Buzzards Bay Coalition, Inc

The Snell Creek Project Will Permanently Protect 28 Acres of Cold Water Stream, Wetlands and Forests With Exceptional Bird, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Values, Including Sea Run Eastern Brook Trout, Which Are an Important Component of the Westport River Estuary Ecosystem on Buzzards Bay in Southeastern Massachusetts. the Subject Property Contains 700 Linear Feet of Stream Channel Surrounded by Associated Wetlands and Backed by Buffering Riparian Forests That Are Critical to a Number of Water-dependent Bird Species as Well as One of the Few Remaining Viable Sea Run Eastern Brook Trout Populations and to the Maintenance of Habitat Quality in the Estuary Immediately Downstream. the Project Land (in the Town of Westport, Bristol County) Is Located Upstream of the East Branch of the Westport River and Is Adjacent to a Growing Block of Permanently Protected Conservation Land Along Angeline Brook and Snell Creek (both Brook Trout Cold Streams). the Project Involves the Acquisition of a Conservation Easement by Buzzards Bay Coalition (referred to as a Conservation Restriction in Massachusetts) Over a 28 Acre Parcel Through Which Snell Creek Runs, Thereby Providing Permanent Protection to the Critical Habitats and Preventing Land Use Conversion. If Awarded, the Grant Funds Will Be Matched 1:1 by Funds Raised by the Coalition. This Will Be an Important Expansion of a Partnership of Peer Land Conservation Organizations and the Town of Westport All Working to Protect the Westport River Estuary and Its Associated Sea Run Brook Trout Streams and Builds Upon the Exceptional Partnership With Nawca to Protect the Important Remaining Wetland Habitats Around Buzzards Bay. This Is Part of a Larger Partnership Effort to Specifically Protect the Habitat Quality of the Westport River Estuary by Protecting the Stream Corridors and Wetland Complexes Associated With the Cold Water Tributaries, Including Snell Creek, of This Estuarine Ecosystem.