RIGHT NOW: Support Tree Defenders Fighting Fracked Gas In Lincoln

Enbridge, a multinational fossil fuel corporation, is attempting to clear trees in a state-designated Priority Habitat of Rare Species in Lincoln, in order to build a temporary dirt parking lot for a proposed expansion to a fracked gas pipeline metering station.

Enbridge's plan to expand the metering station is part of their larger proposal - dubbed "Project Maple," which would include pipeline expansions across the region. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently gave blanket approvals on two other pieces of Project Maple: a new fracked gas metering station in Coventry, Connecticut, and a proposal to double the size of the Enbridge pipeline that runs under the Sakonnet River in Rhode Island.

This proposed pipeline is a prime example of the fossil fuel infrastructure that XR Boston is fighting to end. The process to build a pipeline is environmentally destructive (as proven by the current fight in Lincoln). Once installed, natural gas pipelines are notorious for leaking, and leaks happen much more often than reported. Since 2001, there have been almost 700 reported incidents of serious pipeline failures. These pollutants, like fine particulates and formaldehyde, are unsafe at any level of exposure and cause long-term harm to respiratory and cardiovascular health. Aside from the immediate environmental and health risks, natural gas pipelines are behemoths of an outdated reliance on fossil fuels. We must divert the financial resources from pipelines into sustainable energy.

What Are Activists Doing?

In the early hours of Monday July 15, an activist scaled an 80 foot tree and established a "tree-sit" in an effort to stop the construction of the fracked gas pipeline project proposed for the Hobbs Brook Watershed. Since then, teams of "tree-sitters" have taken turns defending the tree from loggers hired by Enbridge. On Tuesday July 16, two activists were arrested. However, the tree sitters held strong and new reinforcements continued to arrive. Clearing and tree cutting began the morning of Wednesday September 17, around the tree sitters. A coalition called Stop Project Maple has mobilized to support the effort to stop this deforestation, and XR Boston stands in solidarity with them.

The forest parcel under threat is part of a vast, 24-square mile watershed protecting the City of Cambridge’s drinking water reservoir system, which supplies 12 million gallons per day to Cambridge residents. The land is owned by the City of Cambridge, but the Town of Lincoln owns a legally binding Conservation Easement on the parcel. In May, Enbridge sued Cambridge to get access to this piece of land in Lincoln near the city's reservoir.

The fate of the tree clearing seemed to be sealed when the City of Cambridge entered a settlement in federal court with Enbridge on June 14. But the activists say that the settlement, and legal proceedings were flawed.

"This court agreement is illegitimate. Enbridge excluded the Town of Lincoln from their original suit in federal court, and then improperly forced the Town to conduct a meeting that violated state open meeting laws. The Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Department has an obligation to conduct an independent survey of endangered species in the area, given that this project would impact land designated as Priority Habitat in accord with the MA Endangered Species Act. The only survey done to date has been by an Enbridge consultant." - Statement from Protect the Lincoln Forest Watershed.

The statement continues, “Enbridge is once again showing its true colors as a bad neighbor, disregarding the Town of Lincoln, the City of Cambridge, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all their residents. Enbridge's ecocide is well known to water and climate protectors at Line 3, Line 5, the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline, and the Weymouth Compressor. Now Cambridge, Lincoln, and communities across the Northeast are under threat by Enbridge's Project Maple. With our voices and our bodies we have a chance to save this magnificent forest and the precious biodiversity it nurtures. In honor of the spirit of forest protector Tortuguita and in solidarity with all of those who continue to fight for the decolonization of Indigenous land, please come to bear witness and protect the forest.”

What Can We Do To Help?

We asked the Tree Sitters what actions we can take in solidarity, and here are their suggestions!

1. Call Northern Tree Services and demand that they stop the tree clearing. Their reckless and negligent actions are endangering people. Enbridge’s contract is not worth the risk! Their number is 800-232-6132.
   
   
2. Call the Lincoln police department, and demand that they stop making arrests on behalf of Enbridge: 781-259-8111.
   
   
3. Call the Town of Lincoln and demand they stop work now. Say here is no safe way for the tree-clearing machines to clear a path to the tree sitter. The town has a responsibility to step in immediately. Their number is 781-259-2600.
   
   
4. Reach out directly to Michelle Grzendam, the Lincoln Conservation Director, and ask her to take immediate action to stop the deforestation. Her number is 781-259-2703 and her email is GRZENDAM@Lincolntown.org. You can also reach out to Lincoln Conservation Planner Stacy Carter at stacyc@lincolntown.org, and Land Manager Ryan Brown at brownr@lincolntown.org. The general number for the conservation commission in Lincoln is 781-259-2612. Their summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 am to 5 pm.
   
   
5. 🔥Spicier option🔥Go in person to the forest in Lincoln to help protect against Enbridge’s recklessness, bringing supplies or offering your time as a tree-sitter. If you would like to join as a forest defender, email stopprojectmaple@protonmail.com. Only take this course of action if you are prepared to possibly risk arrest.
   

Media are encouraged to come to the site of the tree-sit. The site can be accessed via the West Bound lanes of Route 2 in Lincoln before the intersection with Bedford Road. The coordinates for the site are: 42.43914946153522, -71.29557734544811.