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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 5/1/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Funding Restored to Endangered Species Program!
Good news has emerged amidst the ongoing House budget debate as a consolidated amendment that includes restoration of $200,000 in funding to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) was adopted. The amendment totals $4.2 million in added funding for The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; however, an amendment for increased funding to the Department of Conservation and Recreation was not adopted. Funding for NHESP has been a budget priority for Mass Audubon, and we applaud the adoption of this amendment. A total of $352.1 million in amendments have been added to the House budget since debate began on Monday. The House should finish budget debate today and the Senate is set to release their version of the budget in mid May. Thank you for your advocacy!
US Endangered Species Act Update
This week was an exciting one for US Endangered Species Act (ESA) proponents, as it was officially decided that federal agencies must consult with scientists before acting in any way that could impact areas containing threatened or endangered species. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will serve as consultants. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the decision - an overturning of a Bush administration policy that would have limited ESA effectiveness - as a choice to restore science to the forefront of the decision-making process.
Ocean Management for the Bay State
Last year, the Massachusetts Ocean Management Act was 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.
Calendar
Upcoming Ocean Advisory Commission workshops Saturday, May 2, 2009
9:30a.m --1:00p.m
Jonsson Center
Woods Hole, MA Wednesday, May 6, 2009
9:00a.m.--12:30p.m.
Hynes Convention Center
Boston, MA
These workshops will be identical in content and will focus on presentation of ocean data and discussion of management practices. Registration required. The Environmental League of Massachusetts, along with the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters and Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative, is hosting a series of environmental and legislative briefings. All hearings will be in room 348 in the State House. Land Conservation
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Massachusetts loses 40 acres of open space a day to development. Ironically, some of it is disposed of by municipal and state government. How do we respect municipal needs while preserving open space? Come learn about the Public Lands Preservation Act ("PLPA") (SB396; Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Ruth Balser). Other bills may be discussed and updates to the schedule will be posted in the Roundup.
Presenters: Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club Presentation of the Robert Kuehn Community Preservation Award to the Lexington and Marion Community Preservation Committees
Thursday, May 14, 2009
3:00 p.m.
Nurses Hall
Massachusetts State House
Boston, MA
Please RSVP to Alison Mitchell, alison.mitchell@communitypreservation.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.
Legislative Tool Kit
Stay In Touch
Senators and Representatives need to hear from their constituents! Contact your legislators and share with them the environmental issues that are important to you.
Find out who represents you in the Senate and House.
Senate and House Sessions Go Live
Consistent with the theme that decision-makers act differently when they know they are being watched, House and Senate sessions are now available on live webcast. Tune in to view live web stream broadcastings of the Senate and House and watch as the Massachusetts legislative process unfolds!
Current Legislation
Access the text of current legislation, bill histories and Massachusetts General Law by visiting one site. We encourage you to visit The General Court's website frequently as it is an important tool for conservation advocates like you!
How to Lobby
Discover effective ways to convey your environmental interests to your Senator or Representative.
View Mass Audubon’s How to Lobby document, and get started now!
How the Law is Made
Learn about the steps a bill takes before becoming law. You can also use our graphic charts to guide you through the life of a bill, from when it is first filed, to when it is signed into law.
 Mass Audubon Advocacy
6 Beacon Street, Suite 1025
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-8448 (phone)
617-523-4183 (fax)
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