Action Alert: Act Now For Climate Resilience!
This Wednesday, April 15, our state legislature is debating a bill related to protecting us all from flooding, heat, and extreme storms.
The bill is S. 3050, An Act to Build Resilience for Massachusetts Communities. We are urging support for several critical amendments that will protect our communities, water resources, and the environment.
Amendment #11 will strengthen the MVP Plus Program to help towns prepare for flooding, extreme weather, and rising costs. It will provide reliable, annual funding for local climate resilience, help communities reduce flooding and protect infrastructure, support local staff and regional solutions, and direct funding to communities most at risk.
Amendment #216 will create a coordinated response to flooding by creating a commission to develop regional, watershed-based flood management strategies that better protect communities, infrastructure, and the environment while addressing rising flood insurance challenges. This is a critical step toward coordinated, climate-ready solutions.
Amendment #5 will create a coordinated drought response to protect our rivers, safeguard public health, and secure a sustainable water future. We urge legislators to support Amendment #5 and commend Senator Jamie Eldridge for leading this critical effort.
Amendment #73 takes a vital step toward long-term resilience by funding a statewide water needs and supply strategy. With climate change already reshaping drought patterns and water availability, Massachusetts needs a clear, data-driven plan to guide infrastructure investments, housing and development decisions, and MWRA expansion. This is the kind of forward-thinking approach advocates have long called for.
Amendment #3 would restrict the use of dangerous anticoagulant rodenticides—allowing them only in limited, documented public health emergencies, and requiring safer, non-toxic pest management first. This is a common-sense step to reduce the amount of poison in our environment while still protecting public health when truly necessary.
Amendment #115 would establish a voluntary resilience buyout program to help acquire repeatedly flooded properties and restore them for open space, flood protection, and climate adaptation. It supports communities, protects people from future harm, and invests in long-term resilience. The program prioritizes science-based planning, supports municipalities and nonprofits, and includes assistance for tenant relocation—ensuring a fair and forward-looking approach.
Together, we can reduce risks, protect our communities, and pave the way for a brighter, more resilient future. Join us in advocating for critical amendments in the S. 3050 bill!
SUBJECT: Please Support Key Climate & Water Amendments
Dear Senator,
I’m writing to urge you to support several critical amendments that will strengthen climate resilience and protect our water resources across Massachusetts.
Please vote YES on:
Amendment #11 to help communities prepare for flooding and extreme weather
Amendment #5 to ensure a coordinated, proactive drought response
Amendment #73 to fund a statewide water supply and planning strategy
Amendment #216 to advance regional, watershed-based flood management
Amendment #3 to restrict harmful rodenticides and protect public health and wildlife
Amendment #115 to establish a voluntary resilience buyout program for flood-prone properties
These measures are essential to protect our communities, environment, and future.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
