To the Editor: 

I am writing on behalf of the Massachusetts Chapter of Native Fish Coalition (NFC) to express concerns over the potential zoning changes to the 963 acres in the Glen Charlie Road area. NFC is a grassroots, donor-funded, all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and restoration of wild native fish.  

Red Brook is one of the last remaining streams in Massachusetts with wild native sea-run brook trout or salters. These unique fish live and spawn in freshwater, but move into Buttermilk Bay to feed and seek thermal refuge. Once found from Canada to Long Island, salter populations in the U.S. have been greatly reduced due to dams, development, agriculture, pollution, nonnative fish introductions, state-sponsored stocking, and angler exploitation. Red Brook is also important to American eels and river herring, the latter of which are important forage for a host of saltwater fish, including striped bass.  

While much of the land adjacent to Red Brook is protected, large-scale commercial development in its headwaters could threaten the stream and Buttermilk Bay. The development would likely result in increased demand for groundwater, which could reduce the amount of water in the springs and seepages that feed Red Brook, putting the ecosystem at risk. We are also concerned that trenches, roads, parking areas, and rooftops could increase pollution-carrying (fertilizer, petrol-chemicals, auto fluids, salt, etc.) run-off and alter the flow of water into the aquifer, Red Brook, and Buttermilk Bay.  

Over the past decade or so, state agencies, non-profits, and volunteers have invested countless hours and dollars into the restoration of Red Brook, making it the premier and best-known sea-run brook trout stream in the nation. Unfortunately, Massachusetts recently lost the wild native sea-run brook trout in nearby Santuit River to a combination of events, including the construction of a large development and golf course adjacent to the river.

NFC is not against development. It’s just that the proposed location for this development has too many potential water- and fish-related consequences.   

Please vote No on Article #1 at the April 10th Special Town Meeting.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Dalton Jr., Chair, Massachusetts Chapter of Native Fish Coalition