Editor:

    The South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) Board of
Directors and the Meeting House Hill Association (MHHA) Steering
Committee enthusiastically support the land swap to preserve Sawyer
Marsh that was unveiled at the Tuesday, December 12th planning board
meeting. We applaud and appreciate the efforts of Paul Vose, his
business partner Larry Lydon and the City of South Portland in reaching
what we hope will be a landmark compromise where a less-than one acre
parcel of City land at the top of Trout Brook sand pit will be swapped
for the more than 8 acres of Sawyer Marsh. The City simultaneously
committed to preserving the Marsh property and conserving the lower end
of Trout Brook sand pit as well as the adjacent Trout Brook walking
area.

    Why is the land swap a great deal for South Portland ?

    It will preserve perpetually a rare scenic vista and
valuable resource by eliminating the potential for development in the
Sawyer Marsh and protecting the highly sensitive Trout Brook which is
among the most studied resources in all of Maine because of its
naturally reproducing population of brook trout.

    It recognizes the importance of protecting one of
the City’s most precious and limited resources – land. The 2001 South
Portland Open Space Plan ranks Trout Brook as #2 and Sawyer Marsh as #5
in importance for preservation.

    The top of Trout Brook sand pit will be converted
from an eyesore and illegal dumping ground to up to three attractive
homes. The proposal includes easements on both ends of the lot to
preserve the pine tree buffer along Parrot Street and to preserve trail
access for pedestrians and deer to reach the lower end of Trout Brook
walking area.

Future generations and hundreds of current residents will herald this
as a long-term strategic decision and smart growth action that
exemplifying City Hall, citizens and developers working together for
positive results.

    SPLT and MHHA are dedicated to not only preserving
Sawyer Marsh, but enhancing and perpetually protecting the sensitive
water habitat of the Trout Brook Watershed. To this end, public
education activities are planned for next spring about the negative
impacts of fertilizer and pesticide runoff, soil erosion, shrubbery
clearing and dumping grass clippings within the watershed area. Members
of the SPLT Board of Directors and MHHA Steering Committee pledge that
we will begin this effort by focusing on those activities that cause
damage to this valued resource.

    While private negotiations of the land swap are
ongoing between the developers and the City, we extend our heartfelt
appreciation to Mr. Vose, Mr. Lydon, Jim Gailey, assistant city manager
and director of community development, Tex Haeuser, city planning
director, the City Council and supporting members of the Planning Board
for their efforts to bring the land swap to fruition.

    We are proud of your environmental stewardship and
wholeheartedly support the proposed land swap to preserve a South
Portland treasure.

Sincerely,

SPLT Board of Directors

(Tom Blake, President)

MHHA Steering Committee

(Michelle Benington, President)