HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 213        FILED ON: 1/8/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 789

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to protect and preserve family camping in Massachusetts..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Whereas, the land and waters within the Commonwealth have distinct natural, architectural, archeological, recreational, economic, agricultural and other values;             

Whereas, The obligation to protect the many valuable resources of the Commonwealth is shared by local, regional, state and national governments, civic organizations, businesses and the general public;

Whereas, such resources can only be protected by effective planning designed to bring about the coordination and cooperation among the various levels of government, the private sector, and the general public concerning land use decisions and planning for responsible and sustainable development in a manner that protects both the environment and the economic well-being of the Commonwealth;

Whereas; The common good of the Commonwealth is served by promoting responsible and sustainable development and protecting open space;

Whereas; tourism is an integral component of the Commonwealth’s economy and family camping is a significant segment of the tourism market bringing families from all over the country as well as from many other nations;

Whereas; the family camping experience is endangered as a result of significant economic and developmental pressures;

It is hereby resolved, That in order to protect and preserve the great family camping vacation experience within the Commonwealth the Department of Environmental Protection shall conduct a study and report back to the Legislature by December 31, 2010 with a comprehensive review and action plan which will be conducted with input from the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.  Said action plan shall present matters of vital interest that need to be addressed as well as a provide a legislative and regulatory framework that may be required to be undertaken in order to effectively protect and preserve family camping in the Commonwealth.