Southeastern Regional Planning Economic Development District

◄ 88 Broadway▼Phone (508)824-1367▼FAX (508)823-1803▼ssmith@srpedd.org▼Taunton, MA 02780►

May 12, 2008
Ian A. Bowles, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Attn: ACEC Program
Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA  02114

Dear Secretary Bowles:

On behalf of the Three Mile River ACEC Study Committee, and in accordance with the wishes of the Mayor of Taunton, Dighton Board of Selectmen, and the Conservation Commissions in Taunton and Dighton, SRPEDD respectfully requests that the proposed boundary of the Three Mile River Watershed ACEC, currently under review, be extended in the southeast corner as follows:

            “ … hence southerly along Dighton Avenue to South Street; hence westerly

              along South Street to the 200 foot jurisdictional riverfront area along the

              east bank of the Three Mile River; hence southeasterly along the

              200 foot jurisdictional riverfront area on the east bank of the Three Mile River

              to the confluence with the Taunton River; hence southwesterly along the

              corporate boundary at the confluence with the Taunton River to the 200 foot

              jurisdictional riverfront area on the west bank of to the Three Mile River; hence

              northwesterly along the 200 foot jurisdictional riverfront area on the west

              bank of the Three Mile River to Spring Street; hence westerly along Spring Street

              to Summer Street; hence northerly along Summer Street to the point of beginning.”

A map of the proposed boundary change is included with this request. 

This request for an extended ACEC boundary was precipitated by two critical factors: one, that as early as 2006, a one-half mile, federally designated Wild and Scenic River corridor was to have been in place along the mainstem of the Taunton River.  The Three Mile River, as a significant tributary, had been included in a SRPEDD-led study report to Congress in support of the designation of the Taunton as Wild and Scenic.  Unfortunately, this effort, involving many of the same groups, organizations, and citizens responsible for the Three Mile River ACEC nomination, has yet to be voted on by Congress, and; two, that the confluence of the Three Mile River and the Taunton River contains areas of globally rare, high quality, brackish and freshwater marsh with many associated rare species and should be recognized and protected for its significance. This area is also the headwaters of the Mount Hope/Narragansett Bay estuary.

SRPEDD has been involved in the study and protection of the Taunton River and its tributaries for over two decades.  We have been active partners and supporters in the ongoing Three Mile River application process, as well as the efforts that brought about the designations of the Canoe River Aquifer and Hockomock Swamp ACECs.  The Three Mile, with its ecological importance and its cultural, historical, and archaeological resources, deserves the highest level of protection that we can afford it.  The addition of the Three Mile River as an ACEC will serve to enhance the Canoe and Hockomock areas and will allow us to collectively better protect our shared regional resources.

SRPEDD strongly endorses this application, with the proposed boundary amendment.  We look forward to working with our communities and the ACEC Program as stewards of this special place.

If you are in need of any further information, please contact Bill Napolitano, our Director of Environmental Programs.

Respectfully,

Stephen C. Smith
Executive Director