Conservation Alert – Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy
The ongoing lawsuit by an abutter to eliminate public access to the rocky, coastal portion of a property at 18 Longbranch Ave at Andrew’s Point in Rockport is a conservation issue of considerable interest to the BBC. Birders frequently use this access point to seawatch.
The lawsuit continues even though the property’s deed clearly states that the public shall have trail access in perpetuity. Last year, BBC Conservation Chairperson John Nelson submitted documents and testimony from the birding community proving a history of public access at this location.
On Friday, February 13th, the abutter’s lawyers, the Attorney General’s office, and Rockport town attorney met to negotiate a settlement. Any agreement limiting access is not in the best interest of the public and should not be accepted by the state.
A compromise here could lead other property owners along the Atlantic Path to make similar demands. We could see effects on public access to the Atlantic Path, elsewhere along Rockport’s coastline, and at other locations in the Commonwealth.
The settlement conference is closed to the public, and all parties have signed an agreement not to disclose the proceedings. If a settlement is reached, the Rockport Select Board must vote to accept it. Their decision will occur in a closed session, with little to no direct public input.
We recommend that concerned members email the Attorney General’s office. Rockport residents and property owners may also want to contact the Select Board and the town administrator. Email addresses are listed below.
Please take action tonight to protect the rights the public has enjoyed for so long, not just for ourselves but for the generations to come.
Contact Information:
Attorney General’s Office: https://www.mass.gov/contact-the-attorney-generals-office
Assistant Attorney Generals Representing the Commonwealth
Kendra.Kinscherf@mass.gov
Joel.Quick@mass.gov
Rockport Town Administrator Mitchell Vieira: TA@rockportma.gov
Rockport Select Board: https://www.rockportma.gov/350/Select-Board
Background Information
BBC Field Records Project
BBC Field Records Project For many years, the club engaged in a project to import our historic field card data into eBird. Our archive of about 10,000 cards dating back to 1926 might be unique
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region During early June two groups of BBC birders traveled around the Errol, NH area in search of nesting neotropical migrants, boreal species and whatever else we could find
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist
8/11 Follow Up Field Trip: Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide
Follow Up Field Trip On Tuesday, August 11 at 9AM Soheil will lead a field trip focused on shorebird ID to Winthrop Beach. Learn more. Webinar: Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide For over
8/13 Pelagic Webinar – How do you protect the invisible?
How do you protect the invisible? Conservation challenges and opportunities for Marine Birds For most people, seabirds are out of sight and out of mind, while seabird populations have dropped a staggering 70 percent globally
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration The Brookline Bird Club's 2026 overnight pelagic trips to the edge of the continental shelf at Hydrographer Canyon are now open for registration! About the Trip Join the BBC on
BBC Field Records Project
BBC Field Records Project For many years, the club engaged in a project to import our historic field card data into eBird. Our archive of about 10,000 cards dating back to 1926 might be unique
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region During early June two groups of BBC birders traveled around the Errol, NH area in search of nesting neotropical migrants, boreal species and whatever else we could find
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist
8/11 Follow Up Field Trip: Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide
Follow Up Field Trip On Tuesday, August 11 at 9AM Soheil will lead a field trip focused on shorebird ID to Winthrop Beach. Learn more. Webinar: Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide For over
8/13 Pelagic Webinar – How do you protect the invisible?
How do you protect the invisible? Conservation challenges and opportunities for Marine Birds For most people, seabirds are out of sight and out of mind, while seabird populations have dropped a staggering 70 percent globally
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration The Brookline Bird Club's 2026 overnight pelagic trips to the edge of the continental shelf at Hydrographer Canyon are now open for registration! About the Trip Join the BBC on
BBC Field Records Project
BBC Field Records Project For many years, the club engaged in a project to import our historic field card data into eBird. Our archive of about 10,000 cards dating back to 1926 might be unique
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region During early June two groups of BBC birders traveled around the Errol, NH area in search of nesting neotropical migrants, boreal species and whatever else we could find
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist
8/11 Follow Up Field Trip: Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide
Follow Up Field Trip On Tuesday, August 11 at 9AM Soheil will lead a field trip focused on shorebird ID to Winthrop Beach. Learn more. Webinar: Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide For over
8/13 Pelagic Webinar – How do you protect the invisible?
How do you protect the invisible? Conservation challenges and opportunities for Marine Birds For most people, seabirds are out of sight and out of mind, while seabird populations have dropped a staggering 70 percent globally
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration The Brookline Bird Club's 2026 overnight pelagic trips to the edge of the continental shelf at Hydrographer Canyon are now open for registration! About the Trip Join the BBC on
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Mass. Audubon Boston Nature Center
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