Conference unifix::sailing

980.0. "Misery Island" by SENIOR::CARRERA (Joe Carrera) Tue Sep 13 1988 10:00

Recently, I received an interesting piece of mail. It was entitled, "S. O. S.! 
SEWAGE or SANCTUARY" The test of the mail follows:



_____________________________________________________________________________


ONCE SAVED

In 1935, a concerned group of North Shore residents purchased all but 12 acres 
of Great and Little Misery Islands to prevent the construction of an oil tank 
farm on the site. That same year the land ws deeded to the trustees of 
Reservations to ensure its permanent preservation for public use. Today, 
thanks to additional gifts and purchases, including the acquisition of a 
parcel in 1987, The trustees owns all of Little Misery and all but one small 
parcel on Great Misery.

THREATENED AGAIN

Misery Islands Reservation now faces its greatest threat. The South Essex 
Sewerage District Board is considering Great Misery, as well as other islands 
in Salem Bay, as a site for a Secondary Sewerage Treatment Plant. Plant 
facilities would include a sludge treatment building, administration building, 
dormitory, storage tanks for gasoline, heating and disel fuel and a large 
island pier. This would require the taking of 11 acres of land by eminent 
domain.

A DEVASTATING EFFECT

While we recognize the need for this facility, the construction of a Secondary 
Sewerage Treatment Plant on Great Misery would have a disastrous effect on 
Misery Islands Reservation and the surounding area.Of critical importance 
would be the loss of permanently preserved public open space and recreation 
land. As the only major island in Salem Bay maintained for public use, Great 
Misery now welcomes more than 12,000 boaters annually who come to fish, swom, 
hike and enjoy the island's unspoiled beauty. Significant wildlife habitat, 
especially for migratory and nesting birds, also would be lost. Finally, the 
plant would dramatically alter the scenic quality  of Salem Bay and the North 
Shore coastline.

PLEASE HELP

At public hearings, in the press and through petition, The Trustees of 
Reservations is oposing the selection of Great Misery as the site for the 
treatment plant. We know that strong legal action will be required to protect 
Miery Islands Reservation and that, ultimately, its defense may end up in 
court. You can help in a number of important ways:

1. Write to:
	Mr. Craig Stepno
	Chairman of the South Essex Sewerage District Board
	50 Forth Avenue
	Salem Ma. 01970

2. SIGN one of the many petitions that are circulation in your community or at 
the Headquarters of the Trustes of Reservations.

3. ATTEND the public hearings associated with the site selection proces. You 
will be notified of the time and location as soon as they are made know.

4. CONTRIBUTE to the Misery Island Defense Fund This fund will be used to 
defray the legal expenses associated with keeping the sewerage plant off 
Misery Island.


HELP US DEFEND THIS VERY SPECIAL PLACE . MISERY ISLAND IS COUNTING ON YOU

				THE FRIENDS OF MISERY ISLANDS


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Having just participated in the rafting at Misery this past weekend, I thought 
it might be of interest to  thr DEC sailors, particularly the North Shore 
group. Personally, I'm writing a letter to Mr. Craig Stepno, as the text 
requests.

Joe