December 2007
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In This Issue
Coalition Demands Open and Public Dialogue on Bay Development
Generous Gifts of Land to Protect Drinking Water
It's Not Too Late to Give the Gift of Saving Buzzards Bay
CBB in the News
Mark RasmussenCoalition Demands Open and Public Dialogue on Bay Development -
Not Backroom Politics

The letter below appeared in the
Op Ed page of the
December 14, 2007 New Bedford Standard-Times

In their December 1st Op-Ed piece in the Standard Times, Developer Jay Cashman and John DeVillars say that they want a "vigorous debate" about offshore wind energy in Buzzards Bay. But their support for an eleventh-hour, secret amendment to the state Ocean Sanctuaries Act in the House of Representatives suggests that an informed, vigorous 'debate' is the last thing that they want.

The Ocean Sanctuaries Act is one of the core legal protections for Buzzards Bay. It prohibits a long-list of potentially harmful activities and additional waste discharges. It also prohibits energy development. Ever wonder why there are no drilling platforms off our coast? Or why there is so little industrial waste discharged into Buzzards Bay? In large measure, you can thank the Ocean Sanctuaries Act.

By pushing for a last-minute amendment to the House Clean Energy bill, Mr. Cashman is asking us to remove the Ocean Sanctuaries Act prohibition against wind development before any of the environmental issues facing such a project in Buzzards Bay have been adequately studied... Read more here

Photo: Mark Rasmussen, Executive Director, The Coalition for Buzzards Bay
Red Barn FarmGenerous Gifts of Land to Protect Drinking Water

Drinking water in Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett, and parts of Fairhaven, has a couple of very good and generous friends in Christine Gaumont and Russ Keeler.   These two conservation-minded, Rochester land-owners through their contribution of conservation restrictions have increased the amount of protected land that feeds the Mattapoisett River aquifer by 67 acres.

Russ Keeler, a long-term Coalition volunteer (River Flow Monitor and Watershed Ride Cyclist), and his wife, Wendy, wanted to be sure their vision for their property was preserved for generations to come.  This 60 acre parcel contains an amazing variety of habitat from forested wetlands and fields to three vernal pools.  The decision to protect this land known as Red Barn Farm on Vaughan Hill Road not only helped to protect drinking water but will also play a critical role in maintaining the region's biodiversity as it is considered "Core Habitat" by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program... Read more here

Photo: The 60-acre Red Barn Farm contains an amazing variety of habitat, from forested wetlands and fields to three vernal pools.
It's Not Too Late to Give the Gift of Saving Buzzards Bay


holiday water bottlesVisit our online store today and check out the variety of gifts available for the bay-lover on your list. Or make it easy on yourself and give a gift to the Annual Fund for the Bay in honor of a friend or associate.


Call Donna Cobert at 508-999-6363, x209 to place your order by phone in time.
CBB in the News
Much of the Coalition's work puts us at the forefront of the region's top environmental issues. Here are a few recent stories that mention our efforts.

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