Support Our Legislative Priorities— Contact Your Legislators TODAY!
We are thrilled to announce our priorities for the 2023-2024 State Legislative Session!
The five priorities, found below, respond to the dual threats of climate change and environmental injustice––offering solutions to protect our communities from drought and flooding, create inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities, and restore a healthy ecosystem.
But we need your help––follow these three easy steps to contact your legislators TODAY and urge them to cosponsor this critical legislation!
If they are a sponsor (see below) of one of our priorities, thank them!
Urge them to cosponsor the bills below.
Here’s a template of what to say!
Dear _____,
My name is _____ and I live _____ in the Charles River watershed.
Our watershed is facing the dual threats of climate change and environmental injustice. The following legislative priorities respond to these challenges––offering solutions to create resilience to climate change, inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities, and a healthy, restored river ecosystem.
Please support these five bills by contacting the lead sponsors and signing on as a cosponsor––the Drought Management Bill (HD.1557, SD.142), Outdoor Recreation Act (HD.3432, SD.2204), Flood Risk Protection Program (HD.2371 SD.1154), Invasive Species Bill (HD.2472, SD.941), and Pesticide Bill (HD.577, SD.1144) to create a climate-resilient, just watershed for future generations.
Sincerely, _____
MEET THE PRIORITIES:
DROUGHT MANAGEMENT BILL (HD.1557, SD.142)
Sponsored by Rep. Joan Meschino, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Sen. Bruce Tarr
In July 2022, a severe, flash drought caused sections of the Charles River to run completely dry. And with climate change, droughts are becoming more frequent, long-lasting, and severe. Yet, in times of drought, the state has no authority to require water conservation. This bill creates a statewide, coordinated drought response–– empowering the state to require regional water conservation measures during a declared drought to protect our drinking water supplies, ecosystems, and economy. LEARN MORE
OUTDOOR RECREATION ACT (HD.3432, SD.2204)
Sponsored by Rep. Natalie Blais, Sen. Paul Feeney
The importance of outdoor recreation cannot be overstated––thriving safe parks, healthy forests, and accessible trails create healthier communities. Yet, stark disparities exist in access to outdoor recreation––underserved and environmental justice communities remain vastly underserved. The time is now to invest in the outdoors for all––the Outdoor Recreation Act will give the new Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation the support it needs to create a flourishing, equitable outdoor recreation system and economy, with priority for underserved and environmental justice populations. LEARN MORE
FLOOD RISK PROTECTION PROGRAM (HD.2371 SD.1154)
Sponsored by Rep. Sarah Peake, Sen. Marc Pacheco
Increased precipitation and severe storms mean more flooding, and, in our highly urbanized watershed home to over a million people, homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure are vulnerable to flood damage. This bill would create a commission to study and implement a program to acquire and restore flood-prone areas to empower property owners and renters to move out of harm’s way, create new outdoor recreation opportunities, restore wildlife habitat, and increase statewide climate resiliency. LEARN MORE
INVASIVE SPECIES BILL (HD.2472, SD.941)
Rep. David Rogers, Sen. Patricia Jehlen
Fast-growing, non-native plants, animals, and insects that take over the ecosystem, invasive species reduce biodiversity, degrade water quality, harm flood resilience, kill mature trees, and destroy wildlife habitat. This bill would create a comprehensive statewide management approach to invasive species including necessary monitoring, removal, and funding to effectively tackle this widespread problem. LEARN MORE
PESTICIDE BILL (HD.577, SD.1144)
Rep. James Hawkins, Sen. Paul Feeney
In 2021, a female bald eagle was found dead in her nest on the Charles River after consuming animals that had injested rat poison. Lethal rodenticides, which are widely used, disrupt the delicate ecosystem and threaten not only raptors, but dogs, cats, and even children. This bill would require pesticide applicators to report the use of lethal rodenticides and require publicly-owned properties, like elementary schools, to consider other pest management options to create a safer environment for all, animals and humans alike. LEARN MORE
