Boston City Council to hold Public Hearing on Groundwater

Tuesday, September 6th at 5:15 PM

Rabb Hall —Boston Public Library  

On Tuesday September 6, the Boston City Council will hold a public hearing at Rabb Hall at the Boston Public Library on the urgent, citywide problem of insufficient Groundwater.

At the April Groundwater Education Forum, we did a lot of listening and learning - with only a few minutes to voice our concerns.

Now it is our turn to talk !!!Once again, we need to fill Rabb Hall. The overwhelming turnout for the Forum generated enormous momentum, and the Citywide Groundwater Emergency TaskForce has been able to translate that turnout into concrete progress. But we need to keep reminding city and state officials that there are a lot of people that care about this issue. A large public turnout at this hearing is the best way to convey that message.

Save the Date !! September 6th at 5:15 PM

Plan to be there, bring your neighbors.

If you wish to speak at the hearing, please let us know by sending an email to: speak_at_hearing@groundwateremergency.org. We will provide any help needed to get you on the agenda. And, in case it would help you prepare, here are few points that we think you could address:

• The fundamental problem is that property owners have no “right at law” to sufficient groundwater.
• Any proposed “solution” must deal with this critical deficiency in our existing laws.
• There must be a clear and consistent set of laws and regulations, so all developers, property owners, contractors, City departments, and independent authorities know what is expected of them, and what they will not be allowed to do.
• The laws and regulations must provide a means of enforcement, with substantial penalties for all violations.
• The agency (or organization) responsible for enforcement must have the authority needed to hold all potential violators accountable.
• For an effective, long-term solution to this critical problem, we need meaningful procedures and standards for:
  • Preventing or limiting the pumping of groundwater,
  • Maintaining water-tight underground tunnels and pipes, and
  • Capturing storm water

It is clear that citizen action is the key to getting our elected officials to take action on this important issue. The urgent need to ensure sufficient groundwater has never been more visible. Your presence and participation will help us, the Citywide Groundwater Emergency TaskForce [Citywide-GET], continue to focus the attention of our elected representatives on this important and complex issue.   

The website of the Citywide Groundwater Emergency TaskForce is  http://www.groundwateremergency.org/