• A “Drought Alert” that provides information on the current drought conditions and how the public can do their part to help conserve water and be responsive to the drought
• Infographic for Level 3 – Critical Drought
• Water-Saving Tips for Indoor Water Use
• Two short videos on ‘what drought means in MA’ and ‘why water suppliers have to implement water use restrictions’ when there may not be immediate supply constraints on their systems. 

A former Board Member and Supporter of MACC, Glenn was also deeply involved with the Massachusetts Bar Association's Environmental Litigation Subcommittee, the Boston Bar Association's Environmental Justice program, the New England Environmental Business Council's Ocean and Coastal Committee, the Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists, the Ipswich Conservation Commission, the Eight Towns and Great Marsh committees, and the Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center.

Glenn will be remembered for his devotion local natural resource protection, enthusiasm, and curiousity.

Glenn's celebration service will be at St. John's Episcopal Church, 705 Hale Street, Beverly Farms, on Thursday, May 28th at 11:00 AM. All are welcome. The service will be live streamed at youtube.com/@stjohnsbeverly.

Read Glenn's Obituary >>

MassEnviroScreen is a GIS-based mapping tool developed and administered by the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity (OEJE) that uses indicators to produce a MassEnviroScreen Score and provide indicator data for every census block group across the Commonwealth. It is intended to support the guidance and regulations on Cumulative Impact Analysis and Site Suitability assessments.

FY27-28 Opportunity and Application

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to announce that the application for the FY2027-28 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) is now available. This grant opportunity provides $200,000 in funding, with up to $20,000 per community or municipal applicant group selected for an award, to enhance public involvement and promote a better understanding of the cleanup of contaminated sites in their communities.

The application deadline is Friday, August 28, 2026.

The TAG application and comprehensive information about this grant opportunity, including eligibility criteria and examples of past TAG projects, is available on MassDEP’s TAG Program webpage.

• Application deadline extended to Friday June 5 
• First session, in person: Sunday September 13, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm Easthampton MA
• Online sessions: Thursdays September 17 - November 5, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
• Final weekend practicum, in person: Friday November 13 - Sunday November 15, Plymouth MA

Want to learn the nuts and bolts of land conservation transactions to get a job or volunteer position? Land conservation requires a combination of skills that are not bundled into any conventional course of study. A goal of this course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to better equip them for a career in land protection in order to grow the conservation workforce and increase the pace of conservation across the Commonwealth. This 10-week course (8-weeks online plus two in-person gatherings) is targeted toward those at any career level (including upper-level college students). Limited to 25 participants through a competitive application process. Offered through the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition with support from Mass Audubon, UMass/MassWoods and Wildlands Trust.

Learn more >>             Apply >>

While MACC supports the majority of the Mass Ready Act, providing $3.6 billion in environmental funding, there were two amendments (Amendments 264 and 267) that were added into the bill at the 11th hour. These amendments would restrict or eliminate the use of local wetland and wastewater bylaws for Priority Housing construction and would penalize municipalities with wetland and water protection bylaws by making them ineligible for a new funding “preference modifier."

New housing is needed, but it should not be built in areas that will be prone to flooding or have inadequate wastewater treatment, risking pollution of streams and drinking water supplies.

Help us fix this! Take 5 minutes today to make sure we don't lose local wetland protections:

1. Make a Phone Call: Use our talking points to call your state representative and senator. 
2. Send a Letter: Edit our draft letter. Send it to your state representative, your senator, and the House Ways and Means Committee.
   
3. Share this information as soon as possible: Share this information with your municipal leaders, planners, select boards, health departments, conservation commissions, department of public works, peers.

Read Full Action Alert >>

Green Budget Fact Sheet >>            Green Budget Priority Amendments >>

Although the E-Handbook makes extensive reference to 310 CMR 10.00, we do not expect that newly amended Wetlands Protection Act regulations will be promulgated before the handbook update is released. Regardless, MACC has decided to proceed in the interest of providing a more up-to-date reference.

The deadline to complete this survey is Monday, June 1, 2026. The survey should take no more than 5 - 10 minutes to complete. Responses may remain anonymous, unless you choose to provide your contact information. Thank you for your assistance!

Complete the Survey >>

Funding for the E-Handbook updates is provided by The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET). MET’s generous contributions to MACC would not be possible without the revenue generated from their Specialty License Plate sales. Click here to learn more about MET’s License Plate program. We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues and the larger community.

With any questions or comments, please contact Paige at paige@maccweb.org.

Proposals must be submitted by Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 5:00 pm. The inquiry period will close at 5:00 pm pn Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Learn more >>

Apply on COMMBUYS >>

Key Details of the RFP:

• Project Scope: Comprehensive review and update of the 2022 Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment and 2023 ResilientMass Plan, including robust stakeholder engagement, climate change impact assessment, statewide risk assessment, and a statewide strategic action strategy informed by ResilientMass Metrics.
• Bid Submission Deadline: June 9, 2026, by 11:00 am ET.
• Inquiry Period: Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted by May 13, 2026 11:00 am ET on COMMBUYS.

View the Full RFP & submission instructions on COMMBUYS >>

Key Details of the RFP:

• Project Scope: Comprehensive review and update of the 2022 Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment and 2023 ResilientMass Plan, including robust stakeholder engagement, climate change impact assessment, statewide risk assessment, and a statewide strategic action strategy informed by ResilientMass Metrics.
• Bid Submission Deadline: June 9, 2026, by 11:00 am ET.
• Inquiry Period: Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted by May 13, 2026 11:00 am ET on COMMBUYS.

View the Full RFP & submission instructions on COMMBUYS >>

View the Report >>

We just noticed there is an update on MassDEP’s website, and it looks like the wetland regulations, Climate 1.0 regulations will be issued in 2026. Here are excerpts from the website:

Current Regulations

These regulations, 310 CMR 10.00, became effective as of October 24, 2014.

April 2026 Update: The proposed draft Wetlands and Waterways Regulations and the Stormwater Handbook are moving forward, with an expectation to promulgate Final Regulations in 2026. Once the Wetlands Resilience 1.0 regulations are promulgated, the MassDEP Wetlands Team is ready to implement plans for a robust training program on the updates to the regulations and the Stormwater Handbook both in-person and virtually throughout the state. The trainings will also cover the updated Stormwater Checklist. MassDEP will update this webpage periodically.

LSPA’s grants are for not-for-profit environmental advocacy groups, community-based groups, environmental education organizations, and/or volunteer efforts for local projects that benefit the environment in Massachusetts communities with EJ populations. The LSPA encourages groups and organizations to partner together to achieve their goals.

Project Eligibility: Projects may be new, planned, or ongoing, but must occur within EJ populations in Massachusetts, and improve the environment. Examples of projects include, but not limited to:

• Property and watershed clean-ups and accessibility (e.g., parks, walkways, etc.)
• Design, development, maintenance, and restoration of natural habitats
• Community gardening
• Litter and hazardous waste collection efforts
• Assessing and mitigating climate change impacts
• Water conservation efforts (e.g., streamside buffers, rain gardens, greywater systems, xeriscaping, etc.)
• Recycling and composting
• Facility siting issues
• Youth education and career development in the environmental field

Award decisions are made based on the following factors:

• Type and scope of project
• Financial need
• Stated objectives of project
• Ability and stability of the organization, community group, or volunteers to carry out the project
• Timeframe of project
• Role and impact of project in larger community

Application Requirements
Applications must include:

1. Project Description: Clear statement of the problem or opportunity being addressed, a description of the project and an explanation of how the project will benefit EJ populations, and a description of how the work will be carried out.
2. Scope of Work & Timeline: Key tasks and milestones.
3. Budget & Funding Request*: Total amount requested (up to $5000), description of how grant funds will be used, and description of other funding sources.
4. Measurable Outcomes: Specific, measurable goals, and a description of how success will be evaluated.
5. Agreement of Grant Program terms and conditions: See below.

*Please note that grant funds cannot be used for overhead expenses, staff salaries, and benefits; volunteer transportation expenses; food, gifts, or parties for staff or volunteers; fundraising activities; litigation; lobbying; and/or supplies used for activities outside LSPA’s focus areas.

Click here to apply for a 2026 EJ Grant

If you are interested in seeing the Senate in action for this bill, including discussion about some of the 337 Amendments, you can watch the session recording online. Unfortunately, some of the amendments that made it into S.3050 eliminate or weaken local wetland and wastewater bylaws for certain housing projects. MACC will continue to advocate to legislators about the importance of local wetlands bylaws, especially since the Wetlands Protection Act regulations have not been updated since 2014 (and as you probably know, despite MACC members’ letter writing campaign to the Governor, the draft/updated 2023 Wetland Protection Act regulations still have not been finalized, two years after the close of the comment period).

The Mass Ready Act will be voted on in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and we will have opportunities to inform legislators about the importance of local wetland and wastewater bylaws. Stay tuned for more updates in coming weeks and months. Check out MACC’s new summary statements on: The Importance of Wetland Bylaws. 

MassDEP, through its Watershed Planning Program, is holding two virtual public information sessions on Monday, April 27, 2026 (2pm) and Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (6pm) to promote an opportunity to support the development of restoration plans for two nutrient-impaired lakes. MassDEP staff will be joined by an external consultant, Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (CEI). The information session, approximately 60 minutes in duration, will include a brief introduction, PowerPoint presentation, and discussion.

• The goal of this project is to provide technical assistance to two nutrient-impaired lakes to develop a Nine-Element Watershed-Based Plan (WBP).  Eligible lakes must be listed for nutrient-related impairments (i.e., nutrients, chlorophyll-a, Harmful Algal blooms, or low dissolved oxygen) as identified in the 2022 Massachusetts Integrated List of Waters. 
• To be considered for this technical assistance, a nutrient-impaired lake must have public access, have 5-10 years of water quality data (including total phosphorus), and a committed local "champion" (e.g., lake./watershed association, municipality, Regional Planning Agency) to lead long-term implementation efforts.

Meeting Registration Links: Please register in advance for either of the public information sessions below.

April 27, 2026, 2pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Gjog37gCQ2awQRufIDqGYg

April 28, 2026, 6pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1RR9tiXLRDmIOS2i8Fc_5A

Before the New England District will verify an activity under one or more NWPs, the activity must be demonstrated to comply with the applicable NWP terms and all applicable NWP General Conditions (GCs) and RCs. All NWPs with their general conditions, regional conditions, Water Quality Certifications, and Coastal Zone Management consistency determination concurrences are available HERE.

Wetland Program Development Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for  Wetland Program Development Grants  (WPDGs), which support state, tribal, territorial, and local efforts to strengthen wetland protection, management, and restoration programs. The grants aim to build government capacity to conserve wetland acreage and improve wetland conditions nationwide. Approximately 8 to 13 awards will be made under this announcement, sharing more than $2.7 million in grant funds. Applications are due  April 24, 2026.

• Grant Training Workshop Video
• Grant Training Workshop Slides
• Questions & Answers

Deadline: Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs' Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications to the FY 2027 LAND and PARC Grant Programs. The LAND Grant Program is for municipal conservation commissions looking to protect conservation land. The PARC Grant Program is for municipalities looking to acquire parkland, renovate an existing park, or develop a new park. DCS will hold two workshops for the PARC and LAND grants. It is strongly recommended that people attend the in-person workshop, which will be held on May 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at DFW Field Headquarters in Westborough. A second workshop will be held on Teams May 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Please email Melissa Cryan at melissa.cryan@mass.gov to RSVP for either session if you are interested in applying for a PARC grant. Please email Vanessa Farny at vanessa.farny@mass.gov to RSVP for either session if you are interested in applying for a LAND grant.

Conservation Partnership Grant Program

Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs' Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications to the FY 2027 Conservation Partnership Grant Program. Conservation Partnership grants are for 501(c)(3) organizations looking for assistance in acquiring land in fee or a conservation restriction, as well as assistance with due diligence costs associated with gifts. A virtual session will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via MS Teams. Questions on the grant program can be directed to Darya Mattes at darya.mattes@mass.gov. For additional information and to apply, click here.

Additional details here >>

These regulations will require consolidated permits from municipalities for solar and battery storage facilities. The consolidated permit regulations will be in effect starting July 1, 2026. MACC will coordinate training on these regulations and guidance documents.

New Regulations and Guidelines

Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA)

Standards and Guidelines for Community Benefit Plans and Community Benefit Agreements

Site Suitability Reports for Clean Energy Infrastructure

Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

225 CMR 29.00: Small Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting

Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

D.P.U. 25-75-A

D.P.U. 25-75-A: Appendix A – 220 CMR 34.00: Intervenor Support Grant Program

D.P.U. 25-75-A: Appendix B – Grant Application for Intervenor Support Grant Program

Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)

EFSB 25-10-B: Decision on Rulemaking: Adopting Final Regulations

980 CMR 1.00: Rules for the Conduct of Adjudicatory Proceedings

980 CMR 2.00: General Information and Conduct of Board Business

980 CMR 13.00: Consolidated Permits for Clean Energy Infrastructure Facilities

980 CMR 14.00: De Novo Adjudications of Consolidated Local Permit Applications

980 CMR 16.00: Pre-filing Consultation and Engagement Requirements

Rationale for Changes: Incorporate corrections to the Revised Total Coliform Rule, update analytical methods for measuring Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, clarify requirements to acquire or dispose of water supply land and make minor corrections and clarifications throughout.

Add an activity to the list of exempt activities for discharges from wells during drilling, pump testing and purging for the purpose of sampling.

Web Link to View Regulations: 310 CMR 22 and 314 CMR 5

Public Hearing and Comment Information: Two virtual hearings will be held on March 10, 2026, at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Registration links are March 10, 2026 at 1:30 and March 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m, respectively. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.

EEA-DCS is conducting a survey to gather input from individuals, groups, and municipalities. Your feedback is valuable in helping to ensure that the CR Model reflects best practices and effectively serves proponents, holders, municipalities, and the public. The Working Group will review all responses received through this survey. While not all suggestions can be incorporated; every submission will be thoughtfully considered.

Take the survey here: Conservation Restriction Model Survey - 2026

Responses to the survey by March 31st are greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU!