On June 24, Gov. Maura Healey introduced legislation to establish nearly $3 billion in bond authorizations which, according to a release announcing the bill, “will strengthen infrastructure and protect Massachusetts communities against increasing extreme weather events.”

While focusing on infrastructure improvements, the proposal also “streamlines permitting for priority housing, culvert replacements and salt marsh restoration projects by cutting redundant reviews and improving coordination,” according to the release.

If passed by the Legislature, the bill would institute several permitting reforms. These include allowing priority housing and restoration projects to receive a Chapter 91 (Mass Wetlands and Waterways Program) license in just 60 days without triggering a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review; cutting redundant administrative appeals for wetlands regulations, allowing local appeals for these project categories to go straight to superior court; adding climate resilience as a goal of the Wetlands Protection Act and simplifying permitting for environmental restoration projects; and, removing the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) requirement for priority housing and natural restoration projects, allowing completion of MEPA review within 30 days rather than up to one year.

“This commitment of financial resources by the state to building and financing resilience against the impacts of flooding at the community level has a lot of good pieces,” said Ivan Ussach, director of the Millers River Watershed Council. “Given the increasing threats from flooding as a result of more frequent extreme weather events, the time is right for the state to be stepping up such efforts, which will benefit human and natural communities. Considering the overall magnitude of the threats, significant additional resources will be needed to adequately safeguard wetlands and other critical environmental resources over time.”

Speaking on his own behalf, David Small, a member of Athol’s Conservation Commission and chair of the town’s Planning Board, said, “I’m pleased with the overall scale and scope of the governor’s bond bill supporting conservation, biodiversity, clean energy, housing, and outdoor recreation.”

He added, however, “I have some concerns with the state promoting the fast tracking of the permitting process and in some cases limiting the permitting power of communities to direct their own development.”

In addition, according to the release from the governor’s office, The Mass Ready Act “invests in farming and coastal economies and provides communities with resources to reduce flood and heat risk. Finally, the Mass Ready Act emphasizes the protection of water and nature by ensuring safe drinking water, restoring our waterways and preserving vital habitats for wildlife.”

The bill also focuses on infrastructure improvements, such as upgrades to roads, dams and bridges. It also would establish a revolving fund to help pay for these types of projects.

“This bill aims to address these challenges through authorizations that enhance our flood protection efforts,” said the governor’s release, “including addressing high-risk dams, inland flood control systems, and coastal and marine infrastructure. The bill also includes authorizations to implement ResilientCoasts recommendations, invest in parks, trails, beaches, and historic sites, improve transportation infrastructure, and manage solid waste and decrease pollution.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.