Save the Silver Maple Forest
 Heron at start of Little River
The Belmont Uplands is a 15 acre tract of land at the edge of Belmont, Cambridge and Arlington. Once surrounded by the 'Great Swamp', it includes the "Silver Maple Forest" (see map below), a unique and fragile urban wildlife habitat. The forest and surrounding wetlands serve as natural sponges for a region already prone to flooding. This scenic area along the edge of Little Pond and the Little River is home to diverse species of birds and animals which rely on the uplands as well as the surrounding wetlands for survival. The mission of the Coalition is to preserve the Belmont Uplands so it can provide water absorption and flood prevention, habitats for many varieties of animals, an outdoor classroom for local youth and an environment in which the largest Silver Maple Forest in the Boston area can thrive. The Coalition is currently challenging a sprawling housing development with nearly 300 units and 600 parking spaces proposed to lie in the middle of the forest and encroaching on the surrounding wetlands. The housing development would fragment wildlife corridors and degrade the natural value of the surrounding 120-acre Alewife Reservation. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and local environmental groups are opposed to the development. It would also adversely affect surrounding neighborhoods by increasing flooding in Little Pond, increasing air and water pollution and increasing traffic congestion as far as the Fresh Pond Rotary. Expert naturalists, hydrologists, and wetlands scientists supported the 20 faults listed in the Belmont Conservation Commission’s findings against the development. The Coalition and the Belmont Conservation Commission have challenged the development since 2007. In 2010, the DEP issued a decision which completely ignored 4 DAYS of hearings, including extensive cross-examination of the developer's witnesses. The Plaintiffs took their case to Middlesex Superior Court at a hearing held on March 2, 2011 and got a result on Dec. 14th. The good news is one of the Commission's claims was remanded to the DEP. Unfortunately, the Coalition was again denied their due process rights through the denial of their claims. They filed a Notice of Appeal on Dec. 19 and will bring the matter before the Appeals Court. Read more about it in this Belmont Patch Article. Latest News: A Ray of Hope for the Belmont Uplands' Silver Maple Forest  Courtesy Friends of Alewife Reservation
Learn more:
Our Concerns Environmental Supporters Legal Case Pictures of forest and wildlife How to Sign Up and/or Volunteer Articles and Developer Information Video of recent Forum on Floodplain Forest & Floodway Development is online. Visit the forest : Parking and Trail map
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Support Us
Help us preserve this Boston area resource.
Suggested online donation: $25-$50. -
Get in touch:
Send us an e-mail: Belmont.Coalition@gmail.com
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Boston-area maps. Located 7 miles from downtown, the T-accessible forest is enjoyed by many residents of the area.
 © Google Maps 2011. |
 Satellite map with T-system overlay. © Google Maps 2011 |
