An Act relative to establishing accountability for stormwater runoff mitigation and watershed restoration

This bill creates a dedicated fund managed by MassDOT to reduce pollution from road runoff and restore watersheds. It requires MassDOT to use fees from roadway projects, water quality grants, and environmental budget funds to retrofit road infrastructure (like culverts and drainage systems) with natural treatment systems (e.g., wetlands, vegetated swales) in impaired waterways. MassDOT must annually report on retrofitted sites, water quality improvements, and fund spending to environmental committees and the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill directly affects MassDOT’s transportation projects and local municipalities collaborating on watershed efforts.