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This year marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day’s first observance—widely recognized as the starting point of the contemporary environmental movement. That inaugural 1970 event drew participation from over 20 million people, and the momentum generated ultimately resulted in the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and subsequent legislative victories including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
Massachusetts established the Department of Environmental Quality Engineering through General Court action in 1975, laying the groundwork for what is now the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). This action reinforced the collaborative framework involving state agencies, municipalities and citizens that continues to safeguard our natural resources and public health today.
The partnership among state, municipal and citizen stakeholders has proven essential over the past 40 years in achieving statewide goals around air and water quality, responsible solid and hazardous waste management and recycling, remediation of contaminated sites and spill response, and protection of wetlands and coastal areas.
While Massachusetts and MassDEP have earned recognition as environmental leaders, such achievements would be impossible without the dedication and support of our collaborative partners. I want to recognize particularly the vital contributions of local officials—many serving as volunteers—who work within conservation commissions, boards of health, drinking water authorities and sewer commissions.
Environmental protection and public health safeguards depend fundamentally on local government action. Though residents may not always recognize the environmental significance of their municipal officials’ work, these efforts proceed steadily and quietly each day.
Municipalities typically manage public water supplies, ensuring residents and businesses receive safe, clean drinking water through treatment facilities that meet state and federal standards. The Commonwealth currently operates 1,725 public water systems statewide, comprising 313 systems serving residential and commercial customers in cities and towns, plus 159 additional systems delivering well water to individual schools, municipal buildings and businesses.
Wastewater treatment and sewer system operations fall to many communities, which must ensure that discharges comply with applicable regulations.
Implementation of the Wetlands Protection Act rests with conservation commissions, whose members evaluate proposals based on consistency with the Act and protective regulations, preventing development that would compromise irreplaceable natural resources.
Local officials additionally collaborate with MassDEP and state government on comprehensive recycling initiatives, Brownfields remediation and redevelopment, septic system oversight, management of nuisance complaints including noise and odor, municipal harbor and channel dredging, construction and maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure via low-interest financing, energy efficiency improvements in public buildings, and emergency response coordination during environmental crises and toxic incidents.
This extensive partnership network and its associated programs are fundamental to preserving environmental quality and maintaining the standard of living that Commonwealth residents deserve. I extend my gratitude to local officials whose dedicated work advances our shared environmental protection objectives.
Moving forward, I am committed to deepening our collaborative history, reinforcing municipal partnerships and fostering greater awareness of our collective capacity to protect the environment and public health.
Martin Suuberg is the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, which recently announced the creation of a new Office of Municipal Partnerships and Governmental Affairs