Bill > H946

This bill amends Massachusetts law to preserve public trust rights for barrier beaches that have been relocated due to sea level rise, storms, or other natural processes. Specifically, if a barrier beach moves into an area that was previously the bottom of a Great Pond (a large naturally occurring lake in Massachusetts), the relocated portion of the beach will remain in public ownership. However, the bill includes important constitutional protections to ensure that private property rights are not violated. It explicitly states that the law cannot convert private property to public ownership, and if applying the provision would infringe on private property rights, it will not apply to that specific property. The bill defines "barrier beach" according to existing state regulations and establishes a process where ten citizens can petition for a public hearing to resolve disputes about the location of former Great Pond beds or other relevant facts. This legislation aims to protect public access to coastal areas while respecting private property rights in the context of environmental changes like sea level rise.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H946