Today, I had the pleasure of joining with members and supporters of the North Shore Water Resilience Task Force and other members of the North Shore legislative delegation for the signing of a landmark agreement between water suppliers, cities and towns, and the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
This is an historic moment for a group of people, across a large region, whose future depends on water resources. We are coming together, building consensus, to make sure that we have enough water and that we protect the Ipswich River, and its tributaries.
The task force is supported by multiple state agencies, regional water suppliers, not-for-profit organizations, the region's federal legislative delegation, and facilitators from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and I am proud to be a co-founder and its Chairman.
The signing of this pioneering North Shore Water Resilience Task Force Charter Agreement affirms an ongoing collaboration for a safe and reliable water supply, regional water supply resilience, and ecosystem health.
Thanks to Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School for hosting us in Smith Hall. The enthusiasm from all those in attendance will sustain our momentum towards resilience.
A partial list of those invited for membership in the Task Force:
City of Beverly
City of Lynn
City of Peabody
City of Salem
Town of Andover
Town of Boxford
Town of Burlington
Town of Danvers
Town of Hamilton
Town of Ipswich
Town of Middleton
Town of North Andover
Town of Reading
Town of Topsfield
Town of Wenham
Town of Wilmington
Ipswich River Watershed Association
Town of Lynnfield/Lynnfield Center Water District
Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board
A partial list of other participating regional stakeholders:
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
MA Department of Environmental Protection
Massachusetts Rivers Alliance
MA Department of Conservation and Recreation
MA Department of Fish and Game
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
Massachusetts Water Works Association
The region's federal legislative delegation
Mass Audubon Society
Essex County Green Belt
Trout Unlimited
The Trustees of Reservation
MassBays
Parker River Clean Water Association
Town of Essex
Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea
Town of Rockport
City of Gloucester