This Forum and notice is presented by the Friends of Alewife Reservation.
Alewife’s Natural Resources are threatened with development. Belmont Conservation Commission, Coalition to Preserve Belmont Uplands, and Friends of Alewife Reservation have appealed the DEP decision to displace a rare silver maple forest for housing. Experts feel the forest and surrounding open space are essential for protection of the 500 acre floodplain covering Arlington, Cambridge and Belmont.
April 28th
Temple Beth El
2 Concord Avenue, Belmont
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Parking on site
617-415-1884 for more information
MODERATOR
Kathy Abbott: Executive Vice President of The Trustees of Reservations; former Commissioner of Department of Conservation and Recreation, former Assistant Secretary for Land Policy at EOEEA.
PARTICIPANTS
Thomas Bracken: Founding partner of 1st dedicated environmental law firm in Boston; formerly Regional General Counsel, EPA (New England Region), Attorney-Advisor, Office of General Counsel, Agency for International Development and Chairman of Cambridge Conservation Commission. Represents Plaintiffs in Hearings and court proceedings for preservation of the silver maple forest.
Scott Horsley: Hydrologist - President and CEO of Horsley and Witten, Inc., Professor Environmental Engineering, Principle Instructor- EPA workshops on watershed management. He received the Environmental Innovator Award from EPA for his work in constructed wetlands and storm water treatment; Hydrology specialist for DEP Hearings-Town of Belmont.
Charles Katuska: 40 years of state and corporate experience in wetlands and forestry. Former Conservation Commissioner of Carver & Southborough. Board of Directors of Mass. Association of Conservation Commissions; wetlands and wildlife scientist witness for Plaintiffs at DEP Hearings on the silver maple forest.
EkOngKar Singh Khalsa: Executive Director Mystic River Watershed Association. 25 years experience in environmental design, planning, engineering and environmental restoration, hazardous waste investigation. Former Executive Director for Hallmark Companies. Broad understanding of public land use policy.
Tino Lichauco: Attorney in intellectual property law for 15 years. Research Engineer at MIT and Livermore National Laboratory. Member of the Belmont Conservation Commission for 4 years. Represents the Commission in appealing the DEP order in Adjudicatory Hearings and in Woburn Superior Court on behalf of the silver maple forest.
Annie Thompson: A concerned East Arlington resident and MIT trained urban planner and regional economist will present the 2010 FEMA maps, discuss changes from the 1982 maps and describe the potential implications of additional planned development in the area.
SPONSORS: Friends of Alewife Reservation, Coalition to Preserve Belmont Uplands, Cambridge Tree Stewards, Sustainable Belmont, Mystic River Watershed Association, Cambridge Climate Emergency Group, Arlington Land Trust, Belmont Land Trust, Groundwork Somerville, Belmont Citizens Forum Arlington Vision 2020 Environment Task Group, Greater Boston Group of Sierra Club.
