Advocacy

The Charles River Conservancy gives the parks a voice through advocacy. Working closely with a coalition of environmental and mobility organizations, we spearhead important campaigns to improve the accessibility of our parks and safety of our paths. These efforts include:

NATURE FOR MASSACHUSETTS
In coalition with environmental, conservation, and community organizations, the CRC seeks to create a dedicated, annual revenue stream to conserve land, water, urban greenspace, and outdoor recreation access in Massachusetts. Learn more

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Public Comment Letters – CRC

• April 6, 2026: Comments to the Boston Planning & Development Agency on Harvard ERC District & Greenway Plan
• March 17, 2026: Comments to Joint Ways & Means Committee on Environmental Funding in FY27 Budget
• March 3, 2026: Comments to Gov. Healey on Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan Approved by MWRA Board
• February 6, 2026: Comments to MassDEP on proposed amendments to 314 CMR 4.00, Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards
• February 2, 2026: Comments to MassDOT on the Reid Overpass Project (bridge replacement in Cambridge, Memorial Drive over Brookline Street)
• August 13, 2025: Comments to DCR on the Head of the Charles Regatta Strategic Plan
• May 6, 2025: Comments to DCR on the Soldiers Field Road at North Beacon Intersection Improvement Project
• December 20, 2024: Comments to DCR on the Memorial Drive Greenway Improvements Project, Phase III
• November 15, 2024: Comments to DCR on the Artesani Parking Lot Improvements Project
• August 29, 2024: Comments to DFG on Biodiversity Conservation Goals for Massachusetts (Gov. Healey’s Executive Order No. 618)
• June 12, 2024: Letter of support for MassDOT’s federal grant application for the Riverwalk at Science Park (working title) project
• May 29, 2024: Comments to DCR on the Head of the Charles Regatta Strategic Plan
• April 26, 2024: CRC Comments on the draft Wetlands Protection Act regulations as part of MassDEP’s “Climate Resilience 1.0” package (Wetlands-401 Resilience; Waterways Resilience)

Public Comment Letters – Signed On

• February 17, 2026: Comments from Members of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urging the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to not adopt the proposed changes to the Section 401 certification process
• January 5, 2026: Comments from Members of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urging the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to not alter the definition of the Waters of the United States (“WOTUS”)
• November 10, 2025: Strong support from environmental organizations for the proposed changes to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) regulations (301 CMR 11.00) that would streamline the review process for Ecological Restoration Limited Projects (ERP LP).
• November 10, 2025: Comments from environmental organizations on the proposed amendments to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) regulations (301 CMR 11.00).
• September 8, 2025: Comments from National, Regional, and Local Groups in the American Rivers member network urging US DOT to Strengthen Aquatic Connectivity
• July 29, 2025: Comments from Members of the Boston Waterfront Partners to Members of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources regarding the Environmental Bond Bill (Mass Ready Act)
• July 15, 2025: Comments from the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition to Members of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in support for H.901/S.597 (An Act Providing Nature for All)
• June 16, 2025: Comments from Members of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance to Members of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in support for H.1003/S.586 (Drought Management)