BOSTON — Following several weeks of rainfall, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Western Region will be downgraded from Level 1-Mild Drought to Level 0-Normal conditions.

However, a localized Level-1 Mild Drought has been declared in the Parker River Basin after a review of July conditions including data showing localized critically low flow conditions. All other areas in the Northeast region remain normal. A Level 1-Mild Drought, as outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, requires detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities.

All other state regions – Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Southeast, Cape Cod, and Islands –

remain in Level 0-Normal conditions.

The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Monday, Sept. 9 at 10:00 am. State agencies will

continue to closely monitor and assess conditions across the state, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help federal, state, and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future.