DCR Special Commission Holds Third Meeting
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Special Commission held its third meeting this week. Karen Mauney-Brodek, president of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, became the second appointed “Friends” commissioner. Karen is a leading figure in the struggle to reclaim the lost acres of Franklin Park, an ongoing, uphill, and important fight for those of us who love Franklin Park and the Olmsted legacy. She’s a solid addition to the Commission.
After a slow start, the Commission seems to be getting its footing while the UMass Donahue Institute appears more in control of its information and schedule. Meetings now follow a theme with a DCR presentation and a Donahue Institute analysis.
Notable decisions:
- While the close of the public comment period remains June 8th, the Commission’s work has been extended through August, which is a welcome decision and one supported by advocates and Commission members alike.
- The schedule does not include a public comment period for the Draft Report, an outlier for most public reports and policy recommendations. We hope the Commission makes room in the schedule for this essential part of the public process.
Notable moments:
- Carolyn Dykema, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and a Commission member, stated that many people she talks to about DCR parks say litter, trash pickup, and staffing, top the list. She then asked if the Donahue Institute intends to address that in its report? Crickets. We have to wonder why? It’s a loud chorus from people we talk with, too.
- There was a presentation on DCR Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and the effort to streamline and complete them quicker. RMPs are legislatively mandated inventories and plans for our state parks and forests and a Stewardship Council priority. As regular attendees, we have seen the progress made as a result of Council oversight. Yet, no one from DCR or the Donahue Institute mentioned the Council’s role in these DCR improvements. An unfortunate snub.
We urge you to attend the next scheduled meeting on June 29th at 1:00pm, if you are able. We’ll notice the Zoom invitation as soon as it is available.
We also ask that you join us by signing our petition to the Commission for meaningful change and a renewed commitment to our natural, historical, cultural, and recreational resources – a ten-year plan to reverse the state’s disinvestment in our park system.
It’s important to remember this mind-boggling fact: the DCR operating budget was $3 million more in 2009 than in 2020, while the state budget grew by $18 billion.
Please use this link and add your name. There’s no time to waste with under two weeks to the close of the June 8 comment period.