Massachusetts’ Environmental Agencies Launch Innovative Online Data Information and Public Access System

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FROM MASS EEA, AUGUST 2, 2017: Massachusetts’ Environmental Agencies Launch Innovative Online Data Information and Public Access System System Delivers Online Permitting, Greater Data Accessibility, and Government Transparency BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today launched the first phase of a transformative environmental data and public information access system. The new system will deliver online permitting, … Read more

MA House Bill 2115, Senate Bill 425, An Act Relative to Drought Management

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An Act relative to Drought Management would give the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs the legal authority to impose water conservation measures based upon drought conditions. Currently such conditions are voluntary by the water suppliers, and determined based upon local hydrologic conditions. Email Jenn Pederson at jpederson@masswaterworks.org for MWWA Position Paper: Fact Sheet An … Read more

House Bill 2777 – An Act to enable the Commonwealth’s administration of the Massachusetts pollutant discharge elimination system

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This bill, filed by the Governor, is necessary to enable Massachusetts to receive federal delegation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (‘NPDES’), which is a water quality program mandated by the federal government that includes permitting, compliance and enforcement activities relating to the discharge of pollutants. Under the Clean Water Act of 1972, the … Read more

House Bill 463 – An Act to assist municipal and district ratepayers

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This bill would apply the term ‘local mandate’ to any requirement by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and its agencies (collectively EOEEA) that a city or town expend funds on water-related projects, and requires an impact statement and public review process prior to the implementation of any rule or regulation. See H.463 … Read more

MA House Bill 2116 – An Act providing for the establishment of sustainable water resource funds; MA Senate Bill 1126 An Act Mitigating Water Resources Impacts

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This bill would Amend GL 40 by inserting a new section 39M; authorizes a municipality, water district, wastewater district or stormwater utility which accepts this section to establish a sustainable water resources fund, and to collect a charge to be used for measures to remedy and offset the environmental impacts of new or increased water … Read more

MA House Bill 2117 – An Act relative to municipal assistance for clean water and economic development infrastructure

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This bill proposes to establish within the Water Pollution Abatement Trust a Water Infrastructure Improvement Fund for purposes of improving drinking water, wastewater and storm water capital assets through loans and grants, for which bonds may be issued for local or regional projects that meet certain criteria; authorizes the Treasurer to issue bonds for this … Read more

House Bill 2137 – An Act to protect the rights of municipalities and districts

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This bill would reaffirm existing law allowing water districts and municipalities to continue withdrawals from river basins at existing levels, subject to a renewal registration statement, and requires that the Department of Environmental Protection may only impose accurate metering on registration renewals. This bill is in opposition to a recent Mass Rivers Alliance petition to … Read more