The
River Current ~ May 27, 2010 ~ Issue 114
The e-newsletter of the
Charles River Watershed
Association
...bringing our backyard river to your door...
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In this issue
ACTION ALERT on the ENVIRONMENTAL BUDGET
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Action Alert: Support Environmental Funding
Public environmental programs this year are proposed to make up less than 1 percent (0.6 percent) of the entire state budget. The Commonwealth's environmental agencies have been struggling since before the recession to protect the nature of Massachusetts and the health of its residents.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its Fiscal Year 2011 budget recommendations, adding $53 million to the recently finalized House of Representatives budget. Overall, the Senate version still cuts environmental funding by nearly $20 millionrelative to last year's final budget. Debate on the Senate version of the 2011 budget begins today!
CRWA is working with Mass Audubon, the Environmental League of MA and other organizations to increase funding for a number of environmental agencies, and we need
your help!
Please take a moment to call or email your state senator TODAY or TOMORROW to encourage him/her to support the amendments listed below. Click here to find your senator. (Look for "Senate In General Court")
For more information on the budget overall and additional amendments, click here to read a letter MassAudubon send the Senate.
Please take action today! Thank you on behalf of the environment!
1) DEP Administrative
(line-item 2200-0100)
Budget Amendment #248 - Sponsor: Senator Eldridge
DEP implements or enforces 66 different statutes, including the historic Global Warming Solutions Act. Without adequate resources, its ability to ensure that our air, water and land are protected is severely compromised. With the most recent budget cuts, DEP has lost 325 staff positions since FY04; just since FY08 it has seen a 15% decrease in staff. There is no question that enforcement against polluters will suffer from these cuts. This amendment would increase funding for DEP's main line-item by approximately $1.5 million.
2) Department of Conservation and Recreation Parks
(line-item 2810-0100)
Budget Amendment #219- Sponsor: Senator Petruccelli
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages nearly 500,000 acres of protected land, including state and urban parks and public watersheds that attract over 35 million visitors annually. It is the ninth largest park service in the nation. Over the past decade, visitor services and routine maintenance of our forests and parks have greatly suffered. The annual operating budget for the combined divisions of DCR has been cut by over 30% in recent years. This amendment would increase operating funding for DCR by about $3 million.
3) Stormwater Management
(line-item 2800-0401)
Budget Amendment #215 - Sponsor: Senator Petruccelli
DCR is out of compliance with the Clean Water Act and is vulnerable to a lawsuit because of its inability to deal with stormwater runoff from its properties and roads. This runoff contributes to poor water quality in many rivers and streams, including the Charles River. This amendment would increase funding by approximately $300,000.
4) Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program - Waiver to NHES Fund
Budget Amendment #221 - Sponsor: Senator Brewer
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), within the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is entirely funded by permit fees, federal aid, bonds, grants, and donations. Since 2006 NHESP Fund has been given a "permanent" waiver from charges assessed by the comptroller, about $500,000 annually at the current 36.65% overhead charge. The waiver currently has to be requested annually, and is not always granted. This amendment would make it truly a permanent waiver.
5) Expanded Bottle Bill
Budget Amendment #40 - Sponsor: Senator Eldridge
The Bottle Bill is the state's most successful recycling and litter prevention program. Since the Bottle Bill's inception in 1983, over 30 billion containers have been redeemed, contributing to a healthier environment, cleaner and safer communities, and a stronger economy. To keep up with the times and consumers' tastes, the bottle bill must be updated to include non-carbonated beverages such as water, iced tea, juice, and sports drinks. Currently, only 22% of non-deposit containers are recycled - the rest become litter, clog our storm drains, or are thrown in the trash. Expanding the bottle bill will also provide new revenue for the state.
Many thanks to MassAudubon for providing much of the information in this alert.
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