Bill > H142

This bill authorizes the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to establish comprehensive post-construction soil performance guidelines that will cover multiple environmental and agricultural aspects. Specifically, the department will create regulations addressing soil depth, quality, carbon storage capacity, storm water runoff, water quality, fertilizer and nutrient input mitigation, and soil compaction. The department can tailor these guidelines regionally and must collaborate with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension to ensure consistency with their educational materials and research. The bill also introduces new definitions for "functional turf" (areas used for community and recreational purposes) and "utility turf" (areas serving ecological functions like erosion prevention and carbon sequestration), and establishes a fine structure for violations of these regulations, with penalties ranging from $250 for a first offense to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Individuals can appeal these fines through the division of administrative law appeals, with the possibility of further appeal to the superior court. The goal of these guidelines appears to be promoting sustainable soil management and environmental protection in agricultural and community settings.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H142