August
20 - UPDATE: The $12 million allocated for
the Neponset has been vetoed. More to
come!
$1.7 Billion, Five-year
Environmental Bond Bill Enacted:
$12 Million for
Lower Neponset
Restoration Project!
On
July 31, 2008, the state Legislature enacted a $1.7 billion
Environmental Bond Bill, NepRWA’s key legislative
priority. NepRWA had joined more than 260 organizations,
representing more than 400,000
Massachusetts
citizens, in the Coalition
for the Environmental Bond, which lobbied strongly
for the Bill. Because the previous Environmental Bond,
enacted in 2002, had run virtually dry, passage of the new
Bond was essential.
The original Environmental Bond Bill, submitted by Governor
Patrick, included the following dollar amounts (although
this funding may have grown as the bill made its way through
the Legislature):
$15
million for surface water quality monitoring
$25
million for stream flow and groundwater monitoring
$31.5
million for dam removal or rehabilitation
$10
million for the state Riverways Program, which takes the
lead on river restoration and dam removal projects.
$5
million for rehabilitation of lakes and ponds
$30
million for coastal resources protection and public access
The
Bond Bill enacted by the Legislature earmarked $12
million dollars for the Department of Conservation &
Recreation (DCR) to use for “restoration, remediation, and other necessary improvements to the
Lower Neponset River Watershed…said project shall be
carried out in cooperation with other state, federal and
municipal agencies, including the Riverways Program in the
Department of Fish and Game” (DFG). DCR owns most
of the lower
Neponset
River
, as well as two dams in
Boston
and
Milton
. The provision requires that the money be spent “in
cooperation with … the Riverways Program in the Department
of Fish & Game.” Along with NepRWA, Riverways has for
years been the primary advocate for the project.
It
is important to remember that none of this Bond money has to be spent. All the Legislature
has done is to authorize the Governor to issue bonds to pay
for the projects that are included in the Bill. It is
unlikely that the Governor will be able to fund $1.7 billion
worth of environmental projects by issuing bonds, so the
next step for NepRWA is to convince local citizens, state
environmental agencies and the Governor to make the Neponset
Restoration Project a high priority. In addition, NepRWA
will be seeking help from the federal government.
The
$12 million is meant to help fund cleanup of toxic PCBs in
Neponset
River
sediments in
Boston
and
Milton
and restoration of traditional herring, smelt and shad
“runs” from
Boston
Harbor
all the way to
Walpole
. These fish live in the ocean but must lay their eggs in
fresh water. Two dams in
Boston
and
Milton
currently block their passage for 17 miles up the River.
NepRWA favors removal of the dams (though it may be
necessary politically to use alternative methods for getting
the fish over the dams). Dam removal would have the additional
benefits of improving the overall health of the river
and allowing people to canoe unimpeded for 17 miles to the
Neponset River Estuary.
The
amendment to earmark the $12 million for the
Lower Neponset
was drafted by NepRWA and championed by Senators
Marion Walsh and Brian Joyce in the Senate and by Representatives Bill Galvin, Louis
Kafka and Martin Walsh in the House. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to these legislators for their
leadership.” NepRWA urges their constituents to let
them know how much you appreciate what they have done.
•
Rep. William Galvin
(representing
Canton
and parts of
Stoughton
); Rep.williamgalvin@hou.state.ma.us;
617-722-2230; Room 167**
•
Rep. Louis Kafka
(
Sharon
, parts of
Stoughton
and
Walpole
); Rep.louiskafka@hou.state.ma.us;
617-722-2305; Room 237**
•
Rep. Martin Walsh (
Dorchester
); Rep.martinwalsh@hou.state.ma.us;
617-722-2090; Room 540**
•
Sen. Bryan Joyce (
Canton
, Milton,
Randolph
,
Stoughton
and parts of
Sharon
); Brian.A.Joyce@state.ma.us;
617-722-1643; Room 413-A**
•
Sen. Marian Walsh
(W. Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park,
Dedham
,
Norwood
and Westwood); Marian.Walsh@state.ma.us;
617-722-1348; Room 405**
**
All addresses are: State House,
Boston
,
MA
02133
:
Questions?
Contact NepRWA Advocacy Director Steve Pearlman at
781-575-0354 x304 or pearlman@neponset.org.
Advocacy
Update: August 5, 2008
