Bedford Minuteman
Wednesday, June 4, 2003

Park listed as 'endangered'
National Trust designation draws distinguished advocates

By Barbara Forster / Correspondent

Minute Man National Historical Park is on the list of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" issued annually by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

"Massport's ambitious plans for expanded use of Hanscom Field's civilian airport - already the second busiest in takeoffs and landings in all of New England - are threatening the park," said Wendy Nichols, director of the Trust's Northeast Office. "Their plans would worsen existing problems and necessitate major structural changes to the Battle Road that would destroy its historic authenticity."

Richard Moe, president of the Trust, pointed out that the park and the towns are not in an urban area. "In fact, most of the historic sites are located in undeveloped or sparsely developed areas. the natural quiet of this rural setting is an integral part of the visitor experience, an experience that is shattered by the constant sound of jets blaring overhead."

The announcement was made at The Old Manse at Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord on May 28. More than 200 residents and a host of dignitaries including area legislators were on hand for the news conference. Pulitzer-Prize winning historian David McCullough, Congressman Marty Meehan, and former Governor Michael Dukakis were among the speakers.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable.

According to the Trust, the 11 sites chosen annually are "threatened by neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy." Since 1988, more than 146 buildings, sites, and landscapes have appeared on the list.

This year's list will be featured in a documentary special on the History Channel on July 3.

"It's wonderful to have the recognition of such a prestigious organization," said Nancy Nelson, park superintendent, "but it's too bad to have ended up there."

Nevertheless, the designation has benefits.

"It's about awareness - which is our campaign - to make this a nationwide effort to protect these places," said Neil Rasmussen of Save Our Heritage. "This is a national issue about national resources."

"It takes the issue (of preserving the park) out of the local milieu and into a broader context," added Nelson.

Sarah Lazarus, spokesperson for Safeguarding the Historic Hanscom Area's Irreplaceable Resources, agrees.

"This is about the national park and preserving it for posterity," she said.

Save Our Heritage spearheaded the award by submitting applications for the designation three times before securing it.

Massport CEO Craig Coy, however, questions whether the park really belongs on the endangered list. In a letter to the Trust, Coy noted that "the only factor cited for the park's inclusion on the list was its proximity" to Hanscom.

In fact, continued Coy, Hanscom is "quieter and more environmentally friendly" than it was in 1959 when the park opened. Although the number of flights is about the same, he stated that the skies are less noisy because today's aircraft are dramatically more quiet.

Still, according to Massport's 2000 annual Noise Report for Hanscom business jet activity rose for seven consecutive years. The year 2001 was no
exception: jet activity went up 12.9 percent and turboprop operations 5.7 percent.

The Massport CEO also stated that it was "surprising" that the Trust "would make an allegation without conducting an research, reviewing available data, or consulting with state environmental authorities, Massport or the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)."

Coy added that the charge was without substance and that the Trust issued incorrect statements such as describing the four towns as "rural" and "underdeveloped or sparsely developed areas."

"Anyone who has seen the millions of square feet in residential, office development, and R&D space that has been constructed over the past 20 years knows that this is not the case," he added.

Another endangered designation occurred earlier this year when the four Hanscom towns, Bedford, Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln, were dubbed as one of the country's 10 "Last Chance Landscapes for 2002-03." Massport did not respond.

That title came from Scenic America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to protecting places of natural beauty and distinctive community character.

Trust designations are not given to strictly hopeless cases; remedies or potential solutions must be part of the package. Hanscom solutions vary. Federal legislation that limits the number and type of civilian operations is one option. An enforceable agreement among Massport, the towns, and the Federal Aviation Administration to limit growth is another.

The third suggestion is to transfer Hanscom from Massport to an independent body with a mission statement that would expressly include the preservation of historic sites. This requires state legislation similar to the act that established Massport.

These ideas were bandied about earlier this year - after Scenic America selected the four towns as endangered landscapes - but area officials have not been able to move them off the paper.

Selectman Sheldon Moll of Bedford, who is chairman the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission, explained that several selectmen broached the subject with state officials.

"We were told that right now the issues are fiscal," said Moll.

Another avenue of influence is through the Board of Governors but, said Moll, "there is no opening at this time."

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