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Outdoor Recreation and the Quabbin Reservoir

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Outdoor Recreation and the Quabbin Reservoir OUTDOOR RECREATION AND THE behind various management decisions. It will also QUABBIN RESERVOIR: AN EXERCISE IN examine the types of use sought and by whom and POLITICAL MANEUVERING? the potential for the Quabbin to accommodate such uses. Beth E. Cohen Introduction Graduate Student in Natural Resources Conservation, Massachusetts is the third most densely populated University of Massachusetts-Amherst state in the union. Yet, in the western part of the 160 Holdsworth Way state there exists the largest tract of open space in Amherst, MA 01002. Southern New England (MDC, 1996). This is the Quabbin Reservation. The Quabbin Reservation David K. Loomis consists of 81,000 acres of undeveloped, forested Associate Professor in Natural Resources watershed land and an 18-mile long reservoir with Conservation, a surface area of 25,000 acres and 118 miles of University of Massachusetts-Amherst shoreline. Within the reservoir are heavily forested 160 Holdsworth Way islands and a 12,000-acre peninsula. The water of Amherst, MA 01002. the reservoir is blue-gray and generally calm, yet there are days when strong breezes bring waves. Most visitors to the reservoir have at least one Abstract: The Quabbin Reservoir was built in the sighting of a wild animal such as a turkey, deer, 1930’s as a water supply for Boston. It is currently coyote, songbird, loon or bald eagle. managed by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) as an unfiltered source of drinking water. This idyllic setting sounds like a haven for outdoor In order to ensure that water quality remains high recreation enthusiasts. However, recreational enough to avoid the installation of a multi-million opportunities are severely limited by the dollar filtration plant, the MDC has limited public Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), the access to the reservoir and recreation use on its agency responsible for managing the reservoir. The surrounding lands. As a result, the Quabbin is MDC argues that too many visitors would essentially undeveloped and wilderness-like in its compromise the true purpose of the reservoir - current condition. As one of the largest bodies of providing drinking water to over 2.5 million freshwater in New England, the Quabbin has a residents of Boston and surrounding towns. Too recreational appeal not easily found elsewhere. many visitors could jeopardize water quality Some activities, such as hiking, picnicking, directly, by contaminating the water, and indirectly birdwatching and shore and boat fishing are by negatively impacting the forest in the watershed. allowed. However, other user groups would like to recreate at the Quabbin, but cannot because of use Due to the type of forest surrounding the reservoir, restrictions. For example, swimming, off-road the water entering the reservoir and being sent to bicycling, canoeing, sailing and cross-country customers does not need to be filtered. Therefore, skiing are all prohibited. On the surface, the it is categorized as Class A water. The MDC wants recreation policies of the MDC are puzzling and the reservoir to remain unfiltered because the seemingly incongruent. For example, motor boats installation of a filtration facility would be a very are allowed on the reservoir, even though the costly prospect. In order to ensure a healthy engines and users could contaminate the water, but watershed, and as a result an unfiltered source of sailboats and canoes are not. Hunters are allowed water, the MDC strives to minimize human on an area known as Prescott Peninsula, but hikers activity within the reservation. As a result, the are not. Logging operations using heavy Quabbin is essentially undeveloped and remains in equipment are conducted as part of watershed a seemingly “natural state.” management, but camping is prohibited. The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of However, as one of the largest bodies of freshwater recreation at the Quabbin Reservoir. Particular in New England, the Quabbin has a recreational attention will be paid to the science and politics appeal not easily found elsewhere. The managers Proceedings of the 2003 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium GTR-NE-317 295 of the Quabbin recognize this and allow certain existing access or activities in the public water activities including hiking, picnicking, fishing, and supply watershed (MDC, 1998) of which Quabbin bird watching in many areas of the reservation. reservation is a part. It also allows for a controlled However, many others would like to recreate at the deer hunt and clarifies which recreational activities Quabbin, but cannot because of use restrictions. are allowed within the reservation. Currently, the Activities such as swimming, camping, cross- following activities are allowed, with limitations, at country skiing and ice fishing are prohibited. the Quabbin reservation: Furthermore, some of the policies of the MDC are seemingly incongruent. For example, motorboats Bicycling = but only on paved roads so as to are allowed on parts of the reservoir, but sailboats prevent soil erosion and to limit access to are not. Hunters are allowed on an area known as shorelines. Prescott Peninsula, but hikers are not. Logging Sledding = allowed down hills in areas other than operations using heavy equipment are conducted as the reservoir, Prescott Peninsula, reservoir part of watershed management, but off-road islands, the dam or the dike so as to protect bicycling is prohibited. these structures and because of the potential for injury due to the steep slope of the dam. The purpose of this paper is to examine the history Hiking, walking, and snow shoeing = allowed in of recreation at the Quabbin Reservoir. Particular designated areas and/or during designated times attention will be paid to both the science and to because the MDC must limit access to sensitive the politics behind various management decisions. areas to protect the drinking water quality from It will also examine the types of use sought and by contamination by improperly disposed of whom and the potential for the Quabbin to sanitary wastes. accommodate such uses. Shore fishing = allowed on approximately 50% of the shoreline, by foot during regular fishing Current Recreation Policy season. This is allowed due to early legislation. The Quibbling Reservoir was built in the 1930’s to The MDC feels that by limiting the access areas, supply the ever-increasing population of Boston it limits potential negative impacts to the water with clean drinking water. Its main function is to quality. supply drinking water to 2.5 million customers. Boat fishing = allowed only with a valid The primary goals of the MDC are to protect Massachusetts fishing license or a one-day, five- water quality and quantity. The Swift River Act, dollar Quabbin license, on three-quarters of the passed in 1927, is the legislation that appropriated west branch of the reservoir, and more than two- money for the construction of the reservoir. This thirds of the middle branch of the reservoir. 19-page act discusses almost every aspect of the Boats are restricted to the area north of the establishment and running of the reservoir, except intake valves which draw the water from the recreation. Thus, it has been left up to the MDC reservoir to be sent to consumers. Furthermore, to develop and implement a recreation policy. the horsepower of the motors is limited to 20 hp for a two-stroke engine and 25 hp for a four- It wasn’t until 1972 that the MDC Quabbin’s stroke engine. By limiting motor size, the MDC recreation policy was codified. This legislation, limits the potential for pollution from this known as the Kelly-Wetmore Act, made official the source. policies the MDC had been following for years. It Kayaking and canoeing = allowed, but not on the disallows development of land in the reservation, main part of the reservoir. Only on a small hunting, and camping, as well as sets forth the pond that branches off from the reservoir. This rules for logging operations and allows for public is due to concern over human safety, increased access to reservation land with the exception of usage and potential harm to water quality. It is Prescott peninsula. only recently that kayakers and canoers have been given access to the Quabbin. Seventeen years later the Quabbin Recreation and Night access = allowed for fishing purposes, with a Public Access Policy and Plan took effect. This night access permit. plan calls for limiting or minimizing new Assemblies = gatherings of more than 25 people recreational activities or increased intensity of need to apply for a permit. When requested, 296 Proceedings of the 2003 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium GTR-NE-317 permits are usually granted to groups. For timely manner. example, many people hold their wedding Swimming = because swimming in the reservoir or ceremonies at the Quabbin. This is allowed as any of its tributaries increases the potential for long as cars are parked so as to avoid blocking contamination by pathogens, such as the flow of traffic and nothing is put up that will Cryptosporidium and Giardia. be driven into the ground or a tree. Also, Consumption of alcohol = due to the increased schools, scout troops, and camps, often apply for potential for those under the influence to and receive permits for groups of 25 or more to disregard MDC’s rules and regulations. hike into various gates for educational purposes. Organized sports = due to the potential for increased recreation in the Quabbin watershed. Activities prohibited at the Quabbin reservation Domestic animals = due to the potential for the are: introduction of Cryptosporidium and/or Giardia. Dogs, cats and cattle are carriers of Off-road motorized vehicles = cause excessive these organisms. So are beaver, muskrats, and erosion and can leak fuels or other hazardous gulls. The MDC takes measures to control the materials onto watershed land, which can end up occurrence of these animals near the intake in the public water supply.
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