Advocacy is a critical part of land conservation and environmental protection in Massachusetts. Below you will find information to help you, your organization and your community become strong advocates for conserving green space in our Commonwealth. 

The Trustees of Reservations: Sign up to receive periodic action alerts on conservation issues. Learn more about the advocacy work of The Trustees.

Conservation Law Foundation: Receive action alerts on environmental issues affecting Massachusetts and New England.

Environmental League of Massachusetts: Sign up to receive updates on legislative news and environmental policy.

Land Trust Alliance: Sign up here for action alerts on federal issues affecting land trusts in Massachusetts. 

MassAudubon: Sign up for advocacy alerts and the weekly Beacon Hill Roundup.

Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition: Sign up to receive electronic action alerts and newsletter by sending an e-mail to info@massland.org.

Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters: Sign up for action alerts and updates.

CURRENT BILLS

Siting Wind Power Facilities on State Lands
In June 2009, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs held two "public listening sessions" on the possibility of siting wind power projects on state lands. Recently, the state completed an analysis of renewable power potential on state lands, which identifies sites on state conservation lands that could potentially host up to 947 megawatts of wind turbines. Many of these sites are mountain ridgetops owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Several conservation organizations provided testimony at the listening sessions, including:

The Trustees of Reservations' testimony on wind power on state lands

Mass Audubon's testimony on wind power on state lands

An Amended Community Preservation Act (SB90)
This bill would improve the original Community Preservation Act, which provides state funding for communities that vote to adopt a local property tax surcharge to protect open space, preserve historic landmarks and create affordable housing.  It would also provide incentives for new communities to adopt the Act.

Off-Highway Vehicle Oversight (HB 3330)
This legislation would reduce illegal off-road and all terrain vehicle riding on both public and private lands through education, more effective enforcement, and increased penalties.

The Public Lands Preservation Act (HB 3438)
This proposed legislation would establish a transparent process for evaluating proposals to transfer municipal and state-owned conservation land for other uses, by requiring an analysis of alternatives and mandating that public conservation land converted to other uses be replaced with comparable land.  

The Sustainable Water Resources Act (HB 834)
This bill includes development of streamflow standards and options for mitigating the ecological impacts of water withdrawals.

Natural Heritage Zero Funded AGAIN!

After five years of zero funding, the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) enjoyed a brief moment of budgetary support in FY 2009, when it received $250,000 in operating funds. However, it was zeroed out again in FY 2010, which ends June 30, 2010, and the Governor’s and the House budgets propose zero funding for FY 2011. This vital program collects and disseminates information on the Commonwealth’s biodiversity which informs land conservation and other policy decisions by governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations alike. The elimination of NHESP from the operating budget leaves the program dependent on fees charged to landowners and developers who apply for permits required when their proposed projects affect designated habitat areas. The lack of operating funds threatens to undermine the scientific foundations of the program’s work, and could result in policy and permitting decisions which are not based on the best available data.

LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Find Your Elected Officials
Please support land conservation in Massachusetts by contacting your State Senators and Representatives, whose contact information can be found at www.wheredoivotema.com.

Review Current Bills
Access the text of current legislation, bill histories and Massachusetts General Law by visiting the website of The General Court.

RECENT LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES

The 2008 Environmental Bond Bill
In 2008, the Legislature passed and Governor Patrick signed the $1.8 billion Environmental Bond, a cornerstone of the Commonwealth's long-term investment in our environment. It provides capital funding to protect the state's land, air and water; restore wetlands, improve parks and beaches, reduce pollution, remove and repair dams, safeguard drinking water, and for many other purposes. These funds also support popular grant programs for local land protection, including the Self Help and Urban Self Help programs. 

The Oceans Act
Coastal areas are already our principal ports of commerce, first line of defense against storms and a key source of food and economic livelihood. But the push to develop infrastructure like liquefied natural gas terminals, desalinization plants and gas pipelines puts ever-increasing pressure on the marine environment. In May 2008, Massachusetts passed the Oceans Act which will establish an ocean management advisory board and a science council to ensure the long-term protection and sustainable use of Massachusetts’ ocean and coastal resources. Read about this new law on the Mass Ocean Campaign site.

The Global Warming Solutions Act
In a major step forward, Massachusetts has enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act, which empowers the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to regulate greenhouse gasses from all sources across the Commonwealth. The Act mandates an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050 and instructs the administration to develop a shorter-term goal of reductions between 10% and 25% by the year 2020.

The Green Jobs Act
This newly enacted legislation establishes the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to serve as the state's lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector. The Center will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support to existing clean energy companies in the Commonwealth through the establishment and administration of job growth grants. The Center will also develop a state-wide plan for installation and operation of renewable energy generating facilities on state-owned property to advance the use of alternative energy and provide new opportunities for workforce development and training initiatives in communities across the state.

Landmark Energy Bill
In 2008, Massachusetts enacted a wide-ranging energy bill that will significantly boost funding for energy efficiency measures and encourage investments in renewable energy, including wind and solar projects. The new law will:

• Require electric companies to boost investment in energy efficiency measures.
• Provide a new funding source for efficiency measures through the auction of pollution allowances by power plants through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
• Create stronger incentives for the development of renewable energy, like wind and solar, by requiring 15 percent of electricity to be supplied by new green power facilities by 2020 and establishing a pilot program for utilities to enter into long-term contracts with renewable energy projects.
• Expressly authorize cities and towns to own renewable energy facilities.
• Encourage green building design through updated codes, training and assistance.

Learn more >>