MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
110 Main Street, Monson, Ma. 01057
February 27, 2008
TO: Monson Local Casino Study Committee
FROM: Monson Conservation Commission
RE: Casino impacts
The primary concern of the Conservation Commission is wetlands and waterways. Any work within 100’ of a bordering vegetated wetland or intermittent stream and within 200’ of a perennial stream would fall under our jurisdiction. That said, we also would be concerned about impacts to the air quality and water quality of Monson.
The Conservation Commission’s concern would center on traffic on Rt. 32 and Rt. 20. At this time it seems that any changes proposed to accommodate greater traffic on these roads would impact the rivers, or perennial streams, of Chicopee Brook and the Quaboag River. Both of these streams are located within our water protection district and increased traffic would cause increased run off of hazardous materials related to cars and trucks traveling this route. Monson’s drinking water supply and Chicopee Brook have already been contaminated with MBTE and increasing the traffic on this road could add to this contamination. Both of these rivers are also home to several endangered species and greater traffic could imperil these already rare species.
Although the casino developer is proposing a “fly over” from the Mass Pike to alleviate traffic issues, people traveling from the south, east or west would likely use either Rt. 32 or Rt. 20 to access the proposed Palmer casino site. Rt. 32 is a narrow road that travels through the center of Monson, our town’s Main Street. There is little opportunity to widen this road in the town center because of existing development. On either side of the center (north or south) Rt. 32 is very close to the Chicopee Brook and numerous wetlands. Any proposal to widening this road would face significant hurdles. If the casino were built and the road was not widened to accommodate the traffic would clog our center and foul our air and water.
Palmer has already requested access to the water supply of Monson, yet our town wells could become more polluted as a result of traffic or road widening. Further, how will Monson be able to grow without adequate water supply? How will Monson provide water to its residents, schools and seniors if the water supply becomes contaminated? What protection of our waterways and drinking water is proposed should this casino be constructed? A casino may bring construction jobs to our area, but at what price to our water supply and our environment?
We think the location of a casino in Palmer would severely impact Monson and the Rt. 32 and Rt. 20 riverfront corridors with additional traffic. The Conservation Commission would strongly suggest that due to the fragile nature of our rivers in these two locations, and the rare species associated with these rivers that careful review would need to take place in order determine if expansion of said roads is possible. The Conservation Commission also expresses concern about the greater number of accidents along these roads as the traffic increases. These would be the primary concerns of the Conservation Commission.
Thank you for your interest,
The Monson Conservation Commission
| 
