Article: Idea for permit review stirs objections ; Some fear public would lose access

Environmental groups are fighting a policy change proposed by the Patrick administration that could speed up permitting for some developers by launching the state's environmental review behind closed doors.

"Once again, they're trying to make these decisions in closed rooms without public participation," said Kyla Bennett, director of the New England office of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. "The way we read this, it's a blatant elimination of an opportunity for the public to comment and participate in the MEPA [Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act] process."

MEPA calls for a consideration of the environmental consequences of large development projects or projects that ...

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