The Fall River City Council Committee on Economic Development and Tourism met on December 15, 2020, to discuss public access, amenities, and promotional opportunities within the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. The committee first approved the meeting minutes from September 16, 2020. No members of the public offered comments during citizen input.
City Watershed Forester Mike Labossiere and Administrator of Community Utilities Paul Ferland delivered a comprehensive presentation detailing the history, ecological importance, and recreational amenities of the 16,000-acre Bioreserve, which includes 22 miles of hiking trails in Fall River. They explained how watershed protection for North Watuppa Pond and the Copicut Reservoir coordinates with passive recreation, including hiking, snowshoeing, and shoreline fishing. The presentation also addressed hunting regulations, the creation of the unified trail map, partnerships with state agencies and the Trustees of Reservations, and potential future initiatives, such as an environmental education center on Blossom Road and a trail link to the Quequechan River Rail Trail.
During committee discussion, Councillor Dion raised safety concerns regarding pedestrian awareness during hunting season, prompting forest officials to commit to adding warning signage at trailheads. Chair Pereira suggested increasing public outreach through local schools, hotels, highway signage, and the city website. Ferland noted an MVP grant was recently secured to develop a dedicated Bioreserve website. After Councillor Liberty-Lebeau lost her connection, Councillor Dion moved to table the matter for continued discussion, which passed before the meeting adjourned.
Topics discussed
- 0:47 · Minutes Approval — approved
The committee approved the minutes from the September 16, 2020 meeting. - 1:12 · Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve Overview and History
Forester Mike Labossiere and Administrator Paul Ferland presented the history of the 16,000-acre Bioreserve, land acquisitions dating back to 1870, and watershed protections for North Watuppa Pond and Copicut Reservoir. - 28:55 · Recreational Trails and Public Amenities
Officials highlighted specific trail systems in the Bioreserve, including the Tatapanum Trail, Miller Brook, Fatherland/Brightman Homestead loop, and shoreline fishing at Copicut Reservoir. - 39:46 · Hunting Safety and Trail Signage
Councillor Dion raised concerns regarding visitor safety during hunting seasons, and forestry staff agreed to place hunting alert notices at trailheads. - 1:00:00 · Public Promotion, Website Development, and Ecotourism
The committee and staff discussed ways to better promote the Bioreserve, including an upcoming MVP grant-funded website, school partnerships, highway signage, and ecotourism tie-ins. - 1:11:06 · Motion to table the discussion regarding amenities at the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve for further review — tabled