Mass Environmental Bond: What's At Stake?

The April issue of AMC Outdoors discussed the $1.51 billion 2008 Environmental Bond, drafted by the governor's office and supported by The Coalition for the Environmental Bond. The bill would replace the nearly-exhausted $707 million Environmental Bond passed in 2002.

The legislature has until July to pass the bill in this ses­sion. Failure to do so would delay the bill’s voting—and possible funding of projects—until the 2009-2010 legislative session.

So just what is at stake?

According to the AMC Conservation Action Network:

Programs funded through the Environmental Bond, such as the Self-Help grants and Urban Self-Help grants, serve as local aid to communities to protect resources and quality of life. Some items, such as the dam removal, drinking water supply, and wetland protection programs funded through the Environmental Bond, are critical to protecting our communities' safety and human health. Land protection programs also are vital to the state's tourist economy - the third largest industry in our state.