Tarr Amendment Clears Way for Environmental Restoration Streamlines Permitting Process for Ecological Restoration Project
November 14, 2024FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jessica Margiotta, Director of Communications, Cell: 978-675-6109, jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
Tarr Amendment Clears Way for Environmental Restoration
Streamlines Permitting Process for Ecological Restoration Projects
Boston (11/14/24) — An essential amendment, proposed by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) which was adopted in the Senate’s original Climate Energy Bill (S.2829), has been included in the final language of the Conference Committee Report (S.2967) for the bill, which was recently accepted by the Senate on October 24, 2024. Tarr’s amendment, is a crucial step toward streamlining the permitting process for ecological restoration projects, ensuring the timely progress of initiatives like the Great Marsh Restoration in Rowley.
The amendment aligns orders issued pursuant to the Coastal Wetlands Restriction Acts with the existing Wetlands Protection Act for ecological restoration projects, preventing the need for time-consuming administrative procedures for projects that are beneficial to the environment and effects at least 50 projects across the state. As an example, without this amendment, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would face a complex and prolonged process for Phase III of the Great Marsh Restoration Project, covering approximately 1,000 acres in Rowley.
“This amendment addresses a critical issue that would otherwise result in years of delay, excessive cost, and administrative burden for a project vital to our state’s environmental health and climate resilience,” said Tarr. “By making this process more efficient, we mark significant progress in supporting restoration efforts that protect and restore our invaluable natural resources.”
Without this streamlined provision, DEP would need to amend the wetlands restriction order for the Great Marsh Restoration Project. This would require notifying numerous landowners across Rowley by certified mail, followed by extensive public hearings—a process that could take years to complete due to the complexities of locating and verifying records for potentially hundreds of parcels. Other affected communities include Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Newbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury.
“This amendment prevents unnecessary delays and ensures that projects aimed at restoring and preserving critical ecosystems can proceed without procedural obstacles,” Tarr added. “The Great Marsh is a natural treasure, and this measure ensures that we can restore and protect it more efficiently.”
The Climate Energy Bill has been enacted by the House and Senate and now awaits action by the Governor.
Additional Resources:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2967
Thank you,
Jessica
Jessica Margiotta
Director of Communications
Office of the Senate Minority Leader | State Senator Bruce E. Tarr
Massachusetts State House, Room 308 | Boston, MA 02133
Office: 617-722-1600, ext. 1603| Cell: 978-675-6109
Email: jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
