Chuck Anastas, Chair, Board of Directors | December 18, 2019
Thank you for your financial contributions, advice, and encouragement in 2019.
With your help, our mission to support the state’s parks, forests, reservations, and open spaces took us to communities and involved us in issues across the Commonwealth.
We successfully worked to increase the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) operations budget, particularly the office of engineering, by $7 million. Additionally, MCV supported efforts to protect lands in Boston, Leominster, Upton, and Newton.
We also testified in favor of the Public Lands Preservation Act (PLPA), which will further protect property owned by the citizens of Massachusetts. The PLPA (S.459) has received a favorable recommendation from the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, and is currently sitting in Senate Ways and Means.
Finally, MCV continued to advocate for the importance of appointing members to the vacant seats on the DCR Stewardship Council, which, despite our effort, still lacks any representation from anyone who lives between Worcester and the Berkshires.
Next year promises to be a challenge as well. As we noted in our October 30th blog.
The Legislature passed an outside section of the budget, which funds a $450,000 Study of the DCR. Surely any study of the DCR must take into account the chronic underfunding of the Department – despite that $7 million increase; the operations account is only $600,000 more than a decade ago – as well as the patronage and politicization assaults on the Department.
With your help, MCV will strive to help DCR live up to its mission statement. DCR, on its website, defines its purpose as follows:
To protect, promote and enhance our Commonwealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources for the well-being of all.
In meeting today’s responsibilities and planning for tomorrow, DCR’s focus is on:
Improving outdoor recreational opportunities and natural resource conservation
Restoring and improving our facilities
Expanding public involvement in carrying out DCR’s mission
Establishing first-rate management systems and practices
The health and happiness of people across Massachusetts depend on the accessibility and quality of our green infrastructure – our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes. The DCR continues to improve the vital connection between people and the environment.
DCR’s mission is clear on paper, but fiscal and political realities have often stood in the way of accomplishing that mission. At a minimum, any credible study must provide the public with multiple opportunities to participate. MCV urges statewide public hearings to hear from citizens and park user groups across the state and on-line surveys for those who cannot attend the hearings. And the Commission should seek testimony from the conservation professionals within DCR, too.
The Study Commission should also open the books on the DCR budgets. To put it mildly, DCR is not a transparent agency. MCV has called for a line-by-line description of its Retained Revenue Account as well as its Capital Plan and Trust Accounts.
Finally, the Study Commission needs to clarify and strengthen the responsibilities of the DCR Stewardship Council. The Council should have representation from every part of the state and be responsible for safeguarding the DCR’s mission and professionalism. It is worth noting that having a member from Berkshire County is mandated by the Council’s enabling legislation.
The Study Commission’s scope is somewhat narrow, but with a budget of $450,000, we think this is an opportunity that should not be lost by piecemeal recommendations that do not make a long-term commitment to our park system.
Next year could be a watershed moment for the DCR and our parks, forests, and reservations. Let’s work together to make it so.
Until then, MCV wishes you all a very happy and healthy New Year!