I am writing regarding the “trail approval” portion of reporter Scott Merzbach’s May 5 article, “Leverett voters back conservation trail, keep historic library.”

Rather than considering the existing pedestrian-only access to the King meadow (blueberry field) adequate and relinquishing the goal of public vehicular access, Leverett voters approved funding at Town Meeting for a drivable trail. In reality, this is a road that will be constructed through wetlands if approved by the Conservation Commission and MEPA.

This gravel road would be 575 feet long and 12 feet wide with pull-offs and a bridge over the stream. These wetlands have been deemed less valuable because of the presence of trash, but that seems intended to justify constructing an unnecessary road through wetlands. The wetlands were valuable enough for 2010 Special Town Meeting voters to approve the Conservation Commission purchasing the parcel for “conservation purposes.” The current proposal is not the first time wetlands concerns have taken a back seat to efforts to secure public vehicular access. Wetlands on the Evans’ property were also not treated as a concern during the eminent domain easement attempt.

Has there been adequate consideration of the negative ecological impacts of the road such as habitat destruction and fragmentation? The road could impede wildlife movement between wetland areas or increase the risk of road mortality for wildlife attempting to cross it.

The current narrative is that the road is needed not only for public vehicular access, but also for access to maintain the meadow and prevent it from returning to forest. This is incorrect. Access for maintenance purposes has always been allowed and still is via the access way on private property, which has been at the center of the lawsuit. At Town Meeting, one resident stated that invasives were spreading because the meadow was not brush-hogged last year. If this is the case, it was not for lack of access.

Many Leverett residents embrace concern for the environment and the natural world that surrounds them. Yet when it comes to public vehicular access to the King meadow, those environmental principles seem easy to set aside.

Maureen Ippolito

Montague