State Representative Pushes for Bill Despite Local Opposition 

State elected officials will hold a public hearing this week on a bill that would dissolve the North River Commission and transfer its responsibilities to individual towns, a proposal drawing opposition from local leaders.

The bill, “An Act to eliminate the North River Commission and put it in the hands of local town conservation commissions” was filed by Representative Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate) who represents the 4th Plymouth District which includes precincts in the towns of Marshfield and Norwell, as well as all of the town of Scituate. 

The North River holds the distinction of being the only scenic protected river in the Commonwealth. Currently, the North River Commission is responsible for administering the North River Scenic Protection Act, with members of the North River Commission coming from each town on the river: Pembroke, Hanover, Norwell, Marshfield, Hanson, and Scituate. The commission has jurisdiction over land within 300 feet of the natural banks of the North River. 

Opponents to the bill include the North and South River Watershed Association. 

“We think that the North River, a shared, regional resource, should be governed by a regional body,” said Executive Director Samantha Woods. “The North River Commission has effectively implemented the North River Protection Order, and shifting those responsibilities to local conservation commissions would lead to inconsistent implementation and make it more susceptible to local political pressure.” 

Members of the North River Commission share this concern. “I am concerned about the future of the protective order if the North River Commission is disbanded,” said Hanover member Dan Jones.

At the June 25 Norwell Select Board meeting, North River Commission’s Norwell commissioner, Tim Simpson, and alternate Stephen Lynch urged the Select Board to oppose the legislation. 

“Local conservation commissions, while vital and immensely respected in their areas, can't replicate the river-focused expertise and inter-municipal coordination that the North River Commission provides,” Lynch said. “The current structure has served communities, applicants, and the environment effectively for almost 50 years. H. 4110 would eliminate this proven model without providing an equivalent replacement.” 

Norwell’s Conservation Agent, Will Saunders, echoed these sentiments, noting that eliminating the current system would undermine coordination. 

Kearney noted that his sense is that the current system is undemocratic, saying in an emailed statement, "the appeals process within the NRC lacks basic due process protections. NRC decision appeals are reviewed internally by the Commissioner of DCR—creating a situation where the same body that issues a ruling on the appeals (DCR) is also the one providing legal counsel to the NRC."

While Kearney did not point to a particular incident that prompted him to file the bill, he wrote in his emailed statement, "the structure and enforcement mechanism of the NRC are in need of serious reform. The Commission currently has no full-time staff or legal counsel, which limits its ability to properly and consistently enforce the Protective Order." Kearney asserted that local town conservation commissions with professional, full-time legal staff are far better equipped to interpret and apply environmental laws and regulations, engage with residents, and ensure enforcement is both fair and legally sound.

“The purpose of this bill is not to allow increased development on the river,” said Kearney. “This is a discussion about who should be the lead on enforcing the protective order and who has the resources to do that,” said Rep. Kearney. 

More information on the bill and how to submit comments can be found here. 

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Updated as of 5:10 PM, 7/1/25