Planning The Future Of Charlestown’s Ninigret Park
April 15, 2024 @ 6:00 pm
Planning for the future of Ninigret Park is well underway, and as part of the process, it is essential to understand how the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) came to be Ninigret Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.
The story begins in the early 1970s when CNALF was declared excess by the federal government. What followed was a long, intense fight by the citizens of Charlestown and others against the proposed sale of the property for a nuclear-power electrical generating plant.
Because it was the responsibility of US General Services to decide what would happen to CNALF, its acting administrator, Paul Goulding, took on the task after an environmental impact statement was filed in January 1979.
Goulding considered first the request of two other federal agencies: the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He then considered the unique ecological importance of the area for migrating birds and the extensive management network for wildlife in Charlestown. Finally, he took into account that, in a town referendum, a majority of Charlestown’s voters had voted against the nuclear plant.
He approved the transfer of 307 acres to the US Department of the Interior for a wildlife refuge and 60 acres to the EPA for research. He then selected Charlestown’s application, approving the transfer of the remaining 237 acres to Charlestown and ruling,“Such use is not to be inconsistent with the use of the other 367 acres transferred to the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Because the nuclear power plant was ruled out, Goulding’s decision was challenged in court. When the decision was upheld, the proposal to build a nuclear power plant in Charlestown was finally abandoned.
By resolution and in correspondence, the Charlestown Town Council affirmed its intention to use the 237 acres in a manner consistent with the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge and advised that the transfer should go forward.
What the town acquired, though, was an abandoned military facility, an eyesore. Remaining on the property were over 30 derelict buildings, a large hanger, and miles of asphalt. The work began, governed by two Programs of Utilization, one in 1980 (updated in 1982) and the second dated 1994. Using ingenuity and with the help of the US National Guard, volunteers transformed the eyesore into our town park.
Throughout these years, the relationship between USFWS and the town was cooperative. For example, land was transferred to the town by USFWS so the criterion could use two runways. Permission was given to construct the athletic fields, in exchange for a buffer along the park boundary with the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.
Now, in 2024, citizens can plan the future of their park. I
On April 15 at 6 pm at the Charlestown Elementary School, the Town Council will discuss the 2024 Master Plan.
Planning for the future of Ninigret Park is well underway, and as part of the process, it is essential to understand how the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) came to be Ninigret Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.
The story begins in the early 1970s when CNALF was declared excess by the federal government. What followed was a long, intense fight by the citizens of Charlestown and others against the proposed sale of the property for a nuclear-power electrical generating plant.
Because it was the responsibility of US General Services to decide what would happen to CNALF, its acting administrator, Paul Goulding, took on the task after an environmental impact statement was filed in January 1979.
Goulding considered first the request of two other federal agencies: the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He then considered the unique ecological importance of the area for migrating birds and the extensive management network for wildlife in Charlestown. Finally, he took into account that, in a town referendum, a majority of Charlestown’s voters had voted against the nuclear plant.
He approved the transfer of 307 acres to the US Department of the Interior for a wildlife refuge and 60 acres to the EPA for research. He then selected Charlestown’s application, approving the transfer of the remaining 237 acres to Charlestown and ruling,“Such use is not to be inconsistent with the use of the other 367 acres transferred to the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Because the nuclear power plant was ruled out, Goulding’s decision was challenged in court. When the decision was upheld, the proposal to build a nuclear power plant in Charlestown was finally abandoned.
By resolution and in correspondence, the Charlestown Town Council affirmed its intention to use the 237 acres in a manner consistent with the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge and advised that the transfer should go forward.
What the town acquired, though, was an abandoned military facility, an eyesore. Remaining on the property were over 30 derelict buildings, a large hanger, and miles of asphalt. The work began, governed by two Programs of Utilization, one in 1980 (updated in 1982) and the second dated 1994. Using ingenuity and with the help of the US National Guard, volunteers transformed the eyesore into our town park.
Throughout these years, the relationship between USFWS and the town was cooperative. For example, land was transferred to the town by USFWS so the criterion could use two runways. Permission was given to construct the athletic fields, in exchange for a buffer along the park boundary with the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.
Now, in 2024, citizens can plan the future of their park. I
On April 15 at 6 pm at the Charlestown Elementary School, the Town Council will discuss the 2024 Master Plan.
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