In celebrating the addition of land to the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield (“Our Opinion: 3 stories of creating a meaningful legacy,” Aug. 4), it is important not to overlook the significant and damaging impact that the airport project has had on the marshes on which the runway addition has been constructed.
The beautiful marshland and estuary has been clear cut by the construction crews, forcing out wildlife that had been protected by the vegetation. Marshfield residents driving along Plymouth Avenue will be shocked to see the extent of the clear cutting that has occurred.
Additionally, the airport manager has been given a permit to “lethally take” Canada geese, herring and ring-billed and great black-backed gulls that are deemed harmful to the planes.
More than 2,500 pilings coated with copper, chromium and arsenate have been driven into the marsh to support the new runway. The long-term effects of these chemically coated pilings on our water are not known.
As Ms. McCallum of the Audubon Society states, “Marshland is an important habitat to preserve … most importantly, it can act as a sponge to absorb storm surges across Green Harbor, protecting residents, businesses and people.”
Ironically, the marshland that has been cut for the project directly borders many neighborhoods, thus removing a safety barrier.
The marshlands also provided noise mitigation for the neighborhoods close by. Significant increases in noise and jet fumes have been reported by neighbors. In part because of such complaints, the airport has bought homes from neighbors and is discussing the possibility of buying more. Thus, a neighborhood is being destroyed.
While the rationale for the runway construction project was “aeronautic safety,” one wonders if the safety of the neighbors was ever considered. In the study prior to the airport project going forward, one scenario was to leave the airport as it was, and have jets, which would need a longer runway, use larger municipal airports close by, such as in Plymouth. This common-sense solution was dismissed out of hand.
What Ms. McCallum states is sadly true: “Any land that is not permanently protected can potentially be used for something, either now or in the future.” Whole neighborhoods are now living with the results of such thinking. All residents of Marshfield should take note.
HUGH and CHRISTINE BEAGAN
Marshfield
Opinion: http://www.patriotledger.com/OPINION
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