Scientists Warn the Cambridge City Council: The City has Much to Lose if
the Silver Maple Forest is Developed
Four scientists presented current research into the value of the floodplain
Silver Maple Forest to the Health and the Environment committee of the
Cambridge City Council, stressing its economic benefit in preventing and
mitigating flooding as well as its impacts on urban human health. Council
Leland Cheung convened this special hearing on the Silver Maple Forest at 3:00
pm on October 28th, in front of a packed room of concerned citizens. EkOngKar
Singh Khalsa, Mystic River Watershed Association Executive Director, stressed
the important role of the Silver Maple Forest and similar open space in prevent
flooding and in particular reducing sewer discharge and its damaging impacts
on homes and human health. Bruce L. Jacobs, President of HydroAnalysis Inc.,
produced recent evidence that based on the most up to date rainfall data the
proposed development on the Silver Maple Forest would expel an addition
150,000 gallons of water during a major 100-year storm than the design plans
currently account for. Without plans to contain this water, it will flood
surrounding neighborhoods. David Morimoto, Director of the Natural Sciences
and Mathematics division at Lesley University, discussed the ecological value
of a this unique urban forest in terms of biodiversity and its impacts on human
well-being: such forests have been shown to reduce stress, reduce pollutionrelated respiratory and cardiac disorders, and even improve school test scores.
Finally, Amy Mertl, Assistant Professor of Biology at Lesley University,
presented data showing that a restored Silver Maple Forest would save
surrounding communities nearly $13.5 over the next 20 years in flood
protection, air quality improvements, temperatutedre mitigation and carbon
sequestration, as well as help preserve the integrity of the Alewife Reservation
and the Stormwater Wetland. All four scientists, as well as many members of
the audience, stressed that the Silver Maple Forest land should be purchased
or taken from the developer and restored as conservation land before building
commences. Strong points by audience were made concerning towns and city
discussions on purchase, and the need to protect citizens downstream from
future climate change catastrophes as are predicted by Hydro Analaysis
figures. Copies of the scientist’s presentations are available at
http://friendsofalewifereservation.org/.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Mertl
From Ellen Mass:
Marc McGovern proposed 3 Hearing summarizing points (waiting to hear from
Rozann who was able to contact Marc personally) for THREE Councilors to
deliberate from. Donna Lopez, Clerk, will send them as soon as she has time for
us. Quinton and EK, did you get the 3 points? They should be made public.
Trying very hard not to have these matters concluded without discussion. Thanks
much.
One point is using the new precipitation data from 1985 of stormwater for
future use, while triage of forest is going on.
I raised point about the Alliance Conservation request, deciphered from last
meeting which was sent to Donna for the record for Marc, Nadeem and Dennis
to look at to respond to. Attached.
We are asking now for a site visit.
FYI, the Grubbing is going full force ahead with Kingston R.I. (stronghold of
O’Neill Properties) and another out of state firm at the site as we speak. Trees
never to reproduce.