To the Editor:
Many years ago, I discovered some old Great Barrington Master Plans dating back to the 1970s. To my surprise, they recognized the much-maligned Housatonic River as an essential natural resource and called for its revitalization. That discovery gave me the courage and incentive to embark on what is known today as River Walk. The other resource cited in those plans was Lake Mansfield. I mention this as a reminder that the Lake Mansfield Improvement Plan now proposed represents the fulfillment of an idea envisioned more than 40 years ago. It will improve water quality by repairing compromised lake banks and filtering storm water runoff. Its impact speaks to the long-term health of the environment and affects the entire watershed. It is a plan that has been a long time coming—and it is long overdue.
Rachel Fletcher
Great Barrington, Mass.
