(Draft Press Release)
Tully Lake Scenic Value Threatened By Project
But Opposition Surfaces
Vocal opposition is surfacing to a proposed housing project and gravel
operation in Athol that threatens to spoil the scenic value of Tully Lake, one
of the North Quabbin Region's outstanding natural resources. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the land from development, but the success of such efforts may depend on community concern and involvement.
An organization called Friends of Tully Lake has begun a campaign to
alert residents to the issues and encourage town officials to raise questions
about the plans. It has a web site at www.friendsoftullylake.org where a map can
be seen that shows the location of the project amid much public land.
At question is more than 200 acres of land on the south slope of Tully
Lake, owned by Gregg Duquette of Athol, who seeks to build a 44-house
subdivision. The plan includes a new roadway linking Old Keene Road and Chestnut Hill
Avenue, which could have traffic consequences for people driving between Athol and
Royalston Center. Duquette is already operating a gravel pit on the site, which is being
challenged by neighbors under provisions of the Massachusetts Wetlands Act.
Last April, the Athol Planning Board approved a preliminary subdivision
plan, and there is the expectation of a definitive plan being submitted in the
near future. The proposed housing development will be visible from most of Tully Lake.
In addition to its visual impact, the hillside development, according to opponents is likely to create
problems related to soil erosion and ground water pollution.
More than 35 people, most from Athol and Royalston, recently attended an
organizing meeting of Friends of Tully Lake. An experienced environmental attorney, Michael Pill of Shutesbury, spoke to the group outlining options available to oppose both the gravel pit operation
and the housing subdivision. The group voted to hire an attorney at the next meeting.
Donations to support legal and educational efforts can be sent to "Friends
of Tully Lake" in care of Joyce O'Hara, 2381 Old Keene Road, Athol MA 01331.
The O'Hara residence is located adjacent to the gravel pit access road where the next meeting of the group will be held on October 19th at 4:00 PM. Individuals may contact Friends of Tully Lake through email at
info@friendsoftullylake.org.
Tully Lake resulted in 1948 from a man-made dam on the Tully River. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, creator and manager of the dam, built it along
with the Birch Hill Dam in the aftermath of the destructive 1938 hurricane.
While flood-control was the impetus for the project, Tully Lake has become a
significant recreational site for the North Quabbin Region and probably the
most-visited natural resource of Royalston. The Trustees of Reservations operates a
popular campground on the north end of the lake.
Ecotourism is thought to be an important component of North Quabbin's Economic future.
According to statistics provided by the Corps of Engineers, there were
36,000 people who visited this recreational area in 2002 for boating, fishing,
picnicking, sightseeing, camping, and hunting. The number of visitors has risen
markedly in recent years as the recreation area has undergone improvements in
services and staffing. In addition, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has identified the land in question as a deer yard, that is, a
place where deer spend the winter months. Development of this area for housing
with a road bisecting the area could have negative impacts on deer and other wildlife.