Charles River Watershed Association Celebrates Climate Chief Hoffer’s Recommendations, Calls for Watershed Planning and Restoration (PRESS STATEMENT)
OCTOBER 25, 2023: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON, MA––We are pleased to see first-in-the-nation Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer’s urgent report, which outlines dozens of recommendations for state action to coordinate efforts across agencies to meet the Commonwealth’s ambitious climate goals and reduce emissions.
In particular, we are excited to see a focus on nature-based solutions like land conservation, wetland protection and restoration, and green infrastructure for flooding, biodiversity, and urban heat. However, we urge addition of watershed-scale planning and restoration to implement these regional solutions.
“Watershed groups are leading the way when it comes to advancing inland flooding resilience,” said Deputy Director of Advocacy Jennifer Ryan. “This is a critical part of the conversation that needs to be included to help our cities & towns take swift action to protect the over one million people who call the Charles River watershed home.”
“Nature-based solutions are vital tools for flood resilience––our analysis identified reducing impervious cover, conserving undeveloped, unprotected land, and adding green stormwater infrastructure as the most effective solutions for flooding,” said Julie Wood, Climate Resilience Director. “We urge the state to support regional collaboration to swiftly advance these solutions, which can only be implemented state-level coordination.”
The report recognizes the importance of protecting wetlands, but misses a big piece of the picture. “Dam removal and river restoration are critical for climate resilience and rivers themselves are ribbons of biodiversity,” said Jennifer Ryan, Deputy Director of Advocacy. “They are key to the Commonwealth’s goals of protecting our natural world.”
Finally, the Commonwealth is falling short on groundwater protection and drought management. Our current regulatory structure is not protective of critical drinking water resources or beloved recreational waterways, as droughts become more frequent, severe, and long-lasting with climate change. Ongoing, litigation around the Water Management Act, studies that project groundwater depletion in the Greater Boston area, and significant droughts in 2016, 2020, and 2022 emphasize the severity of this problem. We urge the state to take more proactive steps to ensure adequate water quality and quantity for ecosystem health, drinking water, and public safety during periods of drought.
