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H 1058

An Act relative to a cranberry water use transfer program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger and 11 co-sponsors

Massachusetts establishes a cranberry water rights transfer program allowing growers to exchange water allocations to improve agricultural flexibility and industry sustainability.

Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM in B-1
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Bill Summary · H 1058

Legislative bill overview

H.1058 establishes a cranberry water use transfer program in Massachusetts, allowing cranberry growers to transfer water usage rights between operations. The bill aims to create flexibility in how cranberry farmers access and allocate water resources within the state's cranberry-growing regions.

Why is this important

Massachusetts is a significant cranberry-producing state, and water availability is critical to the industry's viability. By enabling water rights transfers, the program could help smaller or struggling operations access needed resources while allowing efficient producers to monetize unused allocations, potentially improving industry resilience and economic sustainability.

Potential points of contention

  • Environmental concerns: Water transfer programs may inadvertently deplete aquifers or wetlands if not carefully managed, potentially harming ecosystems that depend on groundwater recharge in cranberry-producing areas
  • Equity issues: Transfers could concentrate water rights among larger, wealthier operators, potentially disadvantaging small family farms unable to compete for available allocations
  • Program structure specifics: The bill's details on pricing mechanisms, regulatory oversight, and restrictions on transfers remain unclear and could significantly affect both environmental protection and fair access

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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