Harwich Conservation Trust - Save Monomoy Press Release

East Harwich, Massachusetts: The Town of Harwich completed the purchase today of the 42 acres on the Monomoy River, which flows into Pleasant Bay. In order to help the Town of Harwich complete the purchase, the Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) had to borrow $1 million. Due to the number of pledges yet to be received and a fundraising shortfall, HCT borrowed the money needed to preserve the land. HCT continues to raise funds to repay the loan and cover its other costs involving the property.

The Save Monomoy River Campaign is the top priority under the Save Land – Save Water Initiative, a long-range plan established by the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land which helps to protect bays, ponds, and drinking water supplies. Preserving the 42-acre coastal landscape is an important step forward in the ongoing effort to protect the water quality of Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod’s largest estuary which is shared by the four towns of Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, and Brewster.

The funds borrowed by the HCT, combined with Town of Harwich Land Bank funds, donations in hand, and outstanding pledges enabled the $5.875 million purchase to be completed on time as required by the sellers . Ownership of the land was transferred to the Town of Harwich and a permanent conservation restriction will be transferred to HCT. “The widespread support we have received from the town, the trust, environmental groups, and most importantly individuals has affirmed the urgency of protecting land to protect water,” said Isabel Smith, Chair of the Town of Harwich Real Estate & Open Space Committee and Vice-President of HCT.

"Because of a shortfall in fundraising and the timing of pledges, the Harwich Conservation Trust had to borrow approximately $1 million to allow the Town to buy the land. There was no way the HCT was going to lose this sensitive, coastal land to development. The 42-acre purchase represents the first success of our Save Land-Save Water Initiative,” said HCT President Robert Smith.

"The regional support for this project from other conservation groups such as The Friends of Pleasant Bay, the Chatham Conservation Foundation and the Orleans Conservation Trust, the outpouring of support from individuals, businesses and foundations and the guidance of The Trust for Public Land gave us the courage to move forward. We have work to do, but we know people will support us", said Robert Smith.

"We look forward to the finalization of the Conservation Restriction with the Town and the completion of a management plan to allow the creation of trails for public enjoyment of this exceptional property,” said Virginia Iannini, HCT Trustee.

“The Chatham Conservation Foundation (CCF) is excited to have played a role in this outstanding project, and we look forward to future opportunities to conserve land along Muddy Creek,” said Andy Young, CCF President.

“This land is the most important property in the Pleasant Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The Trust for Public Land is proud to have played a prominent role in protecting this landscape as well as Pleasant Bay”, said Nellie Aikenhead, Trust for Public Land.

“Even though the fundraising continues by the Harwich Conservation Trust, which has taken a risk by borrowing, we owe high praise to such a progressive, forward-thinking land trust and all who supported its efforts to preserve the land and protect Pleasant Bay,” said Michael Lach, Assistant Director of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts.

With assistance from the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, federal funding from the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program is still being sought for the Town of Harwich.

Located on Bay Road in East Harwich, the Monomoy River land is the largest undeveloped, unprotected shorefront parcel in the 21,000-acre Pleasant Bay Watershed. Providing scenic views from Route 28, the land is adjacent to 35 acres of town-owned conservation land and 30 acres of Water Department land that includes two Harwich drinking water supply wells. The property provides habitat for abundant wildlife, including 55 species of birds, and has the potential for walking trails. Currently zoned for residential development, the land could have accommodated a multi-lot subdivision if it was not conserved.

END