(Image credit Joseph Sharkey)
The developer is petitioning the planning board of Lexington to approve his eradicating 5.5 acres of forest bordering the Cambridge reservoir to install a large solar farm, endangering Cambridge’s drinking water while destroying an estimated 795 mature trees and the habitat of the thousands of animals they shelter.
We petition Lexington to reject the Tracer Lane Solar Project, and to relocate such projects where they will not do such damage.
Updates
December 13, 2022
The scale of this response is overwhelming and it proves that our community will not let these trees disappear quietly. This fight is draining but seeing this level of support keeps me moving forward against the developers.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2022
113 Comments
I support solar, but not when it involves cutting down mature trees and destroying wildlife habitat. Not to mention the threat this poses to the drinking water for Cambridge! Make smarter, forward-thinking choices, such as siting on rooftops and over parking lots.
I am certain Lexington has at least one office park that is equally viable for solar as a mature forest. if the issue is about cost, remember that you are one of the wealthiest zip codes in the state, and find a way to get creative.
Put solar where it doesn't require cutting down trees! And protect Cambridge's water supply -- they've already had to temporarily switch to MWRA due to PFAS levels. Don't add more threats to water quality.
Please don't destroy a resource that provides habitat, water purification, cooling, and other services to add an entity that probably has fewer environmental benefits. It's like cutting off your hand to replace it with a prosthetic.
Research shows that trees have far more positive impact on climate change than solar farms built on formerly treed locations. Indeed, they are essential to preserve ecological health, including benefits to drinking water, carbon sequestration, wildlife health, tick control, and human welfare.
Please protect our drinking water! Solar is great, but it can go somewhere else.
The forest surrounding the Cambridge reservoir is critical to protecting the water, plus the living trees provide habitat and carbon sequestration. This is not the place for a solar installation! We have abundant hardscape possibilities to utilize instead.
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(Image credit Joseph Sharkey)
The developer is petitioning the planning board of Lexington to approve his eradicating 5.5 acres of forest bordering the Cambridge reservoir to install a large solar farm, endangering Cambridge’s drinking water while destroying an estimated 795 mature trees and the habitat of the thousands of animals they shelter.
We petition Lexington to reject the Tracer Lane Solar Project, and to relocate such projects where they will not do such damage.
Updates
December 13, 2022
The scale of this response is overwhelming and it proves that our community will not let these trees disappear quietly. This fight is draining but seeing this level of support keeps me moving forward against the developers.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2022
113 Comments
Yes we need a solar farm. Yes we need forests around and near cities. we aren't moving the cities, and we aren't moving the forests, so move the solar farm... perhaps on stanchions atop Route 128.
I support solar, but not when it involves cutting down mature trees and destroying wildlife habitat. Not to mention the threat this poses to the drinking water for Cambridge! Make smarter, forward-thinking choices, such as siting on rooftops and over parking lots.
I am certain Lexington has at least one office park that is equally viable for solar as a mature forest. if the issue is about cost, remember that you are one of the wealthiest zip codes in the state, and find a way to get creative.
Put solar where it doesn't require cutting down trees! And protect Cambridge's water supply -- they've already had to temporarily switch to MWRA due to PFAS levels. Don't add more threats to water quality.
Please don't destroy a resource that provides habitat, water purification, cooling, and other services to add an entity that probably has fewer environmental benefits. It's like cutting off your hand to replace it with a prosthetic.
Research shows that trees have far more positive impact on climate change than solar farms built on formerly treed locations. Indeed, they are essential to preserve ecological health, including benefits to drinking water, carbon sequestration, wildlife health, tick control, and human welfare.
Please protect our drinking water! Solar is great, but it can go somewhere else.
The forest surrounding the Cambridge reservoir is critical to protecting the water, plus the living trees provide habitat and carbon sequestration. This is not the place for a solar installation! We have abundant hardscape possibilities to utilize instead.
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Yes we need a solar farm. Yes we need forests around and near cities. we aren't moving the cities, and we aren't moving the forests, so move the solar farm... perhaps on stanchions atop Route 128.