Today’s Gazette features a brief mention of our campaign to preserve wetlands buffer zones (“Group campaigns for wetlands”) and a letter from Jim Levey of Northampton, “Proposed wetlands measure deserves everyone’s support”. Mr. Levey believes our positions are “not based on fact”… I support the proposed wetlands ordinance, a culmination of over two years’ work […]
Wetlands
EPA: Threats to Wetlands
In September 2001, the EPA published “Threats to Wetlands” (PDF) to encourage conservation. We reproduce excerpts here, emphasizing some passages with red type. While the national rate of wetlands loss has slowed since the 1970s, Northampton threatens to go against this trend with its proposed wetlands ordinance. This ordinance invites developers to encroach as close […]
Northampton Circulates Revised Wetlands Ordinance Ahead of October 4 Vote
The City of Northampton has released the current version of the proposed Wetlands Ordinance. We reprint it below. This version incorporates amendments approved at the first reading of the ordinance before City Council on September 20. The Council voted 7-2 to approve the ordinance as amended. The second and final reading will take place at the City […]
Press Release: Northampton, MA Citizens Campaign to Protect Their Urban Wetlands, Prevent Flooding; 16,978 Postcards Mailed to Voters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEmail info@northassoc.org for more informationNorthampton, MA Citizens Campaign to Protect Their Urban Wetlands, Prevent FloodingCitizens of Northampton, MA are campaigning to preserve the buffer zones around the city’s urban wetlands from development. Northampton has a proud tradition of environmental stewardship and sustainable growth, but on October 4, Northampton’s City Council plans to vote […]
New York Times: “Beneath Booming Cities, China’s Future Is Drying Up”
China offers a vision of what can happen when water resources are not respected in a drive for growth. Today’s New York Times reports: Water pollution is so widespread that regulators say a major incident occurs every other day. Municipal and industrial dumping has left broad sections of many rivers “unfit for human contact…”A century or […]
Greenfield Conservation Commission Declines to Weigh in on City’s Bid to Ease Wetlands Restrictions
Wednesday’s Republican reports: The Conservation Commission last night voted not to take a position on the city’s bid to ease wetlands restrictions to facilitate development.“I don’t think we should get involved … We’re supposed to be neutral,” commission member Charles N. Koch said…The proposals come from the city Planning Department, and specifically from Marlene Marrocco, […]
Millions of Dollars of Property Outside the Official Floodplain Vulnerable to Localized Flooding
As reported in today’s Sunday Republican, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission invites the public to review a Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for Northampton (PDF) as well as plans for other valley municipalities.We believe Northampton’s proposed wetlands ordinance, by inviting developers to encroach as close as 10 feet to wetlands in our more populous districts, goes against the goals of […]
NSNA on Conservation Commission Agenda for September 27
The North Street Neighborhood Association is on the Conservation Commission’s agenda for September 27. The meeting begins at 5:30pm. Our portion will begin around 7:00pm. We will make our case to the commission that urban residents need and deserve the same benefits from wetlands and their buffer zones–especially flood protection–as do more outlying residents.We invite […]
How to Amend the Wetlands Ordinance to Make It Less Harmful to Wards 1-4
It is unfortunate and unnecessary that some people seem to believe it’s acceptable to degrade the quality of life and increase the flooding risk of in-town residents in order to preserve open space in the outlying areas. The environment and safety of all parts of Northampton deserve respect.NSNA has called attention for some time now to […]
Breaking News: Council Approves New Wetlands Ordinance 7-2 on First Reading
After nearly two hours of debate between Northampton’s City Councilors, the Council voted 7-2 to approve the proposed new wetlands ordinance with some minor amendments. Councilor-At-Large Jim Dostal and Ward 7 Councilor Ray LaBarge voted against the ordinance.The ordinance must undergo a second reading, presumably at the next City Council meeting on October 4. The next fourteen […]