Policy Order O-5

WHEREAS: The Silver Maple Forest lies partly in Cambridge and is threatened by development; and

WHEREAS: The Silver Maple Forest is a valuable natural resource in the greater-Boston area and is very accessible to Cambridge residents; and

WHEREAS: Development of the Silver Maple Forest would remove this resource from the area while increase traffic congestion and other related regional and area problems; and

WHEREAS: There is the possibility that the property owner would sell the Silver Maple Forest to a government or non-profit entity and thus allow this property to be preserved forever; and

WHEREAS: Were the Silver Maple Forest to be purchased, Cambridge's contribution to the purchase price would likely be in the millions of dollars; now be it therefore

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to contact relevant City officials and the officials of Belmont, Arlington and appropriate State agencies and non-profit agencies such as the Trustees of Reservations to determine if the Silver Maple Forest could be purchased for preservation; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to determine how the City might fund its share of the purchase price were other entities also interested in purchasing the Silver Maple Forest; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on these issues.