Boston Flora

Tag: Marty Walz

  • Tuesday, June 12, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Bowker Overpass Meeting

    The Department of Transportation has announced a formal meeting to discuss the future of the Bowker Overpass and new ramps from that structure to the turnpike.  The meeting will take place Tuesday, June 12, from 6 – 8, at the Mezzanine Conference Room of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.   The Friends of the Charlesgate ask that we come to the meeting and show support at this all important event.  Decisions could be made there that will determine the long-term fate of both the Bowker and the Charlsgate, and could impact the quality of life in the city of Boston for many years to come.

    Charlesgate Park, located in Back Bay West, is the link to the Charles River from the historic Emerald Necklace and was destroyed with the construction of the Bowker Overpass in 1967.  This overpass connects Storrow Drive to Park Drive and upper Boyston Street.  Now, as the 40 year old structure approaches its final years as a safe and viable roadway, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation is faced with a critical decision: rebuild the Bowker Overpass or remove it permanently, establishing alternative routes, and restore the once lovely parkland known as the Charlesgate to its intended use as an urban green space in the downtown neighborhoods of Boston.  The restoration could potentially provide a pedestrian-friendly passage to the Esplanade as well as reestablish the continuity of the Commonwealth Mall to Kenmore Square.

    The Friends of the Charlesgate is actively seeking to remove the overpass. With the support of Representative Marty Walz and Boston City Councillor Mike Ross, they have met to discuss this issue with representatives from Mass DOT, the Boston City Transportation Department, the BRA, the Medical Academic and Scientific Community Organization, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, and the Muddy River Restoration Project.  Visit their website at http://cgatepark.com, and while there you may sign the petition supporting the restoration of Charlesgate Park.

  • Tuesday, December 15, 11:00 am – Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment Hearing

    As you probably know, Representatives Marty Walz, Byron Rushing, and  Senator Anthony Petruccelli sponsored a bill to prevent additional shadows from being cast on the Charles River Esplanade, Christopher Columbus Park, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Copley Square Park, Magazine Beach Park, or Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (House Bill No. 853: An Act protecting certain public parks). This legislation is critical in protecting our historic parks from being thrown in shadow cast by excessively tall buildings.

    The Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture is holding its an important hearing on this bill on December 15 at 11 am in State House Room A2. It will be critical that we collect as much written and oral testimony as possible. We hope you will join in supporting this bill as forcefully as possible.

    Send letters in support of the legislation to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Co-Chairs Senator Anthony Petruccelli (address Room 413-B, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-1634) and Representative William Straus (address Room 473-F, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-2210).

    Send emails to: Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Co-Chairs Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us and Rep.WilliamStraus@Hou.State.MA.US with copies to Rep.MartyWalz@Hou.State.MA.US and Rep.ByronRushing@hou.state.ma.us

    We know this is the worst possible time of year to try to influence public policy, but we hope everyone will recognize the importance of this issue.  A copy of the legislation is posted on the web at http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht00pdf/ht00853.pdf.

  • Tuesday, December 1, 11:00 am – Groundwater Hearing

    On Tuesday, December 1, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture will hold a hearing on House Bill 852, legislation addressing this issue.  Drafted by Representatives Marty Walz, Byron Rushing, and Michael Moran, this legislation is an important step forward, providing a framework for addressing this issue on a statewide level.  As with any legislation, it will undoubtedly go through many changes before it becomes law, but it is essential that we express support for this issue to remain “on the front burner” with the legislature.

    Therefore, we encourage you to attend the hearing, if you can, to express your support for the need for statewide groundwater protection legislation.  If you cannot attend, please call, e-mail or write a letter to express you support of the concept for statewide groundwater legislation and ask that the legislature make preserving groundwater a priority issue.

    A complete version of House Bill No. 852, “An Act to protect groundwater levels” can be viewed at: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht00pdf/ht00852.pdf.

    The hearing will be held in State House Room A on Tuesday, December 1 at 11AM.

    Letters should be sent to: Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Co-Chairs Senator Anthony Petruccelli (address Room 413-B, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-1634) and Representative William Strauss (address Room 473-F, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-2210)

    E-mails should be sent to: Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us and Rep.WilliamStraus@Hou.State.MA.US
    (if possible with copies to Rep.MartyWalz@Hou.State.MA.US and Rep.ByronRushing@hou.state.ma.us, as well as info@nabbonline.com)