XXX Don’t clear-cut the forest bordering Cambridge’s Reservoir!

As a Cambridge resident and person concerned about the impact of human actions eliminating more of our limited natural habitats, I have deep concerns about the benefit of clearing this land. We absolutely need more solar and other natural sources of power, but not at the expense of the few remaining natural habitats in our communities. I am asking you to please reconsider this action and take meaningful steps to find another location that will not have this impact on our community, natural habitats and water systems.

I ABSOLUTELY DENOUNCE THIS INTENDED PROJECT!

3 years ago Featured

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.

We need to value forests (and that's not just the trees) for their role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem.

Please don't destroy green space, habitat and carbon sequestration. Please seek alternatives in the built environment.

Forests are necessary ecological spaces for animals, plants and insects that require the moisture and shade, and mature trees better sequester carbon. Solar is needed, but not at the expense of mature trees.

I live in Cambridge and cannot afford to buy water to drink if this project harms my water supply. Also, cutting down trees for solar is crazy. Build solar elsewhere.,

I applaud all the reasons already stated for objecting to this project. It makes no sense.

Rooftops and parking lots should be the target sites.

It’s a Climate Emergency! Pay attention and act in respect of such.

Please do not cut forest, it results in habitat loss and reduction of carbon storage. Please use building roofs for solar panels.

Solar is great but not worth cutting down forests!!

While we need solar farms, there is no need to pit them against existing forests. It's not an either or other situation. Massachusetts already has ample cleared space available for large solar panel installations (e.g., large rooftops and lots, along highways, combined with some types of agriculture, etc.). Clearcutting 5.5 acres of mature woodland abutting the Cambridge Reservoir to install solar panels is neither wise nor necessary. Mature woodlands next to a large body of water help to protect that water from storm water runoff and sediment. That woodland also helps local precipitation to slowly filter down into the aquifer. It sequesters vastly more carbon than planting an equal number of new trees somewhere else and, will for decades to come. Right now, that 5.5 acres of mature woodland also provides numerous ecosystem services that are urgently needed to support biodiversity as well as help fight climate change. Please look for a more suitable (less damaging) location for the solar farm.

We cannot be destroying nature in order to create 'green' developments. The forests themselves convert solar energy, sequester carbon, cycle water, and support life, and it is counterproductive and short-sighted to cut them down. There are plenty of built environments that should be used as space for solar technology, while preserving and restoring as much nature as possible. Let's act in a way that makes sense!

There are better places to put solar panels.

Stop this madness

Cutting trees for solar farms is counter productive!

Better to place solar panels on rooftops and over parking lots than destroy our natural resources!  

I'm all for solar but not when you have to cut down a whole ecosystem for it. Find another spot.

Terrible idea! We need solar AND mature forests!