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Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup - 8/7/09
Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs
This Week:
Public Input Opportunity: Ocean Management
Public hearings regarding Massachusetts' first-in-the-nation Draft Ocean Management Plan have been scheduled for the fall. The plan, released on July 1, 2009, was developed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Coastal Zone Management, with input from additional state agencies. The four upcoming hearings will provide opportunities for public review and comment, and are scheduled as follows (all are at 7:00 p.m.): Monday, September 14, 2009
Exchange Conference Center
Boston Fish Pier Tuesday, September 15, 2009
New Bedford Public Library, Main Meeting Room
613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tilden Arts Center Main Theater, Cape Cod Community College
2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable Thursday, September 17, 2009
Kyrouz Auditorium, Gloucester City Hall
9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester As required by the Oceans Act of 2008, a final draft of the plan is due by December 31, 2009, and public comment period closes November 16. To provide online comments, see the Ocean Plan Public Input Portal comments page. Written comments can be submitted to: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Re: Draft Ocean Management Plan
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114 For more information on the draft plan, please see our previous Roundup or visit the Draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan website, where you can access the full report.
McKinsey Report Shows Energy Potential
A new report by McKinsey & Company provides vision for the future of energy efficiency. Titled "Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy", the report analyzes the efficiency potential of non-transportation energy use, concluding that we have the ability to reduce such energy consumption by roughly 23 percent by 2020. This reduction would eliminate more than $1.2 trillion in waste and abate 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The publication details common factors that block our progress in achieving higher levels of efficiency, and offers suggestions for overcoming these obstacles. For more information or to view the full report, please visit the McKinsey & Company website at: http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/electricpowernaturalgas/US_energy_efficiency/.
New Fishing Regulations Would Save Loons
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Board has voted to promulgate regulations that would prohibit the inland water use of sinkers, weights, and fishing jigs made of lead and weighing less than one ounce. Ingestion of lead fishing tackle is a significant source of mortality for Common Loons. Current freshwater fishing regulations only prohibit the use of lead sinkers for fishing in the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs. The regulations will go into effect in 2012.
Calendar
Green Masterpieces Concert and Earth Fest
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Earth Fest begins at 5:00 p.m.
Concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
The Hatch Shell at the Esplanade The 3rd Annual Green Masterpieces Concert, organized by the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) will feature the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, conducted by Charles Ansbacher. Mass Audubon will be participating in the Earth Fest portion of the evening, along with many other environmental groups from across the state. For more information on this carbon-neutral concert, contact the MLEV at 617-742-8822 or go to http://www.landmarksorchestra.org/concertsdetails.php?id=102. Upcoming Conferences Blowing in the Wind: Managing Renewable Energy Siting Conflicts Tuesday, October 6, 2009
9:30 a.m -- 4:30 p.m.
Doyle Conservation Center
Leominster, MA Organized by The Trustees of Reservations, Mass Audubon is among the co-sponsors for this seminar that looks at the complicated process of siting and building renewable energy structures. The event is designed for staff and volunteers from planning boards, conservation commissions, open space committees and land trusts, elected officials and others who care about conservation and sustainability in their communities. Registration required. For more information please contact Miriam Scagnetti at 978-840-4446 x1935 or mscagnetti@ttor.org.
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
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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
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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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