The Franklin Regional Council of Governments offers the following information about the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP) project in response to recent comments about the project appearing on the editorial page of the Recorder.
The MTWP project has multiple facets related to forest land conservation, natural resource based economic development and municipal financial sustainability. The project, developed over three years with representatives from 20 of the 21 towns in the region, is expected to bring significant resources to the economically distressed area of Western Franklin and Northern Berkshire Counties for natural resource based economic development, forest land conservation and municipal support. State legislation has been filed to formally establish the MTWP.
The MTWP is not primarily focused on wood heat or woody biomass energy. For example, the proposed Mohawk Trail Forest Center would support scientific research in the 21-town region to study the impact of climate change on forests and to develop approaches to making forests resilient and sustainable. Another proposed project is to conserve 2,100 acres of forest land from development.
Using local wood for heat in houses and municipal buildings, as an alternative to oil heat, was an idea that community members showed interest in during public outreach meetings about the MTWP project. There is a recommendation in the MTWP Plan to evaluate the feasibility of using sustainably sourced local wood for energy efficient heat to replace oil and to reduce municipal energy costs. The FRCOG has received criticism from those opposed to using wood for heat. The FRCOG and MTWP Advisory Committee have taken several steps to address the concerns raised.
Given concerns about potential air quality impacts, a scientific study on wood heat system emissions and a public health assessment are being conducted by the University of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Health Sciences. Also the MTWP Board (if the legislation passes), that will oversee all activities of the Partnership, would include a representative with public health expertise.
Given concerns raised about climate change and carbon storage impacts, the MTWP Board (if the legislation passes) would include a representative with expertise in ecosystem functions, carbon cycling and/or climate change. The state legislation strongly emphasizes the importance of carbon storage and sequestration.
The state legislation does not include a wood pellet manufacturing facility and the draft MTWP Business Plan has no funding allocated to such a facility. There is no intent to utilize MTWP funding for the construction or operation of a wood pellet manufacturing facility. Changes have been made to the proposed legislation to make this even clearer.
The FRCOG’s mission is to take a balanced approach to planning which protects our natural resources and the environment, addresses climate change, safeguards public health while also providing for sustainable economic development to support living wage jobs and affordable housing. We strive to accomplish this with all our projects to support clean water, fresh air, living wage jobs, affordable housing and a safe and healthy environment in which to live. The MTWP project takes this balanced approach.
Linda Dunlavy is executive director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.