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.