Bill > S2181

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 of equal or greater area, comparable or better natural resource value, and the same type of real property interest when making a disposition or change in use of land protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution (Article 97 land). 2. Establishing a notification and review process where public owners must notify the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs of any proposed disposition or change in use of Article 97 land, and the Secretary can provide an opinion on whether the proposal complies with the no net loss requirement. 3. Allowing the Secretary to grant waivers from the replacement land requirement in certain limited circumstances, such as transfers between state agencies or temporary uses. 4. Requiring municipal conservation commissions, city councils, and town meetings to approve any disposition or change in use of municipal Article 97 land, including any replacement land plan. 5. Outlining the Secretary's role in providing recommendations to the legislature on proposed legislation related to Article 97 land, as well as the process for public hearings and notice requirements. 6. Specifying the requirements for public owners when Article 97 land is taken by eminent domain, including the acquisition of replacement land. The overall goal of the bill is to prevent a net loss of Article 97 land in the Commonwealth through a comprehensive framework of notification, review, and replacement requirements.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S2181