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SD 1831

Resolve to protect drinking water and public health from sand mining pollution

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dylan Fernandes

Establish a 5-member advisory panel over two years to study sand mining's impact on drinking water and health, then propose regulatory changes, including licensing rules.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 1831

Summary of: SD 1831 — Resolve to protect drinking water and public health from sand mining pollution

Overview

SD 1831 is a Massachusetts proposed resolve that would amend the General Laws to create a formal, government-backed study panel focused on sand mining pollution and its effects on drinking water and public health. The bill envisions a two-year investigative process and, based on its findings, recommendations for regulatory changes, potentially including updates to mining licensing laws.

Purpose and intent

  • To assess the current and potential impacts of sand mining on drinking water supplies, public health, and the environment.
  • To evaluate how sand mining affects Environmental Justice communities, climate change resilience, and air quality (including exposure to respirable crystalline silica for workers and the public).
  • To produce recommendations for regulatory changes aimed at better protecting drinking water, public health, workers, and the environment.

Key provisions

  • Insertion of a new advisory section into the General Laws (after chapter XX), creating a 5-member advisory panel.
  • Panel composition:
    • An Office of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs designee with expertise in geographic information systems (GIS).
    • One member appointed by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House with knowledge of ecology, ecosystems, forestry, biodiversity, or from the Office of the State Geologist.
    • One member from Community Land & Water Coalition or their designee.
    • One hydrology expert nominated by the University of Massachusetts and appointed by the Governor.
  • Panel role: advisory only; required to meet monthly or more frequently in public meetings to investigate sand mining.
  • Investigative scope: current and potential impacts on drinking water; environmental justice implications; climate change mitigation and resilience; air pollution and silica exposure.
  • Timeline: investigation to conclude within two years.
  • Deliverables: final report with recommendations for regulatory changes to protect drinking water, worker and public health, and the environment.
  • Potential regulatory changes: may include amendments to licensing laws for mining (Part I, Title II, Chapter 21B, Section 5 of the General Laws).

Who would be affected

  • Sand mining operators and developers.
  • Water utilities and communities relying on local groundwater and surface water.
  • Workers in the sand mining industry.
  • Environmental justice communities and affected residents.
  • State agencies (Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Office of the Governor, State Geologist) and legislators.
  • Academic institutions (UMass) contributing expertise.
  • Potentially, entities overseeing mining licensing and permitting.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced February 27, 2025; referred to the Environment and Natural Resources committee; House concurred (indicating passage alignment with the Senate version).
  • Legislative classification: a "Resolve" directing the General Laws to create an advisory panel and conduct a study, with potential regulatory recommendations.
  • Two-year study horizon, after which formal regulatory recommendations could prompt future statutory changes.

Potential impact

If enacted, the bill would establish a structured, transparent process to assess sand mining’s health and environmental risks and could lead to concrete licensing and regulatory reforms to better protect drinking water supplies, public health, and the environment.

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

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