March 28, 2024

35 Foot Preservation Zone By law

Posted

I would like to address two well written articles in the February issue of the Reporter by Katy Rouke and Lisa Sirois. They along with other Rehoboth citizens have submitted a citizens bylaw for the May Annual Town Meeting. The importance of passing this Bylaw cannot be overstated. Wetlands are natural sponges, absorbing rainfall, slowly releasing the water into our streams and aquifers. This sponge action also slows the effects of flooding during periods of torrential rainfall.

As Ms. Rourke points out, this is crucial to our local farms, helping to ensure sufficient water in the ponds and streams when irrigation is necessary during dry periods, which are happening more frequently due to climate change. As Ms Sirois points out, the wetlands, by absorbing the water during heavy periods of rain lessens the possibility of flooding.

The Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act (WPA) although a very good law, allows work in the 100 foot buffer zone right up to the wetland edge. Protecting the wetlands any further is up to the individual towns through bylaws. Why allowing work up to the wetland edge is a problem is because the increased sunlight can dry out and change the plant species along the edge. This lessons the benefits of the wetlands. There is also an increased chance altering the wetlands through siltation. The major reason for working up to the wetland edge is to have a large lawn. This increases the chances of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers having a negative impact to the abutting wetlands. A no touch or disturb zone filters out the fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides before they reach the wetlands.

As Ms. Sirois points out, many of the surrounding towns now recognize the need to protect the wetlands, enacting no touch, disturb or wetland preservation zones of their own.

An important note; I am the Chairman of the Rehoboth Conservation Commission, however, the final Warrant Article has not been shown to the Commission yet, so the members have not voted to endorse or not endorse the Article. The above article is my opinion only as a person who was appointed to the Commission in 2000 and has seen first hand what happens to unprotected wetlands.

Again, I cannot overstate the importance of passing this Bylaw.

Sincerely,
Robert Materne
Rehoboth

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