State Senate Passes Amendment by Sen. Joyce to Protect Fowl Meadow

An amendement sponsored by Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) to protect the Fowl Meadow habitat on the Milton–Canton line has been voted to the State Senate's Fiscal Year 2014 budget, according to an announcement this week. 

The amendment requires anyone seeking to alter any priority habitat to receive a statement from the conservation commission of the city or town of the habitat before doing any work, according to the announcement. 

The statement would evaluate the proposed alteration on the habitat by considering such factors as the effects of the construction and chemicals on the environment, the potential of increased pollution due to new traffic, and the potential loss of recreation space. 

The effect of the amendment, if agreed to by the House of Representative and Gov. Deval Patrick, would be to decrease the likelihood the 276-unit housing development known as Milton Mews proposed at the Milton–Canton town line would ever be built.

"Fowl Meadow is an irreplaceable environmental area of critical concern that deserves protection,” said Joyce in a statement. “It serves as a habitat to a diverse array of plants and animals, including some rare and endangered species, and also acts as a crucial flood barrier along the Neponset River, protecting homeowners and businesses.”