Cape Cod: Bourne Plans to Buys Land to Benefit Box Turtle

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

BOURNE – The Town of Bourne plans to buy 12 acres of land for the benefit of the Eastern Box Turtle.

The purchase of the land factors into the expansion of the town landfill. The endangered turtles currently reside on 12 acres south of the landfill.

The two parcels of land in consideration are located south of the Otis rotary and east of Route 28.

The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Massachusetts Natural Heritage And Endangered Species Act require the town to replace the habitat for the turtles currently living on the 12 acres of land south of the landfill.

“That’s prime habitat all the way to Falmouth, these are real good pieces of land for us to look at,” said Daniel Barret, general manager of the towns integrated Solid Waste Management Department regarding the prospective land acquisitions. 

The extension of the landfill would extend its expected lifespan to the mid 2040’s.

“Landfill capacity in Massachusetts is very short, so The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act provide opportunities for mitigation.” said Barett.

Real estate transactions require a two thirds majority approval by residents at town meeting. An article on the issue will be presented on October 21^st.

There is not yet an estimate on how much it would cost the town to purchase the properties.