Despite challenges at the federal level, our team at Mass Rivers has just pulled off tremendous victories to protect our waterways, improve public health and safety, and increase climate resiliency. As the Massachusetts 2017-2018 legislative session comes to a close, we wanted to share some of our biggest successes with you. Here are a few… Read more »
On July 26th, the Massachusetts Senate reported out an important bill that would protect public health, but now we need your help to get the bill through the Massachusetts House of Representatives! Can you make a call today to make sure we pass this bill before the session ends on July 31st? The Issue When… Read more »
We did it! After many years of staff losses at our state environmental agencies due to budget cuts, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Division of Ecological Restoration and the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Office of Water Resources have received significant state budget boosts for FY2019. These programs are critical to water protection, river restoration,… Read more »
We need your help to protect rivers, public health, and to speak up for environmental justice! Please call your State Senator today to ask him or her to cosponsor these four important amendments to the environmental bond bill – you must call by Thursday, July 12 noon. Amendment #174 Awareness of Sewage Pollution in Public Waters (filed by… Read more »
Following a lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance and nine co-plaintiff environmental groups, a long-awaited federal stormwater permit went into effect for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts today. The permit requires municipalities to take additional steps to protect rivers, lakes, streams and ponds from polluted stormwater runoff. Contaminated stormwater is the state’s top water pollution… Read more »
The Massachusetts Senate is trying to CUT funding for our state environmental agencies that protect water. Can you take two minutes to ask your senator to restore funding for these agencies? To find your local legislator and their phone number, click here. Below is a sample script for your conversation: “Hello, my name is ______________… Read more »
We are pleased to announce that the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture just voted on legislation proposed by Governor Baker to transfer authority from the federal government (EPA) to the state (MassDEP) to regulate water pollution and they decided to send this bill to study. This means the bill (H.2777) will not move forward… Read more »
We need you to call a member of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment today to protect our rivers (see list of members and suggested script below). The environmental community has taken a strong stand for rivers by opposing H.2777. The legislature has extended their deadline for making a decision on this bill until March… Read more »
We need you to call a member of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment today to protect our rivers (see list of members and suggested script below). The environmental community has taken a strong stand for rivers by opposing H.2777. The supporters of this bill are making a final push for passage of this legislation,… Read more »
Millions of residents live near the Commonwealth’s many rivers, which provide essential community resources and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Unfortunately, citizens currently have no way to know when man-made pollutant discharges render these rivers unsafe for fishing, boating and swimming. The Issue When it rains, stormwater floods our Commonwealth’s aging sewer systems. This… Read more »
