Chairman's Page
FBHI Chairman, Walter Hope
January 2012
Hello and welcome to the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands all new web page, and to this page - the Chairman's Page specifically.
March 2012
Please see the document attached regarding the planned rebuilding of the pier at Georges Island. The DCR plan does NOT include recreational boating dockage at the island (or any other island except Spectacle for that matter). I have submitted a letter to the DCR and NPS advocating for the alternative plan at Georges Island which allows for recreational boating, as well as advocating for boating dockage at other islands. The DCR's mission includes “DCR Mission To protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources. In meeting today's responsibilities and planning for tomorrow, DCR's focus is on: Improving outdoor recreational opportunities and natural resource conservation, Restoring and improving our facilities, Expanding public involvement in carrying out DCR's mission, and Establishing first-rate management systems and practices. How this can be accomplished with the express - exclusion of recreational boaters?
MBTA HARBOR FERRY CUTS: While we are excited with the boat show, we are concerned about the recently announced MBTA cuts for the Water Ferries from Hingham, Quincy, and Charlestown. These boats transport thousands of commuters from these cities to Boston every day, as well as tourists and school groups. The MBTA contracts with Boston Harbor Cruises for the Hingham and Charlestown boats, and with Boston's Best Cruises for the Quincy boat. Wharfs at Quincy and Hingham are not state owned and a disruption in service may cause complications (at least) to the Boston Harbor Island Visitors this coming spring, summer and fall.
According to the MBTA, the Hingham and Quincy boats average 3400 daily passengers, and the Charlestown boat averages 808 passengers daily. The MBTA's proposal under both Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, the entire $3.7 million Commuter Boat Program subsidy, which funds all commuter boat and ferry service, is to be eliminated. The average net cost (above the paid fare) per passenger on these services is $2.82. While the MBTA is vastly underfunded, cutting the ferry service will affect thousands daily, and perhaps disrupt the hard work that the Friends, NPS, Harbor Alliance, Save the Harbor-Save the Bay, and other organizations have done over the past 30+ years. The MBTA plans additional cuts including weekend commuter rail, and elimination of 100 bus routes. MBTA Web Site MBTA Reduction Plan
Hello and welcome to the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands all new web page, and to this page - the Chairman's Page specifically.
March 2012
Please see the document attached regarding the planned rebuilding of the pier at Georges Island. The DCR plan does NOT include recreational boating dockage at the island (or any other island except Spectacle for that matter). I have submitted a letter to the DCR and NPS advocating for the alternative plan at Georges Island which allows for recreational boating, as well as advocating for boating dockage at other islands. The DCR's mission includes “DCR Mission To protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources. In meeting today's responsibilities and planning for tomorrow, DCR's focus is on: Improving outdoor recreational opportunities and natural resource conservation, Restoring and improving our facilities, Expanding public involvement in carrying out DCR's mission, and Establishing first-rate management systems and practices. How this can be accomplished with the express - exclusion of recreational boaters?
MBTA HARBOR FERRY CUTS: While we are excited with the boat show, we are concerned about the recently announced MBTA cuts for the Water Ferries from Hingham, Quincy, and Charlestown. These boats transport thousands of commuters from these cities to Boston every day, as well as tourists and school groups. The MBTA contracts with Boston Harbor Cruises for the Hingham and Charlestown boats, and with Boston's Best Cruises for the Quincy boat. Wharfs at Quincy and Hingham are not state owned and a disruption in service may cause complications (at least) to the Boston Harbor Island Visitors this coming spring, summer and fall.
According to the MBTA, the Hingham and Quincy boats average 3400 daily passengers, and the Charlestown boat averages 808 passengers daily. The MBTA's proposal under both Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, the entire $3.7 million Commuter Boat Program subsidy, which funds all commuter boat and ferry service, is to be eliminated. The average net cost (above the paid fare) per passenger on these services is $2.82. While the MBTA is vastly underfunded, cutting the ferry service will affect thousands daily, and perhaps disrupt the hard work that the Friends, NPS, Harbor Alliance, Save the Harbor-Save the Bay, and other organizations have done over the past 30+ years. The MBTA plans additional cuts including weekend commuter rail, and elimination of 100 bus routes. MBTA Web Site MBTA Reduction Plan
Photos from July 7, 22 miles, 5 islands, 1 day... photos by Walter Hope
Tall Ships - July 2012 photos by Walter Hope
| georgesislandadvocatedock.pdf |