We pass this action alert on from the Environmental League of Massachusetts. Please call or email your state representative and senator today.
The Massachusetts Legislature is considering revisions to the state Endangered Species Act (MESA) which would result in an effective repeal of endangered species protections in the Commonwealth. On June 14, the Joint Committee on Environment approved Senate Bill 1854, An Act relative to land takings (filed by Senator Gale Candaras). The bill will:
- Place impossible and unprecedented requirements on the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW) to be completed in 7 months – effectively undoing current protections for the 435 species of native animals and plants at risk in Massachusetts.
- Inject uncertainty, delays and conflict in the project review process, leading to potential fines and lawsuits against landowners and developers.
- Up-end long-standing appeal procedures and case law putting DFW on different footing than every other agency in the Commonwealth.
This unfunded agency mandate would create an unworkable system leaving endangered species unprotected.
PLEASE ACT NOW!
Call or email your state representative and senator today. Ask them to protect endangered species and oppose SB1854. Also ask them to communicate their position to their respective leadership – House Speaker DeLeo and House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey and Senate President Murray and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Stephen Brewer.
Find out who your legislators are and how to contact them at www.malegislature.gov.
We expect the bill to be sent to the House Committee on Ways and Means this week and the bill may get a new number. We will keep you posted.
Thank you for stepping up to protect endangered species!
Photo credit: Evan Lipton
