Advocates Show Up for Our Rivers

Above Some of the more than 150 Mass Rivers members and partners across the Commonwealth and 65 legislators and their aides who attended the 2021 Lobby for the Rivers Day.

Every two years, the Mass Rivers Alliance rallies watershed advocates across the state to lobby for their rivers. This year Lobby for the Rivers Day went virtual. The switch opened up room for more participation by both advocates and legislators. More than 150 Mass Rivers members and partners across the Commonwealth (including 35 from the North Shore) met with more than 65 legislators and their aides across the Commonwealth. 

Before meeting with their legislators, participants in the Lobby Day reviewed three key asks. Advocates sought support on an increased budget to support state environmental agencies, as well as two bills. Only 0.62% of the state’s operating budget goes to protect our environment. By contrast, in the early 2000’s, 1% of the state budget supported our environmental agencies. Current environmental agency funding is insufficient to meet demands and growing responsibilities.

The Drought Bill, HD.1635 (Full name: An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management), is sponsored by Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Carolyn Dykema. This bill would give the Commonwealth the authority to restrict non-essential outdoor watering during droughts, ensuring that our water supply can sustain public health and our environment.

The Invasive Species Bill, HD.3574/SD.1661 (Full name: An Act responding to the threat of invasive species) is sponsored by Senator Patricia Jehlen and Representative David Rogers would create a centralized office dedicated to controlling both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species by combining new and existing resources like the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group and DCR’s Aquatic Invasive Management Plan. 

Below are some highlights from the Ipswich River team’s meeting with legislators who represent our watershed. 

Senator Lovely agreed to support both bills and to work with the Ipswich River Resiliency Task Force in pursuit of more uniform and fair water conservation conditions for all Ipswich River water users. 

Senator Bruce Tarr who leads the Ipswich River Resiliency Task Force was represented by Victoria Mori who reiterated the Senator’s commitment to take the Task force “to the next level with a more urgent sense of purpose.”

Rep Paul Tucker and his staffer Emi Perez committed to reviewing the legislation and accepted our invitation to join Ipswich River staff at Riverbend this spring to go paddling. He referenced the increase over the last year in people spending more time outdoors and appreciating the region’s abundance of nature.

Rep Brad Hill agreed with the importance of working regionally to address the Ipswich River’s woes and reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to supporting municipalities in their fight against invasive species like the green crab, which threatens our region’s thriving shellfish industry.

Rep Brad Jones voiced his support for local conservation projects in the Towns of Reading, North Reading and Lynnfield (our Headwaters Communities). Among the several projects he’s helped advance over the years is the successful creation of Ipswich River Park in North Reading.

Rep Mirra noted, in conversation with George Comiskey and Jerry Mullins from Parker River Clean Water Association regarding our priority bills for this year, “There’s good bipartisan support for all of this.”

Rep Robertson was represented by Ian Hatfield who committed to looking at both bills as a new member to the Environment Committee, and to advance it as possible as well as support many of our initiatives in the Headwaters.

Rep Kerans met with Ipswich River and Middleton Stream Team members, using the meeting to listen and ask clarifying questions. By the end of the meeting, she had plans to go paddling on the River and said she would co-sponsor the bills. 

“These meetings are some of the easiest ways for people to talk to their elected officials and have an open discussion about what they hope to see in the future,” said Patrick Lynch, Environmental Planner at Ipswich River Watershed Association. For Lynch, who studied Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School, the best part was seeing how many people showed up for the rivers. “Who knew virtual lobbying could be so much fun! 150 people across the Commonwealth, united in their passion for rivers and their hope for passing the Drought Bill and other important pieces of legislation that will help our communities prepare for the future.”

Follow your State Reps and Senators on Twitter to stay up to date, and don’t forget to invite them out on the river this summer! For more information check out our partners at Mass Rivers Alliance.