In this episode of Nature Wins, host Maureen Aylward speaks to NOAA Biologist Eric Hutchins (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/meet-eric-hutchins-habitat-restoration-biologist).

In segment 1, Eric will outline the $5.38 million National Grid settlement with the US Department of Justice in July 2023. The former Gloucester Gas Light Company damaged the marine environment with chemicals from coal tar released during manufacturing gas.

In segment 2, Maureen and Eric will discuss beech leaf disease and biodiversity loss on Cape Ann.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

• TownGreen: https://towngreen2025.org/


• Department of Justice Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/national-grid-agrees-pay-538-million-natural-resource-damages


• Gloucester Daily Times article: https://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/business/national-grid-to-pay-5-38m-for-damages-caused-by-gloucester-gas-light-company/article_d8211c03-a9d5-526f-be1a-80e2f18a14c3.html#:~:text=National%20Grid%20agreed%20to%20pay,Light%20Company%2C%20officials%20said%20Friday.

Nature Wins: Losing the Beech Trees and Biodiversity Loss on Cape Ann

• Beech Leaf Disease in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/guides/beech-leaf-disease-in-massachusetts


• Gloucester’s Dogtown Preservation Commission: https://gloucester-ma.gov/904/Dogtown-Preservation-Commission


• The Other Cape article about Dogtown: https://theothercape.com/blog/a-plan-to-keep-dogtown-wild-and-free