Ensure the Drought Bill Succeeds!

July 23, 2024

Thanks to your incredible advocacy, the Drought Bill successfully passed the Senate in June as part of a larger Climate and Energy Bill.

Disappointingly, it was not included in the House version of the same bill.

Now, the two branches must reconcile their versions to create the final bill to be sent to the Governor’s desk before the legislative session ends on July 31.

We need your support to ensure that the conference committee retains the drought management provisions in the final bill.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Send an email to the conference committee members and let them know you want climate adaptation and preparedness included in this year’s Climate Bill! If you live in the districts of the conference committee members, your voice is especially critical. Email your legislator today!

If you’re not from one of these districts, we still need your support! Email the Chairs or be a champion advocator and email all six members!

Simply click on their button for a pre-written email—just add your name and send!

Senator Mike Barrett (Chair)

Email: Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov

Districts: Waltham, Weston, Lincoln, Concord, Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford

EMAIL SEN. BARRETt

Representative Jeff Roy (Chair)

Email: Jeffrey.Roy@mahouse.gov

Districts: Franklin, Medway

EMAIL Rep. roy

Senator Cynthia Creem

Email: Cynthia.Creem@masenate.gov

Districts: Brookline, Newton, Wellesley

EMAIL SEN. CREEM

Representative Rich Haggerty

Email: Richard.Haggerty@mahouse.gov

Districts: Woburn

EMAIL rep. haggerty

Senator Bruce Tarr

Email: Bruce.Tarr@masenate.gov

Districts: Gloucester, Newburyport, Boxford, Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Newbury, North Andover, Rockport, Rowley, Salisbury, Topsfield, Wenham, West Newbury, North Reading

EMAIL SEN. tarr

Representative Bradley Jones

Email: Bradley.Jones@mahouse.gov

Districts: Lynnfield, Middleton, North Reading, Reading

EMAIL rep. jones

Dear _______________,

Thank you for your invaluable leadership in crafting strong climate legislation for the Commonwealth. Your role is crucial, and I am excited to see climate adaptation complement mitigation in the Senate bill, particularly Section 5 regarding drought management. Please defend this section in conference, so that it remains part of the final bill sent to the Governor.

Massachusetts faces increasing climate challenges, including more frequent and severe droughts that impact our state’s rivers, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and drinking water supplies. This bill is a small yet crucial step toward creating a proactive, coordinated, statewide drought response that safeguards our environment, public health, and the sustainability of our water supplies.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Questions?

Contact OARS’ Policy Advisor Alison Field-Juma (AFieldJuma@oars3rivers.org)

River Log

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues