatives that would save most of this wild area."
  
  
• Ecological overview - Belmont Uplands and Alewife Reservation
  - an important report, prepared for FAR, for use by the town of Belmont and other groups replying to the 40 B filing - Feb. 2006
  
  
• Talk to ZBA about Uplands
  " . . . The Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and other town departments will weigh in with written comments, but it is imperative that citizens respond as well . . ." - Belmont Citizen-Herald
  
  
• Letters to Belmont Uplands Advisory Group And Local Legislators
  with addresses and background information
  ". . . Belmont Uplands 40 B Comprehensive Permit Application . . . FAR will be responding to the 40 B filing but you will need to write letters if you want environmental issues to be taken seriously . . ."
  
  
• Muskrat Marsh Restoration Project Team requests Belmont Uplands Advisory Committee wait for any plans while study is being made of the area
  — May 10, 2005
  ". . . we ask you to take the following request into consideration from our technical working team in the adjacent wetlands, composed of scientists and engineers and volunteers from around the state of Massachusetts . . ."
  
  
• Proposal for support from Department of Conservation and Recreation ("DCR") for adding Belmont/Cambridge (Massachusetts) Uplands to the Alewife Reservation
  — April 6, 2005 (draft)
  ". . . we respectfully ask DCR to make the acquisition of the Uplands a priority for the following reasons: (a) the new data accentuates the severity of the flooding problem, (b) the affected municipalities are cooperating under the Joint Powers Agreement, and (c) essential improvements to the Alewife Reservation are planned, such as implementation of the Alewife Master Plan and the restoration of the Central Marsh through the CZM and FAR and the construction of the wetland basin by Cambridge/MWRA . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Uplands Editorial Update Fighting to Preserve the Belmont Silver Maple Forest
  - Ellen Mass
  "Spring is here but the news concerning preservation of the Belmont Uplands is far from victorious. In fact, permission from Mass Housing Development has been given to . . ."
  
  
• Flooding, Sewers May Limit Uplands Plans
  Meg Muckenhoupt, Belmont Citizens Forum
  "Although O'Neill Properties has recently passed one state requirement for developing the Uplands, flooding and faulty sewers may yet derail the project . . ."
  
  
• Uplands Progress Stalls with the Board of Selectmen - Who responds to 40B? article
  ". . . the lack of a definite proposal has not stopped town officials from working on their response to the proposal . . ."
  
  
• Uplands Critical to Local Wildlife
  Ellen Mass, Boston Globe, Globe NorthWest
  ". . . The uplands is the core of the reservation, according to state environmental assessments . . ."
  
  
• Hazardous Results of Environmental Funding Cuts in Massachusetts - Excerpt from and link to February 21, 2005 Boston Globe article
  "Massachusetts was once a favorite of the national environmental movement . . ."
  
  
• Mass Development ok's Silver Maple forest clear-cutting at Belmont Uplands
  • Uplands Advisory Committee status report by Frederick S. Paulsen, Chair
    ". . . there is much that we can do to deal with this latest development, and we, as citizens, must engage creatively and forcefully in that task . . ."
    
    
  • Letter / Commentary by Frederick S. Paulsen, Chair, Uplands Advisory Committee
    ". . . I want to comment specifically on
    1. Selectman Angelo Firenze response "that there doesn't appear much the Town can do to stop the project," and
    2. the Belmont Citizen Herald accompanying editorial, that "it looks like housing is going to be built at the Uplands, and it might come soon."  . . ."
    
    
  • Belmont Citizen Herald article
    www2.townonline.com/belmont/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=187447
    State OKs housing at Alewife, By Arthur Katz / Correspondent, Thursday, February 17, 2005
    
    
• DEP memo details cost of cuts
  Excerpt from and link to February 9, 2005 Boston Globe article
  ". . . severe budget cuts have forced the agency to curtail its search for hazardous waste sites . . ."
  
  
• Challenges Begin to Governor Romney's Park Policies
  ". . . Park System Underfunded . . . Kathy Abbott Leaves DCR . . . From Friends of the Middlesex Fells . . ."
  
  
• Bulfinch consultants respond to Conservation Commission and other organizational and individual comment letters and reports - prepared in response to the Conservation Commission's August 26, 2004 summary of Comments and Questions
  ". . . The following is prepared in response to the Conservation Commission’s August 26, 2004 summary of Comments and Questions. The responses are provided in the same order in which the comments and questions were submitted. . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Citizen Forum responds on Bulfinch — Traffic and flood emphasis - letter to MEPA
  ". . . we recommend that MEPA require a supplementary filing with additional information, including a serious alternatives analysis and significant mitigation proposals . . ."
  
  
• Alewife proposal good for city, environment - Bulfinch - letter in Boston Globe, from Ellen Mass, President Friends of Alewife Reservation
  ". . . It seems from Christine McConville's article "Old fears cloud new vision for A.D. Little site" (Globe NorthWest, Aug. 22) very few are getting it right in regard to Alewife and what the area is all about . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Uplands and Discovery Park Developments - Bulfinch - letter to Secretary, Office for Commonwealth Development, from Sierra Club, Massachusetts Chapter, Deborah Holt, Member, Greater Boston Group Executive Committee
  ". . . The Sierra Club supports the 12-month moratorium requested by the Town of Belmont's Uplands Advisory Committee . . ."
  
  
• Proposed Extension to CSO Variance for Alewife Brook and the Upper Mystic - letter to DEP CSO Coordinator, from Mystic River Watershed Association
  ". . . In keeping with the Clean Water Act's directive to protect and restore waterways, MyRWA's ultimate expectation is that CSOs will be eliminated entirely . . ."
  
  
• Mystic River Watershed Association - Bulfinch - Notice of Intent (NOI) comments - letter to Executive Office of Environmental Affairs / MEPA Office, from Mystic River Watershed Association
  ". . . The poor water quality and flooding problems that plague the Alewife area have been well-documented and are the result of many poor land use planning decisions in the past . . ."
  
  
• Cambridge Discovery Park, EOEA #13312 - Bulfinch - Environmental Notification Form - letter to Executive Office of Environmental Affairs / MEPA Unit, from Elsie C. Fiore
  "I am a member of the East Arlington Good Neighbor Committee, Coalition for Alewife and the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA). I also am an elected Town Meeting Member (Prec. 2) in Arlington and former member and Chairman of the Arlington Conservation Commission.
  
  Although I work with and share goals with the above groups, this letter is being written by me as an individual . . ."
  
  
• Bulfinch - DEP File #: 123-0180, Cambridge Discovery Park, Acorn Park Road - Notice of Intent (NOI) - letter to Cambridge Conservation Commission from Mary L. White
  ". . . As an environmental compliance manager, I especially concur with the assessment that this is a rare wetland restoration opportunity for the city of Cambridge and the region . . ."
  
  
• Bulfinch ENF comments for use and submitting by FAR - information from Stewart Sanders
  ". . . There are positive features to the proposal . . . There are negative features to the proposal . . ."
  
  
• Bulfinch - DEP File #: 123-0180, Cambridge Discovery Park, Acorn Park Road - Notice of Intent (NOI) - letter to Cambridge Conservation Commission from Ellen Mass
  ". . . FAR has studied these development in this NOI closely and feel that the Alewife Reservation, a largely unique ecosystem in the Boston metropolitan region, must be examined within its watershed . . ."
  
  
• MDC Alewife Master Plan
  - summary of the strong and weak points
  
  
• FAR responds to Wetlands Protection Act
  - letter to Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP)
  
  
• Belmont and Cambridge MA apply for 319 Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) grant
  Little Pond Region Nonpoint Source Remediation Project
  
  
• Comments on the Belmont Uplands 40B
  letter to MassDevelopment
  
  
• Belmont Uplands developer fails to file a "notice of Project Change"
  letter to Belmont Selectmen
  
  
• Belmont Alternative Group responds to 40 B Housing proposal.
  One of three development proposals now proceeding forward in Belmont.
  
  
• Alternative Plan to O'Neill's Housing Proposal for the Belmont Uplands
  - letter to Belmont Planning Board & Board of Selectmen from Michael Baram, Esq.
  ". . . Will the Alternative Plan help meet the Town's needs and goals?
  Will the Alternative Plan be an economically reasonable venture for O'Neill?
  Will the state provide the site for the Alternative Plan? . . ."
  
  
• Smart Growth and Sustainable Development Principles
  - for Belmont Planning Board meeting, April 13, 2004 - James Graves, former president, Belmont Citizens Forum
  
  
• Alternative Site to the Uplands
  - letter to Joseph Barrell, Chairman, Planning Board, by creator of Town Open Space Report In Belmont
  
  
• Alternative Site to the Uplands
  - letter to Belmont Selectmen
  
  
• Audubon Habitat in Belmont stands firm on value of forested uplands
  - from Roger Wrubel - February 3, 2004 - published in The Belmont Citizen Herald as an OP ED piece
  
  

Draft Environmental Impact Report - Belmont Office/R&D Building / Silver Maple Forest - Responses

To find out about the need to preserve our urban forests . . .
www.state.ma.us/dem/programs/forestry/service/index.htm
Please go to this web site and bring us more information.
An environmental gift prize will be offered to anyone who can send a not-yet-presented scientific fact useful to making a case for preserving the silver maple forest. Send your fact to info@friendsofalewifereservation.org. Include your name and address - gift will be sent.

For more information on urban forests, you can also contact
the Service Forester with the state's public forestry agency, the Department of Environmental Management, at 978 369-3350.
This will put you in touch with DEM's Service Forester who covers Cambridge, Belmont, and Somerville, and many other communities north of Boston - whose job is to provide "house-call" level of assistance or to serve as a free-of-charge "first-responder" to people or communities with an interest in forestland.

Essential technical information about the Belmont Uplands
Materials useful to help save the Belmont Uplands, Silver Maple Forest.

Recent additions to the Image Collections slide show — Silver Maples In the Urban Wild
— 4 paintings by Sarah Leon.

• Muskrat Marsh Maps
  added to website March 13, 2008
  "Vegetative mapping of the 10 acre Muskrat Marsh and surrounding tree groves . . ."
  
  
• Public protected land by Department of Conservation and Recreation
  added to website Jan. 4, 2007
  with Uplands marked
  
  
• Muskrat Marsh study
  - preliminary drafts only - added December 2005 (Images - maps)
  
  
• Spring Progress and Planning for the Restoration Project at the Bulfinch marsh (Image - map with monitoring locations)
  
  
• Community Amenities from Bulfinch and BHX Trust Affiliate
  Concept Plans presented to community reception at Bulfinch Company in September 2004 at Neighbors and Friends reception (map).
  
  
• Map with many features of Alewife Reservation, including entrances
  - accompanies bird house monitoring records
  
  
• Land swap to be proposed for Belmont Uplands
  map, by Belmont Uplands Research Group
  
  

• The River is a Restless Spirit - Life in the floodplain forest
  from Mass Audubon's Sanctuary magazine, March 2006 edition - by Gayle Goddard-Taylor
  ". . . In the northeastern corner of Belmont in the floodplain of the Little River sits a pocket-sized forest made up almost entirely of silver maples. A few of its trees are approaching 150 years of age, relics of . . ."
  
  
• "Astrophysics Center Aids Biodiversity" - from The Harvard Crimson online edition, November 14, 2005
  ". . . The construction of the new Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CFA) building in Alewife will lead to the removal of some nesting places, but also, community activists hope, open up the wetlands to a much broader range of animal and plant species in one of Cambridge’s wildest spaces . . ."
  
  
• "Belmont apartment proposal gets boost" - response to Christine McConville February 24, 2005 Boston Globe article
  "Once again, Christine McConville . . . has written off the Belmont Uplands as worthy conservation land . . ."
  
  
• American Women Conservationists - Twelve Profiles (book)
  - by Madelyn Holmes - published 2004 (FAR is in this book)
  review added February 2, 2005
  
  
• Alewife Arts Mural Project Makes Big City News
  Article in Cambridge Chronicle, August 20, 2003
  Color photos of artist and students, and a perspective and history of the project. Color photos depict students at work.

• Minimal Usage of North side River Pathway
  Nov. 12, 2006
  ". . . The trail as it is now laid out ends at the mouth of the river at Little Pond. As a dead end trail it is unlikely to draw a great deal of human and pet traffic . . ."
  
  
• Community Amenities from Bulfinch and BHX Trust Affiliate
  Concept Plans presented to community reception at Bulfinch Company in September 2004 at Neighbors and Friends reception (map).
  
  
• FAR Wins Priority Status with State Wetland Restoration Program (WRP) of Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM) for 10 Acre Central Marsh Restoration in Cambridge and Belmont
  "FAR is seeking conservation-minded partners who will work with non-profits, state agencies and the Bulfinch Company affiliate BHX to restore . . ."
  
  
• Land swap to be proposed for Belmont Uplands
  map, by Belmont Uplands Research Group
  
  

• Background and Minutes of Meeting regarding Amelia Earhart Dam and related issues February 6, 2008
  ". . . The special concern was to assure that review of dam operating protocols for flood control purposes was part of the study . . ."
  
  
• CSO alert Alewife Brook
  February 1, 2008
  ". . . a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) occurred at CAM401B on February 1, 2008 and discharged into the Alewife Brook . . ."
  
  
• Cambridge Follows National Clean Air - Clean Water
  Second Phase of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Guidelines - begun by US EPA Clean Water-Clean Air Regulations. City Slide Show of 2008 city plans and federal regulations for Cambridge. - March 28, 2007
  
  
• Proposed Concord - Alewife Area Stormwater Management Guidelines
  June 2006
  Hydrology, Requirements for stormwater control and sanitary sewers. References.
  
  
• Going native with plants: A new-old direction for water conservation
  April 18, 2007
  "Native plants are emerging as the new heroes in a growing struggle to deal with climate change . . ."
  
  
• STOP THE ROLLBACK OF TIDELAND PROTECTIONS!
  April 5, 2007
  ". . . Real estate interests are pushing hard to roll back key safeguards for our coastal environment . . ."
  
  
• Belmont applies to DEP for watershed assessment grant
  added to website Jan. 17, 2007
  "Belmont Applies to Assess Little Pond, Blair Pond and Claypit Pond for Future Improvements . . ."
  
  
• Somerville Conservation Commission promotes a clean Alewife watershed
  ". . . The Commission reviews and approves applications for activities that near the waterfront areas of Somerville including the Alewife Brook and the Mystic River . . ."
  
  
• Essentials for Protecting Our Watershed — Proper Disposing of Medication
  Sept. 2006, copyright Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.
  (With Funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
  Brief table of contents, with link to 65-page Adobe Acrobat PDF file.
  
  
• CSO Activation in Alewife Brook
  June 23, 2006
  a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) occurred at CAM401B on June 23, 2006 and discharged into the Alewife Brook.
  
  
• Water quality - Winn’s Brook, Wellington Brook, in Belmont
  Water quality (data table, map, site-info table) Winn’s Brook and Wellington Brook in Belmont — collected by the Mystic River Watershed Association March 28, 2006
  
  
• If You Build It - Constructed wetlands for urban stormwater
  ". . . Wetlands have a lot to offer as a stormwater BMP [best management practice]. Through the storage and gradual release of water, they can reduce flood damage to downstream properties. Within the wetland ecosystem, a variety of processes naturally occur that treats runoff and reduces contaminants . . ."
  
  
• Blair Pond
  • Blair Pond activities
    Photos by Rene Morin, DCR
    Aged native bush, ancient black willow tree, 3 new sugar maples.
    
    
  • Blair Pond Site Visit
    Attending: Jennifer Wright, Cambridge Conservation Commission, Catherine Woodbury, Cambridge Department of Public Works, Glen Clancy, Belmont Community Development, Ellen Mass, FAR, Dan Driscoll, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Stewart Sanders, FAR, Friends of Blair Pond, Lizzie Feigenbaum, Amy Flax and Susan Agger recording notes.
    
    
  • Blair Pond - dumping and emerging mudflats
    Photos, including: Wellington Brook flow problem; City and town make official Blair Pond Site visit with FAR
    
    
• Restoring America's rivers - a model for Alewife
  
  
• Stream Flow Conference
  Notes.
  
  
• Pervious pavement options
  on Cambridge-Belmont bike path, with links to other websites
  
  
• EnviroMapper for Water
  "a Web-based mapping connection to a wealth of water data"
  
  
• Adopt Your Watershed
  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) campaign
  
  
• History of Menotomy River (1600's to 1900's)
  Alewife Brook and Little River
  
  
• In Truro, a dying lake now overflows with life
  Boston Globe article
  
  
• Low Impact Development - minimizing development and its impact on the environment
  With a link to an 80-page guidebook on this website.
  
  
• Winn Brook water quality data
  June 2002 to December 2003
  
  
• Stream water quality in Belmont - including ponds and Alewife area
  The Mystic Monitoring Network
  • Volunteer water quality monitoring group run by the Mystic River Watershed Association
  • Monitoring at Winn's Brook at Little Pond for almost 3 years
  • Shorter, more intensive "hot spot" studies of Winn's Brook, Wellington Brook, and Alewife area.
  • Primary focus on fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria
    
    
• Health hazards in Cambridge and Belmont
  Water testing in the Little River-Alewife Brook subwatershed reveals very high fecal coliform and high chemical counts especially at Wellington Brook
  Mark Kirk of FAR with information from the water quality testing team of the Mystic River Watershed Association. Mystic River Monitoring Network - Libby Larson: Coordinator . . .

• May 7th Photo Bird Sightings by Seamus
  May 8, 2008
  ". . . Our first encounter was with a family of Canada Goose . . ."
  
  
• First spring birding at Alewife Reservation
  March 25, 2008
  ". . . I got my first kingfisher of the year, and accidentally flushed a woodcock . . . I was able to get to Perch Pond . . ."
  
  
• Birder Seamus strolls the Lower Alewife
  February 16, 2008
  ". . . This region known as the Alewife Reservation must have more hawks than anywhere else in America! . . ."
  
  
• Recent Beautiful photos from Seamus Palmer
  February 2, 2008
  ". . . Dark-eyed Juncos . . . many Purple Finches were singing . . . This part of the Alewife consistently hosts birds of many species and numbers . . ."
  
  
• Wildlife Tracking Amazing Update from Dave Brown
  January 2008
  ". . . Once again Alewife surprises with its content of wild mammals. Few would reasonably expect that this tiny urban reservation would harbor such a population of "wilderness species". . . ."
  
  Otter, fisher, grey and red fox, coyote thrive at Alewife
  A supplement to (and on the same web page as) the above report.
  January 2008
  ". . . Red fox . . . E. coyote . . . River otter . . . Gray fox . . . Fisher . . . Bird of prey . . ."
  With map.
  
  
• Birds seen at Alewife
  December 4, 2007
  ". . . Number of species: 20 . . . Discovered wonderful Little River trail . . ."
  
  
• Photos of Alewife Reservation Deer
  September 14, 2007
  ". . . I couldn’t believe it as I came face to face with a full grown Deer . . ."
  
  
• Blair Pond Birding Turns up unusual Sora Rail
  September 24, 2007
  ". . . a sora feeding in the open for 15 minutes. I continue to be amazed how often there is something interesting in this tiny space . . ."
  With photo of sora rail.
  
  
• Bird Sightings at Alewife
  September 21, 2007
  "Twelve birders met at the Alewife Reservation parking lot on Acorn Park Dr. at 7am with leaders Robert Stymeist and Karsten Hartel . . ."
  
  
• More Deer Sightings at Alewife
  July 2007
  by Carol Thrope and by Joe Mal
  
  
• Alewife Birding
  April 26, 2007
  ". . . A Georgia Brown Thrasher- Singing its heart out behind the Alewife T . . . A Brown Thrasher was singing his heart out perched in one of the highest trees near the commuter path but none of the commuters noticed . . ."
  
  
• Snowbirds and deer tracks at Alewife Reservation
  Feb. 23, 2007
  ". . . I felt as though I was in some remote wilderness . . ."
  
  
• Belmont Area birds - Six Years of Birding Observation by David Lange and Menotomy Bird Club
  Dec. 17, 2006
  ". . . Thanks very much for your help on the Greater Boston CBC [Christmas Bird Count]. We found 54 species in Belmont with 1986 individuals not counting the robin roost with 1070 robins this year (405 last year and 2415 three years ago) and 930 starlings . . ."
  
  
• Deer Tracks Identified at Alewife - Sighted by Karsten Hartel, Robert Stymeist, Dave Brown
  Oct. 25 and Nov. 30, 2006
  ". . . David Brown "spotted perhaps a half dozen deer tracks in mud" . . . Robert Stymeist and Karsten Hartel, two outstanding Massachusetts birders, reported to wildlife observers and birding associations of deer tracks in several locations . . ."
  
  
• More Special sightings at Alewife
  added Dec 3, 2006
  "Bob Stymeist has been seeing some pretty neat birds in the Alewife area over the past couple of weeks, so Renee LaFontaine, Alan Ankers and I decided to give it a try today . . ."
  
  
• Alewife Reservation Birding
  Nov. 30, 2006
  ". . . 38 species . . . "
  
  
• Alewife Birding
  Nov. 22, 2006
  ". . . 36 species were seen . . ."
  
  
• Alewife Birding
  October 27, 2006
  ". . . I can add one new species . . ."
  
  
• Alewife Birding
  October 26, 2006
  ". . . Thought Massbirders would like to know about this spot which is especially good for weed loving birds . . ."
• Alewife Birding Yields Impressive Results
  October 18, 2006
  ". . . A total of 40 species . . ."
  
  
• Monarch butterfly at Alewife
  October 9, 2006
  ". . . had some very patient Monarchs to photograph over by Alewife . . ."
  
  
• Birds Sighted - MBC trip
  October 4, 2006
  ". . . 38 species total . . ."
  
  
• Common and Rare Birds Sighted in the Alewife Area
  added Oct. 4, 2006
  ". . . the weather was perfect and 5 of us continued birding the other side of the park finishing up at 10:15 ( 45 species) . . ."
  
  
• Flickers Abound at Muskrat Marsh
  by John Sharp - added October 2, 2006
  "That’s a lot of flickers! Good reason why one should be out & about during migration, expecting to see the unexpected!! . . ."
  
  
• Alewife as Seen by European Visitor
  June 2006
  ". . . If the communities of greater Boston continue with the destruction of natural resources (e.g. Silver Maple Woodland near Little Pond), there will remain an endless monotony of urban structures. You can escape this only by long drives . . ."
  
  
• Alewife bird observations
  by David Cowell - June 11, 2006
  ". . . birded the northern side of Little River for a few hours and tallied the following 40 species . . ."
  
  
• Birth of a Hummingbird
  Link to photos.
  
  
• New Bird Sighted for Biodiversity Inventory - May 17, 2006
  "Last bird walk by Menotomy birder yields a prize of humming bird . . ."
  
  
• Bird observations - April 30, 2006
  ". . . First time I've ever encountered what must be a Killdeer . . ."
  
  
• Bird House Monitoring - April 28, 2006
  ". . . observed pair of american goldfinches, red-winged blackbirds, pair of swans, several canadian geese & robins. opened birdhouses. nest activity evident in both houses . . ."
  
  
• Bird house work
  FAR monitoring plan - provided by Stew Sanders - February 25, 2006
  ". . . added some nests found on last Sat. field trip and hi-lighted March activities for volunteers . . ."
  
  
• High School Science Project Benefits Alewife Reservation
  - by Julia J. Berg, CRLS
  ". . . Our goal was to determine "How human presence (represented by a loud radio and surrounding urban area) affects the bird species population at Alewife Reservation?" . . ."
  
  
• Bird house work
  FAR monitoring plan - provided by Stew Sanders - February 3, 2006
  ". . . times to listen for screech owls to determine if they are courting; some maintenance dates have been changed from Feb. to March; there is a kestrel/screech owl box I had not previously noticed in the Wyeth parcel . . ."
  
  
• Monitoring Alewife in winter - The good and bad news
  by Robert Stymeitz of Mass Birds
  "The Robin roost was estimated at just 485 birds and NO Starlings, this is the lowest # at Alewife. I don't know if that new building has anything to do with it . . ."
  
  
• Monitoring plans for summer 2005
  by Stewart Sanders
  Volunteers needed NOW! Contact Stewart Sanders ssandbird@yahoo.com
  
  
• Unusual species sighting: Fisher (Martes pennanti) in the Muskrat Marsh and Alewife Reservation
  19 May 2005, 10:25 AM - by David C. Morimoto, PhD
  ". . . A large mustelid proceeded to cross directly in front of my car (approximately 50 feet away . . ."
  
  
• Disappearance of Alewives - Research Proposals - possible Improvements
  preliminary analysis by Stewart Sanders and Ralph Chang
  ". . . (1) hypotheses about why the Alewife Herring population has steadily declined, resulting in no observed Alewives by us in 2004, as well as (2) some discussion of the evidence and (3) preliminary proposals for research about conditions and pollutants that have negatively impacted . . ."
  
  
• In Truro, a dying lake now overflows with life
  Boston Globe article
  
  
• Woes for Alewives - Alewife Spawning at Little Pond
  "Stew Sanders has reported that there are no alewives this spring or summer at Little Pond's Winn Brook for the first time since his monitoring of 30 years."
  
  
• Stinkpot (Common Musk Turtle) - next to Claypit Pond, Belmont
  ". . . I have never heard of this species being in the local waters . . ."
  Information and photo from James Burnham.
  
  
• Grey fox killed in vicinity of Reservation on Route 2
  photo
  
  
• Blair Pond fauna sightings
  ". . . wild turkey . . . turtles . . . horned owl . . . coyotes . . ."
  
  
• Correcting misinformation going around about coyote
  ". . . The Alewife coyote are vital predators . . ."
  
  
• Herring monitoring plan and information for volunteers
  
  
• Bird house monitoring records with map of the Reservation - May 26, 2004
  
  
• Photo of great horned owl in silver maple forest added to Images slide show - photo by Michael Arnott
  
  
• Recent beaver activity - Little River
  - by Michael Arnott
  ". . . I saw the stump of a freshly beaver-cut sapling . . ."
  
  
• River Otters in Cambridge
  - by Michael Arnott
  ". . . I was amazed to find these unique, semi-aquatic mammals living wild in the City of Cambridge . . ."
  
  
• Bird observing in the Alewife Reservation
  - from First Parish Environmental Group Project
  ". . . our biggest delight was this big Red Tailed Hawk that swooped down onto the lamppost . . ."
  
  
• Bird house monitoring
  Three pages: work maintenance, records, and plans.
  
  
• Draft Alewife herring monitoring plan
  Who does what, when, and why
  
  
• Turtle Nesting at Alewife
  With map. Jerry Shine, Wildlife Conservation Magazine (added September 29, 2003)
  
  

• Cambridge High School Teacher Has High Hopes for Alewife Reservation and DCR Improvements
  added to website February 27, 2008
  "The Alewife reservation is an invaluable resource for Cambridge Public Schools students . . . Over the past four years students have participated in field studies utilizing the reservation for activities such as . . ."
  
  
• New face to FAR - New Task Force members
  added to website February 25, 2008
  
  
• Organization's Activities and Accomplishments - FAR Annual Meeting slideshow
  (3MB PowerPoint file) - January 31, 2008
  
  
• Wild Plants I Have Known... and Eaten
  a book by Russ Cohen, illustrations by Stephanie Letendre
  added to website May 26, 2007
  ". . . where and when to forage, related conservation issues, foraging with children, safety concerns, and foraging etiquette . . . where and when to find each plant, how to identify the plants . . ."
  
  
• Demography, Useage and Suggestions Survey - Alewife Reservation
  added to website April 3, 2007
  Residence, Use, Destination, Frequency, Changes, Pathway preference, Preference for wildlife refuge, What they would do.
  
  
• Posters of the Alewife Arts Mural
  available to purchase, ". . . primarily of the western end of the Reservation . . ."
  
  
  
• Alewife Arts Mural Project
  - summaries of and links to background information - updated October 18, 2004 with photos of workmen at MBTA putting up panels before dedication
  
  
• Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to put bulletin board / sign up at Blair Pond
  Part of Master Plan. Photos.
  
  
• Alewife Reservation's meadows mowed for restorative measures
  to enhance native vegetation and diminish invasive species
  With photos.
  
  
• Classroom environmental programs - California Redwood Forest musician, Andy Barnett
  Andy was the MC of Springtime Celebration at the Belmont Uplands for FAR.
  With a link to a flyer suitable for printing.
  
  
• FAR success — canoeing upstream to Little Pond - Mural art students canoe on Little River
  Participants from Cambridge were: Anika Ahlberg, Chris Ayube and Christina Groeger. Somerville youth were: Deja Williams, Sidia Lecell , Cotyia Gomes, Jesse Almanzar.
  
  
• Stream Team materials page
  Link to Center For Watershed Protection: Manual and How To Manage A Watershed materials.