In the News
CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
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GOVERNOR PATRICK SIGNS NEW OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE BILL INTO LAW
BOSTON - Saturday, July 31, 2010- Governor Deval Patrick today signed into law a bill aimed at increasing the safety of off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding and heightening the protection of natural resources on public and private lands used by OHVs by raising the minimum age requirement for OHV riding and increasing penalties for illegal riding. The bill, “An Act Regulating the Use of Off-Highway and Recreation Vehicles,” prohibits any use of an OHV by children under age 14. Until now, children as young as 12 could operate an OHV if supervised by an adult, and as young as 10 if they were riding on the supervising adult's private property. This new age restriction does not apply to the use of dirt bikes or snowmobiles. This legislation also strengthens laws that protect public and private land and natural resources from illegal, or irresponsible, use of OHV's by raising the penalties for such activity. For example, the new legislation increases the penalty for driving an OHV while intoxicated from a maximum $75 fine to a maximum $5,000 fine. In addition, the bill requires mandatory safety training for all OHV operators 18 years old and younger, creates an OHV Program Fund, supported by OHV registration revenues and fines, to improve enforcement and develop and maintain OHV trails and reduces allowable OHV noise levels. The bill also establishes an OHV Advisory Group to increase communication among OHV riders, land owners, law enforcement agencies and other interested parties. "DCR is very pleased with this new legislation, and we thank Governor Patrick for his support," said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. "The bill goes a long way toward making these off-road sports safer while protecting the valuable natural resources across the Commonwealth." "This bill targets the unlawful use of snow and recreation vehicles through a comprehensive approach - mandatory safety training, strict age and engine size restrictions for juvenile use, and the creation of new fines and penalties for those who choose to operate these machines without regard for public safety. Riders who misuse these vehicles will now be held accountable for their actions," said Senator Steven A. Baddour, Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation. During today’s signing ceremony, Katie Kearney, the mother of 8 year-old Sean Kearney who passed away due to injuries sustained in an ATV accident in 2006, also spoke about the importance of this new law in helping to increase protections against the misuse of ATVs. “We are very thankful today for the signing of the ATV legislation, and are confident that Sean's law will save lives,” said Kearney. “We feel very fortunate to have the Senate President as our Senator. Her leadership and dedication, along with the support of Vinny Demacedo and Tom Calter as our local legislators worked together for the safety of children. We couldn't prevent what happened to Sean, but we believe this law will prevent any more children in the future from being hurt. We would like to ask everyone to smile and think of Sean when they see the number 14.” Much of the new legislation reflects the recommendations of the state's Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement Working Group assembled by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and DCR in 2007. The group included public and private landowners, environmental advocates, OHV enthusiasts, law enforcement officials and other stakeholders. DCR currently has 117 miles of trails open to off-highway vehicles in state parks across the Commonwealth. Of those, 84 miles are in Beartown State Forest, October Mountain State Forest, Pittsfield State Forest and Tolland State Forest in the western part of the state. Another 33 miles of trails in southeastern Massachusetts are in Freetown-Fall River State Forest and F. Gilbert Hills, Wrentham and Franklin State Forest are open to motorcycles only. For more information on OHV riding in Massachusetts, visit DCR's website: www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/orv.htm. |
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Watershed Ecologist - Flow Restoration Program Planner Environmental Analyst IV
This position is funded from the Commonwealth's annual operating budget. Duties: Qualifications:MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Preferred Qualifications:1. Strong scientific background relating to instream flow, hydrology, relationship between water use, aquifers and surface waters, aquatic ecology and watershed management. Comments:The Watershed Ecologist provides leadership for the flow restoration program and guides the use of staff and fiscal resources to achieve program goals. The position provides overall development, strategic planning and coordination of the instream flow and aquatic habitat protection initiatives for the Division of Ecological Restoration. The position works with staff to identify strategies, projects, tasks that achieve these initiatives and program goals. The position manages a staff of scientists, as well as interns, ensuring that their work has both scientific and applicable merit. The position is directly responsible for team building and employee performance evaluations. This position serves as an advisor to improve policies and regulation that impact in-stream flow. How To Apply:All application must be made in writing, consisting of a cover letter making specific reference to this particular announcement, a current resume with references and a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Application for Employment form, which can be found on the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs web site at http://www.state.ma.us/envir/, select the link Employment, then EOEA employment application or you may request a copy be sent to you. All applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM of the deadline date Agency Web Address:Diversity Officer:Mr. Peter Burke, (617) 626-1562 |
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PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED ON HABITAT MANAGEMENT IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board is seeking public input and comment on the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's habitat management activities on wildlife management areas. Wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists, hunters, anglers, birders, wildlife management area users and other conservation-minded citizens are invited to a public informational meeting scheduled for August 19, 2010, at the Ludlow Elks, 69 Chapin Street , Ludlow at 7PM. The meeting will include a presentation about the Division's wildlife habitat management goals, habitat management practices and wildlife outcomes on its wildlife lands and will include a question and answer period with Division staff. This facility is handicapped accessible. "The Division's mission is to conserve the Commonwealth's wildlife diversity in perpetuity for the benefit and enjoyment of its citizens," notes Tom O'Shea, DFW Assistant Director of Wildlife. "The agency is obligated to restore and sustain healthy wildlife populations of all kinds. This public meeting will provide information on the scientific background and biological results for grassland, shrubland, and forest management activities carried out on DFW lands to provide critical habitats for declining types of wildlife." The first informational meeting was held in Lenox on July 29, 2010. The final public informational meeting will be scheduled in Westborough on September 13, 2010, at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Karl Weiss Education and Conference Center , 100 North Drive , Room 102, Westborough. |
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MACC Welcomes New Executive Director |
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Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference Conference details: The conference is hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation-Highway Division, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Federal Highway Administration, VHB/Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Kleinfelder/SEA, STV Incorporated, The Nature Conservancy, and Normandeau Associates, Inc. The conference track sessions include: Planning for Wildlife, Wildlife Collisions, Road Ecology & Passage, Mapping and Modeling, and Wildlife Mitigation on Roads, Rails and Airports. Participants are encouraged to register before August 27 for the best rate. For more information and to register visit: |
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Community Coalition Forum for Central and Southern Berkshire County
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MassDEP, Massachusetts Food Association Announce Positive Early Results for Disposable Shopping Bag Reduction Partnership with Supermarkets Initiative Working to Encourage Long-term Recycling and Reusable Bag Use BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Food Association (MFA) today announced that a joint initiative with the grocery and supermarket industry to reduce the number of disposable paper and plastic shopping bags distributed in Massachusetts has scored excellent results during the first two years – a reduction of 25 percent since 2007. “This public-private partnership has shown great success in increasing the use of reusable bags in place of disposable plastic and paper,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles said. “I applaud grocery stores and supermarkets for working with MassDEP to reduce disposable bag use, and the public for responding to their efforts.” As part of the voluntary initiative, 12 supermarket chains, comprised of 384 stores representing over two-thirds of the industry in Massachusetts, have been participating in the effort by tracking annual paper and plastic bag usage. Participating chains reported the reduction of 25 percent in disposable bag distribution in Massachusetts. The goal of the initiative is a reduction of at least 33 percent by 2013. |