Action Alert: Take Action To Fund Mass Parks, Dam Removal, & More!
On Wednesday, April 15, the House Ways and Means Committee released its proposed FY2027 budget (H.5500). They have proposed a huge CUT to the budget of the Mass Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in their FY27 budget. This matches what Governor Healey has proposed.
They propose a cut of $9.4M, which is an 8.3% reduction from the current year.
DCR is the largest landowner in the Commonwealth, charged with protecting lands and parks and recreational areas we all rely on for enjoyment and for the health of our Commonwealth.
DCR is a vital partner for CRWA, removing invasive plants, cleaning up trash along the river, and protecting our natural lands.
Please reach out to your Representative to ask them to support these vital amendments to invest in our parks, dam removal, invasives removal, and prohibition of rodenticides that kill hawks, owls, and eagles.
We have made it easy for you. Simply click below, and act soon, as the House takes up the bill on Monday, April 27th!
SUBJECT: Please Support Key Climate & Water Budget Amendments
Dear Representative,
Please co-sponsor and ask House leadership to support the following amendments to restore vital funding to DCR, fund dam removal, invasives removal, and prohibition of rodenticides that kill hawks, owls, and eagles. Our parks are vital to our quality of life and the health of our environment. Massachusetts is 44th in the nation when it comes to supporting our parks, according to the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis. DCR cannot absorb a $9.4M cut just as summer kicks into high gear, and still provide well-staffed, clean, safe parks, beaches, pools, and campgrounds.
Filed by David Rogers #1421 – Aquatic Invasive Species Control. Provides $100,000 for DCR to combat invasive species in the Charles and Mystic Rivers, protecting water quality and ecosystem health.
Filed by David Rogers #1444 – Department of Environmental Protection Operations. Adds $4,233,386 to strengthen the Department of Environmental Protection’s ability to safeguard our air, water, and communities.
Filed by Jim Hawkins #322 – Restricting Rodenticides. Limits the use of dangerous anticoagulant rodenticides (like brodifacoum, bromadiolone, and warfarin) to prevent a cruel death to wildlife, pets, and our shared ecosystems while allowing tightly controlled emergency use.
Filed by John Lawn #1567 – Watertown Dam Removal Project. Provides $250,000 to advance design and permitting for removing the Watertown Dam, improving public safety, restoring river health, and supporting fish migration.
Filed By Christine Barber #449 – Provides much needed revenue for State Parks, by increasing funding for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s State Parks and Recreation program, raising the number from $104.4 million to $113.8 million, adding nearly $9.4 million more as past funding has become anemic in recent budget cycles.
Thank you for supporting these essential Charles River issues!
Sincerely,
