When it comes to climate change, spending money isn’t the answer. Last week the city of Northampton announced the launch of a $400,000 project to address climate resiliency, with stormwater management as the top priority. According to the press release, Northampton will be investing in “nature-based solutions” to manage stormwater runoff from the heavy precipitation and extreme weather events that are becoming all too common. I applaud the city for investing in nature-based solutions to the serious issue of stormwater management. However, Northampton must also take steps to protect the nature-based solutions that already exist — mature trees.
In 2013, Northampton adopted major zoning changes as part of its commitment to sustainability. But infill development is only ecologically sound when individual projects are required to be sustainably designed. Currently, our zoning regulations fall short when it comes to trees. For example, developers may cut down large, old trees that can absorb up to an inch of rainwater and replace them with new, young trees that are nowhere near as effective at absorbing stormwater and carbon.
This Thursday, a project will come before the planning board that removes a 150-plus-year-old maple and threatens at least four additional mature trees by building a parking lot over their critical root zone. I urge the Northampton Planning Board and the Office of Planning and Sustainability to be consistent and vigilant in its efforts to prepare for climate change. As part of the special permit process, the developer must be required to relocate the parking lot. If the city isn’t going to protect these valuable “nature-based solutions” to stormwater runoff, why would we spend $400,000 investing in new ones?
Joni Mitchell knew back in 1970 that we should not “pave paradise and put up a parking lot,” but in an era of terrifying weather events, her words take on new meaning and urgency.
Amy Meltzer
Northampton