The Department of Transportation (DOT) has applied for more than $3million to build a “critter highway”. It will extend across the two parts of the Kampoosa Bog and allow the animals of the bog to cross Route 7 in safety. David Paulson from DOT described it as an “oversized culvert for more than water.” He explained that the Commonwealth submitted on behalf of Stockbridge, and Paulson thought the chances were good that it would win a grant award. If awarded, it would be completed over five years.

The state representatives were excited on behalf of the project mentioning the unique characteristics of Kampoosa — unique in the state.

David and Stephany Adler live adjacent to the Berkshire Gas Company and Osterman Propane Supplier (now Super Plus) at 9 Lee Road. They were attending to report a problem. Following a change in ownership and a site visit by the Stockbridge Fire Chief, it was discovered proper permitting and inspections procedures may not have been observed in many years. Hopefully that is being corrected now. Perhaps an environmental Impact Study of the years of neglect.

Here is the Kampoosa Vision statement:

To preserve, protect and restore the fen by fostering community support and stewardship of the Kampoosa Bog Drainage Basin ACEC and environs, while preventing further deterioration to the flora, fauna, water, and environment. 

And Mission statement:

Through the union of stakeholders, we will educate the public, coordinate baseline environmental data, coordinate cultural and environmental research, communicate research results and activities, review and comment on proposed developments, all in order to preserve, protect and restore the Bog.

Editor’s note: From the Kampoosa Bog Drainage Basin Designation Document — Part of the Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) : Kampoosa was designated in 1995, and is 1,350 acres, part of the Housatonic watershed located in Lee and Stockbridge. The heart of the ACEC is Kampoosa and its associated surface waters, wetlands, groundwater and rare species habitat. Scientifically, Kampoosa is not a bog, but a fen, contained in a small basin (the Kampoosa drainage basin), with an inflow of calcareous cold groundwater. Scientists refer to Kampoosa Bog technically as a Lake Basin Graminoid (grass-like) Calcareous Fen. Due to the critical ecological importance of surface and ground water to the fen and the high concentration of rare species found there, the boundary of the ACEC is designed to approximate the sub-drainage basin of Kampoosa Bog. The Kampoosa Bog ACEC contains one of the Commonwealth’s most significant rare species habitats.