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NEW: Draft Regional Open Space Plan Released
One of the supporting documents to our Open Space Protection Action Plan is the Regional Open Space Plan recently drafted by the Buzzards Bay NEP. The purpose of this plan is to encourage communities and land conservation organizations in the watershed to work cooperatively toward land acquisition and protection goals on a regional scale; to protect biodiversity and safeguard water resources through the protection of undeveloped lands in their natural state; to help leverage funding and resources for open space protection; and to provide a clear and cohesive direction for land protection in Southeastern Massachusetts that is consistent with existing state goals. This planning document will also assist state and federal agencies target public funding for land acquisition.This draft document is under review, and we would very much appreciate feedback on the report. Please read our draft Regional Open Space Plan (620 kb pdf). This cover letter accompanied the draft report to the the towns.
After you have read the report, please use this feedback form to to tell us what you think.
Action Plan 14*: Protecting Open Space
About the new Buzzards Bay CCMP Action PlansThe Buzzards Bay NEP is now updating our 1992 landmark Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) to reflect the great progress achieved since that plan was finalized. It will include new goals, objectives, and recommendations to meet the environmental needs for Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed into the next decade of the 21st century. This new document will also meet the requirements for a Massachusetts Watershed Action Plan, which will enable new funding opportunities through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On this page is a draft action plan from the updated Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and planned 2009-2014 Watershed Action Plan. The text on this page is a public draft provided to invite comment and discussion of the subject by residents and stakeholders. It may contain goals and recommendations that have not yet been endorsed or approved by the Buzzards Bay Steering Committee. The views or information contained here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the US Environmental Protection Agency.
We want your feedback on this action plan. First, please read the entire action plan Protecting Open Space. Then at the bottom of this page click the "rate each recommendation now" button to provide comments on each goal, objective and recommendation contained in this Action Plan. Based on your feedback, we will update and revise all the action plans in the new CCMP.
Action Plan 14*: Protecting Open Space
August 21, 2008 draft
Goals
Goal 1.Preserve the ecological integrity of Buzzards Bay and its watershed by increasing the amount of permanently protected open space.Objectives
Objective 1. Improve and protect coastal and inland surface water quality through land protection..Objective 2. Protect biodiversity in the watershed.
Objective 3. Protect the region's groundwater water supplies.
Objective 4. Improve the land conservation community's ability to protect open space.
Recommendations
Recommendation 14.1 Each municipality should ensure it has a valid Open Space and Recreation Plan on file with the Division of Conservation Services.Recommendation 14.2 All municipalities should adopt various Smart Growth planning techniques that best protect their critical resources and minimize growth impacts on water quality and habitat; such as (but not limited to) mandatory cluster zoning; transfer of development rights; water resources protection overlay districts; and prohibitions on building in the velocity zone.
Recommendation 14.3 Municipalities should address current weaknesses in the Wetlands Protection Act by adopting more stringent bylaws and regulations based on local needs.
Recommendation 14.4 All watershed municipalities should adopt the Community Preservation Act.
Recommendation 14.5 The BBNEP shall continue to assist municipalities with Open Space and Recreation Plan updates and natural resource mapping.
Recommendation 14.6 The BBNEP shall continue to provide GIS open space and natural resource related mapping services to the CBB's Land Center, local and regional land trusts, municipalities, and citizens.
Recommendation 14.7 The BBNEP will create a Regional Open Space Plan for the Buzzards Bay watershed.
Recommendation 14.8 The BBNEP will assist communities with the development of viable grant applications for land protection or natural resource restoration projects.
Recommendation 14.9 The BBNEP will disseminate, and where needed, develop model mandatory cluster zoning and transfer of development rights bylaws for use by watershed towns.
Recommendation 14.10 The CBB will support local and regional corridor planning, such as the Buzzards Bay Greenway.
Recommendation 14.11 The CBB will provide technical assistance to communities, area land trusts, and landowners with land protection projects.
Recommendation 14.12 The CBB will encourage the creation of local land trust organizations in towns without one.
Recommendation 14.13 Land Trusts will preserve lands that will have the greatest impact on protecting water quality and living resources in the Buzzards Bay watershed including: freshwater and saltwater wetlands, naturally vegetated riparian areas, interconnected forested areas, undeveloped coastal habitat, ground and surface water resources, and "core habitats" as identified by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
Recommendation 14.14 Land Trusts will provide greater public access to protected lands, which allows the public to feel a sense of ownership, leading to increased support for land protection initiatives.
Recommendation 14.15 DCR shall utilize the Buzzards Bay regional open space plan as a criterion for land grant awards
Recommendation 14.16 Office of Community Preservation shall revise its Commonwealth Capital scoring formula to more heavily weigh environmental protection measures in communities, such as integrated water management plans, in its scoring.
Recommendation 14.15 EOEEA should target $500,000 annually for land acquisition and protection in the Buzzards Bay watershed.
Recommendation 14.16 DAR should establish priorities for organic farming when selecting for farm properties for APRs
* This Action Plan was not in the 1992 CCMP.