Monday, March 17, 2014

Good News for the Metropolitan Region's Public Beaches!

The “Environmental Bond Bill”, House No. 3332, contains some very good news for the metropolitan region’s public beaches.



The bill, which was favorably reported out of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture today, contains $20 million to improve water quality and $40 million for capital projects on the metropolitan region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket. These funds will support investments which will protect the environment and improve the quality of life for residents of the region's coastal communities.

Save the Harbor would like to thank the Metropolitan Beaches Commission and our many friends and allies in the Massachusetts Legislature for their commitment to continued public investment to restore and protect Boston Harbor and these remarkable coastal resources.

We also want to take a moment to thank our many friends and supporters in the region’s waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities for their steadfast support.

We recognize that it is early in the process, but we are encouraged by the support that these items have received.

Here are the relevant sections of the bill.

HOUSE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  No. 3332
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen
_______________

An Act providing for the preservation and improvement of land, parks,
and clean energy in the Commonwealth


2000-7064 For the development and support of local efforts to improve water quality on the metropolitan region’s public beaches owned by the commonwealth under the care, custody and control of the department of conservation and recreation, including, but not limited to, convening the public to enhance awareness of and participation in planning, regulatory, and permitting decisions; site specific research and analysis; feasibility and other assessments; plans for water, sewer, storm water, and other infrastructure investments; site specific plans, including, construction documents and architectural blueprints, the development of municipal storm water management plans, the design, construction, restoration, enhancement, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of storm water and sewage system infrastructure; and for outreach, communications, education, and planning to improve water quality in communities that include, but are not limited to, Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull   ................$20,000,000

2000-7065. For the design, construction, restoration, enhancement, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement or removal of infrastructure on the metropolitan region’s public beaches owned by the commonwealth and under the care, custody and control of the department of conservation and recreation, including, but not limited to buildings, roads, trails and paths; provided, that costs payable from this item may include, but not be limited to, the costs of engineering, restoration, construction and other technical assistance services essential to these projects rendered by the department of conservation and recreation, maintenance employees or by consultants. Projects shall include, but are not limited to, those recommended by the Metropolitan Beaches Commission    ……$40,000,0000

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