Chief Douglas Manta demands cease and desist order for 71 Hedges Pond Road development

During the Plymouth Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on April 7, 2025, Chief Douglas W. Manta of the Heron Pond Wampanoag Tribe made a significant request regarding a property at 71 Hedges Pond Road. Chief Manta called for the board to issue a cease and desist order on the property, asserting that the proposed development infringes upon his tribe's aboriginal rights to water and land as established by historical treaties and court rulings.

In his statement, Chief Manta referenced the acts of 1850, which reserved rights to the land for Native Americans, and emphasized that the development at Hedges Pond would violate these rights. He cited several Supreme Court cases, including *Witches v. United States* and *Arizona v. California*, to support his claim that Native Americans are entitled to sufficient water for drinking and agricultural use, regardless of the population size.

Manta further asserted his rights to hunting, fishing, and gathering on the land, referencing the *Commonwealth v. Michael J. Maxim* case, which upheld off-reservation rights. He also invoked the Treaty of Falmouth of 1749 and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, arguing that these laws protect his tribe's cultural practices and access to sacred sites.

The Chief concluded his remarks by submitting a signed document to the board, reiterating his request for a cease and desist order on the property within the great lot. The board acknowledged his comments, which highlighted the ongoing discussions surrounding indigenous rights and land use in the region.