HD.2871, An Act Relative to Forest Protection is sponsored by Representative Michael Finn (6th Hampden District).
This bill would update century-old public land policies written before we recognized the climate crisis and global loss of biodiversity. The bill would help address these concerns by permanently designating 412,000 acres of lands controlled by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as parks and reserves. We would be conserving intact ecosystems to be influenced primarily by natural processes in our forests and parks. The text of HD.2871 can be found here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/HD2871
HD.3197, An Act Relative to Increased Protection of Wildlife Management Areas, sponsored by Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (1st Hampshire District).
This bill would expand the system of Nature Reserves in Wildlife Management Areas under the control of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and make them permanent. The bill would direct the designation of at least 30% of agency’s lands as Nature Reserves by 2030, consistent with the latest biological and climate science. The text of HD.3197 can be found here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/HD3197