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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 7/31/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Legislators Seek to Gut MA Endangered Species Act!
Following directly on the heels of the surprising loss of all general funding to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, there has been a late-file bill in the state legislature that would gut their regulatory authority under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (M.G.L. c. 131A). The bill, House Bill 4167, was filed by Representative Coakley-Rivera (D-Springfield) in the House and by Senator Stephen Buoniconti (D-Springfield) in the Senate. See above link for bill text and cosponsors. The bill is not yet available on the state website. It was just received by the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and they must by law hold a hearing within 45 days. It is likely that the hearing will be right after Labor Day. This is the most egregious attack on our Endangered Species Act Mass Audubon has ever seen The Springfield legislators' bill limits the authority of the Heritage Program to review development projects slated to take place in "significant habitat" only. As it is, the commonwealth does not designate "significant habitat" as they believe it is an action bordering on a taking of property. Currently Heritage regulates "priority habitat" as a more flexible approach to endangered species protection. The Rivera-Buoniconti bill would strangle Heritage's ability to protect rare species in Massachusetts. Look for Mass Audubon's testimony and additional information, including a hearing date, in future Roundups.
Save our Water Resources: Reserve Your New License Plate Today!
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust introduced a new Land and Water Conservation license plate that will help fund land protection programs resulting in preservation of the state's water resources. These programs would help prevent development near lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, preventing fertilizer runoff and non-point source pollution to seep into our water. These types of license plates programs have seen success in many other states, resulting in tens of thousands of conserved acres. 300 Land and Water Conservation plates have been reserved so far, about 20% of the funding goal. Sign up today to help make a difference in water resource protection! To learn more or to reserve your license plate, please visit the Massachusetts Environmental Trust website.
Summer Recess
Now that the legislature and congress are entering their summer recess, activity on both hills will be slowing down during the month of August. As a result, you may not be receiving a Roundup each week. But don't worry - we're still busy and will keep you posted on any activity that does occur, and we'll be back on schedule come fall. We hope everyone is enjoying their summer!
Calendar
Economic Decisions
Governor Patrick will hold a second round of community meetings focused on difficult choices facing the state in these challenging economic times. These meetings will take place in communities throughout the state, and will allow the public to provide input and ask questions. See the schedule to find an upcoming meeting near you. The Patrick administration has also recently launched an online forum where members of the public can participate in similar discussions: http://forum.state.ma.us/ Upcoming Conferences Greening the City: Fostering Inspired and Innovative Leadership for Just and Sustainable Urban Communities A conference sponsored by Lesley University's graduate Division of Environmental Studies and Mass Audubon, November 6-8, 2009. Join more than 150 urban environmental leaders from throughout New England at the main campus of Lesley University in Cambridge, MA to explore key strategies for fostering inspired and innovative urban environmental leadership. "Greening the City" is geared toward environmental practitioners and thinkers from nonprofits, higher education institutions, local community groups, government agencies, and businesses. It will feature prominent environmental thinkers and practitioners from academia and government agencies, as well as from for profit and nonprofit organizations. There will be keynote talks, workshops, and an exhibit area, and other interactive ways to engage with the challenges and solutions arising from our increasingly urban world. Keynotes will include well known environmentalists like Julian Agyeman, environmental social scientist, activist and academic from Tufts University. Other keynotes will be announced shortly. The conference is meant to engage in-depth and meaningful dialogue among participants while addressing the difficulties and opportunities faced in cultivating just and sustainable urban communities. Registration required. A Water Resources Conference: Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Environmental Trust Hogan Conference Center
Holy Cross College
Worcester, MA
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Established as part of the Boston Harbor cleanup, the Trust has infused over $17 million into projects for water quality, aquatic species, environmental education and more. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, the Trustees are hosting a one-day conference on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. The conference is intended to bring together practitioners engaged in the work of protecting and restoring water quality and the continuity of aquatic systems. For more information contact Susan Lanza at 617-626-1068 or email Susan.Lanza@state.ma.us
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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