The River Access and Improvement Committee was created to increase and improve river access along the upper Taunton River and tributaries. The overall goal of the Access Committee is to have a cartop boat launch site approximately every 5 miles, creating ample opportunities for recreational paddlers to launch and rest as they paddle. Approximately 10 sites have been identified by the Committee for development or improvement. As of Spring 2023, one of these sites – Scadding Street on the Snake River in Taunton – has been completed. Two more are in progress and two more are in the discussion stage.
An additional goal of the Access Committee is to increase river safety by addressing blowdowns and logjams that may be dangerous and/or prevent recreational paddlers from passing through, with the understanding that woody debris is an ecological benefit to the river system. In 2023, the Access Committee will first focus on a section of the Town River, moving on to other locations as needed.
Members of the committee are:
- Monica Bentley, chair
- Lauren Bonatakis, Natural Resources, National Park Service
- Patricia Cassady, Conservation, Town of Middleboro
- Kitty Doherty, Natural Resources Trust of Bridgewater
- Scott MacFaden, Land Conservation, Wildlands Trust
- Bill Napolitano, SRPEDD/TRWA