Environment (Conservation) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1423: An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management

HD 1423 creates a statewide drought management task force within the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Affairs. The task force, co-chaired by the Secretary and the Emergency Management Director, includes agency heads and water sector representatives, and must develop and update a statewide drought management plan every 5-10 years. It authorizes the Secretary to implement water conservation measures (like limiting nonessential outdoor use) during droughts, applying to all water users in designated drought regions. Cities and towns must enforce these Secretary-ordered restrictions, overriding local rules that conflict with drought management. The bill directly affects all Massachusetts water users during drought conditions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1973: An Act relative to the conservation of striped bass

This bill bans commercial harvesting and sale of wild striped bass in Massachusetts, except for existing license holders who averaged over 1,000 pounds of striped bass annually for the past five years (as verified by the Division of Marine Fisheries). It requires commercial fishermen to report annual catches within 90 days and prohibits new licenses or license transfers after 2029. Violations of commercial fishing rules incur fines starting at $200 per fish. The law does not affect recreational fishing but allows the fisheries director to adjust catch limits if fishery conditions worsen.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3811: An Act authorizing the Barnstable County and the town of Bourne to convey land and certain interests in land in the town of Bourne

This bill authorizes Barnstable County to transfer specific land in Bourne (at 0 County Road and 100 Dr. Julius Kelley Lane) to the town of Bourne, including a parcel subject to an existing conservation restriction. The town, which holds that conservation restriction (document #978,790), may also assign it to a qualified entity when acquiring the property from the county. The transfer is permitted under Massachusetts constitutional provisions for land conveyances, and the bill takes effect immediately upon passage. This is a procedural land transfer bill affecting only the specified property and its conservation status.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3256: An Act relative to fisheries conservation gear grant program

By Representative Turco of Winthrop, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1059) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco that the Division of Marine Fisheries establish a program for commercial fishing gear. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1941: An Act relative to the conservation of Atlantic striped bass

HD 1941 creates a special commission to study the conservation of wild Atlantic striped bass in Massachusetts. The commission will examine how commercial fishing and recreational angling affect striped bass populations, including holding public hearings in Gloucester, New Bedford, Boston, and Cape Cod. It will include representatives from both commercial and recreational fishing industries, marine science experts, and state agency officials, with a report due to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill directly affects striped bass conservation efforts in Massachusetts by establishing a formal process to gather data and develop potential policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 527: An Act relative to Stony Brook Reservation

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 657) of Michael F. Rush for legislation relative to Stony Brook Reservation. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3442: An Act updating the management of the Commonwealth's water resources

HD 3442 amends Massachusetts water law to clarify how the state manages water resources. It updates definitions for "Permit" and "Registration statement" to explicitly state the program aims to balance water use with preservation and document baseline water consumption. The key provision (Section 3) ensures that properly filed renewal registration statements automatically grant users their registered water volumes, with only mandatory metering required for measurement - no additional conditions or future regulations can restrict this. This directly affects water users (like businesses and municipalities) and the Department of Environmental Protection by streamlining access to registered water rights.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2099: An Act relative to DCR yacht club fees reflecting waterway access

This bill amends Chapter 65 of the 2010 acts to update how the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages recreational boating access. It requires DCR to survey properties to include navigable channels and berthing areas, and mandates that DCR manage, operate, and maintain water access for recreational boating and protect waterways. The bill also adds a condition for yacht club leases: lessees must have adequate access to navigable waters for boating and mooring, and the site must support water-dependent uses. These changes directly affect DCR operations, yacht clubs, and recreational boaters using public waterways.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3700: An Act authorizing the town of Westford to release agricultural preservation restrictions over land owned by Westford Gateway, LLC

This bill allows the town of Westford to release agricultural preservation restrictions on specific parcels of land owned by Westford Gateway, LLC. The land, located along Boston Road, is needed for MassDOT’s road rehabilitation project. To offset the loss of agricultural land, MassDOT must provide funding equal to 110% of the land’s fair market value (determined by an independent appraisal) to Westford’s Community Preservation Fund. The town must use these funds within three years to acquire replacement land of comparable size, natural value, and monetary worth for conservation or agricultural preservation.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Conservation Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 171: An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management

SD 171 establishes a state drought management task force within the Massachusetts Office to coordinate drought response. The task force, appointed by the secretary and emergency management director, collects data, coordinates agencies, and recommends drought levels and responses to officials. It authorizes the secretary to impose uniform water conservation measures (like limiting nonessential outdoor use) in drought regions to protect public health and the environment. Cities and towns must enforce these secretary-issued restrictions, overriding conflicting local rules.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

All environment bills