None The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts Press Releases Search All Press Releases Robb Johnson 617-227-7017, ext.316, rjohnson@tnc.org Kerry Crisley, 617-227-7017 ext. 316, kcrisley@tnc.org

$1.1 MILLION AWARDED TO PRESERVATION OF BLACK BROOK RANCH
Preservation of 600 acres ensures continued farming and conserves key water supply

MIDDLEBOROUGH, MA – November 27, 2006 – Black Brook Ranch in Middleborough will remain a working farm with open hayfields, forests and wooded trails, thanks to $1,152,000 in grants from the State’s Drinking Water Supply Protection program. The program provides funding to public water systems and municipalities for land acquisitions that protect public drinking water supplies and drinking water quality. With this grant from the State, the municipalities of Middleborough, New Bedford and Taunton must now appropriate matching funds in order to complete the purchase. To date, the Town of Middleborough has already voted in favor of matching the grant.

The grant money will be shared by the municipalities to help them purchase conservation restrictions over a 374-acre historic farm owned by Edward Parks.  Under the conservation restrictions, the farm will remain in private ownership, but its natural assets will be permanently protected by extinguishing development rights and limiting certain uses that could harm wildlife habitat or water resources. The Nature Conservancy will co-hold the conservation restrictions and assist the municipalities with monitoring and management. 

As part of the transaction, The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game will purchase an additional 230 acres from Mr. Parks to create a new wildlife management area.  All together, nearly 600 acres of land will be protected.

“With the preservation of Black Brook Ranch, everybody wins,” said Robb Johnson, Southeastern Massachusetts Program Director for The Nature Conservancy.  “We’ve protected local drinking water supplies, helped maintain a large block of wildlife habitat in the Taunton River Watershed, and preserved a working farm that contributes to the scenic and historic character of Middleborough.”

"For Mass. Dept of Fish and Game, the acquisition of 230 acres of Mr. Park's property is an excellent opportunity to continue to work with Middleborough, New Bedford, Taunton and The Nature Conservancy” said Joan Pierce, Southeast Land Agent for DFG. “This is a fabulous project which will benefit the public in many ways, including protection of wildlife habitat, and we are extremely grateful to Mr. Parks for his generosity.” 

The partnership to conserve the property – which was led by The Nature Conservancy – built upon groundwork laid by Middleborough Town Planner Ruth Geoffroy.  Mr. Parks’ farm and forestland attracted the partnership’s attention for its location on Black Brook. The Brook is the primary source of water for the eastern half of the Assawompsett Ponds Complex, which includes Long Pond, Assawompsett Pond, Great Quittacas, Little Quittacas, Pocksha and Elders Ponds. The complex supplies clean drinking water for New Bedford and Taunton, as well as portions of Lakeville, Bridgewater, Acushnet, Freetown, Dighton, Berkley, Dartmouth and Fairhaven. 

In addition to maintaining a clean water supply to 150,000 people, the Assawompsett Ponds complex is home to the largest river herring run in southern New England, diverse freshwater mussels, nesting bald eagles and a population of a globally rare minnow, the bridle shiner. 

Development of these farmlands would have negatively impacted water quality in Black Brook by decreasing groundwater recharge, increasing run-off pollution, and destroying and fragmenting wildlife habitat.  These effects would, in turn, weaken the overall health of the watershed. 

“I am pleased to see that local communities in the region worked together with the Commonwealth to secure over $1 million in Water Supply Protection grants,” said Senator Marc Pacheco. “These efforts will enable nearly 600 acres to be preserved, and help protect critical drinking water supplies. I hope to see more state and local partnerships like these in the future.”

“The partnerships that we have established between the state and local communities are vital to water supply protection, and these grants will help maintain open space within our watersheds and ensure the Commonwealth’s residents have a safe and clean drinking water supply now and into the future,” said Acting DEP Commissioner Arlene O’Donnell in a prepared statement.

About the Taunton River Watershed

The Taunton River watershed encompasses 32 communities, 221 lakes and ponds and 60,000 acres of wetlands. It includes Hockomock Swamp, the largest remaining freshwater wetland in southern New England, and is home to 114 bird species – such as bald eagles – and 29 native fish species.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, non-profit organization established in 1951 to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.  To date, the Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 117 million acres in 38 countries around the globe. Visit us on the Web at nature.org.