North Falmouth Woodlands Conservation Restrictions
Location: 48 Benjamin Nyes Lane & 0 Quaker Road
Applicant: Conservation Commission & The 300 Committee
Allocation: $3,000,000 ($1,000,000 to be reimbursed to CP Fund through grants)
Year/Article: April 2024/Article 29
The Falmouth Conservation Commission and The 300 Committee (T3C) are collaborating on the North Falmouth Woodlands project to purchase and permanently protect approximately 38-acres of land on two lots off of 48 Benjamin Nyes Lane and 0 Quaker Road with $3,000,000 in CP Funds. T3C will own the parcels and the Conservation Commission will hold two separate conservation restrictions (CRs) on the two lots. The Conservation Commission and T3C will apply for grants to support the project which is contingent upon $1,000,000 being reimbursed to the CP Fund.
The North Falmouth Woodlands property has high natural resource values and is environmentally sensitive land that is located within Priority and Core Habitat of rare species with a number of vernal pools. The conservation of the two parcels will protect these resources and provide passive recreational opportunities in an area of town where open space is scarce. Walking trails will be created throughout the property with potential connections to the North Falmouth Elementary School. The land is also close to the Shining Sea Bikeway and within walking distance of North Falmouth Village. The North Falmouth Woodlands project will strategically set the stage for potential future land protection efforts nearby.
T3C identified the North Falmouth Woodland parcels as a high priority for acquisition in the 1980’s and was one of the Top 20 Parcels for Acquisition during the Land Bank era (1998-2005). For many years, T3C has worked to combine open space purchases with much needed community housing opportunities and the overall North Falmouth Woodlands project will set aside 7.5-acres for the development of community housing in an area where there is already an existing house with outbuildings. An additional 10-acres of land will be conserved and permanently protected as mitigation for the development of housing within Priority Habitat, as required under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). The Conservation Commission will eventually hold the CR on the 10-acre parcel as well for a total of 48-acres of permanently protected open space. The portion of the project that includes the 7.5-acre community housing development and the 10-acre mitigation parcel will be funded from sources other than the CP Fund.