LAND-USE CHANGE AND LAND ACQUISITION

Research at the Reserve has shown that land use change, particularly residential development, in the Waquoit Bay watershed has resulted in drastic impacts to estuarine resources. A key component of the Reserve'ss efforts to protect the quality of the land and water ecosystems within the Reserve is the preservation of undeveloped land in and around the Waquoit Bay watershed. Land acquisition by the Reserve provides increased opportunities for research and education activities. Such protection of undeveloped land also provides many associated benefits to coastal communities in the form of aesthetic values, controlled recreational access, limitations to increases in traffic, and protection of drinking water resources. Land acquisition activities are implemented in conjunction with the Reserve’s participation in the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge Conservation Partnership.

In 1995, the Waquoit Bay Reserve joined in cooperation with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Falmouth Rod and Gun Club and the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council to form the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge Partnership. Each party was actively interested in protecting
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Waquoit Bay ACEC (map of ACEC, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern)

Waquoit Bay and some surrounding uplands were designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in 1979. ACECs are places in Massachusetts that receive special recognition because of the quality, uniqueness, and significance of their natural and cultural resources. The State Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) administers the ACEC Program and closely coordinates with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (MCZM) regarding coastal ACECs.

The Waquoit Bay ACEC has boundaries nearly identical to the Reserve, mainly differing in extent of tidal river protection. In relation to the Reserve boundary, the ACEC includes greater extents of the Childs and Quashnet Rivers; Red Brook; Jim, Little, Flat and Witch ponds; and of a few tributaries. However, the Reserve boundary includes Great and Little Rivers and the ACEC boundary does not. See Appendices E-G for the Waquoit Bay ACEC designation document, resource summary, and legal boundary description.

The purpose of the ACEC designation is to preserve, restore, and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the area. The goals of the designation are achieved through the application of stricter standards under existing state regulations, through priority attention from state agencies for technical assistance, grants, or other programmatic means, and through cooperative stewardship efforts from citizens to Federal agencies. A synopsis of regulations that apply stricter standards within ACECs follows. It is important to note that ACEC designation does not create new regulations, nor does it supersede local regulations or zoning. For further information concerning regulatory effects of ACEC designation, see www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec/regsum.htm for a quick summary or www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec/acecGuide.pdf for a complete guide.