Robert Bissell has kindly allowed us to publish the following statement on NorthAssoc.org…In a major disappointment for conservationists, the Vernal Pool provisions (PDF) were deleted from the Wetlands Ordinance at the Ordinance Committee meeting in late July. These provisions were the product of over two years’ worth of effort from concerned citizens, wetlands experts and members […]
Continue reading A Statement from Robert Bissell on the Wetland Ordinance Debate
Northampton’s Planning Board will hold a two-hour workshop to review the Sustainability Plan (PDF) on August 9 and possibly again later in the month. While public comments will not be taken at these workshops, the public is encouraged to email comments to su********************@********up.com. Here is an expanded version of comments we recently sent to Cecil […]
Continue reading Sustainable Northampton: An Open Letter to the Cecil Group
It has been some time since a major flood struck Northampton. That doesn’t mean the threat has gone away. On the contrary, AccuWeather believes that conditions are favorable for New England to experience a significant hurricane in the relatively near future [2006 article]: “The Northeast is staring down the barrel of a gun,” said Joe […]
Continue reading As Hurricane Threat Builds, Has Complacency Set In about Flooding?
A key assumption built into infill is that walking access to amenities associated with civilization takes priority over walking access to nature. If developers are permitted to aggressively pave over green spaces downtown, more residents will be compelled to drive if they want to enjoy parks and woods. Most likely their overall time spent in ‘unbuilt’ environments […]
Continue reading Irony of Infill: You Have to Drive to Enjoy Nature
Daryl LaFleur recently posted the following to Paradise City Forum. He has kindly given us permission to reprint it here. We have added emphasis to certain passages. The North Street neighborhood residential development as proposed by Mr. Kohl presents Northampton with a unique in-town development opportunity. While I often read entries on the PCF that […]
Continue reading Daryl LaFleur: North Street Area and Urban Ecology
Dear Bill,I understand you discussed the North Street Neighborhood Association on your July 26 WHMP radio program [mp3 file]. We would welcome the opportunity to present our case on the air. If it’s NIMBY to be concerned about the paving over of what green space remains in downtown, feel free to call us NIMBYists. More […]
Continue reading An Open Invitation to Bill Dwight, WHMP Commentator
We salute Lady Bird Johnson (1912-2007), one of the leading conservationists of our time. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center tells the story… Mrs. Johnson was First Lady of the nation before she was able to translate her love for the land into national policy. Once started, she has amassed a lifetime of achievement as […]
Continue reading In Memory of Lady Bird Johnson, Conservationist
Joanne Montgomery has kindly given us permission to reprint her letter to the Gazette, published in May 2007: To the editor: I am writing to urge broader coverage of opposition to the city’s proposed Amended Wetlands Ordinance. The city’s new business-friendly proposals would skew the process in favor of developers at the expense of wetlands […]
Continue reading May 5 Letter to Gazette: “Don’t relax Northampton’s protection of wetlands”
Today’s Gazette publishes a letter from Elizabeth Steiniger of Florence: …As a ward 5 resident, I elected my representative to respond to the needs of the ward’s constituents–both human and non-human–rather than represent the perceived needs of the real estate industry… [W]etlands protection serves to mitigate flooding greatly, a fact I am grateful for as […]
Continue reading Letter to Gazette from Ward 5: “Don’t sacrifice wetlands to encourage development”