Protect Lakeville Preserving Our Land, Water, Wildlife & Community

Environment

Wildlife & Habitat

What is officially designated, what is genuinely unknown, and where the parcel sits relative to state-mapped habitat and conservation land — without claiming any specific species is present on-site.

60-Second Summary

  • The site abuts approximately 613 acres of state wildlife land and sits near the Town-identified 1,209-acre "Howland Road Conservation Area."
  • MassWildlife's draft 16th Edition Priority Habitat map is open for public comment through October 4, 2026 — a live opportunity to submit documented, verifiable habitat information.
  • This page does not claim any specific rare or state-listed species is present at 30 Howland Road — no site-specific survey has been documented publicly.
  • A parcel-level GIS overlay of the clearing footprint against current and draft Priority/Estimated Habitat has not been disclosed.
Confirmed FactRequires Determination

Take Action

Help Protect Lakeville

Add your name to the petition asking the Lakeville Select Board to deny and not approve the earth-work permit for the proposed 30 Howland Road earth-removal operation as presently proposed.

3Verified Signatures Requesting Non-Approval
Sign the Petition
~613
Acres of abutting state wildlife land
Confirmed Fact
1209
Town-identified "Howland Road Conservation Area" (acres)
Confirmed Fact
Aug 5 – Oct 4, 2026
Draft Priority Habitat map comment period
Confirmed Fact

Conservation Map

Loading map…
Photograph pending sourcing — see photo credit below.
Pavilion at Freetown–Fall River State Forest, adjacent conservation land in the regionWikimedia Commons contributor · Freetown–Fall River State Forest, Massachusetts · See file page for license (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Confirmed Fact

Legal protections that could apply

MESA (M.G.L. c.131A, 321 CMR 10.00) prohibits unauthorized "Take" of state-listed species. Projects in mapped Priority Habitat are subject to NHESP review absent an exemption. See MESA / NHESP for the full legal framework.

Key sources

  1. 321 CMR 10.00 — Massachusetts Endangered Species Act regulations — MassWildlife / Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  2. MESA overview — definition of "Take" and habitat modification — MassWildlife
View full source library →
Confirmed Fact

How residents can participate

Residents with documented, verifiable rare-species observations or habitat information can submit factual information to MassWildlife during the open draft Priority Habitat comment period. Speculative or unverified sightings should not be submitted — credible biological records are what carry weight in this process.

Key sources

  1. Draft Priority Habitat Map (16th Edition) — public comment period Aug. 5–Oct. 4, 2026 — MassWildlife / Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 2026 (live document — verify current version)
  2. Draft Priority Habitat map viewer and public comment form — Mass.gov / MassWildlife, 2026 (live document — verify current version)
View full source library →
Requires Determination

What Has Not Yet Been Established

  • A parcel-level overlay of the clearing footprint against current and draft Priority/Estimated Habitat, BioMap 3 Core Habitat, and certified or potential vernal pools
  • Qualified seasonal species and habitat surveys where the record indicates they are warranted
  • Any species-specific presence determination for 30 Howland Road (none has been documented publicly)

Key sources

  1. Lakeville Select Board materials, Jan. 6, 2026 — acreage, zoning, railroad adjacency, state wildlife land — Town of Lakeville Select Board, 2026-01-06
  2. Lakeville Open Space & Recreation Plan (2025) — habitat connectivity southwest of Route 140 — Town of Lakeville, 2025
  3. Lakeville 2024 Draft Priority Areas — 1,209-acre Howland Road Conservation Area — Town of Lakeville, 2024
  4. 321 CMR 10.00 — Massachusetts Endangered Species Act regulations — MassWildlife / Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  5. Draft Priority Habitat Map (16th Edition) — public comment period Aug. 5–Oct. 4, 2026 — MassWildlife / Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 2026 (live document — verify current version)
  6. MESA overview — definition of "Take" and habitat modification — MassWildlife
  7. Draft Priority Habitat map viewer and public comment form — Mass.gov / MassWildlife, 2026 (live document — verify current version)
View full source library →