MA House Bill 2711; MA Senate Bill 420 – An Act Relative to Streamflow Standards

Amends provisions of the Massachusetts Water Management Act (GL c.21G) requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to create standards for restoring and maintaining stream flows, water levels and hydrologic regimes that are protective of natural aquatic life for all rivers and streams in the Commonwealth. These regulations are supposed to ‘ensure a balance among competing water withdrawals and uses, as well as preservation of the water resource itself. In addition, the bill requires that all feasible means to avoid, or if not possible, to minimize and mitigate impacts of the withdrawal on the natural environment have been taken; it requires the promulgation of aquatic habitat criteria; defining goals (based on the ‘best available science’) necessary to support aquatic health, including naturally diverse community of aquatic dependent flora and fauna. Referred to Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (JTU)
See H.2711: Streamflow Standards House 2711
See S.420
S.420 Referred to the committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
PCWWA Legislative Committee recommends that you contact your representative, your senator, and the joint committee members to oppose these bills.

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