Bill > H2108

This bill aims to protect the natural resources of the Commonwealth by establishing the Public Lands Preservation Act. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring public owners to acquire or provide replacement land that is equal or greater in area, comparable or better in natural resource value, and located within the same or nearby municipal boundaries when making a disposition or change in use of Article 97 land (land dedicated for natural resource purposes). 2. Establishing a notification process for public owners to inform the Secretary of Environmental Affairs of any proposed disposition or change in use of Article 97 land, and allowing the Secretary to grant waivers from the replacement land requirement in certain circumstances. 3. Requiring the Secretary to provide recommendations to the Legislature on any legislation proposing a disposition or change in use of Article 97 land, and setting standards for those recommendations. 4. Outlining approval processes for Article 97 land dispositions or changes in use by local conservation commissions, municipal governments, state agencies, and other public owners. 5. Mandating the Secretary to establish regulations for the administration and enforcement of the Act within one year of its effective date of January 1, 2018. The overall intent of the bill is to prevent a net loss of protected natural resource lands in the Commonwealth.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H2108