{"AmendmentNumber":"540","ParentBillNumber":"S3064","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"JJO1","Name":"James J. O'Day","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/JJO1","ResponseDate":"2026-06-16T16:41:05.32"},"Category":null,"Action":"Consolidated","RollCall":[],"Title":"Indian Lake Seasonal Drawdown\r\n","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. O'Day of West Boylston moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: \r\nSECTION XXXX. Chapter 21 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section XX the following section:-\r\nSection XX. Annual Drawdown of Indian Lake, Worcester.\r\n(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the city of Worcester, acting through its commissioner of public works and parks, shall conduct an annual seasonal drawdown of Indian Lake for the purposes of aquatic vegetation management, water quality improvement, sediment management, shoreline maintenance, ecological enhancement, flood resiliency, and the protection of public and private property.\r\n(b) The annual drawdown shall occur each fall and winter. The commissioner of public works and parks, in consultation with the department of conservation and recreation, the department of environmental protection, and any other applicable state or federal regulatory agency, shall determine the date upon which the drawdown shall commence and the date upon which the lake shall be returned to its normal operating level. Such determination shall be based upon environmental, ecological, operational, public safety, and weather-related considerations.\r\n(c) The drawdown shall be sufficient to expose, at a minimum, the area adjacent to private and public property lines, dock lines, and shoreline structures located around Indian Lake, unless a lesser drawdown is required by state or federal law or emergency environmental conditions.\r\n(d) Not less than 30 days prior to the commencement of the annual drawdown, the city of Worcester shall provide public notice of the anticipated drawdown schedule. Such notice shall be posted on the city's website and distributed through any additional means deemed appropriate by the commissioner.\r\n(e) The commissioner of public works and parks shall annually consult with the department of conservation and recreation, the department of environmental protection, and other appropriate agencies regarding environmental impacts, invasive species management, aquatic habitat considerations, and water quality objectives associated with the drawdown.\r\n(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve the city of Worcester from obtaining any permits, approvals, or authorizations otherwise required under federal or state law\r\n\r\n"}