Boston Herald
Monday, February 24, 2003

Recognition may aid Hanscom resistance

By Greg Gatlin

Four towns surrounding Hanscom Field in Bedford have been listed on a nonprofit group's list of the nation's most endangered landscapes - a distinction activists may use to battle expansion at the suburban airport.

Scenic America, a Washington, D.C.-based group that says it aims to preserve America's scenic character, put the historic towns of Concord, Lexington, Lincoln and Bedford on its annual list of the 10 most-threatened landscapes.

Activists opposed to Hanscom expansion will announce the recognition at a news conference at Minute Man National Historical Park today in Lexington that will include legislators, environmentalists, historians and videotaped interviews with celebrities including recording artist Don Henley, documentarian Ken Burns and actor Christopher Reeve.

Scenic America said expansion of flights will result in more noise from low-flying jets and increased traffic on roads serving the airport, threatening the distinctive character of the towns. Those towns are widely acknowledged as the birthplace of the American Revolution, the cradle of America's environmental movement and the home of its literary renaissance.

Activists had submitted the towns for consideration on Scenic America's list and will likely try to leverage the designation in their efforts to prevent expanded commercial service at Hanscom Field. The Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Hanscom, says it and other regional airports are key to easing congestion at Logan International Airport. Still, very few commercial flights currently operate out of the Bedford airport.

``It is time for the unnecessary commercialization of Hanscom Field to come to a halt,'' said Anna Winter, executive director of Save Our Heritage, an activist group.

Scenic America said it picks sites that face potentially irrevocable harm to their character. It says cell towers and billboards, which the group describes as ``litter-on-a-stick,'' are ruining vistas.

``Unfortunately, much of the natural beauty and distinctive character of America's cities, towns and natural areas is disappearing in a sea of uncontrolled, cookie-cutter residential development and shopping malls,'' said Meg Maguire, the group's president.

This year's list also cites cell towers jutting into view over the Potomac River in Maryland and Washington, D.C.; sprawling residential and commercial development stripping the Blue Ridge Parkway of spectacular views in Virginia; and forest clear-cutting near a 19th Century Georgian plantation.

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