Drought declaration expanded over entire state
Antonio Caban/8-11-16/SHNS
The lack of rain this summer has taken a toll on properties around Massachusetts, including Boston Common.
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton on Friday expanded the scope of the state's drought declaration to include all of Massachusetts and elevated the central and northeast parts of the state to a drought warning status, one step shy of a drought emergency.
The secretary's actions make official the recommendations made Thursday by the Drought Management Task Force.
"The declaration made today represents the lasting agricultural, environmental, economic, and public safety impacts associated with prolonged drought conditions," Beaton said in a statement issued late Friday afternoon. "The public is strongly encouraged to limit outdoor water usage, and integrate water-saving techniques into their daily routines."
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said that towns under a drought warning -- most of Worcester, Middlesex and Essex counties -- should ban outdoor water use for the duration of the drought.
In the rest of the state, outdoor watering should be limited to "handheld" watering with a hose or a watering can after 5 p.m., the state said.
"With drought conditions persisting, and worsening in some areas, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is asking the public to actively conserve water by reducing indoor and outdoor water usage," MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz said in a statement. "Additionally, because of the increased threat of brush and wildland fires due to the extremely dry conditions, the public is urged to exercise extreme caution when using matches, charcoal grills, and other open flames during outdoor activities."
On Thursday, the United States Drought Monitor declared portions of Middlesex and Essex counties -- a total of 3.66 percent of the state -- to be under an "extreme drought," which a National Weather Service meteorologist said is unprecedented.
According to the Drought Monitor, all of Massachusetts is "abnormally dry" or worse except for Nantucket. Thursday's update puts 91.78 percent of the state under at least a "moderate drought" with 61.7 percent of the state under a "severe drought."
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