Call the Governor Tuesday, August 5

We need your help to make sure the Governor passes the Environmental Bond Bill (House Bill 5052), but VETOES Section 26 of this bill. Section 26 is an amendment that would exempt the proposed Mini Fenway Park in the Blue Hills Reservation from parts of the Wetlands Protection Act.

See talking points below. You'll find short summaries of the issues and links to additional information at the end of this email. But remember you don’t need to be an expert to call.

Please call the Governor at 617-725-4005.

Talking Points

Tell the person who answers your name and town. Say you want the Governor to:

• Pass the Environmental Bond Bill (House Bill 5052).
• Pass the conservation tax incentive (Section 8).
• Veto Section 26 which would exempt the proposed Mini Fenway Park in the Blue Hills Reservation from parts of the Wetland Protection Act.

What are the issues?

Mini Fenway Park
The Commonwealth leased 11 acres of Reservation land in September 2004 to developers to build a 'Mini-Fenway’ park. This parcel is a defined Priority Habitat, containing rare species habitat. The amendment attached to the Environmental Bond bill would allow the developer to skirt the state’s Wetlands Protection Act with no explanation of why or how their project constitutes an “overriding public interest.” This is never a good idea and in this case could allow a vernal pool to be filled in without going through the normal environmental process. Our wetlands regulations were enacted to prevent precisely the kind of activity that this amendment would advance—unregulated filling of wetlands and threatening endangered species. For background on Mini Fenway Park, visit our website.

Environmental Bond
The Environmental Bond is the cornerstone of the Commonwealth's long-term investment in our environment. It provides capital funding to protect the state's land, air and water, and natural habitats, restoration of wetlands, parks and beaches, to reduce pollution, remove and repair dams, safeguard drinking water, and many other purposes. For background on the Environmental Bond Bill, visit the Coalition for the Environmental Bond website.

Conservation Tax Incentive
The conservation tax incentive would be a catalyst for conservation and make conservation more competitive with development by providing a state income tax credit on qualified land (as certified by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs) up to $50k in value, no more than your annual tax liability, rolling forward 10 years. It is an incentive to encourage private land owners to donate certified conservation land to non-profits, the state or a municipality; it will help land rich/cash poor citizens, by giving them a compelling option to protect our natural heritage as opposed to giving up their land for development. It will also provide capital to farmers and foresters, as working farms and forests may be certified. To ensure the preservation of our most critical natural resources, including agricultural land and land in forestry, the state must employ a variety of tools, from improved local zoning and increased capital investments in land protection, to enhanced tax incentives for voluntary land donations by private land owners.