Spring Pond Woods

Older News Article: Local author writes about Spring Pond

In this undated news article which someone has shared, Leslie Courtemanche writes about the region of Spring Pond. Leslie has written two books on the area close to her home in Lynn, near the borders of Peabody and Salem. Her grandparents survived the Great Salem Fire of 1914 and settled in the Fay Estate, where her family has lived ever since. Her father taught her to appreciate nature, teaching her the names of birds and flora. When walking through the woods with Leslie, its easy to appreciate the knowledge she shares and of which that is nature. She has more than common knowledge of identifying the sounds different species of birds. Leslie in the past, has also given lectures in Lynn and Peabody on the various resources that exist around Spring Pond.

News: Turtle Stone inquiries from different parts of Salem

In this month of August, an architect and historian, John Goff publishes an article on the presence of Native American Stones including Turtle Stones in other parts of Salem!
Salem Gazette, John Goff: Salem's natural petroglyphs, August 18, 2011.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/salem/news/lifestyle/columnists/x386667459/John-Goff-Salem-s-natural-petroglyphs#axzz1VkzSa1nb

A reference in this news article, relates to an earlier article written by Mr. Goff in December of 2010, with further information on Native American Turtles and Stone Turtle sightings in Salem. (www.wickedlocal.com/salem/news/lifestyle/columnists/x2068978333/John-Goff-Tutored-by-turtles#axzz1VlXADl8X)

Here also, in Spring Pond Woods, I have come across what possibility resembles several Native American Turtle Stones. See photos here: www.springpondwoods.com/2011/07/turtle-stones.html?utm_source=BP_recent

The questions and claims from different sites arise, on early Native American remnants in Salem and surrounding regions.

Bats

Sometimes at night, one may see a bat or two fluttering in the dark sky. We hope the skies remain dark for many reasons, and protecting the wildlife habitat is a major reason why. A friend shares photos of newly constructed bat houses on or near the edge of Camp Lion.

They write:
"This kind of housing development...I'm not opposed to. Also, you may want to note that two species of bats are on the NHESP list, and it may be difficult to verify if these are here."

Some interesting information on bats:
www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/wildlife/index.php?subject=Mammals&id=20

Letter: Transfer station lease fails to give closure

Across Rt-107 from Spring Pond Woods is an old trash facility at 12 Swampscott Rd, in which Lowe's was considered for an alternate site. If chosen this site, this forest, wetlands and waterways would have been saved. Thomas Kennedy of the Kennedy Development Group who is proposing the super shopping center construction for Lowe's and a Wal-mart expansion, said to me in person last October (journal) during a Salem Public hearing, that this land was expensive to clean for the project. I question the expense vs building on the hilly terrain of Spring Pond Woods. Here we have a complicated site, with many resources to protect.

The old trash dump across the way, is now the concept for a new Transition Station, where household trash would be collected. The dump will create an increase in the amount of trash trucks traveling through regional city streets polluting the air along the way. Many in the region are concerned of the environmental impact this will have. For those who are following this cause, here is a letter in the Salem Gazette by a Salem councilor, who shares a few of the facts in his letter to the editor.

Letter: Transfer station lease fails to give city landfill closure
Read more: Letter: Transfer station lease fails to give city landfill closure - Salem, Massachusetts - Salem Gazette

http://www.wickedlocal.com/salem/archive/x386659053/Letter-Transfer-station-lease-fails-to-give-city-landfill-closure#ixzz1VCTTlfhv

News: Lowe's pursues to build on wetlands in Florida and looses

Here is somewhat of a similar case with Lowe's wanting to construct on wetlands near important watershed area (as we have here surrounding Spring Pond Reservoir).

In Florida, the zoning of an area was amended to permit Lowe's (just like here in Salem) to build on wetlands near the outskirts of important waterways. Earlier this year, the multi year battle ended with Lowe's loosing the case, after the company tried to appeal the restrictions in court.

Links: http://summitcountyvoice.com/2011/03/02/florida-court-nixes-lowes-development-near-everglades/

http://www.environmentamerica.org/news-releases/parks-open-spaces-wild-places/parks-open-spaces-wild-places/victory-gov.-crist-florida-cabinet-hold-the-line-for-the-everglades#idk4besKTQxRs5pUl_M5ADVQ

Traffic engineering study in August?

This past week, during the week days in the relaxing month of August, surveyors were seen in front of Wal-mart on Highland Ave (Rt 107) and a Beta Group truck was seen on Eastern Ave, Lynn near the intersections of Western Ave (Rt 107), where traffic is said to be affected by the proposed Wal-mart expansion and new Lowe's.

If an engineering study on traffic is being conducted in the slowest month of travel in August, (where most are on vacation not commuting to work or school)... then the study on existing traffic volume and patterns is not responsibly represented to its fullest degree.

Some facts on Traffic regarding this project

In a letter by The Secretary of State, dated Feb 19, 2010, the following is quoted:

"In addition, the project will generate an additional 5,960 average daily vehicle trips (adt) for a total of 13,292 adt and a total of 17,716 vehicle trips on an average Saturday."
“’Big box’ stores such as the proposed Lowe’s and Wal-Mart are large energy users and generate considerable traffic, both of which result in significant emissions of greenhouse gasses that contribute to global climate change.”