No one knows the connection between environment, economy and quality of life than farmers. Here is a Declaration of Opposition that farmers can sign, or people who purchase directly from a farm, can sign to speak on behalf of that piece of land. Feel free to print out and circulate. Send signed declarations to Pat Stewart, 18 Kraetzer Road, Ashburnham, MA 01430
There is also a MoveOn.org petition, but this is much more detailed and makes our point more completely. You can see that at http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/declaration-of-opposition?source=c.fwd&r_by=2226308
DECLARATION OF OPPOSITION TO PIPELINE EXPANSION
We, the undersigned, declare our opposition to the expansion of energy infrastructure that transports non-renewable fossil fuels through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We object to this expansion on behalf of the land, food, water and livestock that are endangered by this short-sighted practice. Our objections are based upon the following:
a) Blasts will shatter rock that forms barriers that hold and our aquifers. These aquifers feed our wells, natural ponds and municipal water supplies, which provide water for our animals, crops, families and communities.
b) Local food is a critical part of growing a health Massachusetts and local economy. Pipelines crossing our farms, neighboring farms and bounding wetlands endanger our ability to provide food for the citizenry of the Commonwealth.
c) The construction of these pipelines will remove significant land from production, not only the pipeline proper, but also the access roads that will allow heavy equipment onto the pipeline the heavy equipment entering on the rights-of-way will compact our soil, making it more subject to erosion, and more difficult to grow crops and use for pasture. We will still be responsible for payment of taxes on this land, whether or not we can use it.
1.) The inability to use this land for food or timber production takes it out of production, removing it from Chapter 61 protection.
2.) For those of us with Agriculture Preservation Restriction (APR) land, this violates our contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, violating M.G.L. Chapter 184, Section 32.The movement of the heavy equipment will damage the air quality and leave residue on plants and could disqualify any organic farms from certification. In addition, the application of herbicide that may be applied, directly or aerially, would certainly endanger any certification, due to wind drift and water runoff.
d) This same heavy equipment emits substantial noise in its activity. These sounds will frighten livestock and wildlife, causing loss of production and increased predation. Animals that are stressed, including by being exposed to constant loud noises, shaking of the earth and looming machinery, do not conceive, do not eat, drop milk production and produce lower quality products, from milk to meat, due to stress hormones. Increased predation will lower the ability of farms to maximize their food and products, and lose valuable livestock to death, as predators are pushed out of their native habitat where they would normally find abundant small wildlife to meet their dietary needs.
e) The herbicides, deforestation and lack of productive land will further deteriorate the region's honeybee population. The toxins will poison, while the lack of pollen from wild and cultivated plants will put added stress on these endangered insect. The financial as well as environmental costs of this disruption would be devastating to the apiculture industry. A threat to the honeybees is a threat to our food production.
f) Locally raised food, whether raised conventionally, sustainably or organically, provides fresher, superior food to that which is trucked in from anywhere else in the world. Our growing small farm population will be impacted severely by this project, as well as our long standing and centennial farms.
g) Keeping local food available makes it more affordable, which benefits all of our population. Fresher food has more vitamins and minerals, stronger flavor, and diminishes the need for preservatives and other chemical additives in a family’s diet. We must keep local farms nearby and productive, and not lose them to a product that does nothing to improve our regional or national environment.
h) The loss of trees cut in timber cuts, or the loss of cropland, will increase erosion, degrading our regional infrastructure, and further degrade natural water ways.
i) Farms not only provide food, but they provide an integral part of our culture, teaching vital traits such as patience, hard-work and empathy. The loss of any of these teaching facilities can have long lasting effects on our regional culture.
Massachusetts is a Right-to-Farm state, recognizing the Constitutional right for individuals to raise their own food and to provide food/fiber to the greater market. Once these farms are lost, they will not be able to be re-established, and the damage to the air, water and soil cannot be repaired.
As there are alternative means to provide the needed energy for the growth of the Commonwealth through such as means as conservation, solar, wind and as yet undeveloped water and other alternative energy sources, there is no need to take the risk of permanently damaging the food supply and lifestyle of the farmers and farm communities in Massachusetts.
We therefore respectfully demand that all governmental entities deny any permission to proceed with fossil fuel expansion, and begin to plan for the future with the farms, land and the people in mind, rather than short term gains for others.
Thank you!
