Editor:
    The South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) Board of Directors and the Meeting House Hill Association (MHHA) Steering Committee enthusiastically support the land swap to preserve Sawyer Marsh that was unveiled at the Tuesday, December 12th planning board meeting. We applaud and appreciate the efforts of Paul Vose, his business partner Larry Lydon and the City of South Portland in reaching what we hope will be a landmark compromise where a less-than one acre parcel of City land at the top of Trout Brook sand pit will be swapped for the more than 8 acres of Sawyer Marsh. The City simultaneously committed to preserving the Marsh property and conserving the lower end of Trout Brook sand pit as well as the adjacent Trout Brook walking area.
    Why is the land swap a great deal for South Portland ?
    It will preserve perpetually a rare scenic vista and valuable resource by eliminating the potential for development in the Sawyer Marsh and protecting the highly sensitive Trout Brook which is among the most studied resources in all of Maine because of its naturally reproducing population of brook trout.
    It recognizes the importance of protecting one of the City’s most precious and limited resources – land. The 2001 South Portland Open Space Plan ranks Trout Brook as #2 and Sawyer Marsh as #5 in importance for preservation.
    The top of Trout Brook sand pit will be converted from an eyesore and illegal dumping ground to up to three attractive homes. The proposal includes easements on both ends of the lot to preserve the pine tree buffer along Parrot Street and to preserve trail access for pedestrians and deer to reach the lower end of Trout Brook walking area.
Future generations and hundreds of current residents will herald this as a long-term strategic decision and smart growth action that exemplifying City Hall, citizens and developers working together for positive results.
    SPLT and MHHA are dedicated to not only preserving Sawyer Marsh, but enhancing and perpetually protecting the sensitive water habitat of the Trout Brook Watershed. To this end, public education activities are planned for next spring about the negative impacts of fertilizer and pesticide runoff, soil erosion, shrubbery clearing and dumping grass clippings within the watershed area. Members of the SPLT Board of Directors and MHHA Steering Committee pledge that we will begin this effort by focusing on those activities that cause damage to this valued resource.
    While private negotiations of the land swap are ongoing between the developers and the City, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Vose, Mr. Lydon, Jim Gailey, assistant city manager and director of community development, Tex Haeuser, city planning director, the City Council and supporting members of the Planning Board for their efforts to bring the land swap to fruition.
    We are proud of your environmental stewardship and wholeheartedly support the proposed land swap to preserve a South Portland treasure.
Sincerely,
SPLT Board of Directors
(Tom Blake, President)
MHHA Steering Committee
(Michelle Benington, President)