This spring, environmental advocates across Massachusetts have been working to find balance between growth and housing needs and the protection of our natural resources.
Mass Ready Act
The Senate passed its version of the Mass Ready Act (S.3050) in mid-April and that will now move to the House for review. Also known as the Environmental Bond Bill, this piece of legislation will authorize funding for environmental projects over the next 5 years and also propose supporting policies. The Senate version included a provision to address drought management (amendment 5) – akin to the Drought Bill which NSRWA has supported for many years – and a statewide water needs and supply strategy (amendment 73).
The Senate version also includes two amendments that could weaken local wetland bylaws to fast-track priority housing. NSRWA has joined other environmental advocates in submitting a letter to the House Committee on Ways & Means and we encourage you to reach out to your Representatives today and ask them to oppose Amendments 264 and 267. Click here to find your Representative.
MWRA Transmission Route to Weymouth
Earlier this month, NSRWA submitted comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the proposed connection of the Town of Weymouth and the Southfield Redevelopment Authority to the MWRA water system. This report focuses strictly on the physical pipeline route—the actual approval to transfer water out of the MWRA system will come later through the Interbasin Transfer Act review process.
NSRWA was pleased to see a number of our previous comments addressed in the DEIR. The report includes provisions for a Water Conservation Plan, Drought Management Plan and Administrative Consent Order with MassDEP to lower unaccounted for water to 10%. It also calls for the decommissioning of current water supply sources which will provide much-needed relief for the Back River watershed.
With that said, we are concerned that the capacity of the selected transmission route may not be sufficient to meet future regional demand while also maintaining necessary streamflows and mitigating long-term impacts to local water resources. Expanding MWRA to the South Shore is a critical, one-time opportunity that requires a definitive, long-term solution. The route selected for this project must consider whether the capacity is enough for everyone in the region, including ecological restoration and relief for our waterways.
NSRWA’s letter also addressed the need for a clear funding pathway for this $132 million project. Additionally, we urged officials to consider the impacts of a recent proposal to divert 350,000 gallons per day from the Brockton Desalination Plant to Rockland. This diversion would support Rockland’s drinking water supply and the redevelopment of the South Weymouth Naval Air Station.
The decisions made in the coming months will shape the health of our local watersheds for decades to come. Thank you for standing with us to protect our waters.