could start by enforcing to the maximum degree possible further infringement on
our wetlands - the wetlands store the sudden increase in water. Over the years
building has taken place and disrupted wetlands, resulting in flooding
downstream.
IMO - Millwood is an example of where the limits were stretched and as the
rural areas are further developed I suspect more flooding will become a more
common occurrence. There have been numerous other disruptions over the past 20
years and, seemingly, more to come.
Meanwhile...For additional facts on the beavers
Statement Regarding Beavers
https://www.framinghamma.gov/list.aspx?MID=1008
Framingham, MA – The City of Framingham regrets that it was placed into a set
of circumstances that resulted in the demise of the beavers that were
populating the section of MADCR Reservoir 1 between Singletary Lane and its
other outlet at Worcester Road. The City spent the last five weeks working to
keep a section Singletary Lane, which includes a 100-year-old land bridge, from
washing out. If the bridge had eroded away it would have taken the embedded
water, sewer, and natural gas lines with it, creating an extreme hardship for
nearly 300 homes in Framingham. Singletary Lane was closed multiple times while
the City ran heavy duty 6” pumps for 12- and 24-hour shifts to attempt to lower
the water levels. Framingham has expended almost $40,000 in the last several
weeks in pumping costs and traffic details to retain the bridge and keep the
road open. That ongoing effort and its associated costs could not be sustained
indefinitely.
As of November 27th, Framingham had received 21 inches of rain since late
September and it was still raining as of that late November date. This was
almost 11 inches of rain above the average recorded rainfall for that period.
The City worked with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and Department
of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to locate the beaver dams. Because of the
excessive rain and dams, water rose more than four feet above its normal
elevation and was washing over the roadway and beginning to undermine the
retaining walls. This flooding created dangerous driving conditions for anyone
traveling that route, specifically the 15 school buses that traverse that route
twice daily. At this same time, residents’ yards and basements also were
becoming flooded.
In the past, the City had utilized a device commonly referred to as a “Beaver
Deceiver” at beaver dams to manage water levels where the prevailing conditions
allowed for it. At this point in the flooding, and due to the extreme elevation
of the water, it was too late to implement that option. The City followed the
prescribed regulatory process and reached out to the Department of Public
Health, the Conservation Commission, and DCR (the property owner) for emergency
permits.
When flooding occurs incidental to a beaver dam, Massachusetts regulations
require that the aggrieved (damaged) party seek the permit for trapping and pay
the costs associated with that action. In this case it was the City that bore
that responsibility and cost associated with the effort. Under the prevailing
emergency circumstances, few other options were available. The City acted to
prevent a potential public Safety and Public Health disaster.
The trapper worked for over two weeks while the City worked simultaneously to
stabilize conditions. State regulations do not allow trappers to relocate
trapped beavers to other areas and unfortunately they are most often
euthanized.
Upon removal of the beavers, and aided by a stretch of dry weather, the City is
incrementally breaching the dams to allow the water to resume its intended
course and the threat to Public Safety is slowly subsiding.
The City recognizes this recent action does not achieve the type of conclusion
for the beavers that most people would prefer. If the City is able to avoid the
removal a beaver population in the process of flood mitigation, as it has in
the past, Framingham will avail itself of that option.