Baker demands greater state control over protection of its water supply

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker is pushing legislation he said will give Massachusetts greater control over protecting the state's water supply.

The Republican filed a bill Wednesday to let the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection administer a federal water quality protection program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Massachusetts is just one of four states — along with New Hampshire, Idaho and New Mexico — that still rely on the federal government to run the program.

Known as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the program regulates public and private discharges of wastewater and storm water.

Baker said his proposal would give the state direct oversight of water quality moni- toring, assessment, and water quality standards programs.

"Massachusetts has a proud history of working to protect and improve water quality, and this legislation will provide greater certainty for the commonwealth once federal authority for this program is placed into the hands of our state experts," Baker said.

Baker said the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is the best agency to oversee the program, given the agency's knowledge of local waterbodies.

Some environmental activists have questioned whether the state would commit the tax dollars needed to maintain the program.

"Unless it's adequately funded, and it's not, we have concerns," said George Bachrach, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts.