agency should lead this vital program The editorial “EPA, not Mass., should regulate water pollution” argues that Massachusetts should not assume responsibility of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection also has a decades-long history of effectively administering other federal environmental programs for hazardous wastes, air quality, and drinking water.
The current agency’s top administration would like nothing better than to dump its primary responsibility for enforcement of environmental laws onto the states.
In face of lags under federal oversight, state should be given authority The Globe’s editorial board got it wrong when it opined that the state Department of Environmental Protection should not be delegated authority to run the federal Clean Water Act program in Massachusetts.
When he was governor, Deval Patrick filed legislation to authorize the state agency to pursue delegation, and provided funding to do so.
The EPA must approve the state agency’s plan for administering the Clean Water Act, and would retain authority to take direct enforcement action against violators if the state failed to do so.
Baker needs to invest in enforcing our clean water laws The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection does not have the resources to keep our water clean.
Linda Orel Sharon Bill aims for better collaboration among US, state, local partners Your editorial highlights the challenges in balancing water quality programs between the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Regardless of who is in charge, the Commonwealth faces challenges meeting water quality goals under the federal Clean Water Act.
I have filed legislation to improve water quality and pollution control programs, which would require the Commonwealth to conduct an evaluation and gap analysis of water quality programs, both federal and state.