Fairhaven Farm Protected from Development

400+ Acres of Critical Coastal Habitat Now Permanently Preserved

July 5, 2006

CONTACT:

Mark Rasmussen, Executive Director/Baykeeper

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay
(508) 999-6363, ext. 201; rasmussen@savebuzzardsbay.org

NEW BEDFORD, MA—One of the largest salt marsh systems on Buzzards Bay is now permanently protected thanks to the completion of the Viveiros Dairy Farm Preservation Project, an ambitious land deal spearheaded by the Coalition, that
permanently protects 120 acres of open space on Fairhaven’s Sconticut Neck.

The Viveiros property, one of the few remaining dairy farms east of New Bedford, has been used as a coastal farm for more than 100 years. The property lies just north of the existing Fairhaven-Acushnet Land Preservation Trust (FALPT)-owned Winsegansett Marshes Reserve. Its preservation now creates nearly 400 contiguous acres of permanently protected coastal habitat.

“This agreement will enable our family to continue what is now a third generation of dairy farming,” stated Viveiros family member, Chris Medeiros. “More than fifty years ago, my grandfather Antone and my Uncle Ernest purchased this land for
farming. Through their commitment to farming they demonstrated the importance of being good stewards of the land. As a result of this commitment, today, and for generations to come, families driving down Sconticut Neck Road can see the open fields that are the foreground to the natural beauty of Nasketucket Bay.”

“The Viveiros land deal represents one of the most important land protection projects ever completed on the Buzzards Bay coast,” said Mark Rasmussen, Coalition Executive Director. “Not only was it the largest unprotected farm on the Bay, its mix of uplands, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, beach and tidal flats makes it critical to the protection of Bay water quality, shellfish beds and wildlife. We are all very grateful to the Viveiros family for their generosity and commitment to conservation of this spectacular property.”

A broad partnership of organizations, including the Town of Fairhaven, the Coalition, FALPT, and state and federal conservation agencies worked with the Viveiros family to complete the four-year $3.25 million project. Funding was provided by grants from the New Bedford Harbor Trustees Council, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), whose funds are derived from the 2003 Bouchard Oil Spill penalty monies, and the Massachusetts
Department of Agricultural Resources. The remaining $350,000 was secured from Town of Fairhaven Community Preservation Act funds. Critical bridge financing, to allow the closing on the project prior to the receipt of the New Bedford Harbor Trustees Council grant, was provided by the Nonprofit Finance Fund.

The Viveiros Dairy Farm Preservation Project:

• Protects 3,450 feet of shoreline along Nasketucket Bay to ensure that the water quality and wildlife habitat of the Bay and its wetlands are preserved;

 
• Opens 37 acres (including more than 2,000 feet of shoreline) to the public for passive recreation and adds to the existing adjacent network of open spaces;

• Maintains 72 acres of valuable agricultural lands and a working dairy farm;

• Prevents the potential overdevelopment of Sconticut Neck, avoiding new financial strains on municipal services;

• Preserves the rural nature and scenic beauty of Sconticut Neck.

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The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of Buzzards Bay and its watershed. The organization works to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research and advocacy and is supported by more than 4,700 members.