MA H736

Bill

MA H736

Authorizing the establishment of old growth forest reserves

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to establish old growth forest reserves in the Commonwealth. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

AI Summary

This bill aims to establish old growth forest reserves on state-owned land in the Commonwealth. It defines "old growth forest" as an area of contiguous forest that shows no significant human disturbance, has a significant component of older trees, and is at least 5 acres in size. The bill requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to conduct an inventory of state-owned forests to identify old growth forest stands and designate them as "old growth forest reserves" after public hearings and consultations with local officials. The bill prohibits certain activities, such as new commercial, industrial, or recreational development within these reserves, and allows the continuation of existing uses that do not significantly impact the forest resources. The bill also requires the Secretary to establish a research and education program on old growth forests and report on the progress of implementing the act.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (24)

Natalie Blais (D)*, Jim Arciero (D), Mike Connolly (D), Marjorie Decker (D), Dan Donahue (D), Dylan Fernandes (D), Carole Fiola (D), Sean Garballey (D), Anne Gobi (D), Tami Gouveia (D), Rich Haggerty (D), Stephen Hay (D), Jonathan Hecht (D), Natalie Higgins (D), Jack Lewis (D), Paul Mark (D), Paul McMurtry (D), Christina Minicucci (D), Mike Moore (D), Dave Rogers (D), Lindsay Sabadosa (D), Paul Schmid (D), Bruce Tarr (R), Tommy Vitolo (D),

Last Action

Hearing scheduled for 09/24/2019 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-1 (on 09/12/2019)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H736

(14 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location	Created
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H736	02/27/2019
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H736.pdf	02/27/2019

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Bill > H736

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (24)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

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