Bill > S420

This bill aims to streamline the regulations around stream flow standards in Massachusetts. It does the following: 1. Defines the "Division" as the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, which will be responsible for establishing aquatic habitat criteria to protect and restore natural stream flows, water levels, and hydrologic regimes across all rivers and streams in the state. 2. Requires the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Division and other relevant agencies, to adopt regulations within one year that establish standards to maintain stream flows and water levels to protect natural aquatic life, while balancing competing water uses. 3. Amends the water withdrawal permitting process to require applicants to demonstrate that they have taken all feasible means to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts on the natural environment, with mitigation measures prioritized within the same sub-basin as the withdrawal. 4. Allows municipalities to include the costs of ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supplies as part of their water infrastructure protection efforts. The overall goal is to better manage surface and groundwater as a single hydrological system, while protecting aquatic habitats and balancing competing water needs across the state.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S420