Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Environmental Bond Bill contains many important tools for Climate Change Adaption, Environmental Protection and Community Investments



Today in Quincy I was pleased to join with Governor Baker, EOEEA Secretary Matt Beaton, administration officials, legislative colleagues, local officials and others for the ceremonial signing of H.4835, " An Act Promoting Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental and Natural Resource Protection and Investment in Recreational Assets and Opportunity", otherwise known as the Environmental Bond Bill. This bill contains $2.4 Billion in authorizations for spending to protect and support our Commonwealth's natural resources. Importantly, it specifically identifies funding for climate adaptation and resilience. I have been a strong supporter of this bill throughout the legislative process, and worked to include by amendment several items that are important for our region, including:
    • $350,000 for improvements to Magnolia Pier in the city of Gloucester
       
    • $250,000 for planning, development and construction of a foot bridge at Good Harbor beach in the city of Gloucester
       
    • $2,500,000 for planning development and construction to the Long beach sea wall in the town of Rockport
       
    • $500,000 for the restoration of the Miles River which runs through the towns of Hamilton, Ipswich and Wenham and the city of Beverly

 
    • $775,000 for the replacement of the Town Wharf Sewer Pumping Station in the town of Ipswich
       
    • $480,000 for improvements to culverts along Topsfield Road in the town of Wenham
       
    • $500,000 for improvements to Ipswich River park in the town of North Reading
       
    • $45,000 for road improvements and the planning development and construction for signalization at the intersection of Central street and United States highway route 1 in the town of Rowley
       
    • $250,000 for road improvements and planning and development of Maple street on state highway route 62 in the town of Middleton

Additionally, the legislation included major policy components that I secured through working with my colleagues.  They include:

  • A study by the Division of Marine Fisheries to facilitate the expansion of lobster processing to include parts. Currently, only lobster tails and whole lobsters can be processed in Massachusetts
     
  • The creation of the Fishing Innovation Fund to finance grants, through the guidance of a stakeholder advisory board for : (i) permit banks; (ii) the design, construction and modification of commercial fishing vessels including, but not limited to, research, development and construction of innovative fishing vessels with attributes including, but not limited to, increased fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, improved stability and the capability of supporting sustainable fishing practices through harvesting and on-board storage and processing methods; (iii) research, development, acquisition and deployment of advanced or innovative technologies including, but not limited to, sonar, radar, radio communications, satellite and global position and other locating and tracking devices; and (iv) the research and development, acquisition and deployment of safety equipment and technologies
 
  • The creation of the Agriculture Innovation Fund to finance grants, through the guidance of a stakeholder advisory board for the commonwealth’s agricultural and cranberry producers through the agricultural innovation center for programs that may add value to the producers’ products and services.  The center shall develop an outreach program to identify and foster new, innovative ideas and approaches to adding value to the commonwealth’s agricultural and cranberry economy.  The center may solicit requests from the commonwealth’s agricultural and cranberry industry for funding and technical assistance in: (i) reclamation and revitalization of cranberry bogs; (ii) training, marketing, distribution, applied research, agritourism, aquaculture, forestry, processing, fiber and agricultural resource management research, development, poultry and red meat processing and construction of energy efficient agricultural buildings and structures; and (iii) research, development and construction of energy efficient agricultural equipment
 
  • Grants that promote carbon sequestration and climate change resiliency through sustainable forestry and salt marsh restoration