Please call your representative(s) and senator(s) by February 2nd and ask them to cosponsor these six bills, and ask any friends and family who live in Massachusetts to do the same. The bills are listed in order of priority. "HD" means House Docket and refers to the House version of the bill; "SD" means Senate Docket and refers to the Senate version.

It is much more effective to call than to email, so please take a moment to do so. To find your representative or senator click here .

Here is a sample script for what you can say when talking to your senator or representative:

"Hi. This is _____ I'm a constituent from (town)/I'm with the (XYZ watershed group). I'm calling to ask (Representative/Senator X) to cosign some bills that would help protect water quality and quantity in (your local rivers). Here are the bills: [give list below - note that reps need the HD #'s and senators need the SD #'s. They might also want to know who's filed the bills]. Thank you so much for supporting the environment. Goodbye."

An Act relative to drought management (SD.1828/HD.2398) would give the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force statutory authority and provide the EEA Secretary with the authority to require conservation measures during a drought. Filed by Rep. Dykema and Senator Eldridge - NEW. Read the fact sheet here

An Act to improve water quality and pollution control programs (HD.2348) directs the Water Resources Commission to conduct a gap analysis of federal and state water pollution control programs. Filed by Rep. Rogers - NEW. Read the fact sheet here

An Act promoting awareness of safe recreation in public waterways (SD.1979/HD. 3585) would institute a statewide sewage discharge notification system to alert Massachusetts residents when combined sewer overflow discharges make rivers unsafe for recreation. Filed by Rep. Provost and Sen. Jehlen - REFILE. Read the fact sheet here

An Act relative to nitrogen impaired embayments (HD.3183) would require that on-site septic systems installed in nitrogen sensitive areas will treat for nitrogen and An Act relative to failed septic systems (HD.3177) would allow MassDEP to approve loans to upgrade on-site septic systems to those which can treat for nitrogen. Filed by Rep. Schmid - REFILE. Read the fact sheet here

An Act relative to streamflow standards (SD.391/ HD.2739) would require DEP to adopt regulations to maintain streamflow and water levels. Filed by Rep. Smizik and Senator Eldridge - REFILE. Read the fact sheet here

An Act providing for the establishment of sustainable water resource funds (SD.393/ HD.2403) would authorize municipalities to assess a “water-banking” fee on large-scale water users to conserve water, address environmental impacts and fix municipal infrastructure. Filed by Rep. Dykema and Senator Eldridge - REFILE. Read the fact sheet here