Bill > H752

This bill establishes a comprehensive adaptation management plan to address climate change impacts in Massachusetts, defining key terms like "Adaptation" as adjustments to climate change to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability, "Resilience" as the capacity of systems to cope with change, and "Sustainability" as meeting present needs without compromising future generations. The plan will be developed by the secretaries of energy and environmental affairs and public safety and security, guided by an interagency advisory committee and technical subcommittees, and all state actions, permits, and projects must be consistent with the plan to the maximum extent practicable. The plan, due within two years and updated every five years, will include goals for infrastructure, a commitment to sound management practices considering projected impacts like sea-level rise and temperature changes, and assessments of emergency response and infrastructure resilience, as well as economic vulnerability in high-risk communities. It also mandates a preliminary report, vulnerability assessments of human populations and assets, and a final report, and establishes a Comprehensive Adaptation Management Plan Advisory Commission composed of diverse stakeholders. Furthermore, the bill creates a grant program for regional planning agencies to develop and implement their own adaptation plans, allows the state to acquire land from willing sellers in vulnerable areas for conservation and recreation, and outlines procedures for appraisals, public hearings, and leasing of acquired land to cities and towns for conservation and recreation purposes.