Legislature Considering Expansion of Popular Climate Change Readiness Program (PRESS RELEASE)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 5, 2023
BOSTON, MA––Across the Commonwealth, cities and towns face the monumental challenge of preparing for the impacts of climate change. The popular Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program provides support for municipalities to do just that—providing grants to identify climate hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and implement action plans for climate resilience.
However, demand dramatically outweighs supply. Nearly 99% of Massachusetts municipalities participate in the MVP program and must compete for limited funds for projects. Because of this, communities cannot pursue needed projects at the speed and scale necessary to fully prepare for climate change impacts such as flooding and extreme heat. Additionally, there is much more beyond the current MVP program that communities must do to prepare for climate change impacts.
An Act to incentivize the adoption of local climate resilience policies (S.599), known as the MVP+ Bill and sponsored by Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), establishes an MVP Trust Fund to increase program capacity—supported by bond monies + other sources, such as the MVP Coalition's advocacy goal of $100 million/year. Additionally, this bill creates an additional category of MVP+ communities, which complete the same community-led resilience-building processes and vulnerability assessments in the existing MVP program, while also adopting a specialized stretch resilience code for building and residential construction to protect residents from future flooding and communities must also choose from a suite of proactive measures that fit their particular needs. These include implementing stormwater utilities, which provide funding and incentives to reduce stormwater runoff - the biggest source of pollution to the Charles River; creating climate resilience hubs to help community members find resources for climate change preparedness; adopting a green infrastructure policy and training local municipal public works employees to build and maintain these nature-based features, which absorb rainwater and protect residents from flooding; creating floodplain overlay districts to guide development to protect communities from flooding; adopting tree ordinances or bylaws to expand the tree canopy and keep people cool; and incorporating up-to-date rainfall data in town planning and zoning efforts.
"The MVP Program has been a tremendous success, but it's time to make it more ambitious. The MVP+ program that I'm proposing would reward cities and towns that adopt local climate resilience policies with an automatic stream of funding for adaptation projects," said State Senator Cynthia Creem, sponsor of the legislation. "Local governments can do so much to improve their communities' ability to withstand the impacts of climate change, whether through tree retention policies, green infrastructure, or floodplain overlay districts. The state should use its financial resources to encourage cities and towns to step up their climate resilience efforts."
“The MVP+ Bill recognizes the urgent need to strengthen our communities’ ability to withstand the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, flooding, and changing precipitation patterns,” says Zeus Smith, Policy Advocate for Charles River Watershed Association. “By building on an existing program and further incentivizing the adoption of local climate resilience policies, this bill will foster collaboration between state agencies, local governments, and community stakeholders and create a more climate-resilient Commonwealth for years to come.”
Charles River Watershed Association will join with partners to urge the Joint Committee on Financial Services to support and advance this bill on Tuesday, June 6th at 10:00 AM at the Massachusetts State House.
Charles River Watershed Association’s mission is to protect, restore and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.
CONTACT:
Julia Hopkins
Communications & Outreach Manager
Charles River Watershed Association
(617) 540-5650 x1071
