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Welcome
The mission of the Watershed Action Alliance (WAA) is to protect and restore the watersheds of Southeastern Massachusetts through strategic collaboration and grassroots efforts. The Alliance also serves to strengthen the individual and collective capacity of its member groups, enabling them to be more effective watershed advocates. The Alliance focuses on accomplishing the following three goals via public education and public policy advocacy: |
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Environmental Bond Rally and Lobby Day10AM - April 9 - Beacon Hill, BostonWe need as many people as possible to come to the State House in Boston (gathering first at the Appalachian Mountain Club at 5 Joy St., Boston) to tell the legislature that it must pass the Environmental Bond this session! We only have until July 31 before the session ends and already many key environmental agencies and organizations (including NepRWA) are suffering from a lack of funds. If the Bond does not pass this session, some programs will effectively cease to operate - putting our water quality, land protection and tourism industry at risk. The Coalition for the Environmental Bond will provide training to help you be more comfortable and knowledgeable with a unified and straightforward message to deliver to your own state representative and senator. You only need to visit two offices and deliver your message! At the rally, some of the state's top environmental specialists and lobbyists will provide you with tips and you'll receive a hand-out with more information to pass along to your legislators. P.S. If you can't attend, please call or e-mail your representative and senator between now and April 6. For their phone numbers, e-mails, and State House room numbers, see: http://mass.gov/legis/; Under "Legislators," click on "House" and "Senate." Schedule for the Rally: Meet at Appalachian Mountain Club, 5 Joy St., Boston by 10 AM (NOT the State House). 10:00-10:30AM: Coffee, donuts and registration 10:30-11:15AM: Rally for the Environmental Bond with Secretary Bowles, Rep. Frank Smizik, House and Senate champions, and invited speaker Governor Deval Patrick 11:15-11:30AM: Lobbying training, Q&A, How to lobby your legislators on the Bond 11:30AM-12:30PM: Visits with your Rep.'s and Senators in the State House 12:45-1:00PM: Debriefing and Rally closing ACTION ALERT #1! Massachusetts wetland protection to be weakened by eliminating citizens' right to appealMA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has proposed sweeping changes to its wetlands regulations that would eliminate most administrative appeals by local residents. The right to appeal is basic to ensuring strong wetlands protection. While Massachusetts has been a leader in protecting wetlands, these and other changes will substantially weaken our wetlands protection. See Calendar below for public hearing date and time.Please contact Governor Deval Patrick to support citizen involvement in wetland protection! An easy way to do this is to go to his Website at http://devalpatrick.com/issue.php?issue_id=7640699. On the screen will be the words “Citizens’ Wetlands Appeals.” Click on “Support this issue [take action]” to register your opposition to DEP’s proposed regulatory change. ACTION ALERT #2! Streamflow standards legislationOne of WAA's legislative priorities this year is the development of site-specific streamflow standards for Massachusetts. Passage of House Bill 833, An Act to Protect Rivers and Streams, will protect our rivers by establishing a set of specific criteria for protecting fisheries, aquatic life and other instream uses, such as recreation. For more information on the bill and how you can help get it enacted through letters and calls to your legislators, please visit CRWA’s Action Alert website at www.charlesriver.org/alert/streamflow.html.Click here for fact sheet. Calendar of Events | ||
