HCT Seeks to Raise $1.6M to Save 17 Acres on Muddy Creek

HARWICH – The Harwich Conservation Trust has agreed to purchase a 17 acre property on Muddy Creek and has until January 10 to come up with the money.

“It gives us a six month window to raise the funds necessary to purchase and preserve this landscape,” said HCT Executive Director Michael Lach.

The agreement, which was signed on Saturday, includes 17 acres in East Harwich and East Chatham with around 1,400 feet of shoreline on Muddy Creek that flows into Pleasant Bay at Jackknife Cove.

The organization is seeking to reach its goal of $1.6 million to purchase the land, that would enable the public to have an opportunity to kayak and canoe from Jackknife Cove upstream into Muddy Creek.

The HCT also wants to protect the water quality, important wildlife habitat, history and have the land be a future walking trail destination.

“If we don’t preserve the 17 acre landscape, it could become a 12-lot sub-division,” said Lach.

The fundraising budget includes $500,000 from the Town of Harwich that was authorized by Town Meeting voters in May, $550,000 from anonymous donors who have pledged to match donations and $550,000 to be raised as matching funds.

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter