Buzzards Bay Coalition Spearheads Protection of 134 Acres in Mattapoisett River Valley

BUZZARDS BAY – Residents of Mattapoisett, Marion and Fairhaven may not be thinking about forests and wetlands when they pour a glass of water from their kitchen tap.

However, most of the work to keep their drinking water clean is done by the natural forests and wetlands of the Mattapoisett River Valley.

To protect the valuable resource, the three towns recently permanently protected 134 acres of forests and wetlands in the valley.

This is in addition to over 1,000 acres of land that has been protected there over the last 15 years.

The current project was the result of a partnership between the Coalition, the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee and the towns of Mattapoisett, Marion and Fairhaven.

While the land is located in Mattapoisett, it serves as the drinking water source for all three towns.

The 134 acres of land includes two clusters: one area along and north of Tinkham pond, and another along the Mattapoisett River.

In addition to protecting drinking water resources for the towns, protecting the land also benefits local wildlife and will provide passive recreation opportunities such as hiking, walking and birdwatching.

Specifically it will expand access to Tinkham pond around the Coalition’s Tripps Mill property.

The majority of the protected land will be owned by Mattapoisett with the Coalition and Fairhaven and Marion, co-holding a conservation restriction to add an additional layer of protection.