The Packet Post Tarr Named MassDEP Legislator of the Decade

Tarr Named MassDEP Legislator of the Decade

by: Press Release

September 29, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jessica Margiotta, Director of Communications, Office of Senator Tarr | Cell: 978-675-6109 | jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov

Tarr Named MassDEP Legislator of the Decade
MassDEP Celebrates 50 Years by Recognizing Tarr and Other Environmental Stewards

Boston (09/29/25) – Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) has been named the MassDEP Regional Legislator of the Decade by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. At its most recent event held in the Northeast Region on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple recognized Senator Tarr for his longstanding leadership and partnership in advancing environmental stewardship, public health protections, and sustainable policies that benefit communities across Massachusetts. The award was given as part of MassDEP’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, which has brought together staff, legislators, and advocates from across the Commonwealth.

“For five decades, MassDEP has played a vital role in protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the natural resources that define our Commonwealth,” said Tarr. “This award reflects not just my efforts, but the collaboration of many who are committed to ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for Massachusetts.”

Highlights of Tarr’s environmental stewardship initiatives include:

Leading efforts to authorize the removal of abandoned fishing gear from Massachusetts waters to protect right whales and marine ecosystems while supporting the livelihoods and economic resilience of the Commonwealth’s commercial fishing industry through the inclusion of amendment language in the final version of H.5100, An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership. This new law established the legal framework for the chronic nemesis of abandoned fishing gear to be removed from the state’s waters through appropriate regulations promulgated by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). This bi-partisan, bi-cameral amendment was originally filed as a stand-alone bill (S.2793) in 2024.
Securing funding to support environmental initiatives, including hundreds of thousands of dollars for Right Whale protection, water resiliency planning, and projects to combat erosion through natural solutions.

Spearheading environmental legislation including a recent amendment included in the Climate Energy Bill (S.2967) that accelerates ecological restoration projects by eliminating delays, reducing costs, and protecting vital ecosystems – like the 1,000-acre Great Marsh Restoration Project in Rowley.
Chair of multiple regional and legislative groups, uniting stakeholders to collaborate on driving solution-oriented outcomes to environmental challenges —including the Great Marsh Revitalization Task Force, Merrimack River Beach Alliance, Northeast Coastal Coalition, North Shore Water Resilience Task Force, Merrimack River Collaborative, and the legislature’s Coastal Caucus.
Championing clean water measures to safeguard drinking water, rivers, and coastal ecosystems – including, unifying local, state, regional and federal key stakeholders in solution-oriented, bipartisan collaborative partnerships such as the North Shore Water Resilience Task Force and the Merrimack River Collaborative.

Protecting coastal communities through efforts to strengthen resiliency against flooding, erosion, and the impacts of climate change.
Supporting renewable energy and efficiency measures to reduce costs for consumers while lowering emissions.
Strengthening waste reduction and recycling programs to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impacts.
Collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to secure resources and advance solutions for pressing environmental challenges.

Tarr added that he is “deeply honored to receive this recognition from MassDEP during such a milestone year for the agency.”

MassDEP continues to mark its 50th anniversary with events across the state, celebrating 50 Years of Protecting Our Environment and Preserving Our Future while highlighting its history of service and ongoing commitment to addressing today’s environmental challenges.

“MassDEP is proud to honor Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr as one of MassDEP’s Legislators of the Decade,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “Whether it’s restoring and protecting critical resources like the Great Marsh, or keeping North Shore rivers and water bodies clean, Senator Tarr has brought stakeholders together to tackle the most pressing environmental issues of our time.”

MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources—air, water, and land—to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, to provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for participation in agency decisions that affect their lives, and to ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves.


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Additional Resources:

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

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

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