Northeastern’s spokesman reacted to the Attorney General’s recent ruling on Nahant’s efforts to make technical corrections to its zoning bylaws (Daily Item, April 23) by telling Nahant to just give up.
Nahant’s persistent efforts would not be necessary if universities were more broadly constrained from thumbing their noses at local environmental bylaws by using avenues provided by the state’s outdated Dover Amendment.
Recent legislation put forward by Lynn and Nahant state Rep. Peter Capano and Sen. Brendan Crighton would have clarified that nonprofits seeking expansion under the umbrella of Dover are not permitted to ignore local environmental bylaws and natural resource protections.
In truth, Nahanters are basically worried that the University is plowing ahead with its multimillion-dollar project to build an oversized campus in an area that has consistently and dangerously flooded in the past decades.
Indeed, in its Final Environmental Impact Report (#16046), which is currently open for comments, Northeastern defiantly stated that it has no mitigation plans for the new campus in the face of rising seas.
Sadly, the “Amend Dover Amendment Act,” Bill H.1765, was tabled this year. But in the coming year, this bill should be revived. The “three” unsuccessful attempts to which Northeastern’s spokesman arrogantly referred to should not be the final nail in the coffin for the state’s smallest town.
Throughout the Commonwealth, local governments struggle to protect envIronmentally sensitive areas because of the archaic language of the Dover Amendment. Bill H. 1765 would be a simple fix that would help local municipalities and protect the environment of the entire Commonwealth.
Instead of telling Nahanters to back off and enlist in their effort to rip up one of the last undeveloped coastal headlands along the North Shore in order to build — wait for it — a coastal sustainability center, Northeastern should direct its sustainability teachers and policy instructors to find a more sustainable location.
Northeastern could choose one that would revitalize potential waterfronts, such as in Lynn or Salem. Such a facility would be a welcome magnet for growth and transportation expansion and actually demonstrate applied sustainability policy. I’m sure Northeastern would find very eager partners to work with in those communities.
Elizabeth Kessin Berman
Nahant