"PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS"
A Plan to Protect the North River

Click here for complete report.

How can we protect lands that are critical to sustaining our environment when land is one of the hottest commodities in our economy? What is the best way for us, as a society, to allocate our finite and limited resources towards conservation? Given the limited resources available for land protection today it is important to allocate financial resources where it will make the most difference. "Protecting What Matters" identifies the critical lands that need protection along the North River Corridor.

The North River corridor flows through Hanover, Pembroke, Norwell, Marshfield and Scituate and has been recognized as a uniquely special place, it is the only Scenic Protected River in the state, it has been designated by the federal government as a natural National Landmark, and much of its marshes and bordering lands have been designated as priority habitat for rare and endangered species.

The NSRWA has long advocated for protection of the North River corridor, with this report the NSRWA creates the foundation for future protection that focuses on the most important lands to protect habitat and the river. Thirty five percent of the total land area of the North River Corridor is presently protected either owned outright by lands trusts and towns or through existing conservation restrictions. Protecting What Matters demonstrates that there is a potential to protect an additional 1,171 acres or 14% of the corridor through acquisition and another 2,889 acres or 35% through conservation restrictions. If this were done then 84% of the total North River Corridor would be permanently protected for future generations and for wildlife habitat.
The 2001 assessed value of the undeveloped land for acquisition is approximately $11.3 million.

For further information about the project, please contact Deb Lenahan or Samantha Woods or call 781-659-8168. To download the complete report, click here.