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H 984

An Act relative to water flow in the Central Plymouth County Water District

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Patrick Kearney and 2 co-sponsors

The bill requires Silver Lake, Monponsett Pond, and Furnace Pond to be managed to ensure continuous flow to their downstream rivers at all times (except during drought).

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 984

Summary: H. 984 – An Act relative to water flow in the Central Plymouth County Water District

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to protect and sustain water quality and ecosystem health in the Central Plymouth County region by ensuring responsible management of water diversions and maintaining continuous flow to certain outflow rivers connected to key ponds.
  • It assigns explicit roles to state agencies in evaluating diversions and adds a requirement that certain ponds be managed to support continuous flow to downstream rivers, except during drought conditions.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 – Expanded consideration of water diversions

  • Amends Section 8 of Chapter 371 of the acts of 1964.
  • Adds language allowing the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) or the Water Resources Commission to determine that a diversion of waters would endanger the environmental health of the associated ponds and rivers.
  • Effect: This provides a formal basis for restricting or altering diversions if those agencies conclude environmental health would be at risk, potentially preventing harmful water withdrawals.

Section 2 – Continuous flow requirement for specific ponds and downstream rivers

  • Amends Section 9 of Chapter 371 of the acts of 1964 by adding a new paragraph.
  • Specifies that Silver Lake, Monponsett Pond, and Furnace Pond shall be managed at all times (except when prevented by drought) to ensure continuous flow to all outflowing rivers, specifically including the Jones River, Stump Brook, and Herring Brook.
  • Purpose: To support and sustain water quality and the overall health and function of the ecosystem by maintaining uninterrupted hydraulic connections to downstream waters.

Who and what is affected

  • Central Plymouth County Water District and associated water resources management practices.
  • Downstream environments and rivers connected to the named ponds (Jones River, Stump Brook, Herring Brook) and their ecosystem health.
  • State agencies involved in water resource regulation and environmental health assessments (Department of Agricultural Resources and the Water Resources Commission).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Senate concurrence noted on February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing scheduled: April 8, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in A-1).
  • Committee action: Reported favorably by the committee and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling (April–July 2025 timeframe implied by actions).
  • May–August 2025 actions show progression toward third reading; August 14, 2025: Rules suspended; bill read second and ordered to a third reading; placed on the Orders of the Day for the next sitting.
  • Status: Read second and ordered to a third reading.

Related or competing considerations

  • Related bill designation: HD 1466 (replaces) is noted in the record, indicating the bill’s docketing and potential replacement or reintroduction under a related number.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Environmental protection: Strengthens safeguards against diversions that could compromise pond and river health; emphasizes continuous flow to protect water quality and ecosystem function.
  • Water management: May constrain certain water withdrawals or require changes in management practices for Silver Lake, Monponsett Pond, and Furnace Pond.
  • Implementation: Requires coordination among the Central Plymouth County Water District, DAR, and the Water Resources Commission to assess diversions and enforce continuous flow requirements, with drought exceptions.
  • Fiscal considerations: No explicit appropriation or funding provisions are shown in the text; agencies may need resources to monitor and enforce the new requirements.

If you’d like, I can add a brief glossary of the ponds and rivers named in the bill or provide a map-based description of the affected watershed.

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

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