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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 4/3/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Rivers Week!
Housatonic River Designated an ACEC Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles designated the Upper Housatonic River as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). This was a priority project for Mass Audubon. This 12,276 acre site will be granted increased protection that includes a more stringent environmental review process for potential developers. The designation follows months of public review and input from environmental advocates. Please view the EEA press release for details. President Obama Signs Taunton Wild and Scenic Designation into Law The Taunton River is now officially part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system following President Obama's approval. This designation protects the river's 40 miles of free-flowing waters -- the longest undammed coastal river in New England -- and will ensure it is managed to enhance its outstanding values. This was a Federal Legislative Priority for Mass Audubon. See Mass Audubon's press release for more information.
A.D. Makepeace Conservation Deal
A three-phase land conservation agreement has been reached between the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and A.D. Makepeace Company, the world's leading cranberry grower and largest private landowner in eastern Massachusetts. Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles has announced that the deal will involve the state purchase of 160 acres of critical habitat and open space, the profits from which will be used by Makepeace to fund smart growth and renewable energy projects on its other properties. Thousands of additional acres of land will be held under conservation restrictions, with an option for purchase by the state.
Ocean Management for the Bay State
The Massachusetts Ocean Management Act was recently signed into law by Governor Patrick as a first-in-the-nation effort to manage state ocean waters. Mass Audubon was appointed by the Governor to the 17-member Ocean Advisory Commission to represent the Commonwealth's environmental interests and work with the administration to write the ocean plan. As a founding co-chair of the Massachusetts Ocean Coalition, we provide details on ocean management progress at our web site: http://www.massoceanaction.org/. And, as partners to the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership, additional details are available at: http://www.massoceanpartnership.org/.
Please contact us if you have any questions at: action@massaudubon.org.
About The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
The Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup tracks the legislative priorities of Mass Audubon, focusing on the protection of the nature of Massachusetts. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends, family, and colleagues and to enlist their support.
If you are not already a member of Mass Audubon's Action Network, we encourage you to join by filling out our online form or by e-mailing us. Membership dues provide vital support for Mass Audubon's advocacy work on Beacon Hill and across the state. If you are not already a Mass Audubon member please join today.
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 Mass Audubon Advocacy
6 Beacon Street, Suite 1025
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-8448 (phone)
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