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Builders urged to learn MESA review process
By Derek Burritt
Banner Correspondent
TRURO — What is a lawn?
This is one of many questions surrounding the recent resurveying of Truro by the Mass. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, which places nearly the entire town in a rare species habitat for 34 plants and animals.
At last week’s board of selectman meeting, Assistant Town Administrator Charleen Greenhalgh reported on the results of a Nov. 8 Natural Heritage meeting sponsored by Safe Harbors in Wellfleet.
One important outcome of the meeting, according to Greenhalgh, is the understanding of the urgency that now exists for everyone in town looking to build, from do-it-yourself homeowners to professional developers, to get in the habit of filing for Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) review once the footprint of a project has been determined, including septic plans.
“We’re hoping people will catch on quickly to this concept that they really need to start with MESA,” said Greenhalgh.
Generally speaking, projects proposed to be built on land that is in a priority habitat of rare species and that expand existing residential dwellings less than 50 percent and commercial structures less than 20 percent are exempt from MESA review. However, this expansion must take place on a “lawfully developed and maintained lawn or landscaped area,” according to the Natural Heritage Exemptions from Review for Projects or Activities in Priority Habitat.
One issue lies with lawns and landscaped areas that existed prior to the new MESA map that now may fall within a restrictive zone. Greenhalgh said no clear answer came from Natural Heritage at the Nov. 8 meeting about grandfathering these types of areas. Also, there’s an issue of natural landscapes, which many people choose to maintain. For instance, if a homeowner elected to keep a natural grove of trees surrounding his/her dwelling and now wants to cut down those trees to expand, a MESA review must be done.
Filing for MESA review is done directly through the state Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. The initial request for review costs $50 and takes 30 days to determine if the application is complete. The formal review takes 60 days and costs $300 for projects that propose to disturb less than 5 acres of land. This review, which Greenhalgh said requires a walk-through of the site, will determine the parameters of the project.
Based on the findings of the review, Greenhalgh said Natural Heritage may impose such conditions on the project as a management plan and timeline restrictions on construction, depending upon what species will be affected. She also said modifications to the proposed project may be suggested by Natural Heritage to keep it from disrupting relevant species.
“Everyone should realize that this is for real. We’re talking about something that really has to happen now. We have to deal with it,” said Patricia Pajoran, health agent, who also attended the Nov. 8 meeting.
Greenhalgh and Pajoran recommend that everyone undertaking new construction and building endeavors that alter the original footprint of a structure file for MESA review. Currently, the town is going through the process with regards to the proposed community center.
Greenhalgh explained that the reason so much more of Truro is designated inside a rare species habitat now as opposed to the previous mapping, done in 2003, is that the total existence of wildlife — called “the estimated habitat” by Natural Heritage — is considered in the most recent mapping.
Greenhalgh used a nondescript moth in her example: “What it needs to survive is a particular plant. The plant might not be endangered, but the moth needs the plant to survive, so they look at where those plants are,” she said.
This broader examination of endangered species also includes such factors as where certain species, like the box turtle, may travel to lay their eggs.
Going forward, all affected committees plan to meet in December to formulate Truro-specific questions that will be addressed to Natural Heritage at a special meeting planned for January.
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Nov 30th, 2006