In the summer of 2019, the Franklin Conservation District (FCD) launched its Sustainable Public River Access initiative, thanks to a Land Conservation District Grant awarded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Our rivers and streams are a cherished feature of the New England landscape, and nowhere more so than in Western Massachusetts. Clean water, scenic surroundings, and abundant recreational opportunities create a natural resource that has been enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors alike. These waterways are an important part of the region’s appeal – and that appeal has increasingly beckoned not only to local folks but to people in nearby population centers and beyond who are seeking
rural relief from urban environments. So much so in recent years that heavy use of accessible rivers and streams poses a danger of their being “loved to death.”
It is critically important to address the issues caused by that trend in order to keep this precious resource truly accessible to would-be users, including local residents and out-of-town visitors.
