Bill > S601

This bill proposes creating a 5-member advisory panel to investigate sand mining's environmental and public health impacts in Massachusetts. The panel would include representatives from the energy and environmental affairs office (with GIS expertise), a legislatively appointed member with ecological knowledge, a Community Land & Water Coalition representative, and a hydrology expert from the University of Massachusetts. The panel would conduct monthly public meetings over two years to examine sand mining's effects, specifically focusing on four key areas: potential impacts on drinking water, consequences for Environmental Justice communities, climate change mitigation and resilience, and air pollution risks, particularly worker and public exposure to respirable crystalline silica (a harmful type of dust produced during mining). At the conclusion of their investigation, the panel would be required to develop recommendations for regulatory changes, potentially including modifications to mining licensing laws, aimed at protecting drinking water, worker and public health, and the broader environment. The panel would serve in an advisory capacity, meaning their recommendations would not be automatically binding but would provide guidance for potential legislative or regulatory action.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S601