The most imminent crisis is funding for the Agricultural Preservation Act (APR): according to the American Farmland Trust, the Romney administration is seriously considering slashing funding for this crucial program.
We depend on the APR program to preserve farming and open space in this state. The program purchases development rights to farmland so that farmers can use some of the equity they have in their land - generally their only major financial asset - while at the same time keeping the land open and available for farming. It has made it possible for many farmers to keep farming, or to retire and pass the land on to the next generation in their family or sell it to new farmers. Even with this program we are losing farmland at an alarming rate; currently, Massachusetts is second in the country in its rate of agricultural land loss (ten percent in the five years from 1997 to 2002).
According to the Farmland Trust, currently 48 projects have been approved and are waiting for their payments. APR has been used to protect many farms in Amherst and surrounding towns, and people are counting on using it again in the future (including in North Amherst). Without it, picture Hadley, Sunderland and Belchertown completely built over.
The state money is essential to land protection. It requires a local "match" from the town or local citizens and people respond by giving generously. Many people in Amherst over the years have contributed significant amounts of money to help meet that "match" for projects here. There is also a federal program of dollars that can be put together with state funds. The Farmland Trust is calling for at least $10 million this year. The Romney administration has consistently cut such funds. We can't let them get away with totally defunding it. Call, fax or write the Governor's Office; for more information, call the American Farmland Trust in Northampton.
Second crisis: the proposed expansion of the Holyoke Mall behind Staples and along the Rail Trail toward the Fish and Wildlife building. It's believed to be for a big new Wal- Mart, with a gas station in the corner nearest Fish & Wildlife (and the Rail Trail). At a recent "scoping" meeting considering the issues that need to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), many residents challenged the "need" for the expansion, but unfortunately state law does not consider that a relevant question. The zoning for that land permits this use (it has been "industrial" for years); however, there are environmental impacts that may at least reduce the size of the proposed expansion. If you care about wetlands, land use, traffic or air quality, pay attention and be prepared to comment on the Draft EIR when it comes out later this year.
The third issue, which may be an opportunity rather than a crisis, is protecting a beautiful part of the UMass campus. The Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee and the Amherst Tree Initiative have expressed concern about possible disruption to old trees that live on the ridge that runs south of Eastman Lane toward the Chancellor's House (sometimes called President's or Prexy's Ridge). According to a letter sent from the Shade Tree Committee to the Chancellor, "This area includes a number of large, old oak, beech, birch, hemlock, and other trees, some of them probably dating back to before the time that the school of agriculture was founded." Although the letter was sent in mid-March, as of April 8 the Chair of the Shade Tree Committee, Jim Ellis, has not received an answer. People who have attempted to talk with the head of the Physical Plant have not been able to get through the telephone defenses either. We have heard that some people challenge our assertion that there are old trees in that location. So I have a suggestion to make: the University could give permission to some group (for example, the Shade Tree Committee) to arrange for testing at least some of those trees (the species that are not damaged when someone takes a core out to count the rings). We could collaborate to get more information. And, if we are right, we could then collaborate to establish an officially recognized and protected "Founder's Grove" of old native trees on the campus. Founder's Grove would be a thing of beauty, a true amenity for the campus, give us bragging rights, and at almost no cost whatsoever. How about it?