Massachusetts Senator Richard T. Moore :: Issues & Legislation :: Environment

Senator Moore strongly believes in protecting our natural and cultural resources. Throughout his career in public service, he has promoted conservation of land, development of public access such as the planned Blackstone River Bikeway between Worcester and Providence along the Blackstone River and the rail trail through Southbridge, Dudley, Webster, Douglas and Uxbridge. He has also provided significant leadership in the establishment of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, and the expansion of Douglas State Forest.

Senator Moore has consistently advocated for state support of efforts to protect open space and the historic character of Massachusetts communities.

He was the principal author of a state historic preservation tax credit to help preserve historic properties, especially those in town centers.

Senator Moore has taken a strong stance against development that could pose an environmental risk to Central Massachusetts by successfully opposing Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission plans in the early 1990’s to build a second “Logan-size” airport in Uxbridge and Douglas. When a private developer won a site assignment for a mega-dump in Douglas threatening Webster Lake, Wallum Lake, the Whitin Reservoir and the Douglas State Forest, Senator Moore joined with Rep. Paul Kujawski to convince the Legislature and Governor Cellucci take the land by eminent domain and put a stop to the landfill. Most recently, he worked with Northbridge residents to question a proposal to site a commercial treatment facility for infectious medical waste and has filed legislation to reform the way the state regulates this dangerous by-product of our health care system.

Senator Moore has supported increased funding for historic preservation and is working to fund area projects such as the “Little Red Shop” in Hopedale, the Chestnut Hill Meeting House in Millville, the Daniels Farm in Blackstone, the Blanchard School in Uxbridge, Waters Farm in Sutton, the Jenckes Store in Douglas, the Clara Barton Birthplace in Oxford and the North Oxford Fire Station, and the Black Tavern in Dudley.