House Bond Bill Earmarks Money for Waterfront Areas

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in approving an environmental bond bill that funds essential protection projects and will contribute to the long-term environmental wellbeing of the Commonwealth.

“Investing in our environment is a step forward for our future,” Speaker DeLeo said. “As I thank my colleagues in the House for their work on this crucial bill, I pledge to join with my neighbors and recommit ourselves to improve our community’s environmental condition, while cherishing its character.”

“I am proud that under Speaker DeLeo’s leadership, my colleagues and I were able to pass this important piece of legislation, which will help provide for the preservation and improvement to our communities’ land and parks,” said Representative RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere).  “I am especially thrilled that the bill provides provisions for investment in capital projects for our urban beaches.  The public beaches around greater Boston are the primary recreational resource for the more than one million residents who live within a half-hour from the coast, and investment in them is critical to maintaining their care and upkeep.”

Through this legislation, the Department of Recreation (DCR) will invest $20 million in capital improvements on urban beaches, including Revere Beach. The bill also includes $9 million for the design and construction of a new ocean pier and $15 million for a State Police facility on Revere Beach.

The bond bill allocates $3 million for improvements to the Veterans Road/ Lake Lewis watershed system in Winthrop and provides $625,000 for shore protection and infrastructure improvements in the Coughlin Park/ Shirley neighborhoods.