Bill > S602

This bill creates a new water use transfer program specifically for cranberry growers in Massachusetts. Under current law, water use registrations and permits are tightly regulated under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 21G. The bill allows the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to authorize cranberry water use registrations and permits to be transferred and used for mitigation purposes by other municipal users within the same watershed. To do this, the receiving municipal users must first obtain the appropriate registrations and permits under Chapter 21G. This legislation appears designed to provide more flexibility for water use management among municipal users, with a particular focus on supporting the cranberry agricultural sector, which is economically significant in Massachusetts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S602