H.4150 An Act relative to forest protection

Bill Status: Read more.

Background: From the Berkshires to the Cape, our public forest lands are a vital natural resource for the Commonwealth. They buttress our biodiversity, wildlife habitat, water quality, carbon sequestration, climate resilience, recreation, tourism, and rural economies. However, these lands face many threats and challenges including land sales, construction of new gas pipelines, pesticide and herbicide spraying, and the promotion of woody biomass energy. 

What this bill would do:  This legislation would designate 412,000 acres of forest and watershed lands controlled by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as parks and reserves, protecting around 8% of the state’s land base, as well as establish coordinated management guidelines for public forest lands in the state. In addition, the bill would create an independent council, made up of public officials, scientists, and members of the public, to use the latest science to advise the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on the management of public forest lands in the state.