The Massachusetts Water Resources Commission hereby gives notice pursuant to MGL c. 21 Sections 8B-8D, and 313 CMR 4.00, Interbasin Transfer Act and Regulations, that it will conduct a hybrid public hearing in Belchertown to receive public comment on the proposed permanent interbasin transfer.
Section 4.10 of the Interbasin Transfer Act regulations enables a Regional Water Supply System to file an application that allows the Water Resources Commission to evaluate and approve criteria applicable to the Donor Basin separately from criteria applicable to the Receiving Area. MWRA, as a Regional Water Supply System, is proposing to increase its Present Rate of Interbasin Transfer by 20 million gallons per day (MGD) to accommodate the expansion of its service area to multiple public water systems. MWRA has its sources in the Chicopee River and Nashua River Basins.
The Water Resources Commission is required to consider the impact of the transfer on such issues as fisheries, recreation, and the aquatic ecosystem of the donor basin. To this end, the Commission has scheduled a public hearing to receive comments on this proposed interbasin transfer of water:
- September 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Town Hall Auditorium at the Belchertown Town Hall, 2 Jabish Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. Virtual attendance is also available via Zoom (registration required; link provided below).
Copies of the application are available for review at the Clapp Memorial Library in Belchertown and the Bigelow Free Public Library in Clinton. Additional information can be obtained by emailing Vanessa Curran at Vanessa.Curran@mass.gov.
Persons desiring to present testimony at the hearing are encouraged to provide a written summary at or before the hearing. Submittal by email, to Vanessa.Curran@mass.gov, is strongly encouraged. If testimony must be mailed, please send to Water Resources Commission, Attention: Vandana Rao, EOEEA, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM, October 7, 2026. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments and testimony. All comments will be noted and WRC staff will provide a response to comments with the Staff Recommendation.