We Want Permanent Protection for the Notch

A collaborative approach between state authorities, municipalities, and environmental organizations in shaping policies that address both ecological preservation and community resilience, we are working to secure funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to permanently protect the Notch.​​

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Massachusetts periodically enacts environmental bond bills to allocate funding for environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and natural resource conservation. These bills authorize the state to issue bonds, generating capital for various environmental initiatives over a set period.

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In 2018, the Commonwealth passed a $2.4 billion environmental bond bill titled "An Act promoting climate change adaptation, environmental and natural resource protection, and investment in recreational assets and opportunity." This legislation provided funding for:

• Climate change adaptation programs.

• Environmental protection efforts.

• Enhancements to parks and recreational facilities.

Notably, it included $75 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program, assisting cities and towns in planning for and adapting to climate impacts. (MMA)

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Upcoming 2025 Environmental Bond Bill

As of early 2025, Massachusetts is preparing a new environmental bond bill to continue its commitment to environmental stewardship. The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) has expressed strong support for this forthcoming legislation, emphasizing the importance of:

• Empowering municipalities to undertake water infrastructure projects.

• Advancing climate adaptation and resilience initiatives.

• Implementing mitigation strategies to address climate change.

The MMA also recommends policy provisions to help municipalities navigate evolving water quality regulations and management systems. (MMA)

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Advocacy groups are actively engaging with the administration to influence the bill's content.

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Save Notch Forest members are working with the larger community to help secure the funding needed to permanently protect the forested lands that provide the drinking water for the City of North Adams. We hope to convince the Mayor and City Council to request the necessary funding through the upcoming special legislation called the Environmental Bond Bill.

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​No one should take safe drinking water for granted, and we intend to help secure the protection of our water supply so that our way of life will not be impacted by short-sighted plans (like the logging project last fall) that could jeopardize our water supply. 

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Clean, safe water is essential to protecting the public health of all residents and visitors, and is critical to keeping our businesses open. Experts have shown that permanent protection of this healthy forest-water system is the best way to keep our water supply safe. We encourage all residents to support this request for funding by contacting State Senator Paul Mark and Representative John Barrett to let them know that we want clean water for our children, grandchildren, and everyone else. We firmly believe that North Adams will be a stronger and healthier community when we have fully protected our water supply for this and future generations.

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