The proposed expansion of runways at Boston Logan Airport by Massport is a major concern for the Boston Harbor Clam Diggers.
We assert that Massport has been acting in a deceptive and secretive manner regarding this issue. Our concerns became heightened when it was discovered that there was an oil spill by Swiss port., an agency which works directly with Massport. This oil spill decimated 75% of the whole clam beds we harvest by causing a neoplasia or clam cancer that killed off the majority of the clams. Upon inquiry, Massport representative Stewart Dalzell failed to provide any confirmation or information regarding the issue. Only after 3 months of constant complaint and questioning did he finally reveal and acknowledge the extent of the oil spill in the Boston Harbor. Please note that Stewart Dalzell’s title is director of environmental planning and permitting.
In addition to the health of the clams, we are also worried about the science of their actual growth and reproduction. These proposed runways will change the tidal flows in the harbor effecting the reproduction and development of these soft shell clams.
The proposal includes expanding on to 2 major wetlands that provide not only clams currently harvested but a nursery of clam seed for future harvests. Massport has repeatedly ignored these concerns and has provided only sparse and unsatisfactory answers. If the Boston harbor clam flats continue to be destroyed by this expansion then the Boston harbor clam diggers will be no more.
Currently there are 30 clam diggers that dig commercially around the perimeter of the airport. The combination of the expansion and the oil spill would essentially shut down digging in the Boston harbor. All of the clams harvested from Boston Harbor go through the Newburyport purification plant. If there is no digging in the Boston Harbor then the Newburyport purification plant would have to close. Between the diggers, purification plant workers, biologists, truck drivers and shuckers, approximately 340 jobs would be lost due to the closing of these flats. The Boston Harbor is a one billion dollar national resource; our ability to dig for clams in Boston Harbor is as a result of the harbor cleanup program. It would be a misuse of tax payer dollars to allow this incredible national resource to waste.
While the Boston Harbor Clam Diggers acknowledge the importance of an airport in a major city such as Boston we cannot help but feel discouraged by the process and superior tone Massport has been subscribing to. We assert Massport has minimized the damage done by this oil spill and undermines the environmental impact of these proposed runways to the ecosystem of the Boston Harbor. We also believe there are serious ethical violations perpetrated by Massport and its representatives.
Although Massport has labeled this project as a safety improvement it will ultimately inure to the financial benefit of Massport by allowing larger aircraft to land at Logan International.
On behalf of the Boston Harbor Clam Diggers we request you contact your local and national Congressman and Senators as well as the Governor.